Gourmet Oriental fusion

DUBAI Prawns rolled in wasabi aren’t my idea of an exciting appetiser. I knew this earthy-grassy Japanese condiment can leave a burning sensation in your nasal cavity. Fear, however, turned to cheer with Jinja Asian Kitchen’s deep-fried prawns coated with wasabi mayonnaise. The stuff proved mildly invasive, giving just the right kick that got us started in this fusion Oriental restaurant in Business Bay.

For soup we had the Tom Yum which stood out for its authentic ingredients, including kafir lime leaves and lemongrass (Dh30). Our two-person party had a sashimi platter too, which included Maguro (tuna) and Shake (salmon) prepared by chef Nirmal. It took a bit of time, but gets an “A” for presentation.

My main course was Nasi Goreng (Dh35), a spicy fried rice served with grilled prawn, chicken satay, shrimp crackers and fried egg. The huge serving can be shared by two. It was mildly spicy and a complete meal in itself. The restaurant’s ambience has trappings of modernity (with a fancy bamboo-shaped menu) and lives up to its fusion-inspired theme: It is run by an African and the kitchen hands are made up of a mix of Asians – Indians, Malays and Nepalese. They also have an in-house Charlie Chaplin (Indian Raju Chali, 24) whose job is to woo diners.

Busy affair

From the lunch crowd we saw, one can tell that this mid-range diner is getting busier. The restaurant, opened only in February, seats 120 people (indoor and outdoor dining) and already has a loyal following – averaging about 50 home deliveries daily.

We tried the cod in miso dish – black cod fillet oven roasted after being soaked in a miso marinade – which left a wicked taste to the tender meat. The lemon chicken, however, was a disappointment as the sauce tasted a bit artificial.

When our Thai mango cheesecake (Dh25) came, I thought to myself: “Oh no, not another rice-based meal”. Ready to be disappointed, I took just an itsy-bitsy bite. But my bias soon melted and one bite led to another … and another. This sweet concoction, with fresh mango slices, pickled cherries and lime toppings, was refreshingly delightful.

My dining partner, Zarina, had Tab Tim Krob (Dh22), rose-flavoured and crunchy water chestnuts soaked in sweetened coconut, which she shared with me. Interesting, but I liked the mango cheesecake better. I’m sure she agrees. Jinja’s restaurant manager, Osman Sillah from Sierra Leone, readily obliged with my off-menu request for a drink – orange juice with blended mint and soda water. This spur-of-the moment blend washed all the Oriental delights down nicely.

Prices are fair – neither too expensive nor too cheap and Charlie’s antics are just a bonus. Parking can be a bit of a challenge due to the on-going roadworks, but this should be sorted soon. Overall, with their smiling staff and good food, it was A lovely Oriental gourmet adventure.

DETAILS:

Meal for two: From Dh150 (business lunch from Dh65)

Location: Executive Tower E, Business Bay

Timings: 11.30am to 11.30pm

Contact: 04-441 7905