A Chirashi Sushi Lunch at Minami Saki by Astoria

The freshest seafood, some torched sushi, grilled salmon, and some oysters. It's a winning gameplan for an all-seafood feast...

And it's game on at Minami Saki by Astoria, with their impressive range of Japanese dishes using the freshest seafood and their signature Aburi sushi. 

Early this year, I was able to try Executive Chef Kimito Katagiri's signature dishes (for more on Minami Saki by Astoria, see my previous post, A Feast For The Senses at Minami Saki), and I've been coming back to Minami Saki by Astoria ever since. Your dining experience begins with a tasty starter, their refreshing Tuna Salad (R)...

And the first order arrived, Minami Saki by Astoria's Nihonsan Kaki Tempura (P 700), plump Japanese oysters deep-fried in tempura batter. The contrasting textures, with the lightly crisp outer layer of tempura batter and the soft oysters combine for a different kind of tempura experience, releasing the mildly sweet and briny notes of the imported Japanese oysters with every bite.

The signature "torched" sushi, one of Executive Chef Kimito Katagiri's specialties, is a must-try. The Aburi Sushi Three Kinds (P 530), with "slightly burned" Tuna, Salmon, and Lapu-Lapu sushi laid on the special Aburi sauce always hits the spot. It's a unique sushi dish, with the torched seafood imparting distinct notes adding layers of flavors that sets it apart from the usual sushi, perfectly finished by the creamy Aburi sauce. Each Aburi Sushi is topped with fish roe and fresh fruit, like grape, mango and kiwi fruit, adding even more flavors.

Minami Saki by Astoria also offers a selection of special sets and bento, and the Yakizana Set (P 950) with the delicately Grilled Salmon glazed with a sweet Teriyaki Sauce is another favorite.The soft and butter-like texture of the salmon almost melts in your mouth, releasing its rich flavors capped by the sweet teriyaki sauce.

The Yakizana Set includes steamed white Japanese rice, a bowl of miso soup, salad (L), pickles and ice cream for dessert for a complete meal. Minami Saki by Astoria's Green Tea Ice Cream (R) pairs well with the set, creamy yet not too sweet. 

Minami Saki by Astoria's Chirashi Sushi (P 730), is a meal in itself with sticky Japanese sushi rice topped with assorted fresh seafood served in a bowl. Fresh and clean flavors, with tuna, salmon, mackerel, uni, tamago, squid, and fish roe on sushi rice, it just doesn't get better than that. The mildly sweet and briny notes of the fresh seafood are punctuated by a hint of wasabi for contrasting flavors. Perfect.

Cap your seafood feast with Minami Saki by Astoria's Avocado Ice Cream (P 60) to end your dining experience on a high note. Other ice cream flavors include Green Tea, Sesame, Salted Caramel, and Mint Chocolate Chip. Game over. At Minami Saki by Astoria...

Minami Saki by Astoria is located at the Ground Floor of Astoria Plaza, 15 J. Escriva Drive, Ortigas Business District, Pasig City or call 687-1111 for inquiries.

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