When it comes to trying new foods, where do you stand?
Are you keen to be adventurous and try something new or do you prefer to stay in your lane and stick to what you like?
Well, no matter which is your favourite food cuisine there will be always something out of the ordinary to try.
And that is what we certainly did when we went to visit Kanpai Classic a Japanese restaurant in London.
The restaurant, which is located in London’s Soho and was formerly of Nobu Hotel Portman Square, unveiled a la carte offering alongside a staggering 14-course Omakase Menu.
Okay, this may sound like a lot of courses but each dish was delicate portions and we were there for the newly introduced six-course Moriawase Menu.
The dishes were created by Kanpai Classic’s executive chef Masatada Ogata and head chef Nicolo Bolognesi.
The a la carte menu is divided into different wagyu sections giving customers the chance to experience the meat in different ways.
Kanpai Classic has only been open for a few months but it has already made an impact in London with the restaurant welcoming a stream of customers throughout our evening.
For those opting for the Wagyu Yakiniku selection, the meat is cut to the specific requirements of the diner before being grilled to perfection by one of Kanpai Classic’s highly experienced staff on safe, smokeless and odourless charcoal grillers fitted to each individual table.
Meanwhile, an array of different seasonings and accompaniments are offered, including grated Japanese daikon radish, spring onion sauce wrap-up lettuce and miso sauce.
However, the one dish that may divide people is the beef heart. Of course, you would have preconceptions about what it would look like let alone taste but it is quite the opposite to what you would expect.
Once cooked the meat did taste slightly tougher than the previous courses and could be compared to a well-done steak. Overall the taste was still meaty with a stronger flavour nevertheless was a personal highlight from the menu.
Onto the Raw Wagyu selection and an array that features standouts such as wagyu tartare with Vostok Royal Baerii Caviar & celeriac purée and wagyu carpaccio with walnut vinaigrette, truffle vinaigrette, baby leaf salad & Parmigiano Reggiano.
For a truly exotic medley of flavours, the Wagyu Nigiri Sushi menu pairs the finest beef with the likes of yellowtail, lobster, bottarga, Jamon Iberico de Bellota and seared unagi eel, while the Wagyu Temaki Sushi pairing ranges from Hokkaido scallops through to snow crab.
Guests can also choose a variety of other Kanpai Classic signatures ranging from curry to ramen by way of a collection of Kamameshi dishes served with the finest Hokkaido Nanatsuboshi Japanese rice with ochazuke (green tea).
The dining experience is truly one-of-a-kind and is definitely reserved for those special occasions where you get to indulge in the full Kanpai Classic experience.
