8 MUST-TRY DISHES OF KENAJI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

We have just concluded the Masskara Festival in Bacolod City and I was very tired. I had several judging stints; got too many visitors in my gallery and  attended so many blogging events and parties.

Great because we had a pending invitation to try some food in one Japanese Restaurant in Bacolod City – the Kenaji. With me were my superiors at La Consolacion College-Bacolod, our Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Ditas Jason and Dr. Nenette Padilla, our MBA program Head. Just to warn you, while they address us Doctors, we claimed no expert in food, we are simply good eaters and I guess with good taste too.

While Doc Ditas and Doc Nenette are my superiors, we are friends on the personal level and one thing common to us is our love for food. Oh well with our sizes, isn’t it obvious? Peace, Doc Ditas and Doc Nenette. Eating and laughing over little things our ways to relieve ourselves from stress.

Kenaji Japanese Restaurant is owned by Princess Mari who had stayed in Japan for 9 years as an English teacher and married to a Japanese. Mari did not study culinary, but her many years of stay in Japan allowed her to know a variety of Japanese food and their culture.Mari has  a passion for food and she confessed  that she made her own twist to her offerings at Kinaji. In a nutshell, we love the food at Kenaji Japanese Restaurant and the prices are pretty reasonable.

I have never been to Japan and am no expert about Japanese Food. But I love Japanese food, so this review is simply based on my personal taste.

Below are TOP ON MY LIST: 8 MUST-TRY DISHES OF KENAJI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

1. DRAGON MAKI

My idea of The dragon roll is an outside thick roll of fish  wrapped with thinly sliced avocado. The green layers of the avocado resemble the scales of a dragon. In some other restaurants, the dragon roll is sometimes referred to as the caterpillar roll. But I like Mari’s version of Dragon Roll. She used prawn, seaweed, her special sauce, some crisps, fish roll, lettuce and instead of avocado she used mango. I like the presence of mango in this dish because it gives an element of sweetness into the roll. Price –PHP 148.00

2. SPICY TUNA MAKI

Spicy tuna is a common name for different rolls of sushi with two things in common: the use of tuna, and a spicy sauce. PHP 135

3. SALMON SASHIMI

Sashimi is thinly sliced raw meat—usually  salmon or tuna—that is served without rice.I love salmon and what I like about eating raw fish is the clean  taste. Price PHP 180.00

4. SALMON NEGI SUSHI

Negi is usually described as having a taste similar to the green onion, though sweeter. For this dish, Mari used white onions which are also sweet. Price-PHP 180

5. YAKI UDON WITH KIMCHI

Yakiudon is stir-fried Udon noodles with meat and vegetables.  Even though Yakiudon isn’t fancy Japanese food, with a lot of vegetables and meat, it is still a very good thing for you to eat.  Perfect lunch or a great alternative to a fast food dinner. Price – PHP 179

6. EBI TEMPURA

Shrimp tempura is another popular Japanese dish made of deep fried battered shrimps. Normally the shrimps, peeled but keep the tails intact, then dip into the batter to coat. Deep fried until golden brown, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Price -PHP 145.

Kenaji also has Bento Meals and these are the top 2 of their Bentos:

7. KISU KANI BENTO

The Kisu Kani Bento has fish tempura, crab tempura, rolled Japanese Omelette, salad, veggie rice and Japanese flakes. Price: PHP 159

8. KISU GYOZA BENTO

Kisu Gyoza Bento has Chicken in Japanese marinade roll, salad, veggie rice with Japanese flakes.The Gyoza is a Japanese dumpling that has pork, shrimp, onions, cabbage and spring onions. Price-PHP 145

Kenaji Japanese Restaurant is located at the Ground Floor of Mayfair Plaza, Lacson Street, Bacolod City. For reservations, please call :(034) 0344352921