ed's Place: Wasabi Japanese Cuisine

Last two days ago, me and Furby had our best Japanese meal in Abu Dhabi at Wasabi Japanese Cuisine. We accidentally discover this amazing restaurant after a tiring day of work and crave for some Japanese food. We Googled for Japanese restaurant in Abu Dhabi and Wasabi was one of the first few results displayed. And one of them is a review from Time Out Abu Dhabi saying it was the best Japanese restaurant in Abu Dhabi with plenty of positive comments from people who have tried it. Then Furby suggested checking Trip Advisor if this Wasabi is really that good and turn out the reviews are also similarly promising. Feeling a little confident as previously we had tried some recommended Japanese restaurant and they turn up not so nice, I pick up my hand phone and called Wasabi to book a table.

Wasabi is located at the Ground Floor of Al Diar Mina Hotel. The hotel is on Meena Street. In between Porche's show room and Adnoc gas station. Within 5 minutes walk from Sheraton Hotel Corniche and Corniche Hospital. Once you arrive at the front of the hotel, Wasabi is very easily noticed at the right hand side.

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Wasabi is not a very big restaurant but still decorations in the restaurant is very similar to typical Japanese restaurants with open spaced seats, private room and at the counter. Ambient in the restaurant is great for a having a casual dinner. The selection on their menu is vast. Sake, sushi, sashimi, ramen, udon, bento or dessert is available. One notable mention is they serve PORK! Very rare food in Abu Dhabi. We tried their Chasiu, Makunuochi Bento, Mix Sushi and Ogura Red Bean Ice Cream.

Verdict: Very very nice. Chasiu is very tender and juicy. Makunouchi Bento is a huge meal with plenty of delicious dish. The braised vegetable and chicken is very good. Comes together with very fresh sashimi. Sushi is the best. All the sushi is very fresh and tastes wonderful especially the Salmon Sushi. Very fresh, tender and fat. Ogura Red Bean Ice Cream is on not as good as the others, but still taste great.

Price: Medium high. Hotel food price where two person dinner will cost around AED250 - AED300.

Now lets have a look of the pictures.

Seats at the sushi and sashimi counter where you can see the chef prepares the fresh sushi and sashimi
D90 35mm f/2 @ 1/30 sec, f/2, ISO 900

Private 2 seat room that for us
D90 12-24mm f/4 @ 1/25 sec, f/4, ISO 1600

Ready for order from Wasabi's menu
D90 35mm f/2 @ 1/30 sec, f/2, ISO 1250

On the menu's first page, Irasshaimase means welcome
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Green tea to quench our thirst first
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Complimentary maki sushi while we wait for our food
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Furby looking forward for her first bite of sushi
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Appetizer: Chasiu! Pork! Our first time having pork in Abu Dhabi. Yum yum
D90 35mm f/2 @ 1/125 sec, f/2, ISO 400

Thinly sliced braised pork. So nice...
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Furby is so touched
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Furby's Main Course: Makunouchi Bento
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Makunouchi Bento's appetizer: Salad in special sauce (sesame, lemon and some seafood paste i guess) and Miso soup. Both are very delicious
D90 35mm f/2 @ 1/30 sec, f/2, ISO 400

Makunouchi Bento (Clockwise from top left): Teriyaki chicken, ginger and pickle, flower shaped rice with sprinkle of black sesame seed, grilled fish on lotus root, edamame (pad bean), fish cake, rolled smoked salmon strip, sweet tamago (egg), grilled salmon, braised vegetable and chicken, tatsuta-age (fried) chicken, fried prawns in sweet and spicy sauce. Very grand bento!
D90 35mm f/2 @ 1/30 sec, f/2, ISO 800