Teppanyaki At Okura..

Every time I set foot in a hotel that belongs to a traditional Japanese hotel chain, I instinctively cringe inwards. Time has stood still in most of these hotels as the decor is usually that of the 80s style with nary a hint of fresh paint or carpeting. Thus, it is with a fair amount of trepidation when I first visited the Sazanka restaurant located at the Hotel Okura.

Even though this Teppanyaki restaurant is located on the 11th Floor of the Hotel Okura, do not expect a spectacular view or decor. I must stress at this point that this is strictly only about food. The dinner set menu consisting of fresh prawns, Wagyu beef, is really testament to the chef's belief in offering only the best in freshness to his patrons. Animal lovers and activists will probably bawl their eyes out at the sight of the jumping prawns seared directly onto the hot grill. Cruel, cruel...

The Kobe beef served with garlic crisps was my favourite as I "revered" in Wagyu;) The garlic crisps were fried to perfection and served as a delicious complement to the meat. Though there were 3 different sauces in accompaniment, I vouch for the au natural taste so that the meltingly tenderness of the beef coupled with its succulent meat juices can flow through seamlessly. Ahh, the epitome of contentment...

(I am still...) Salivating over my plate of Kobe beef with garlic crisps fried to a golden brown

The rest of the set menu at Sazanka is of a standard Teppanyaki fare of vegetables, garlic fried rice, dessert, etc.

Since my first visit to Sazanka a couple of years ago, I have been back again and again...hence, to conclude, this is a case of "Never judge a book by its cover..."^^

Sazanka at The Okura Hotel
Address: 2-10-4 Toranomon, 11F Okura Hotel Main Building, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Telephone: 03-3505-6071
Michelin: *