Yummy Yumi

 Published on 15/07/2016 on Daily News

Going on the tour of my culinary journey and Japanese cuisine, we make a stop at Yumi which is located the Taj Samudra Colombo. Yumi came to life along with the re-launch of the hotel after an intense refurbishment and facelift it got in 2014.

This chic resto-bar is perfect for all kinds of dining experiences. Whether it’s for family, intimate dinner for two, casual catch up or even for a business meeting, it’s got a great feel good ambiance. The earthy mud coloured seating along with the wood brown walls and orange décor sets the mood just right for any occasion. Around 80 people can sit inside while if you prefer to be outside in the natural cool breeze, they can accommodate around 12 people.

Digging into the menu, there’s so much one has to try and well….you have to do several trips there to try out everything or unless you are like Obelix (who always has room for more), you can snack on a bit of everything. With the help of Taj Samudra Colombo’s Executive Chef Dhaithya Krawage, Chef Sudesh come together to make a menu that brings out a variety of some of the best and favourite sushi, sashimi and more of a Japanese cuisine foodie. The ingredients are all brought down from abroad to keep that authenticity alive.

Moving on to the beverages, they have a wide list of hard drinks as well as a wine list. Yumi operates from 12.30pm for lunch and 6pm to Midnight for dinner. There is a Happy Hour deal from 6pm to 7pm where they slash 50 percent off from your cocktails, selected beverages and wine by the glass bill. Guests who come in for the Happy Hour can enjoy some DJ music that is not too loud and not too hyper.

The menu is broken into 11 categories which include a special lunch time set menu which come in Bento boxes as well. You can choose from six varieties of Bento boxed - Tempura (miso soup, Yumi Salad, mixed tempura, chef's choice of sashimi), Yaki Sakana (miso soup, Yumi Salad, teriyaki cooked Seer), Saba Siyoyaki (grilled Japanese Mackerel fish with rice, sashimi, pickle salad, miso and fruits), Tori Teri (miso soup, Yumi Salad, mixed tempura, chef's choice of sashimi, teriyaki cooked chicken), Unaju (served with teriyaki sauce, Yumi Salad) and Yasai (Yumi salad, tofu steak, yasai tempura). The above mentioned come with Japanese sticky rice, pickle and fruits.

Sashimi and Nigiri

We start with Sashimi which includes Maguro (Tuna), Salmon, Modha, Tako (octupus), Ama Ebi (sweet shrimp) and the Sashimi Morriawase which is a platter of the above mentioned and is priced at Rs. 2,650. If you like rice with your sushi, then Nigiri is your pick. There is a choice of Maguro, Salmon, Ebi, Modha, Unagi (Eel) and Tobico Gunkan (fresh fish roe). The Nigiri ranges from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1,700.

Maki

Maki has been one of my favourites as it involves a little bit of rice, vegetables and seafood of your choice. A friend of mine who does make Sushi at home...one day made Sushi maki with mango in it and it was FABULOUS (and I am still waiting for more of them). Yumi serves up six to eight pieces of Spicy Avocado, Kappa (cucumber), Ebi Tempura or Fry, Tekka, Salmon or Salmon Avocado, California (crab sticks, avocado, cucumber & lettuce) all in a roll of seasoned Japanese rice. If you like a combination of everything you could also try the Spicy Maki that includes Tuna, Salmon & Crab meat with a chef's special sauce or the Yumi Special Maki which is tempura prawns & crab meat with cucumber and chef's special rainbow rice. The Maki dishes ranges from Rs. 690 to Rs. 1,350.

There's the Mamenori Maki which is soybean wrappers. Some of the highlighted dishes are the Special Volcano which is Spicy Crab meat, crispy tempura shrimp and tanuki and the Yumi Special Mame Maki (10 pieces) which is Rainbow rice, tempura prawn, crab sticks, cucumber, salmon and tempura crunch with Chef's special sauce. This variation ranges from Rs. 1,290 to Rs. 2,000.

Now I know a lot of people who love their leaves and what better and what better to enjoy that salad in a Japanese style. In the Cold Appetizers there's the Mix of Sashimi which is tuna, salmon, crunchy crab with Chef's special sauce. Then there is the Kaiso (seaweed) Salad which includes Kaiso wakame with yuzu wadu (citrus) dressing. Going to the Hot appetizers there is Edame (blanched fresh soya bean pods) is an all time favourite of mine...you give me a bowlful of it and I will finish all of it :). If you are a fan of Tofu, order the Agedashi which is crispy fried tofu with soba sauce.

If you want to try more vegetarian, check out Yasai tempura batter fried mix vegetable with tempura sauce.

A-la-Carte

One in every group of friends would not be a BIG fan of Japanese food, so to suit their palatte as well there is the Wagyu Sirloin Steak (Japanese beef tenderloin) served with garlic sauce, Australian Lamb cutlet, Tenderloin Steak and Rib Eye Steak for all you meaty people. These dishes start from Rs. 3,800 upwards. Every meal ends with a sweet tooth craving. A must try is the Maccha Green Tea Ice Cream. There is also the Wasabi Creme Brulee, Bitter warm Chocolate Tart and Fruit Moriawase. It’s always good to book and go…so for reservations you can call 2446622 and keep in mind that the dress code does not allow shorts.