Kisso Bento, a gustatory feast of colors, taste and textures

Kisso Bento: a festival of taste and

I was thrilled the moment I stepped in to Kisso, the well respected Japanese Restaurant at the 8th floor of the Westin Bangkok to have lunch. The coppery glow of the interior was inviting as I smiled in acknowledgement to the sweet greetings of two ladies who welcomed me.

I love its zenlike but modern interiors. It’s unmistakably Japanese design but uses non traditional materials. It has a main dining area flanked at two sides with private dining rooms for small groups both in tatami mats or western type of seating. The third side, semi private, separated only with sliding wrought iron grills. Diners also have the option of eating at the counter at the cooking area where the chefs are in action.

I made my way to a small table with an overhead globular lamp to better see and photograph the food that will be served. Scanning through the menu, I chose the Kisso Bento which was highly recommended.

After downing hot tea served in a small china cup, my eyes feasted on the many interesting details and textures that were all around. Taking a closer look at one part, photographing another or just admiring the line of napkins at the counter. In no time, the Kisso bento was served.

I was quite surprised that the Kisso bento was acutally big. Huge to be exact with several compartments for different types of food in small servings. There was salad at one, freshly fried assorted tempura at another. Four different kinds of sashimi in between while pieces of sliced fatty duck breast and Australian wagyu beef were making me salivate. The latter newly grilled and glistening with a layer of oil while thinly sliced fried garlic decorated its top.

It was a delight to look at. All these colors and textures in different ways of cooking: steamed or fried, freshly sliced raw or pickled, grilled or steeped in broth. This is why I love Japanese food. The clear attention to detail, the yin-yang motif, the delightful colors, all, a typical east asian way of presenting food. As much as I want to enjoy more at just looking at the food, I have a growling belly needing nourishment.

The slices of sashimi was really fresh. There were four kinds: salmon, tuna, hirame and hamachi. I’m familiar with the first two but not the other two. The hamachi on the other hand has a subtle flavor that I like. The salad was refreshing too.

The grilled Australian Angus beef was very flavorful, bold while the slices of duck subtle. The egg custard, unlike what I am accustomed to in the Philippines which is dessert food and quite sweet, the Japanese egg custard is more of a meal item. Steamed, the texture is velvety and mildly salty. As you dig in, slices of fish, shrimps and mushroom provide a delightful surprise in texture and taste.

The rest of the food in the bento box were also good and intersting for me, especially the pickled vegetables which were of different kinds. But capping the meal, I opted for a non Japanese dessert: tiramisu ice cream which was really good.

The Kisso bento was a delight and filling and you really need to have a good appetite to enjoy all of the different items and consume all. As I left the restaurant, I can only smile and think that I had a great feast, a feast of color, textures and, above all, flavor. As I am going back to Bangkok soon, I’m already planning of coming back to Kisso and try the other delectable stuff.

MORE RESTAURANT IMAGES: Kisso: A stylish and modern Japanese restaurant in Bangkok

Kisso Japanese Restaurant
8/F Westin Grande Sukhumvit
259 Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
+66 2 207 8000
12:00 – 2:30 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM
http://www.kissojapaneserestaurant.com/en/