Sampling Sapporo in Bangkok

Although it only opened one month ago, Sushi Otaru in trendy Thonglor, is already drawing the local Japanese community thanks to its unique selection of traditional Hokkaido-style dishes and desserts prepared by Shinji Nakamine,

Nakamine, who has more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant trade as the proprietor of a sushi bar, is best remembered for winning Japan’s “Iron Chef” TV competition in 1998 and 1999. 

Located on the third floor of Arena 10, this 120-seat eatery is decked out in Japanese contemporary style with comfortable leather chairs, marble tables, with stone walls and a wooden ceiling crafted to look like the skeleton of a fish. There’re three private rooms along with a sushi bar, where you can marvel at the chefs’ skills.

Nakamine places emphasis on authentic flavours and traditional techniques. Most of his ingredients are flown in fresh daily from markets in Sapporo, so the menu changes frequently, based on the season, though he says customers will usually be offered scallop, geoduck, nishin fish roe, Japanese king mackerel, sweet prawn ebi botan and Matzusaka beef. 

Sushi is offered with a choice of tuna belly, sea urchin roe, Japanese eel and burned salmon.

I try a plate of sushi okonomi featuring Japanese king crab (Bt500), burned tuna belly (Bt490) and salmon roe (Bt190) while my companion opts for sashimi of nishin fish roe, kagami fish, hamachi fish, salmon and sweet prawn ebi botan for Bt1,500. Another must-try dishes are Matsuzaka aburu sushi for Bt450, annago sushi (conger eel) for Bt350 and avocado tempura served with matcha powder and Japanese salt sauce for Bt280. 

The restaurant also offers a variety of sake and beers imported from Sapporo.

    

FROM SAKE’S SAKE

>>Sushi Otaru is located on the third floor of Arena 10, Soi Thonglor 10. It’s open daily from 11.30am to 2.30pm and from 5pm to 11pm. Call (02) 392 7737.