Isao Japanese Restaurant in Bangkok [Thailand]

A Japanese professor ever told me a secret; if you want to try authentic, economically priced Japanese cuisine yet don't want to travel to Japan; just pop by Bangkok! 

For today's subject, Isao; the recommendation came from the travel guru, the Greatest Kon. It's a relatively hidden restaurant that wouldn't generate much interest as far as facade was concerned.

Given its high review score of 4.6 from over 2,000 reviewers on Google Maps, I was expecting a long queue which didn't materialize when we were there at about 7.30pm. Was it too hidden or we were just plain lucky to come on a day that wasn't too busy.

We were allocated a table immediately! The menu was honestly extensive with 29 different makis to choose from; with fanciful names like rainbow, chicago spicy crazy, dragon, philly, alaska etc. Thankfully, the Greatest Kon had advised beforehand; go straight for engawa maki. 

You can also choose fresh sashimi from the board! 

Sadly, my cheapo taste buds only dare to go for salmon.

A pot of green tea for two persons. The point of the picture was really the saucer of wasabi. It's not those fake wasabi from a tube; instead,  it was freshly grated wasabi which had a more nuanced flavour that doesn't excessively numb and water your nose! 

Salmon Sashimi - the best thing to go with wasabi would be fresh sashimi and here's our tray of salmon that cost 420 baht (about S$16, which I thought was pricey even for Singapore's standard).

Freshness was really a given in this case and for me, the thickness would determine the satisfaction level. This was max satisfaction and you know what's the cherry on the topping? The wasabi for sure! 

Original California Maki - we thought a traditional maki should be ordered for comparison purpose. p.s. main reason was because boring Alex preferred having something more familiar whereas I was all for trying something new. 

This was a like a roll within a roll; the bursting roes covering the rice gave way to the fresh crunches of shredded cucumber combined with the sweet egg and always nice imitation crab sticks! Definitely one of the better california rolls around even though my affection would always be the fusion shiok maki from the now-closed Koh Grill & Sushi Bar.

Engawa Maki - finally, the star of the show described on the manu as "spicy salmon and avocado roll topped with torched engawa garnished with tobiko, lemon skin, green onion and ponzu-teriyaki sauce".

Popped one into my mouth and I believe if you were beside me; you could see my pupils dilating, with excitement! Enticing charred aroma, melting yet oily engawa (a muscular part of a flatfish), mushy nutty butteriness from the avocado with a zestiness from the lemon skin and ponzu sauce that resulted in delicious micro layers of flavors ranging from sweetness, sourness, fattiness to savouriness! 

So addictive they were that one serving wasn't enough! 

We had to order a second and even then, we were asking ourselves if we should just let go and go for a third, which we didn't as it was just too much rice for one meal. :(

=====

Can't wait to try again on my next trip to Bangkok! 

Address

5 Soi Sukhumvit 31, Khlong Toei Nuea, 

Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

(Near EmSphere)

Map

As above.

Pricing

Salmon Sashimi - 420 Baht

Original California Maki - 300 Baht

Engawa Maki - 470 Baht

(Subject to Tax)