The One With Tokoro Robatayaki- A Feast For The Eyes & More

Have you heard? For the first time my food review was published in print! It was the winter edition of Good Eating by South China Morning Post, the company I work for. I joined the group of contributors of the custom publishing team and was assigned to review Tokoro Robatayaki, a contemporary Japanese restaurant located in Mongkok.

(The following review is reproduction of what I have wrote originally, unedited and not as printed in the magazine, with my own photos added on)

Elegant and laid back, with soft lighting for a relaxed dining experience. The robatayaki-style theatre allows you to witness its star chef in action, while the birdcage-like designer pods are perfect for group dining.

The star of the night was undoubtedly the US Angus beef. The tenderloins were grilled to the right degree of medium rare tenderness, served on a hot plate. Each cut was bursting with that distinctive flavour of good-grade beef, rendering the accompanying selection of salts and sauces rather unnecessary.

Also highly recommended is the lobster hot pot; despite its name this delectable combination of succulent baby lobsters cut perfectly into halves, silky-smooth chewy udon and tangy sweet broth was served ready-to-eat.

There was also a good selection of robatayaki – traditional Japanese barbecue with wood fire – and we can recommend the nankotsu (soft bone chicken skewer) and negima (chicken meat with leek skewer), both of which were succulent to the bite despite being slightly burnt.

The yasai (vegetable) tempura however could do with a slightly thinner batter, though the crispy fresh greens more than made up for it.

For dessert, go for the red bean ice cream with crunchy almond flakes and fresh fruits.

The organic tomato salad which was part of the beef set meal was served only towards the end of the meal after being prompted.

The iPad menu, though impressive at first, was more than a chore to use.

A good selection of sake, shochu and plum wine, with some options for wines, beer and champagne.

Tokoro Robatayaki & Bar
3/F, Langham Place Hotel
555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok
3552 3330
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