The Japanese Chef behind new entrant Youka, used to run Tensho 天勝彩酒食鄉 just a street behind this new location. That was actually one of my top picks in town for a casual Japanese meal and many dishes always turned out thoughtfully just right, and for a while they served the best Tuna Intestines Cream Cheese 酒盗チーズ by a large margin. Over here at newly opened Youka, the food focuses more on seafood albeit with a price hike. Many dishes here are priced at the higher end of the spectrum, although we still discovered hidden bargains such as the lunch Sushi Set.
Bento Box @ $338 -
We saw others’ Bento boxes and instantly thought it was not too good value for money on a relative scale. So we decided to skip it.
Salad, Appetizer and Steamed Egg Chawan-mushi -
Part of the lunch sets. All were only average and expected.
I guess it’s only lunch set after all?
Chawan Mushi -
Actually this appeared all bubbly and overcooked, and no Mitsuba herbs were spotted either.
I checked what others ate previously and their ones seem to be better executed. But as it is this time… ~ 5/10
[御節弁当] Osechi New Years Set - Soup is $90, Osechi Bento is $380
This was my main purpose to come try out this place, as we heard that they will be serving the New Years Osechi set. This was a bit pricier than what we can get at other places, and although it looked aesthetically pleasing enough, it was missing a few essential elements. No signs of a 伊達巻 or Konbu Maki, Lotus Roots, etc. Slightly disappointed but I guess this is only a once-off thing. ~ 6/10
お雑煮 Ozouni -
A pre-requisite during a New Years meal. The base soup was balanced and carried a slight yuzu kick. The grilled mochi was a bit too sticky.
Close Up of the Osechi – $380
This was just ok and missing some elements. Other Hong Kong places used to provide a more comprehensive package but to be fair, they stopped doing it. Expectations expectations! Even the version I made before was better.. ~ 6/10
鯖棒寿司 – Mackerel Bou Sushi $200
When this arrived, the shape totally reminds me of the previous ones I ate at Tensho 天勝彩酒食鄉. This was quite decent and with fresh enough marinated Mackerel Saba fish. I prefer Kichi, Osaka Restaurant and Irori’s versions at their primmest state, but this one comes a close 4th. ~ 7.5/10
Wagyu Beef Mince Katsu – $120
We ordered this out of curiosity, and it turned out to be really great. The wagyu mince definitely had a wagyu oily taste and chunky, it was also juicy and fried well. One of the best versions in town easily. ~ 9/10
Lunch Sushi Set – $280
Quality of the fishes and shellfish was really great, in fact better than Ginza Iwa for me personally. The rice and knife cutting skills are only ok but for me, the tane of the seafood quality is always prioritized and here it passed with flying colors. Definitely punching above it’s weight and impressive in HK context, even considering it’s only lunch. ~ 8/10
Miso Soup -
Plenty of Aburaage than real silken tofu. The soup base was more generic than real aged Miso based. Could be better rather than being too commercial expected. ~ 6.9/10
Chu-Toro Sushi – $100 each piece
Someone ate the piece in the sushi set above, and said this was awesome. We delved in to order this a la carte, and sure enough, it was so velvety and also had a great balance between flavour and oiliness. Actually this was kind of unique because it wasn’t pure fattiness here. Yum! ~ 9/10
Japanese Pear -
To finish the meal. Simplicity but decent I guess. 6/10
Although we didn’t receive any big surprises, the Mince Katsu and also the $280 Lunch Sushi Course were memorable. The same can’t be said about the New Years Osechi Course or the Side Course dishes. It definitely had both highs in the meal and also some that were more normally expected. Ultimately it is all relative to the price point!? I will definitely come back for these 2 items.
Price: HKD $550 for lunch
Food: ♕♕♕♕ to ♕♕♕♕ 1/2
Ease of Access: 4/5 (MTR Wanchai Station, new to Fook Lam Moom)
Address: 灣仔莊士敦道35-45號1D舖
Shop 1D No 45, 35-45 Johnston Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Ph: 2833 5188
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