Modern Japanese Dishes & Desserts!
I
have always had the perception that Nana’s
Green Tea is a dessert house. That is until a recent visit to Nana’s Green Tea that I had discovered
that they also serve a solid list of modern Japanese dishes besides their
awesome signatures of desserts. Nana’s
Green Tea was the brainchild of Kazuto Kutami, who took on the challenge of
revolution of the F&B scene and came up with the thoughts of preserving the
Japanese tea culture through a modern inspiration. Green tea has always been
Japan’s pride and joy, so it was really only sensible to run the concept on
green tea inspired desserts and beverages. With nearly 80 outlets in Japan, Nana’s Green Tea has truly become a
favorite among the young and the old in the country.
The
first Nana’s Green Tea in Malaysia
opened in April 2014 at Mid Valley City and today, there are 3 outlets located
in Mid Valley, One Utama and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Managing Director Ms.
Valerie was inspired on her trips to Japan and decided to bring Nana’s Green Tea to our Malaysian
shores. We are glad she did because Nana’s Green Tea serves some of the most
awesome green tea dishes and beverages.
We
visited the One Utama outlet which is located quite discreetly between the old
and new wing link path. Nana’s Green Tea
is housed in a spacious outlet with two levels of dining. Choose the al fresco
dining level or the upper level for a comfortable dining. The ambience is
decorated in warm and neutral tones in lots of light wood. The ceiling of the
upper level is constructed by the inspiration of a hand held fan and lots of
mini egg-lites for a subtle glow.
There
are plenty of Japanese Sampuru or
plastic food displays at the front of the restaurant to tempt diners!
I
was impressed at the menu of Nana’s
Green Tea as there are some really gorgeous lists of dishes as well as the
mind-boggling and beautifully organized beverages and desserts. Of course, most
of the menu revolved around green tea but if you really are not a fan, there
are also non-tea dishes, beverages and desserts.
Ordering
beverages and desserts is truly a difficult choice because I seemed to want to
order everything on the menu! And then I calmed down and tried the following…
Matcha Soft Cream Latte (RM14.90) and Hoji Kuromitsu Latte (RM12.60, served hot, are so delicious! The
intensity of the matcha in Matcha Soft Cream is just right, powerful and yet
not overwhelming with creamy luscious notes. The roasted green tea in Hoji
Kuromitsu Latte was also rich and has an additional earthy warm note to the
additional of green tea flavours and black sugar syrup.
If
you love the ice blended versions, go for their slushy variations. Our Matcha Kanten Slushy (RM11.50) and Matcha Kuromitsu Slushy (RM11.50) was
icy and refreshing. The Kanten, or a
type of agar derived from red seaweed, is very good in texture and flavours. It
is quite firm and yet has a good feel texture with solid green tea flavour. The
Kanten was the highlight of the drink for me. The Matcha Kuromitsu Slushy had
the addition of the Japanese black syrup which resembles a rich molasses but
less heavier.
Matcha Azuki Shiratama Latte (RM14.90) would be another good
choice if you love Shiratama. These cute little sweet rice flour dumplings are
lightly soft and chewy. The latte is creamy with good flavours of green tea and
bits of creamy red bean.
If
you are a real tea connoisseur, then you should definitely go for Nana’s Green Tea Uji Matcha (RM18.50)! It’s
such an indulgence of bittersweet intense green tea with such refine and elegant
note. As we watch our server carefully stir the green tea powder into the warm
water and whisked it gracefully, a bright rich green tea color appeared with a
layer of creamy froth. Such artistry all for the sake of a cup of warm and
delicious Uji Matcha.
Moving
on meals, the menu here features trendy Japanese dishes that also has much
warmness incorporated for a light, healthy and delicious meal. Catered to all
diners at all ages, there is really something for everyone.
We
started with Salmon Carpaccio
(RM18.40), where pieces of salmon are sliced thinly and served with a tangy vinaigrette
dressing together with fresh bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and pea
sprouts. A decent appetizer to kick off any meal.
The
Chicken Karaage Salad (RM16.00) is
very drool-worthy with big chunks of Japanese battered boneless fried chicken
served with greens, boiled egg, tomatoes and tangy dressing. High points goes
to the juicy and flavorful crispy fried chicken as it is such a well-made one.
Using boneless chicken thighs, the fried chicken is also tender.
Moving
on to heavier dishes, we had the Seafood
Mentaiko Udon with Cream Sauce (RM33.60). One simply must enjoy this dish
piping hot as the rich pink cream sauce gets too heavy when it is cold. When it
is hot, the chewy udon goes so well with the saltish mentaiko cream sauce that
also comes with scallops and prawns.
Leaning
towards the simple and comforting angle is the Wakame Tamago Udon (RM18.40). This healthy dish has udon in seaweed
broth, lots of seaweeds and a poached egg. Its really simple but flavour are so
good and soothing.
For
a Western touch, there is also the Locomoco
Hamburg (RM23.90). A thick patty of chicken hamburg is smothered with a moreish
and savory brown sauce. Served with options of rice and some vegetables and
egg, the dish also comes with a side bowl of soup. I enjoyed the juick hamburg
patty but thought the sauce was a tad too salty for me. However, when savored
with the rice, the sauce seemed to be alright in taste.
Tori Soboro Don (RM19.60) also proved to be another
comfort dish that one can enjoy on daily basis. This one reminds me of my
younger childhood meal where mom used to make with minced meat and egg. Minced
chicken, lots of sesame seed, pea sprouts and soft boiled egg on rice is a
healthy and perfectly nutritional meal on its own. Once the egg is stirred into
the rice, it helped to sauce the whole dish and bring the meat and rice together.
Yum!
Nana’s Green Tea Lunch sets are quite a treat as they are priced
at RM21.90 which includes a main course from the selected lunch menu and a
beverage from Set Drinks. This is available during weekday from 10am to 5pm and
weekends & public holidays from 10am to 3pm.
We
tried three choices of their lunch set dishes. First one is their best seller,
the Chicken Nanban. Crispy fried
chicken cutlet is topped with a luscious mayo based sauce. It is served with white
rice or millet rice (add on RM4.50), Japanese potato salad and some vegetables.
This dish is sufficient for heavy eaters and is quite a filler, especially
during lunch but many will be glad as the dish is easy and delicious to enjoy.
The
Kitsune Udon has such pretty colors
all on a bowl of udon with chilled broth. Lots of fresh purple and green
lettuce with pea sprouts, corn, grilled eggplant, cherry tomatoes and bean curd
puff gave this dish a delicate and fresh note. I personally really enjoyed this
chilled udon with vegetables as there are lots of different flavours and
textures in the dish. It also won’t leave one with a heavy feeling when they
return to work after the meal.
Japanese
curry lovers will enjoy the Chicken
Cutlet Curry, another generous portion of crumbed and fried chicken cutlet
served with white rice, Japanese curry sauce and pickled vegetable with a side
of soup. I do enjoy the Japanese curry sauce as it is not sweet and leaned
towards savory with just the right balance of spices.
There
is always a monthly promotion featuring special dishes and desserts of the
month. While I was there, there was the August Promotion featuring a Sweet & Sour Fish. Crispy chunks of
lightly battered fish is tossed with the Japanese version of tangy vinegary
based sweet and sour sauce with mushrooms and peppers. These are served with millet
rice, Japanese styled rolled omelette, boiled sweet pumpkin and soup. It’s not
like our usual classic sweet and sour but I still enjoy the dish as it had home
cooked soothing tangy flavours.
Another
August Promotion treat not to be missed is the Tropical Parfait (RM23.10). This one is divine and just so darn
scrumptious. The long list of ingredients that made up the parfait includes
coconut pudding, read bean porridge, vanilla soft cream, corn flakes, coconut
ice cream, mango sorbet, fresh mango and kiwi and cream. I literally wanted to
hog this to myself as the combination is so good. I did feedback to Nana’s
Green Tea to try and put this on the regular menu as it is such a gorgeous
dessert!
Other
parfaits we tried from their regular menu are their signatures of Matcha Nama Chocolat Parfait (RM23.10)
and Hoji Gateaux Chocolat Parfait
(RM23.10). it was a tough a decision on deciding which one was my favorite as
both were also good on their own flavours.
From
layers of Kanten green tea jelly to vanilla soft cream, red bean, cornflakes,
green tea ice cream and Nama green tea together with whipped cream and green
tea sauce, it was certainly fun digging into this tall parfait.
The
choclat version similar ingredients but is chocolate instead of green tea.
Instead of Nama choclate, there is Shiratama balls and two scoops of chocolate ice
cream and sorbet. Digging into the parfait is like unwrapping presents as one
get to unveal and taste the different layers of textures and flavours in the
parfait.
Kinako Warabimochi (RM17.20) came highly recommended and
we can understand why after we had a taste. The mocha is coated with kinako, a
sweet toasted soybean powder. Simply drizzled the Kuromitsu syrup over the mocha
and savor. The texture of the mocha is delightful and lightly bouncy. There is
a nutty element of taste in the dessert while the black honey syrup added more
richness to the dessert.
After
savoring Nana’s Green Tea, I find
myself wondering when I can be back to savor more treats. While the meal is
decent and delicious, it was really the beverages and desserts that truly won
our hearts. There are plenty of reasons to visit Nana’s Green Tea and even if you don’t think you have one, Nana’s
Green Tea is still worth a try… who knows, you may be hook just like me!
