GIFU SPECIALITIES TAKE CENTRESTAGE AT KAMPACHI

Ayu fish and Hida beef from Gifu Prefecture will take centre stage at Kampachi restaurant, EQ Kuala Lumpur from 17 – 23 July.

At a special dinner graced by Gifu Prefecture Governor, Hajime Furuta (2nd from left) and Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, His Excellency Katsuhiko Takahashi (2nd from right), we were treated to Gifu’s native produce: Kikurage mushroom, Shungiku (chrysanthemum greens), and Gohei-mochi complemented by a selection of sake such as Tamakashiwa (award-winning Junmai Daiginjo with well-balanced, muted melon sweetness and fresh acidity) and Hyakujuro Akazura (smooth, super dry Junmaisyu with rich aroma reminiscent of cooked rice).

Located between Tokyo and Kyoto, Gifu Prefecture is a haven of natural beauty, nestled amidst the breathtaking Japanese mountain range. Its pristine rivers and lush forests, fresh environment and sustainability practices make Gifu known for its exceptional agricultural produce.

Furuta said: "Gifu is blessed with abundant agricultural products, and we are thrilled to promote them beyond Japan. We are committed to sustainable farming practices and preserving the unique landscape of Gifu."

Furuta then presented Kampachi with the ‘Recommended Overseas Gifu Ayu Restaurant’ certification by the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) and ‘Ayu of the Nagara River System’ Promotion Association; making the restaurant the first in Malaysia and second in the world to receive the honour.

Guests were then treated to a sumptuous dinner of Ayu fish and Hida beef prepared by Kampachi Japanese chef Yusuke Ishigami. Also known as sweet fish, Ayu can only be found in the purest and cleanest waters especially in Gifu’s Nagara River.

Cherished by the local community for centuries, the river also helps to give rise to and nurtures traditional "Cormorant Fishing" with 1,300 years of history; and "Hon Mino washi paper", handmade Japanese paper registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Raised in several facilities in Gifu Prefecture using clean, natural spring water under strict hygiene and temperature control, sustainably farmed Ayu fish is now available year-long.

Fine, tender with beautiful marbling, Hida Beef’s melt-in-the-mouth texture, and rich aroma and taste gained widespread recognition when Hidagyu achieved top honours at the 8th All-Japan National Wagyu Cattle Expo in 2002, held in Gifu Prefecture. Its continued success at various Beef Cattle Expo in 2012, 2013 and 2015 has made Hida Beef highly sought-after by discerning food lovers.

Our Gifu dinner commenced with Ayu Kanroni, simmered sweet fish in sweet soy sauce. The surprisingly firm albeit boney fish had fine flesh; its stomach was roe-filled. I like how the caramel-like shoyu that enhanced the fish’s natural sweetness.

The raw slices of Hida Gyu Carpaccio gave my jaw quite a workout. Luckily, the pleasant meaty richness accompanied by fresh greens and baby tomatoes made sampling the beef a distinct experience.

Sweet memories of my sojourn to Takayama returned when I sampled Ayu Shioyaki, grilled sweet fish with salt. We learned how to debone the fish by flattening the curvy Ayu with our chopsticks then gently pulling the tail to dislodge the whole vertebrate. The flesh was delicious and sweet, accented by a hint of salt.

True to all the key characteristics preceding it, the Hida Gyu Misoyaki – Hida beef with homemade miso didn’t disappoint. Served medium rare, the thickish beef slices tasted almost buttery on the palate. We love how the savoury miso with an imperceptible tinge of heat added a tantalising dimension to the meat.

For the speciality of Ayu Gohan (rice with sweet fish), the chef grilled the fishes separately then deboned and filleted them. The fish bones are used to make fish stock to cook the rice. To serve, the fish fillets are placed atop the cooked rice for presentation before everything was mixed together. While the rice tasted acceptable, the fish was too broken up to make its presence felt.

We enjoyed every drop of the Nameko Misoshiru, a soulfully satisfying miso soup with nameko mushroom. These small, amber-brown mushroom with a slippery gelatinous coating along with kelp added textural interest to the yummy broth. 

Dinner wrapped up with Gohei Mochi, a speciality of Central Japan, the skewered flat rice cake with sweet miso apparently is shaped like waraji (a traditional sandal). The soft rice cake texture reminded me of our ketupat; the miso paste with a sprinkling of coloured sesame seeds on it was more salty than sweet. The generous coating was a tad overwhelming on our tastebuds but it slowly grew on us the more we nibbled on it.

For me, the dinner was a memorable throwback to my trip to Takayama. Should you wish to embark on the culinary tour of Gifu, the menu of Gifu's bounties starts from RM60.

Advance reservation is required – for reservations at Kampachi, email: kampachi@equatorial.com or visit: https://linktr.ee/KampachiOfficial

 

SELERA SERANTAU ADDS SPICE TO NEW CINNAMON

Embark on a irresistible culinary tour of the Asian region with Selera Serantau for buka puasa at One World Hotel’s spanking new Cinnamon Coffee House.

The jaw-dropping, cavernous 600-seat restaurant welcomes diners with a floor-to-ceiling curved LED screen upon entry. Strolling down the long walkway will reveal different dining areas and live interactive kitchens; every facet stirs up a sense of wonder and excitement even before one is seated down.

External pockets of lush greenery are visible from certain parts of the dining area whilst an infusion of modern and subtle Oriental interior touches: dark marble counters, floral displays, warm spot and recessed lighting and a feature wall adorned with traditional roof tile designs add beguiling charm to the elegant and streamlined space. Food is artfully displayed and served from island counters, live action kitchens and glass showcases.

For the month of Ramadan, the Cinnamon team has gone to town with an extravagant spread of 100 local and regional delicacies based on 4 rotational menus. Whether it’s Malay, Indian, Chinese, Japanese or Continental, no picky palate is left unfulfilled.

When you break fast at Cinnamon this year, we suggest starting at the premium Seafood section: king crab legs, freshly shucked oysters, crayfish, mussels and tiger prawns. The fresh, sweet crab legs are especially noteworthy and a prized catch for buka puasa.

Heartwarming familiar favourites: Sup Tulang Rawa (beef shin bone broth with local herbs and spices), Roast Lamb and Beef, Satay, Daging Gulai Utara (Northern Malaysia beef curry), Chicken Rendang Minang, Assorted Kerabu, and festive bites of Lemang, Ketupat and Serunding beckon. 

Crowd-pleasing Chicken Rice, Lamb and Prawn Masala, and Chicken 65, Tandoori from the Chinese and Indian sections complete the Malaysian offerings.

Those with a penchant for Japanese fare will be overjoyed to find a wide selection of colourful and appetising Sashimi, Nigiri Sushi, Maki Sushi, Tempura, and Fried Tebasaki (chicken wings) to savour.

International specialities to sample include Seafood Chowder, different types of Pizza, cook-to-order Pasta, Cold Cuts and Terrines, Seafood Chowder, Cheese Board, Baked Fish with Herb Bearnaise Sauce and Lamb Cutlets with Rosemary amongst others.

It is virtually impossible to eschew the vast plethora of desserts: Malay Kuih, Baklava, Aiskrim Potong, Peanut Butter Velvet Cake, Earl Grey Mousse Cake, Pralines, French Entremets, shot glasses of Jelly with Longans, and freshly made cups of frothy Teh Tarik.

Cinnamon’s Selera Serantau is priced at RM208 nett per person once Ramadan starts. For early birds pre-booking, the buka puasa buffet is available at RM168 nett per person and RM84 per child (6-12 years old) only for reservations made before 23 March.

For reservations, please call Cinnamon Coffee House, One World Hotel PJ, tel: 03-76811157 or WhatsApp https://wa.me/60162109521