Hanaya Japanese Dining, Grand Millennium KL

Today, I had the pleasure of attending a food review at Hanaya Japanese Dining located in Grand Millennium Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Turns out we were the first guests of the restaurant as this was a preview of their menu, and they were only opening their restaurant to paying customers from tomorrow onwards (16th April).

Hanaya is operated by the same folks as Ten Japanese Fine Dining so we knew lunch was going to be good. Their chefs come from Japan and we watched as they skillfully sliced the sashimi behind the sushi counter.

Hanaya serves traditional Japanese cuisine and during our review, we were treated to an extravagant 8-course omakase dinner. The omakase is priced at RM300 per person. Do note that omakase, means "I'll leave it to you" so the menu will differ daily depending on ingredient availability and chef's creativity.

To start, we were served an appetizer of parboiled red snapper soft roe with ponzu sauce, seaweed and spicy grated radish. Soft roe, also known as milt or shirako (male genitalia of the fish that contains sperm) is a rare treat. I would describe it as creamy however it is an acquired taste. But I can finally say that I've tried this delicacy. :)

Next is the soup course - common Oriental clams and minced fish cake with grated green beans sauce and nanohana. Nanohana, better known as rapeseed is apparently one of the oldest vegetables cultivated in Asia. This spring vegetable adds a dash of colour and texture to the dish. Service is most impressive and commendable, as the waitresses are very attentive (quickly refilling our drinks and also providing us with a box/hook for our handbags) as well as being very knowledgable about the ingredients in every dish.

Every dish here is a visual delight, and the entree is a prime example. Featuring 5 different components, we all went "wow" as the plates were placed before us. I had a great time trying out all these new flavours such as the botargo (salted dried fish roe), bamboo shoots in balsamic vinegar and sticky tofu.  We also had fried prawns served in 3 different ways - with nori, ohba leaves and arare (crispy Japanese cracker) - each with a different flavour and textures. My favorite is the red snapper with Mozuku seaweed.

And then came the showstopper.... the gorgeous assorted seasonal sashimi platter. Presentation is top notch, and ingredients are super fresh. We were advised to start with the milder flavours such as saba with vinaigrette, Chinese mactra (aoyagi), botan ebi with avocado and cucumber sauce, seared salmon with bonito cream cheesse and end with the chutoro with sweet spicy gochujang sauce. Loved this a lot!

Spot the dainty butterfly... so pretty!

I had to rush off to pick the kids up from school, but I was glad I got to try the next dish before I left. Charcoal grilled Akita Wagyu Steak is the name of the dish, and oh-my-God-it's-so-amazing! Cooked to a perfect medium rare, the steak was buttery, melt-in-the-mouth tender.... the marbling on the beef was just fantastic. Seriously good, and all it needed was sea salt to bring out its flavours.

The 8-course omakase will usually continue with a steamed dish, rice dish and dessert.

It was certainly a great lunch, thoroughly enjoyed the meal and company. Would love to return here with Hubby lunch next time ;)



Complimentary 3-hours parking at Grand Millennium Hotel for dining customers.

Opening times: Lunch 11.30am - 2.30pm; Dinner 6.00pm til late.

Service: Excellent.

Price: RM300 for omakase.

Location: Hanaya Japanese Dining, Lobby Floor, Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur, 160 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel: 03-2110 5499



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