Perth Food Review

S atsuki is all about sushi. Well, nearly. For those who've had the chance to dine at Ha-Lu, Satsuki is basically their sister restaurant that specializes in Edomae style sushi. They also share a few menu items with Ha-Lu, but the difference is significant.

Tonight was actually our second visit to Satsuki, as I planned to take the camera along to enhance this review. The food at Satsuki, much like Ha-Lu, maybe even more so, is vibrant, colourful and delivers a clear message: "Fresh!". There is clearly much attention to detail and skill involved in the food preparation.

Both times, we were greeted by the friendly waitstaff as soon as we entered, and shown to our table. Satsuki, like Ha-Lu carries an extensive list of sakes and shochu (spirits that display specific, subtle flavours of the ingredients its made with). I am a big fan of the Hakkaisan sake. =)

As with Ha-Lu, again, the dining style is very Japanese. Instead of individual entrees and mains, dishes are to be shared by the whole party, ensuring maximum interaction! Here's a run through of the dishes we ordered on both occasions:

Crispy salmon skin rolls.
-Different from normal salmon rolls, a little raw salmon and cucumber is enclosed by dried seaweed, which is layered on by part rice, part salmon slice and a crispy salmon skin. Absolutely exquisite, and also displays the skill of the chef at work.

Anago Eel "Hako" style sushi.
-This box formed sushi is simply packed with flavours. Lightly peppered anago eel on sushi rice 'laced' with bits of sesame seeds. The fragrance of the sesame in the rice and the grilled finish of the eel is amazing.

Assorted sashimi.
-Today's sashimi comprised salmon, tuna and kingfish, which is pretty common (I was secretly hoping for sea urchin - once you've had it you never look back!). Fresh! Fresh! Fresh! The sashimi was vibrantly coloured, served with thinly sliced cucumber and square batons of daikon radish. The tuna packed a meat-y punch, the salmon fresh as can be and the kingfish was unbelievably sweet. It was absolutely wonderful, and possibly the freshest sashimi I've had in Perth.

Pork Belly "Kaku-ni".
-A classic japanese dish. The pork belly is slowly cooked over a long time in sweet soy broth. The meat just falls apart, yet still has sufficient texture. You can pretty much taste the flavours of the soy broth in every fibre of the meat. This happens to be a dish we order all the time at Ha-Lu.

Succulent simmered mackerel in sweet miso.
-Thin fillets of mackerel are braised in sweet miso broth and ginger. The result is fantastic. The taste of the sweet miso is clear in every bite of the fish. What I found so fascinating about this dish is it seemed as if the broth has been absorbed into every cell of the mackerel skin, filling it up like water balloons. When it ends up between your tongue and the roof of your mouth it explodes and the "fatty goodness" just gushes out all over the fish. The broth should be savored to the last drop.

Chicken Karaage.
-I don't really have to say much about chicken karaage. Japanese style fried chicken served with Deep fried vermicelli and ponzu sauce.

Soft shell crab and oysters with white miso sauce.
-Oysters and soft shell crabs are lightly deep fried till cripsy, and served on a thick white miso sauce almost of a smooth puree consistency. The crabs are served sitting on an extra lashing of mango coulis, and the dish is served with a generous sprinkling of fresh fish roe and herbs. As far as fusion flavours go, white miso, mango coulis and deep fried oysters with soft shell crabs cannot go wrong.

Snapper ocha-zuke.
-This was the first time I've had this dish. It is a classic example of how simple, fresh food can taste great. Fresh sashimi sized slices of snapper seasoned with soy sesame is served on a bed of steamed rice. The dish is served with a teapot of hot bonito dashi broth, which is then poured onto the rice to complete an almost porridge like dish.

On both occasions, we were too full to go on to deserts, but it sure looks promising. Service is attentive without being obtrusive (and the waitresses are cute! =P), constantly clearing empty dishes, and ensuring we have enough drinks. The setting is almost modern japanese, the sushi bar sits in the middle surrounded by tables and also alfresco dining. Satsuki has much to offer to the Perth diners!

If you love Japanese food, Satsuki is a must visit. I know I'll be back very soon.

Photos available.

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