Inspired by Hokkaido volcanic hot stone cooking, Minori Japanese Restaurant now serves seafood and meat grilled according to the ancient art of ishiyaki for steaming-hot comfort!
It's been more than a year since our last visit to Minori, Mutiara Damansara's halal-certified Japanese restaurant, so we're happy to return to explore its latest menu.
Chefs Zamri and Zul collectively bring nearly four decades of experience to the table, preparing traditional Japanese classics with care and calm.
Minori's refreshed repertoire for 2024 now includes the lava stone specialities, plus Hokkaido-sourced seafood sashimi, buckwheat noodles with terrific tempura, and more.
The Kaisen Yoganyaki (RM62; seafood) and Gyuniku Yoganyaki (RM40; beef) both showcase prime produce to do justice to the sizzling stone stab preparation.
The seafood spotlights fresh Norwegian salmon, tiger prawns, baby scallops, butterfish and squid with a house-made tartar sauce - the hints of Japanese mayo sweetness perfectly partner with the savoury flavours of the ocean.
The Australian grass-fed sirloin is superbly supple, with a naturally rich flavour enhanced with lightly smoky accents. The meat is easily seared within seconds, complemented by authentic yakiniku sauce, garlic and spring onions.
For more beefiness, also order the Beef Yakiniku (RM42), with Australian grass-fed sirloin coated in Minori’s shoyu sauce, a special recipe laced with green apple for a fruity tang that uplifts the luscious, umami-loaded meat.
For raw seafood enthusiasts, Minori's beautiful Jyo Sashimi Moriawase (RM152) is a triumphant treat, with smooth, succulent cuts of Norwegian salmon and Hokkaido-sourced delicacies such as scallops, ama ebi, maguro and sea bream to pamper the palate.
We've consistently enjoyed Minori's makis on every visit - the Salmon Coral Roll (RM29) is slathered with salmon on top and stuffed with crab meat in the centre, layered with avocado and tamago in pleasurable proportions. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
For time-honoured noodles, try the Hiyashi Tempura Soba (RM38) - nutty buckwheat noodles, tasty enough to relish even on their own, served with a selection of seafood and vegetable tempura, including crispy-juicy tiger prawns, enoki mushrooms, okra and interlocking onions.
Minori Japanese Restaurant
First Floor, The Royale Chulan Damansara, Jalan PJU 7/3, Mutiara Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.Daily 12pm-2:30pm, 6:30pm-10pm, except Fridays (only 6:30pm-10pm).
Tel: 03-7731-7611