Last Saturday, my brother and I took my auntie for a Japanese lunch. We did not go too far, choosing to dine at Hokano, my regular place for Japanese fare.
It was my auntie's first visit to Hokano and I was quite sure that she would enjoy what the restaurant had to offer. There are many choices on the menu and these were our selection for the day.
My brother could not resist the Sashimi Bento (RM38.16). This bento consists of rice (with a topping of flaked salmon), tempura, sashimi, leafy green salad, potato salad and two pieces of chicken Karaage. It also comes with an appetizer of pickled cucumber (this changes from day to day), miso soup and chawan mushi.
My auntie and I opted not to have any of the bento or set lunches. Instead we chose to have an assortment of handrolls. First up was the Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll (RM10.49).
The tuna filling was spicy and quite tasty. I don't know what is in the tuna mix but it had a hint of fresh turmeric. But crunchy? No, it was not crunchy but that was alright because we had two other items which more than made up for the lack of crunch.
We were pleasantly surprised when we were served this complementary appetizer (same as what was served with my brother's bento) which I like very much.
The Crispy Salmon Roll (RM7.95) was a delight as the salmon skin was crispy and crunchy. I like crispy and crunchy stuff which brings us to the next item, the Crispy Salmon Handroll (RM20.67 for 3).
The seaweed was fresh and crisp and the salmon skin crunchy. It was a far cry from the one we had at Iku Yama. No wonder my brother loves this handroll so much.
Next up was the Hokano Roll (RM38.16), one of my favorites and the house special See how pretty it is.
The Crispy Salmon Roll (RM7.95) was a delight as the salmon skin was crispy and crunchy. I like crispy and crunchy stuff which brings us to the next item, the Crispy Salmon Handroll (RM20.67 for 3).
The seaweed was fresh and crisp and the salmon skin crunchy. It was a far cry from the one we had at Iku Yama. No wonder my brother loves this handroll so much.
Next up was the Hokano Roll (RM38.16), one of my favorites and the house special See how pretty it is.
I have had this a few times and I felt that it warranted a revisit. It did not disappoint.
I also love the Alaska Roll (RM22.26) which is equally pleasing visually. So bright and vibrant, you just have to pick up a piece and eat.
I was clearly enjoying my meal and my brother was fully focused on his bento hah..hah...
My auntie was also enjoying herself, taking snapshots of the food. We had to take turns snapping our pics because at one point, we were photobombing each other hah..hah...
The final item to come to the table was the Spider Roll (RM22.26). It was not deep fried spider of course hah..hah..but soft shell crab. This one got the thumbs up too.
Our table (meant for four) was too cramped to accommodate all our dishes. And in the process of shifting the dishes for better photo angles, I knocked over my brother's soya sauce and it dripped under the table. Next time we must seat at the table set for 6 hah..hah..
Don't worry, I informed the lady boss about my little accident and apologized. All was good as she was very gracious about it.
My brother picked up the tab and the lunch came to RM166.30.
Don't worry, I informed the lady boss about my little accident and apologized. All was good as she was very gracious about it.
My brother picked up the tab and the lunch came to RM166.30.
Hokano is where I always turn to for decent Japanese fare at fairly reasonable prices. Sure it is not cheap, I mean you can't expect to pay peanuts for good Japanese food.
Though Hokano may not be a top notch Japanese eatery, I would say that it is above average and offers good value for money.
After that, we adjourned to another place for desserts. I'll tell you about that in another post :)
I always order assortment of sushi (and other stuffs) and a bowl of ramen when I go eat Japanese.. If only depend on assortment of sushi, like not enough, and sometimes 'mm seh tak' order a lot,hehe.. But I like the crispy salmon skin sushi and that spider thingy.. I can finish all also.. Anything crispy and crunchy, like California rolls, or potato salad, and lots of mayo (whatever rolls), I like.. Yummmzz...
ReplyDeleteLouiz, I also prefer to sample the assortment of sushi or handrolls. Can be quite expensive, so I only do that once in a while. Most of the time when I go to Hokano, I will eat the bento because it is quite filling and value for money.
DeleteIf i eat Japanese foods, i will sure order Salmon Sashimi..
ReplyDeleteSharon, I also love Salmon Sashimi.
DeleteThat crunchy vinegared cucumber and squid appetiser is quite commonly given free at some Japanese restaurants. On the contrary, looking at what you had, your meal cost is very reasonable, considered cheap even, coz it sometimes costs me north of RM60/pax at a franchise sushi place even.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, I dislike cramped tables and moving things around too but nowadays the tables are usually small as the restaurant tries to fit in as many tables as they can.
This place looks all right to me - not like the one here:
Deletehttps://suituapui.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/the-tie-that-binds/
I could hardly get into those little cubicles, such a tight squeeze...and now that the quality of the food has dropped terribly, we do not bother to go there anymore. Used to be really good long ago when they first opened.
Kris, this is the first time that I was served with this complimentary appetizer. Hokano's prices are reasonable and I have been going there for many years now.
DeleteArthur, hah..hah.. I checked back your old post. The "kanasai" had me laughing again :D
Ouch!!! That's a lot!!! But yes, Japanese does not come all that cheap. We did not go to the one we like here last weekend, went some place else - save it for another day.
ReplyDeleteArthur, at this price, by KL/PJ standards it is considered reasonable. I come to Hokano quite often since the food is quite good.
DeleteHoly mutha----, never mind. I only eat like this when I am on business trip, using company's money. If I spend my own money, it would be a katsu don or a bento, with maybe just one selection of sushi.
ReplyDeleteMe lagi cheapo.. Maybe I order ramen for myself, garlic fried rice for the kids, hehe..
DeleteRG, we don't eat like this all the time one. Since belanja my auntie so have to spend a bit lah hah..hah... Lagi best, it was my brother's treat :D
DeleteLouiz, most of the time, I forgo the sushi and expensive item. Just makan bento enough liao.
wah.. these two aunties went there to eat sushi only?? or maybe they did not actually realise that?? there are 15 photos in this post, and 10 are sushi, which is a 66.66666667%.. and you mentioned your brother was too concentrating into his bento?? i would say the opposite, probably these two aunties were to engaged with photoshooting and savoring their sushi that they have forgotten about the gentleman sitting on the same table with them?? hehehe~~ :D
ReplyDeletehah..hah...yes, the two aunties enjoyed the sushi and handrolls. I like it like that, can sample many items.
Deletei would say i am quite impress with the choice of different kinds of "artisan" sushi.. when i go to a Japanese restaurant, i would most of the time just order a bento.. errr, bento has everything in it and being someone who prefers variety and most importantly lazy to choose, bento it is for me, hahaha!! probably what makes me indecisive would be when there are too many choices and combinations of bento on the menu.. :p
ReplyDeleteI also order bento during regular visits because it is quite filling and value for money. And you are right lah, no need to headache what to choose. Just tembak one bento, kautim!
Deletei like the bento your brother ordered, it just has everything that i like.. tempura, sashimi, leafy green salad, potato salad and two pieces of chicken karaage, and specifically i see that piece of octopus tentacle which is one of my favorite.. comes with the standard rice, miso soup and chawanmushi.. errr, no fruits of the day?? hahaha~~ well, probably just two slices of syrup-infused watermelon that it's okay to give a pass hor?? :D
ReplyDeleteThis Sashimi Bento is me and my partner's favorite. They have 4 bentos but everytime will sure choose this one. Last time they used to give watermelon but not anymore. But I am OK because I don't really fancy fruits.
Deletetheir signature sushi Hokano Roll is the same price as your brother's bento, haha!! hmm, must be very nice that they are selling at this price, and testified by PH.. so good that she knocked over her brother's soya sauce and the sauce dripped under the table, hahaha!! but PH is such a nice person to inform the boss, i think many of us will just ignore that or try to clean it ourselves huh?? did you get discount for being honest?? hehe~~ :p
ReplyDeleteYes, the Hokano Roll is very loaded! I love it and therefore don't mind that price. Lagi pun it was my brother belanja hah..hah... So clumsy lah that day until soya sauce pun can spill. I felt that it was the right thing to do, to let the boss know so that she can get her staff to clean up before other customers take that table.
DeleteHi Phong Hong
ReplyDeleteI like the presentation of Hokano Roll & Alaska Roll ... very artistic displayed and from top view looks like dragon boats at 1st glance.
Oh ! Still have room for dessert :) !
Hi Karen! Yes, the rolls are so colorful and very tasty too. I always have room for dessert hah..hah...
Deleteoooh... I love all the food here. The maki is different from those I had. Very special!
ReplyDeleteChris, you will love the food here!
DeleteJust about rm55 per person so I would say the price is ok, not too expensive. I like sushi and rolls but will ask for the mayo to be omitted.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, very reasonable pricing here. You are very health conscious and that is good!
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