japanese food

Japanese Feasting at Sushi Express Cafe

Calling all sushi lovers living or working in the Media City vicinity… I have great news for you! The very popular Japanese eatery Sushi Express (located in Cluster R, JLT) has opened a compact little cafe-style branch in the ground floor of Gloria Hotel, Media City Dubai.

Compact with Japanese-style sparse utilitarian furnishings allowing diners to sit in rows with a view of the chef in action, Sushi Cafe Express is the ideal stopover for a quick healthful lunch on a busy workday.

I visited the cafe on a weeknight with the family, and we had the place to ourselves. Despite the size of the place, the menu is brimming with enticing options. 

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Sakura: An Authentic Japanese Experience

A week ago, my sister posted this absolutely stunning image of the cherry blossom trees, in full bloom at the International Pacific University in my hometown of Palmerston North, New Zealand.

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The annual Sakura Festival is one of the most anticipated events on the calendars of the Japanese migrant community of New Zealand. Being Down Under, the cherry blossoms come to bloom there in early September, but in Japan it takes place between March and May.

Sakura is Japanese for ‘cherry blossom’, and it is quite a coincidence that a week later, I find myself in a Japanese restaurant by the same name.

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Located in the very central Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, Sakura takes the Japanese culinary experience to another level with its dedicated Chashitsu room, an interactive sushi-making counter and a very fired-up lineup of authentic Teppanyaki barbecues, cooked and served right at the table with a great deal of pomp and pizzazz. 

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Introducing Kyo Cafe & Lounge (Golden Mile 1, The Palm Dubai)

Kyo translates to ‘entertainment’ in Japanese, and that is exactly what this stylishly chic new eatery on Golden Mile 1 (The Palm, Dubai) is setting up to do. Kyo Cafe & Lounge will open up to the public around 25th August, yet I had the privilege of being invited for a pre-menu tasting early this week.

Kyo Lounge and Bar Golden Mile The Palm Dubai Japanese restaurant review by The Tezzy Files Dubai Food nd Lifestyle Blogger (5)

Created and conceptualized by a highly enterprising Egyptian management, with a kitchen headed by a French chef, Kyo serves up an unabashedly authentic Japanese fare. Multi-cultural much?! Welcome to Dubai Habibi!

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Wagamama: Fusion Japanese at The Palm, Dubai

Wagamama, the British pan-Asian restaurant chain, has recently opened its fourth branch in Dubai. The newest addition is located in Palm Jumeirah’s underground mall, Golden Mile Galleria and we had the pleasure of being invited there for a review this week.

Wagamama The Palm Golden Mile Dubai review food blog contemporary Japanese cuisine (1)

Styled with the looks of a modern Japanese ramen bar, the funky open-spaced dining area of the restaurant is invitingly casual and perfect for a long-winded meal with the family.

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Chef Date at the Japanese Food Exhibition

Japan’s premium culinary brands are on display at the Japanese Food Exhibition in Le Meridien Hotel, Airport Road, Dubai.

The exhibition features the best of Japanese ingredients sought after by the world’s most renowned Japanese chefs, and is open to the public till 14th February, 2015.

Bloggers were invited to an exclusive preview of the Japanese Food Exhibition, and were treated to live cooking and exquisite creations by Chef Toshio Date.

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