Nippori
A Home-Cooked Meal
By Hiranmayii Awli Mohanan
A cosy Japanese home best describes Nippori. The relaxed energy here is mustered by young restauranteur, Daichi, who pays an ode to his Japanese heritage through this café. Nippori embodies the Japanese tradition, from its façade to fare. Beyond the sliding doors, a quaint, modest interior transports patrons to a Japanese home with its wooden accents and tatami seating area. The extensive menu serves sets of true- to-tradition, home- cooked varieties, nigiri sushi, sashimi and creative additions for the adventurous.
Burnt Cheese Curry Ramen
While burnt cheese and Japanese are the unlikeliest of pairs, Daichi presents creativity brimming in a bowl. Nippori’s sought-after Japanese curry is united chicken soup stock (Daichi’s father’s recipe) for a familiar flavour. This is met with springy ramen, burnt mozzarella cheese, homemade chicken char siew and Tokyo ajitamago egg. We loved this simple, yet sinful dish – it reflects something a mother would whip up on a rainy day.
Original Japanese Hamburg Rice Set
The juicy and delicious hamburg patty blanketed in a rich sweet and savoury sauce, is meant to be eaten with plain steamed rice rather than a bun – and its perfect that way. Topped with a sunny side up, this dish makes the ultimate Japanese home-style comfort food that you can’t find in most Japanese restaurants here. With a variety of flavours to choose from like white cheese garlic sauce, cheese lava red sauce and cheddar cheese sauce, you will never get bored of it even if you have one every other day. The set is served with watermelon, chawanmushi, miso soup and daikon.
Unagi Stamina Maki
For unagi lovers, Nippori offers assorted renditions of this Japanese delicacy, from an entire fillet, don to maki – which we chose. The imported unagi is prepared kabayaki style, grilled and basted with kabayaki sauce. Japanese rice, tamagoyaki, kyuri (cucumber) make the maki. The well-prepared unagi serves rich flavours with an appetising texture – crisp on the outside but succulent and tender on the inside.
King Salmon Nigiri
This was a salmon affair and an oishi experience. Crafted by Chef Fukuzato, a trio of salmon nigiri allures with its generously long slice and pink hue. Atop the salmon slices are three differing condiments such as the tobiko mayo, aburi mentai and crabmeat gratin cheese. Sit back and allow your palate to encounter different taste profiles.
Hokkaido Burnt Cheesecake
They say good things come to those who wait – so we did and were rewarded with a velvety, Hokkaido burnt cheesecake. Creamy with a soft centre and light as a feather, Nippori’s burnt cheesecake marked a sweet ending to our glorious meal.
Address: Nippori *Japanese cuisine (pork-free)
Empire Damansara, G11, Jalan PJU 8/8,
Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Tel: +60 3-7733 8592