Here in Auckland, finding an authentic Japanese restaurant with a decent itamae (板前) who has suitable knowledge, smart precision and many years of rigorous apprenticeship training, is somewhat like coming across a holy grail. I think kaiten sushi shops in CBD just won’t cut it once if we’ve had the real thing.
Musashi is located at quiet St Heliers residential area and is a relatively posh ethnic restaurant with a Japanese layout and friendly buzz of diners’ chatter that travels around the corner.
After a glass of crisp beer and a light snack of edamame with housemade sauce, it was time to indulge the best of the chef's menu which marries local, fresh produce with upmarket imports from Japan. The main course moriawase sashimi set neatly showcased sweet shrimp alongside different cuts of bluefin tuna and hamachi and snapper. Each portion differed in colour, taste and texture, from dusky pink to rich reds, from tender to unctuous, meaning there’s something to satisfy everyone around the table. The moriawase set added, scallops, salmon and fish eggs to the mix.
While Auckalnd can never mimic the cherry blossom of Japan’s sakura season or the magic of its snow festivals of Sapporo, however Musashi may answer that there’s something to be said for experiencing this fancy cuisine here.
