BOTAN Japanese Restaurant

Amazing portion - Great variety of tempura, and it comes with Chawanmushi, Miso soup (with salmon), and a salad.

While the tempura was pretty normal, the rice was tasty and good. Overall, I'd give this ten-don, a Seven out of Ten (7/10). Good value for money but not amazing

Good portion (picture was taken after we were half done with it). Salmon skin was crispy and tasty. Comes with a mayonnaise and roe dip (mmmmm).

The seared wagyu beef cubes are so succulent, juicy, and tender, with a light chew that releases all the lovely smoky meaty fatty savoury salty flavours within.
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A touch of sea salt lends greater depth of taste. Served with a side of addictively crunchy garlic chips, which burst with pleasant herbal spice notes.
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Well worth the splurge.
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Invited tasting.
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Botan Japanese Restaurant
More details in profile & blog

This features premium cuts, gently placed over sticky chewy vinegared sushi rice which has a delicate grainy sweet sour flavour.
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Especially notable is the Bafun Uni / Horse **** Sea Urchin, this luxurious morsel is creamy and grainy in texture, with a fresh delicate taste of the ocean.
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I also had the Maguro Akami / Tuna Fish Loin, and Shake Rosu / Salmon Fish Loin, both of which were decent.
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Invited tasting.
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Botan Japanese Restaurant
More details in profile & blog

What I like most is the light, crisp, non-greasy tempura batter coating the ingredients. This retains its light crunch even after dipping in the tempura sauce.
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The assorted medley of vegetables includes string beans, chili, brinjal / eggplant / aubergine, sweet potato, and pumpkin, all with a soft moist chew and bright vegetal earthy sweet flavours.
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But the star is easily the large juicy kuruma ebi / king prawn / Japanese tiger prawn, which has a refreshing succulent bite and bold sweet savoury flavour.
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Invited tasting.
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Botan Japanese Restaurant
More details in profile & blog

Said to be a popular post-drinking / hangover dish, the Nagasaki Plate Noodles resembles the Chinese Sang Mee, except this version is both hearty and healthy.
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The thin crisp noodles are coated in a rich vegetable gravy, upon which is ladled a medley of vegetables, all stewed till soft, including cabbage, carrots, choy sum / Chinese flowering cabbage, black fungus / cloud ear fungus, bean sprouts, and narutomaki / kamaboko / cured fish surimi.
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This has robust vegetal earthy sweet savoury flavours, and the overall dish is light on the palate. Pure comfort food.
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Invited tasting.
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Botan Japanese Restaurant
More details in profile & blog