Takumi by Daisuke Mori: An Unforgettable Dining Experience In Wan Chai

If you want to enjoy one of the best meals you’ve ever eaten, head to Takumi by Daisuke Mori for fine Japanese-French Fusion.

District: Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Cuisine: Japanese-French Fusion
How much: Nine-course tasting menu $2,080 (six course option is $1680) ; six glass wine pairing $1,080; four glass wine pairing $880; three-course lunch option is $480.
Must Order: The Nine-course tasting menu
The Best For: Impressing a Date or Special Occasion

There are three things you should know before eating the new nine-course tasting menu at Takumi by Daisuke Mori: the first is that it will most likely be one of the best meals you’ve ever had; the second is that you will leave totally satisfied and wishing every meal you had would be this good; the third is that it’s pricey, so if you’ve got a date you hope to impress or have a special occasion, this is the place to go.

This deservedly Michelin-starred restaurant gets everything right, from beginning to end. The special nine-course meal has a wine pairing option (additional $880 for four glasses) that you cannot miss. There isn’t a missed note; each wine complements every unique flavour in the dish you are about to enjoy. And enjoy is an understatement.

To describe the marriage of Japanese and European flavours, the fragrant aromas, and the sure pleasure you feel after each dish is almost impossible (but we’ll give it a go!) The meal begins on a high note with a refreshing amuse bouche featuring three of the chef’s selections. You know you’re in for a night of culinary amazement with the first bite. Next up is the Fruit Tomato, a Mi-Cuit Aori squid with homemade noo, basil oil. The perfectly cooked noodles form a soft bed for the flavourful squid, and the tomato base has a nice balance between acidic and sweet.

We moved on to the Hairtail Fish, which is Tachiuo with a crispy sourdough crust, served with baby corn and French green pea. This is the way all fish should taste. Crunchy, flavourful, flaky, seasoned to perfection and just… yum.

Chef Mori’s French-inspired tutelage was present in the crispy but juicy Black Chicken, which had a finely seasoned Tororo yuzu pepper sauce that was so delicious you wanted to lick the plate clean. And as that satisfying taste lingered in our mouths, we were served the Ormea, which was a black abalone with shiitake consume (we opted for the additional black truffle for $180). Normally not fans of abalone, we were absolutely converted by this dish. The rich, smoky, almost creamy soup was heaven in a bowl.

The flavours had been so on point up, so incredibly savoury and good, we almost were afraid to taste anything else. We didn’t need to worry. Chef Mori continued to deliver.

We chose the Japanese Wagyu and we were blown away even more (as if that were possible!). You couldn’t have asked for a more delicate, tender, flavourful piece of meat. And to complement the beef, Chef Mori also added a delectable roasted Aomori garlic (which, he noted, does not affect your breath afterwards!), fresh wasabi, peppercorn sauce and salsifis puree. We took turns trying each bite with a different side (the roasted garlic was our fave), but the tender meat was so juicy and delicious it would have been fine on its own.

Up next was a special Japanese traditional Takumi curry, which was a light beef curry served with a juicy Okinawa pork Tonkatsu that the Chef said was one he copied from his own mother (she must have taught him well!).

For dessert, we were served two refreshingly delicious creations – a Hokkaido melon mairade with sauterns served with a tangy and refreshing basil sorbet. De-lish.

To complete the meal, we had slices of light and juicy Yamanashi peach served with crème d’ange, homemade ice cream and a few French macarons and chocolates. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it.

If you’re looking to enjoy an unforgettable meal or celebrate a special night, do yourself a favour and book in at Takumi by Daisuke Mori. Your taste buds (and whomever you asked to join you!) will be so glad you did.

Takumi by Daisuke Mori, Shop 1, The Oakhill, 16 Wood Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2574 1299  www.takumibymori.com