Japanese seafood buffet a sensation

Buffets don't have to be boring and La Brasserie in the Hotel Nikko is a worthy example, with its strong Japanese theme and plenty of western options to go with it. Thuy Hang reports.

There's an abundance of well-priced weekend buffets to tempt the taste buds in Ha Noi, but for those with a craving for all things Japanese, the Hotel Nikko's La Brasserie is the place for you.

Centre of the action: Chefs roll the sushi and turn skewers of sizzling meat over the teppanyaki, while guests fill up their plates.

There is certainly a same-same feel to the self-service circuit in the capital, which is why on this occasion I was drawn to the Japanese seafood dinner buffet at Le Brasserie – the newly launched sister restaurant to the well-established Benkay on the second floor. Well, I figured I was on safe ground at La Brasserie if I wanted a real Japanese seafood experience.

The ground-floor restaurant off the lobby was packed when I arrived with a friend on Saturday night. We selected a table next to a large window so that we could enjoy the street life outside, but I didn't sit still for long, drawn irresistibly as I was to the tempting buffet, expertly presented in the middle of the restaurant.

Japanese dishes of course were in abundance – sumptuous-looking nigiri and maki sushi, tuna, salmon, squid, shrimp, fresh oysters and green mussels. Yummy!

While the diners fill their plates, chefs are busy rolling sushi or turning skewers of sizzling meat over the teppanyaki, or griddle. Crab, shisamo, prawns, seabass, clams, cockles, beef tenderloin – the choices seemed endless.

Other Japanese delicacies, such as sashimi, tempura, soba noodle and miso were also available.

I decided to start with a favourite of mine, a bowl of miso soup – a healthy, fat-free combination of tofu and seaweed.

That was followed by sashimi – fresh tuna, salmon and octopus. My palate felt fully awakened when I dipped succulent pieces of seafood into wasabi and soy sauce.

We then tried nigiri and maki sushi and some fantastic temaki – conical rolls filled with raw fish, rice, salmon roe and vegetables. It is these dishes – ­ sashimi and sushi – that come to mind when most people think Japanese cuisine.

We then tried crispy tempura filled with fish, shrimp, eggplant, lotus root, zucchini, onion and pumpkin.

To balance the meal, I decided to hit the salad bar. Piled high were a selection of crab sticks and pomelo; squid, onion and cucumber; shrimp and baby sweetcorn; pasta with salmon; zucchini with seafood; artichokes; edamame cherry tomatoes, and the old favourite, Caesar salad.

There was also a wide selection of soups including cream potato and leek and clam, which I have a particular soft spot for.

I was undeniably full, but I couldn't resist tucking into some deep-fried squid balls with bread crumbs, braised basa with grilled tofu and steamed chicken eggs with prawns, chicken, mushrooms and herbs.

Although the buffet has a strong Japanese theme, there is also a wide range of Vietnamese and Western treats such as Australian ribeye steak, marinated chicken breasts, baked oysters with Provencal sauce, roast lamb, to name a few.

Unbelievably, I still found room for dessert. Together we polished off a selection of fruit, ice cream and cakes – the chocolate Sacher Torte and baked cheesecake being my particular weakness.

As we waddled from the restaurant, I felt anything but brassed off. Buffets certainly don't have to be boring, and La Brasserie is a fine example of why not. All in all we had a great night out – and best of all, we won't have to eat for a week. — VNS

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La Brasserie Restaurant, Hotel Nikko Ha Noi

Add: 84 Tran Nhan Tong St

Tel: (04) 38223535

Buffet price: VND650,000 per person

Time: Saturday and Sunday,

6-10pm

Comment: Comfortable seat, excellent service, great sashimi.