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Japanese restaurants provide diverse options, prices for sushi lovers
Japanese sushi, which means snack and is the most famous Japanese dish worldwide, has also established itself as a favorite of the crème de l crème of Egypt. Often misunderstood to be raw fish, the dish is actually made of vinegared rice with a variety of toppings, which include seafood, cooked or uncooked, and vegetables.
Often labeled “healthy,” “low fat”
and “light,” sushi has become everyone’s passion. With
the increasing demand, sushi bars and restaurants offering sushi are experiencing
rising profits, according to Ashraf Sayed, manager of L’Asiatique
restaurant at the Le Pacha 1901 boat.
L’Asiatique
Known for its delicious variety of Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Indian
dishes, L’Asiatique, or The Asian, has proven to be one of the most
successful restaurants aboard the Le Pacha 1901 boat on the Nile in Zamalek.
It has been awarded the third best restaurant in Africa and the best in
Egypt by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, organized by Restaurant
magazine of London, England. With its unique design of Asian fusion combined
with modern furniture, the restaurant is fully booked on weekends, especially
on Friday, the only day it is open for lunch.
The restaurant does not allow minors except on Fridays, as it’s
the “Egyptian family day and not allowing children in would discomfort
[their] customers,” said Sayed. On weeknights however, partly due
to the high prices, which can go up to L.E. 200 or L.E. 300, the ages
range from “20 to 70 years,” added Sayed.
The restaurant is a favorite of AUCians on a special night out. “L’Asiatique
sushi is simply the best,” said Rana El Shafey, JRMC junior. “You
get what you pay for and it honestly deserves its price.”
A regular customer and “sushi addict” as she refers to herself,
Mayada Zakaria, AUC alumnus, said, “Before L’Asqiatique I
hated sushi, but their way of marinating the fish is just amazing.”
Mori Sushi Bar and Grill
Also located in Zamalek, Mori Sushi Bar and Grill has become a popular
sushi place since its opening early this year. Ingy Morsy, a business
administration senior, said, “Once I walked into Mori I fell in
love with the place. The decorations are amazing and the unique menu they
offer is incredible.”
Don’t let the name mislead you, the menu includes more than just
sushi. There is also a variety of Japanese soups including the Miso soup,
the Sui Mono or Japanese clear sea food soup and the noodles soup, which
is served with one’s choice of chicken or beef flakes. Mori has
attracted many guests, which made the owners open another branch at Sequoia,
a popular café and restaurant on the Nile, and a third at the Diplomat’s
Resort, known as “Diplo” on the North Coast during the summer,
where it has proven to be “very successful,” according to
Mitr Mohamed, a waiter at Mori’s.
Mori created the “dynamite roll,” which is salmon in dynamite
shape and served with eight pieces per order. “Generally, Mori’s
prices aren’t high, and you can get a decent serving of sushi for
less than L.E. 100,” added Morsy.
Makani
With branches all over Egypt, Makani is a popular venue, known for its
different menus, which include sushi, sandwiches, salads and Oriental
dishes, and reasonable prices. It you crave sushi and don’t have
the bucks, head straight over there. Whether in Zamalek, Heliopolis, Maadi,
Mohandessin, Marina or Sharm El Sheikh, Makani, which literally means
My Place, is a perfect place to lay back or study in a comfortable Mediterranean
setting. Painted in earth colors, the restaurant offers an air of relaxation.
“Their sushi is delicious and the prices are really good, so I can
eat a lot more sushi than I would at any other restaurant,” said
Abla Gamal, an economics junior. Their prices start off with a piece of
Nigiri sushi, the most traditional form offered in all sushi restaurants,
for eight pounds and a plate of 12 sushi pieces costs L.E. 50. A full
sushi meal could cost the customers up to L.E. 120.
All the above restaurants offer home-delivery service.
Makani
9 Amr Street, Mohandessin Giza
Tel: +33030491
27 Hassan Sadiq Street, off Salah Salem Street, behind the Baron Palace,
Helipolis
Tel: +26910310/ 26910310
L’Asiatique
Le Pacha 1901 boat, Saray El Gezira Street, Zamalek
Tel: +27356730 MoriSushi Bar and Grill
19 El Gabalaya Street,
Zamalek, Cairo.
