• A highlight of Urban Eatery's menu is tuna and salmon sashimi with toppings
• Raw meat has never been so incredible as with this traditional Japanese delicacy
Want to treat yourself? Try the Japanese mixed platter at Urban Eatery in Westland’s, Nairobi, on the ground floor of PwC Towers. The platter is the epitome of delectable. It is a stimulating delicacy that has you telling stories for days to come.
The platter consists of tuna and salmon sashimi (raw fish) served on top of fresh lettuce, tuna and salmon nigiri (with rice), futomaki, which means futo (thick/fat) maki (roll), pickled ginger, wasabi and a fantastically crafted soy sauce dip.
SASHIMI
Sashimi translates to “pierced meat”. As the name implies, it’s composed of only thin, delicately well-cut strips of raw meat. Traditionally there’s nothing else to enhance the flavour of the meat. Therefore, garnishes may be used for presentation, although it’s usually eaten with dabs of soy sauce.
Compared to the tuna sashimi, salmon sashimi was my favourite. The salmon is bright orange in colour and has a higher fat content that makes it easier to melt in your mouth.
It’s also lighter, softer (making it easier to chew) with a very mild fish flavour. Its smooth, rich inner texture makes it hard to believe that it’s just a piece of raw fish.
Tuna, on the other hand, is of a pale, reddish hue with visible marbling. It’s a little thicker and chewy. It takes a bit longer than salmon to melt in your mouth.
While still providing a pleasurable bite, it is low in fat and has incredibly refreshing taste once dipped in soy sauce.
NIGIRI
Nigiri is basically thinly sliced drapery of raw fish laid over a cluster of sweet and salty vinegary rice.
The rice, which is cooked in vinegar and sugar water, creates such an absolutely superb mouthfeel.
The salmon is chilled so that it doesn’t get enveloped by the flavour of the rice as it pairs really well with the smooth mound of rice.
Tuna nigiri tastes better here as its thickness marries well with the soft rice.
You don’t notice the chewy side of it as the rice mound covers that.
FUTOMAKI
Futomaki, the highlight of my experience, translates to “fat rolled sushi”. This type of sushi is rolled into a thick, long cylinder.
It consists of rice and different fillings of choice wrapped in dried, roasted nori (seaweed) and then sliced into bite-sized pieces.
I had the salmon and avocado futomaki, which makes you smile as it explodes in your mouth.
The seaweed is not overwhelming but rather has a subtle, sweet rubbery taste.
The salmon, avocado and rice are an amazing blend of tangy, sweet, soft and chewy.
MIXED BERRY SLUSHY
I paired my meal with a mixed berry slushy, which consists of blended Blueberry raspberry and strawberry purée.
Mixed with lime juice, sugar syrup and crushed ice cubes, the drink is frozen and thick.
The berries and lime juice have a decent strength to them with a very pleasant taste.
The drink isn’t too sugary, though in my opinion it could use a little more sugar syrup.
Image: MARGARET WANJIRU
REMARKS
I’ve had futomaki before but this was my first time trying the sashimi and to be honest, it was such a delight. I would not have envisioned raw meat being that incredible.
If you’re a sushi lover or want an adventure, this should definitely be in your bucket list!
Never tried the traditional Japanese delicacy before?
Why don’t you make your next stop be at The Urban Eatery.