Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant @ Paradigm Mall

Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant

Over the weekend, I been in Paradigm Mall for the Japanese food at Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant  and am glad to report that the food here fits the description of "good and affordable".

The founder of Japan Watami Group, MIKI WATANABE took this as an opportunity and created “causal restaurant”. Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant is a new type of tavern that concentrates on providing food with less emphasis on alcohol at affordable prices. It serves delicious Japanese food and drinks in a comfortable atmosphere. The dining environment is good for causal gathering and family.

First time dine here, greeted by friendly smart looking branch manager at the door entrance. Feel good with Japanese ambiance casual style. Make me like dining at home. Watami have more than 600 restaurants were developed in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Shenzhen and Shanghai up to date. Each brand has its own characteristics to provide the multiplex choice for the customer.

The Menu

Pair of chopsticks

The Unagi Kamameshi [RM21.90] Eel Pot Rice is served in a traditional steel pot and cooked tableside. It takes 20 minutes to cook, but do not be tempted to lift the cover to see what's happening as it will cause the rice to be undercooked. The rice is topped with bonito, carrot, shimeji mushrooms, tofu, root vegetables and topped with sweet Unagi.

Of course, I were simply too curious and lifted the cover for mere seconds just to see how it looked like. Luckily it did not affect the rice/cooking as it was delicious. When the 20 minutes was finally up, the room smelt lovely as the cover was lifted and the rice thoroughly mixed with the ingredients including daun bawang  and seaweeds before eaten. It does look pretty plain but the taste was good, thanks to the "secret" broth it was cooked in. Sweet Unagi melting inside mouth, served with warm rice together.

Unagi Kamameshi [RM21.90]

Right at the start, what's inside the hot pot

Ready to eat after waited 20min

Daun Bawang and SeaWeeds for toppings

Sweet Unagi

Watami Miso Ramen [RM19.90]

Anyway, here’s some of the new dish I tasted at Watami. Friend ordered Watami Miso Ramen [RM19.90]. I  give myself a try on this Ramen. I think they could have done a better job serving this in a nicer looking bowl, Chicken slices was tender and there was a sweet after taste. I thought it was a that salty and the ramen texture wasn’t great. The broth more like fermented bean curd taste [Tau Chu] style. However, I think there will be fans for this dish, especially if you enjoy ramen and if you usually order it from the likes of Sakae Sushi, or Sushi Tei; you will find the Watami Ramen better in terms of portions and taste. I wouldn’t go as far as comparing it to Marutama Ramen as it does fall flat in this case, but otherwise, but an all-rounded restaurant that doesn’t specialise in ramen, I think this dish would satisfy some of you.

I would say not bad for this restaurant. Still a lot of nice food to try it out. Tempting, will be back to re-visit again for some of other lovely food serve here. Below are a few branches in Klang Valley area.

Watami Malaysia @ Paradigm Mall
Lot 07, Level 1, Paradigm Mall,
1, Jalan SS7/ 26A, Kelana Jaya,
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: +603-7886 9661

Watami Malaysia @ Pavilion KL Shopping Mall
C4.04.00, Level 4, Pavilion KL Shopping Mall,
168, Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: +603-2141 6671

Watami Malaysia @ 1 Utama
1st Floor, Rainforest, 1 Utama Shopping Centre,
1 Lebuh Bandar Utama,
47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: +603-7727 1399