OMG! OYSTERS!
By Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet
MAMA mia! On 22 November, 2011, Kunihiro Oysters from Hiroshima in Japan was officially launched in sunny Singapore!
I ambled into Kuriya Penthouse restaurant perched on top of Orchard Central to be warmly greeted by my friend, Koezuka Yoshihiko who is the Master Chef and GM of the restaurant.
On the buffet line was…Kunihiro Oysters, and more Oysters!
OMG! There was fresh Oysters Sashimi on the half shell dressed with vinegar spiked Ponzu sauce topped with slivers of spring onions, rich Yosenabe Hot Pot with lots of succulent oysters, cabbage and Enoki mushrooms in a thick broth, plump juicy oysters encased in crispy bacon, breaded oysters deep fried Tempura style, Oyster Sashimi, appetizing Kunihiro Oyster Rice, Sauteed Oysters with Lady Fingers and even Lobster & Tuna Sashimi and lots more!
The best way to over come temptation is to give into tempatation…and so I did.
Paired with a Dourthe Beau Mayne Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, I savoured Oysters Sashimi on the half shell…heavenly! Master Chef Koezuka appeared with a happy smile, “Dr. Lim-san, I want you to try this special wine from Nagano prefecture in Japan with the oysters!”
It was a barrel fermented Chardonnay 2009 from the Yamabe Winery in Japan! Its buttery nuances from malo-lactic fermentation, deep gold colour and notes of vanilla from oak treatment went hand in glove with the oysters. It was especially yummy with the deep fried Breaded Oysters in Tempura Style. The flavours of the ocean were claerly enhanced by the wine. It is wonderful to bite through the crunchy tempura crust into the plump, sensuous oyster insides…the creamy almost milky flavours play on your palate like a violin. I relished so many oysters I lost count…and I felt like Casanova who always ate 144 oysters before embarking on his romantic escapades! Yes, it is absolutely true that oysters have aphrodisiac qualities.
A new study by American and Italian chemists claims that as far as oysters, clams and mussels are concerned, the ancient claim that oysters are aphrodisiac may be true. Their finding was presented on March 16, 2006 at the American Chemical Society annual meeting in San Diego, USA.
“The supposition for centuries was that oysters, clams and mussels have been thought to have aphrodisiac properties,” said researcher George Fisher, a professor of chemistry from Barry University, in Miami Shores, Fla. “And they were eaten raw for that purpose.”
Until recently, there was no scientific basis for that belief, Fisher added. But what he and his colleagues have discovered is that mussels, clams and oysters contain compounds that have been shown to be effective in releasing sexual hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. These compounds are D-aspartic acid and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate).
“We found there might be a scientific basis for the aphrodisiac properties of these mollusks,” Fisher said.
Mr. Oyster himself -President Kawasaki
I was also honoured to meet dapper and friendly Ikuzo Kawasaki, the President of Kunihiro Inc., who produces these lovely oysters. He is on the extreme right of the photo. Masterchef Koezuka is on my right.
A word about Kuriya Penthouse: I recommend this warm and intimate rooftop restaurant that offers falcon’s eye views of Orchard Road and its environs. Incidentally, Kuroya means ‘kitchen’ in Jpapanese.The Kaiseki-style Japanese cuisine changes with the 4 seasons. As a bonus, after dinner, you can chill out in the breezy outdoor terrace with a Guatemalan cigar and Hennesy XO cognac… Oishi ne!
Itada ki mas! (Bon appétit in Japanese) {:-)
Kuriya Penthouse
Japanese Restaurant
12-02 Orchard Central
Orchard Road
Singapore
Tel: 6509 4222
Children below 6 not encouraged.
Ambience **** Cuisine **** Service ****
The Travelling Gourmet 