The Watanabes' authentic Japanese creations

By JADE CHAN

HYOTAN JAPANESE RESTAURANT,
No. 63, Jalan SS15/5A,
Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: 03-5636 0326.
Business hours: Daily; Lunch, 12 noon-2.30pm; Dinner, 6pm-10.30pm.
Pork free. 

HYOTAN Japanese Restaurant is one of the few in Subang Jaya that can truly claim to provide diners an authentic Japanese experience — it is run by the Watanabe family and family head Shuzo himself leads the kitchen. 

Its quirky name – hyotan, which means “gourd” – was inspired by a dream that Shuzo’s wife, Naoko, had, said his son Naoki. 

Large enough for two: The Sakura Gozen is one of Hyotan Japanese Restaurant’s dinner sets. It features Beef Kuwayaki, Mentai Potato, Fried Salmon Roll, Maguro Tataki (Semi-Grilled Tuna with Green Tea Noodle), Kani-Su (Vinegar Sauce), Prawn and Mango Marinate with Wasabi Mayonnaise, Chawanmushi and Soboro Chirashi-Jyuu as its main dish.

“It also symbolised the creation of something from nothing, which could mean the establishment of our restaurant from when we started in May 2007 till now.” 

Executive chef and owner Shuzo came to Malaysia more than a decade ago and worked in a Japanese restaurant before venturing out to open his own with several shareholders. 

Naoki said Hyotan’s the emphasis was on healthy ingredients, most of which were sourced from Japan, and that its sauces and dishes were freshly made at the restaurant. 

From the Maki Sushi/ Oshi Sushi section: Unagi Flower Roll (Fried Sweet Egg and Cucumber rolled with Ebiko, topped with Grilled Unagi).

These include: Trout Salmon Tataki (Semi-Grilled Trout Salmon with Green Tea Noodle, served with Wasabi Dressing), Maguro Hiyayakko (Cube Cut Tuna with Beancurd, served with Soya Sauce and Vinegar-Based Sauce), Cheese Hanpen Isobe Yaki (Cheese topped on White Fish Cake Rolled with Dry Seaweed), Maguro Roll Tempura (Deep Fried Tuna Hasomaki [Slim Roll] Sushi with Tartar Sauce topped with Ebiko), Otoro Aburiyaki (Semi-Grilled Tuna Belly with Radish topped with Leek and Wasabi Dressing), Aji No Umeshiso Roll Age (Deep Fried Horse Mackerel rolled with Plum Paste), Jikasei Ganmodoki (Deep Fried Smashed Tofu Mixed with Ginkgo Nuts and other Vegetables), Kaki Mayo (Softly Fried Oyster marinated with Mayonnaise-Based Sauce, topped with Chilli Powder), Umino Sachi Yamano Sachi Kasaneyaki (Grilled Eggplant topped with Seafood and Vegetables with Sweet Miso Paste) and Smoked Salmon Carpacccio (Smoked Salmon with Sweet Sour Vinegar Sauce). 

There are also quick tidbits like Aspara Mentai (Green Asparagus served with Mentai Mayo Paste), Iidako (Baby Octopus with Sweet Miso Paste), Unagi Nama Harumaki (Unagi in Fresh Rice Paper Roll), Hiya Yakko (Chilled Beancurd) and Chuka Kurage (Jellyfish). 

Hyotan’s Maki Sushi/ Oshi Sushi section has items like Unagi Flower Roll (Fried Sweet Egg and Cucumber rolled with Ebiko, topped with Grilled Unagi [Eel]) and Kani Karaage Spiky Roll (Crispy Softshell Crab rolled with Bonito Flakes). 

Other items featured are fried/ grilled dishes, deep fried dishes, salads, Tempura, Yakitori (skewered meat), Sashimi, Nigiri Sushi, Large Rolls, Temaki/Hosomaki, Onigiri (Rice Balls), Hot Green Tea Rice items, and Hot Pot dishes. 

Grilled dish: Hotate Enoki Mentai Mayo Yaki (Boiled Scallop and Enoki Mushroom on Steel Plate, coated with Grilled Mentai Mayonnaise Sauce).

Hyotan’s Bento dinner set includes the following combinations: Salmon Sashimi and Unagi, Assorted Sashimi and Korokke, Assorted Sashimi and Deep Fried Chicken, and Salmon Sashimi and Ganmodoki (Smashed Tofu). 

Its lunch set differs daily, while promotions are available based on seasonal items. 

Besides the usual hot and cold beverages, Hyotan serves several types of beers, sakes and Japanese wines. 

For desserts, try the Monaka Ice Cream that is available in a variety of flavours like Green Tea, Vanilla and Chocolate. 

Hyotan offers several types of dining arrangements to suit customers’ preference – partitioned cubicles for intimate groups, long tables for larger groups, counter area for those who want to catch some kitchen action, and two function rooms for more privacy.  

This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.