New Japanese restaurant opens in Southsea offering 'fusion' food

Rakuzen sushi and noodle bar, in Elm Grove Southsea, has opened its doors to the public.

Owner Meng Yap, 45, said: ‘Around 70 per cent of the menu is Japanese, which is blended with dishes from other parts of Asia.

‘Both myself and my head chef (Heng Ng) are Malaysian and so this has obviously had an influence.

‘I was introduced to Japanese food by my friends and I absolutely love it.

‘Japanese food is beautifully presented and as well as tasting great is very healthy to eat.’

Meng said Rakuzen offers diners the chance to ‘experience something different’. It joins Nara and Sakura, in nearby Albert Road, as part of the city’s Japanese offerings.

‘We have three great chefs and people get to try news foods which they may never have eaten before,’ he said.

‘Japanese food is great food to try and I believe it will only get more popular. There is already a large demand in London.’

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One of Meng’s favourite dishes is aburi red dragon sushi.

‘The way the food is presented the eight pieces of sushi are actually pieced together to look like a dragon,’ said Meng.

‘The sushi is flame seared with a blow torch which gives it a crispy outer coat.

‘Apparently this style is popular in the USA but is still fairly new here.’

One of the most popular choices with diners has been the beef rendang sushi.

Meng said: ‘This is a fusion of a beef stew mixed with sushi.

‘It is cooked with lemon grass and coconut milk and tastes delicious.’

Meng said customers have been excited about the restaurant since it opened three weeks ago in January.

He said: ‘The feedback we have had from customers has been very positive and many have already returned for a second visit.’