Fancy something fishy?

Momotaro is a delightful Japanese gem in the heart of Downtown Burj Dubai. If you've never been before, you're in for a treat. This neighbourhood is a true Arabian delight that authentically mimics the architecture of yesteryear. But Momotaro is a delight of an altogether different sort.

Stepping into the restaurant, an exotic scene awaits you. The grand archway gives the impression of stepping through a tunnel into another world. A glassed sandpit beneath your feet adds to the rustic ambience.

Soft red lighting is complemented by sculpted walls and red strip lights to give the place a both cozy and invigoratingly urban feel.

For my first course, I opted for a Momotaro special, the dobin mushi soup — a classic seafood broth of shitake mushrooms, chicken, hamour and prawns. I was instructed to drink the liquid first and scoop out the delicious meaty treats afterwards. Scrumptious!

There were endless tantalising treats to choose from for mains, so my dining partner and I opted for a range of dishes to share. With a mouth-watering array of maki, tempura, sashimi and char-grilled black cod spread across our table, we were ready to tuck in.

The ise ebi a lobster tempura and asparagus maki was complemented by the surprisingly crisp tempura. Combined with the crunchy asparagus, the dish makes for a mouthwatering delight. The Momotaro maki was equally tasty complete with a spicy kick of tuna sashimi and cooling peach.

Refreshing

The chirashi a sashimi salad of salmon, tuna and hamour with mentaiko dressing and caviar provides the diner with a pleasant variety that nicely complements the filling maki.
At the insistence of the waiter, I tried the miso-marinated black cod, which was nicely charcoaled and flavoured with the delicate taste of miso. The fish was dressed in a banana leaf and came complete with a twist of lime. The crisp skin was offset by the deliciously tender meat and the rustic charcoaled tang made for a tasty plate indeed.

For a refreshing beverage, opt for the Momotaro esteem mocktail. The smooth blend of apple and peach juice with mint, fresh ginger and celery pleasantly fizzles on the tongue and goes nicely with your sushi delight.

For dessert, I opted for the green tea ice cream tempura. The light creaminess of the ice cream blends well with the very English pudding feel of the tempura, which is served with syrup and makes for a nice blend of sweet and savoury.
My dining partner opted for a green tea creme brûlée — one of the restaurant's specialities. Like the green tea tempura, the savoury of the green tea and the sweetness of the creme, made for a tantalising combination.

If you like to dine al fresco, you can opt to sit outside in the pleasant courtyard enclosed by silk screens and overlooking the water and nearby cafes.

If you're after a quicker sushi fix, the sushi bar will wet the appetite of anyone on the go. The rows of salmon and tuna sashimi and maki are good enough to eat on the spot if you're too hungry to wait.

The staff are friendly and eager to help out with any questions. Their recommendations unveiled some truly mouthwatering delights.

As you leave the restaurant, take a moments to look up. Through the glass ceiling of the cathedral-like walkway, is a magnificent view of one of Dubai's biggest emerging landmarks, the Burj Dubai. What a fabulous exclamation mark to a great dinner.