IKI Teppanyaki Bento  

Thought I would try this restaurant today. Actually was unconsciously avoiding it lest my memories of Japan (teppenyaki) be altered. But, they were not: Japan is still the best place (after Toronto) to enjoy teppenyaki cuisine in.

I ordered the 'Canadian' Chicken teppenyaki set (lunch special).

The appetizers arrived. The salad was refreshing - if only odd as it tasted like a thousand island vinegarette mix. It also looked like there had been some other salads stacked atop it --which detracted (psychologically) from the 'fresh' taste. Likely made in advance and stacked in a fridge. Prefer freshly made (versus removed).

I do not like pickles. However, to this restaurants' credit, the pickles tasted exactly like the ones I used to have in Japan (lived there for 4 years). So, well done!

The mizo soup was fine; if only a bit salty for my taste. But it had no tofu within; just onions and square pieces of seaweed.

Then entree arrived with (mushroom) rice. Not keen on skin --but I know the locals are-- and the skin was crispy and light. The pieces seemed to be boneless breast meat. They were well cooked with no evidence of charring. However, they were tough and a tad greasy. It might be freezer burn (Canada is not close); but that would not explain why some of the pieces seemed discoloured. I just avoided those. Not sure it it was oxidation or just part of the dark meat of the chicken, but I did not want to take any chances --so I avoided. As it was not much, I did not bother to complain about it. Still enough for me to get satiated. The problem with this is that the greasyness of the taste (regardless of the sauces provided) quickly tires the tastebuds and you get tired of the taste of , well, grease. The sauce selection did nothing to abate this. This was quite different from Japan- they seem to do it much lighter.

The rice tasted fine. But did not clump as well as it ought to have. But still tasty enough.

The service was, at all times, prompt and courteous.

had the unagi meal. was awful. unagi didn't taste special at all. had LOTS of bones.
the friend noodles was bland and tastless.
and it cost over $100!

and then to make matters worst. they didn't accept the SHK cash coupon that everyone else in the new town plaza accepts.

Located near a department store, the restaurant was beautifully decorated, with a huge open kitchen, showing chefs grilled food on a pan. Actually this Japanese restaurant recalled me of enjoying teppanyaki in Japan. Afterward, I have never had any teppanyaki because there isn't any teppanyaki restaurant in Hong Kong.
Arriving there, I thought I must have been so luckily cuz I did not have to wait for the table. The waitress there was so kind that she offered us a seat immediately, serving us with hospitality and kindness. We had a look at menus and thought back and forth, doubting whether which we should order. Then we decided to get a beef, a shrimp set. After a while, my friend came and she ordered a chicken teppanyaki set. Knowing that it took us an extra $78 to order a lobster a la carte, we thought for a moment and made up our mind to order it.
Let's talk about the sauce first. Beside me, there was a teppanyaki seafood sauce, then IKI spicy sauce and a sauce for grilled meat. Then, next to me there's a mirror which reflected my table and others as well as the open kitchen. Finished ordering, we talked and chatted and talked and chatted till fifteen minutes later, our order came. First, there's my tepanyaki beef set. SIde dishes comprised of pickles, miso soup and of course a small green salad. Then, it's my main dish- teppanyaki beef and veggies. Undoubtedly, a bowl rice was provided. After, my mom's teppanyaki shrimp which also came with small salad, miso soup and a bowl of rice came. As a matter of fact, I have never paid attention to the golden garlic which topped fried veggies. After then, my lobster soup was fantastic. Hot but not too salty, I finished it up within seconds. Lastly, my friend's chicken teppanyaki set was also marvelous.
In conclusion, I was so satisfied about this restaurant. Nicely decorated, good service and huge sofa seat, most important should be the food which I have never tried in HK before. As a whole, I would rank this restaurant as the second best of all that I have ever tried. I would definitely recommend to all you guys.