Normally I wouldn't go to Sakae for sushi because it just can't compare to the better offerings out there ie. Hachi, Itacho or Sushi Tei etc.
Thus I did not expect much on my recent visit there with a client, and found myself rather satisfied with the food despite some misses. Plus points were that they revamped their menu and orders were done electronically. Maybe all these were this already in place and I'm just being sua ku HAHA.
We ordered mainly salmon dishes and the featured ones are:
1) Seared Salmon with Yuzu on Noodles (the noodle had a more fanciful name but I'm getting old...)
- very disappointing because it literally had no taste to it, and I could not detect a hint of yuzu. DWYM - Don't Waste Your Money.
2) Sakae Signature salad
- I enjoyed this the most, as there were 3 main flavours; sweet, spicy, umami (foodie fact: this is the newest human taste bud) which kept me going back for more for the crunchy bits of fish skin & fresh lettuce/beetroot that was nicely juxtaposed with fresh fatty slices of salmon sashimi. SHIOK.
3) Salmon Sakura Sushi & Salmon Cheese Sushi
- both were decently done, with thick salmon pieces atop neatly packed pearl rice grains. I was curious & worried about the cheese and salmon combination, as both textures were the soft and gooey type. It turned out to be a good one, where the umami of the cheese brought out the freshness of the fish and simply melted into the flesh.
4) Soft shell Crab Omelette Maki
- I guess you can't go wrong with this, but Sakae did it well, with a fragrant egg skin and nicely fried crustacean. Simple and good!
5) Azuki bean and Matcha Tai Yaki
- it was a joy to discover this new addition to the dessert menu but I found it too sweet though, and would prefer a lighter version. Those more sweet-toothed can give it a try in future! I think my sweet tooth is disappearing with age.. :p
Overall, I had an enjoyable meal that left me feeling satisfied and healthy. But it still doesn't make the cut to be on my favourite list..... yet?
And have a great CNY you all!
