A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Gonbei

Well, yesterday(5 January 2010), we went to town.After locating the Relish Floor of Starhill,we approached the Gonbei Japanese Restaurant. There a Malay and Indian waiter in Japanese attire complete with Japanese clogs,smiled at us." Going to Jogoya?" That direction,they pointed us the way!

In the negative, we replied. We want to go to the Gonbei! Smiles appeared on their faces like clockwork. The said " Welcome!" in the Japanese tongue as we walked through the bridge like structure with the pitched roof of bamboo poles. Then we heard a loud boom being sounded from the banging of a traditional drum behind us. As we approached the seating area, a chorus of loud "Welcomes" came from all the waiters and waitresses. Oh! what a welcoming gesture and show they have really put on!

The name Gonbei is that of a typical farmer from ancient Japan, who has that deep-seated spirit of warm hospitality characteristic of the whole country. The bamboo structured restaurant entrance is based on a traditional farmhouse, symbolising vitality.

Food was aplenty from the few bento boxes we ordered. There was good shashimi,tempura and teppanyaki. There was pan-fried unagi and salmon. Then there was that soft wagyu beef cutlets for us to savour as well. We finished off the meal with traditional miso seaweed soup, the egg custard and fruits.

On refelction, I think Gonbei is one fine Japanese restaurant.