mirmi731
Wow, it was delicious! I saw on Instagram that the lunch course at a place called "Ikyu" was a good deal, so I made a reservation. The restaurant had a Japanese atmosphere here and there despite being a Cantonese cuisine place. It wasn't overly Chinese; rather, it offered flavors that were slightly addictive yet familiar to Japanese palates, mainly focusing on seafood dishes. We enjoyed it until the end. The restaurant was on the second floor, and the private rooms had a nice atmosphere with spacious chairs and a calm vibe. The service was attentive and friendly without being too formal, although there were occasional delays. They kindly allowed us to take photos of the dishes. Regarding the food, we had reserved the Chef's Special Lunch Course through Ikyu, which included 8 dishes along with a glass of champagne. As appetizers, we were served pecan nuts and a special doubanjiang sauce, which we could purchase as souvenirs. First was the Seafood Tartare with Sichuan Pepper-flavored Pepper Sauce, a sparkling and beautiful appetizer that sparked anticipation for the upcoming dishes. Next were three types of dim sum (truffle, chive, and dragon fruit), all visually appealing and particularly fragrant with truffle. They were delicious, especially with the doubanjiang sauce. Then came the highly anticipated Peking Duck, presented beautifully. It was delightful to have two pieces; one would be too little, but three might be too much, so two was just right! The crispy texture of the duck left a lasting impression, along with the rich flavor of the fat and the delicious sauce. The Chef's Special Braised Shark Fin with Truffle was also heavily flavored with truffle. Served hot, it had a rich and intense taste that warmed both body and soul. The Steamed Daimon Grouper with Fish Sauce, sourced from Kochi Prefecture, was exceptionally tasty, with tender and fatty flesh. It was accompanied by a sauce made with nam pla and crispy wild vegetables, which made it even more appetizing. The Special Creamy Tan Tan Noodles had a wonderful aroma of dried shrimp and a smooth texture. Unlike the typical spicy red soup, it was creamy, probably due to the sesame and soy milk, without being overwhelming. The noodles were Hong Kong-style, thin yet firm, perfectly complementing the rich soup and the flavorful minced meat. The Chinese Famous Tea, a blend of peach and apple oolong tea, was sweet-smelling but had the depth of oolong. Finally, for dessert, we had the Hong Kong-style dessert of Custard-filled Fried Buns and Mango Pudding. Served in charming dishes, the fried buns resembled moons and were delightfully crispy outside and fluffy inside, with a gentle sweetness. The mango pudding was exceptionally rich, with abundant mango flesh and a dense mango-flavored pudding, topped with a hint of refreshing citrus. It was a dessert that stood out on its own and perfectly concluded the course. We ended with another cup of tea, feeling relaxed and satisfied after about two hours of dining. With 8 satisfying dishes, the quality and quantity were commendable. It was a worthwhile experience to try their lunch course.