Who says Kolkata does not pay for pricey food! A pop-up with exclusive Japanese food and completely sold out even when the cost per person is somewhere near 5000++. Wasabi from Bombay at Taj Bengal I am talking about and why not when it is having selected delicacies from Wasabi By Morimoto-Taj Mahal Hotel!
Making Sushi indeed is an art and Wasabi by Morimoto is one of the pioneers making the same. Taj Bengal has recently come up with the Wasabi from Mumbai at Taj Bengal pop-up. I was nothing but excited and why not! Some superb Japanese delicacies and beyond Sushi for that matter are indeed reason to cherish. They have invited me to attend the pop-up ( and I was super excited). However, let me share, my knowledge about Japanese food is really limited. In fact, almost similar to something I that reminds me an incident ( a scene from a daily soap)!
As I already have mentioned, my knowledge about Japanese food is very limited. To me, Japanese food means Sushi, period. Okay, I know Sashimi and Uramaki and I am done with my limited knowledge.
Japanese food means Sushi, period. Okay, I know Sashimi and Uramaki and I am done with my limited knowledge.
You may call it a park, I don't mind, you may call it a privilege, I don't mind either. However, the fact remains same that we, the food bloggers, are provided with hell lot of details about food. For me, that probably is the best part to learn about different cuisines, to enrich ourselves. I being a foodie eat a lot outside, but the meets are different as there we ended on discussing food.
When it comes to contemporary Japanese food and its presence in India, Wasabi by Morimoto, the famous Japanese fine dine by the Taj Mahal Palace indeed one of the top-notch. This place is known for the contemporary Japanese food that Chef Masaharu Morimoto (from Nobu, New York) has come up with. Taj Bengal Kolkata has come up with a Japanese pop-up from 15 to 19 Sep, 17. the Pop-up is supported with Chef Yousuke Matasudka and Chef Sachin from Taj Mahal, Mumbai.
Both Chef Yousuke Matasudka (read Chef Joe) and Chef Sachin were kind enough to share their rich experience about Japanese food. Even, Taj Bengal had arranged an interpreter as well for our sake. Chef Joe has enormous experience with the contemporary Japanese food and Chef Sachin has come up with the Indian scenario.
They served us selected delicacies from Wasabi by Morimoto main menu. The meal started with an assorted Sushi and Sashimi platter. The wasabi served was fresh and hence full of real flavor. Given I am horrible with Chopsticks, I didn't bother to fight with the sticks and ended on using the fingers to cherish the Sushi and Sashimi.
Our meal had some exclusive item including the Toro tartare with Caviar ( This dish is prepared with the fatty Tuna, which is indeed an expensive variety. apart from this, we were served with White fish or salmon carpaccio, Yellowtail jalapeño carpaccio and King salmon wara tataki from the cold appetizer section. The vegetarian cold appetizers were impressive as well especially the Wasabi Tacos served with Avocado paste and the Tofu Carpaccio was good as well. However, I found the Aona Goma Ae (spinach with peanut butter) best out of the lot.
As the Hot appetizer, there were Aburi Pork Kakuni and Ebi tempura (butter fried Prawns). Aburi Pork Kakuni is basically braised pork belly and for the best item served over there. it was soft, subtle and the fat portion to my surprise was amazing; given I always prefer lean meat.
However, the Arajiru miso soup prepared with Crab claw, clams, wakame and negi was not typically matching with my taste-bud. I skipped it after having a spoonful. From the Vegetarian hot appetizer counter, the Spicy asparagus served with Kochujan mayo was average and so was the Yasai tempura or batter-fried vegetables.
From the rice and Entrees section, both Wasabi Fried Rice and Japanese Vegetable Curry with Steamed Rice were comforting yet tasty.
After savoring more than 20 something dishes, I was running out of time! However, I ended on having one dessert hurriedly. Well almost after destructing the dessert with my spoon. It was a Fresh caramel, chocolate ice cream based dessert, Kuro Goma mille feuille.
Who says Kolkata does not pay for pricey food! A pop-up with exclusive Japanese food and completely sold out even when the cost per person is somewhere near 5000++. However, let me not torture you more 😛 , given I already have written more than 800 words. Below are the few details which might be helpful!
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What: Wasabi from Mumbai at Taj Bengal (selected delicacies from Wasabi by Morimoto)
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Where: Taj Bengal, Kolkata
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When: from 15 to 19 September 2017 (both lunch and dinner)
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Pocket Pinch: INR 10,000 ++ for two (Non-Veg) and INR 8,000++ for two (Veg)
Disclaimer: The management of Taj Bengal has invited me for the Wasabi from Mumbai pop-up.
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