Asahi Japanese Restaurant Review

by Brian Baxter

The Japanese restaurant, Asahi, is a good example of its many immaculately clean, slightly functional equivalents in its ‘home’ country – offering good quality food at – for this particular cuisine – reasonable prices.
It is the ideal place to visit, as I have done, before or after one of the Alliance Francaise film screenings, since they are held only a few minutes walk away or when going to one of the nearby entertainment or massage parlours which are even closer. Or even after an aperitif at the Chedi Hotel just across the road. Though I guess you’ll pay as much for a drink there as for a meal at Asahi.

In short, it is a restaurant where one goes to eat decently and comfortably, rather than – say – to spend an evening there. Though should you want to entertain friends they offer a private room for 6 to ten people with no supplementary charge. It’s far from a insult to say that it has an up-market café feel to it with its row of coloured tables on the left as you enter and a sushi bar to the right of the door, with a couple of two-seater tables further down. It seats about 30 people, including some tables outside. There is plenty Japanese music in the background and the service is efficient and pleasant, rather than friendly. English and, of course, Thai and Japanese are spoken. I believe it is part of a successful chain, no doubt Japanese owned and run.

The food (and drink: they serve sake, imported vodka, a variety of beers as well as much else including excellent tea) is what one comes for. This is presented on elegantly simple crockery on the gleaming tables and there is this notion of functionality rather than high style. But the truth of the matter is in the eating and that is very truthful indeed, fresh as can be and delicious.
Depending on your appetite and alcohol consumption (large Singha beer is 90 baht), I reckon that you should expect to pay between 300 and 500 baht a head with service. Not expensive given the quality of the ingredients.

On my most recent visit, a friend and I shared some sushi, including the more filling Maki sushi with rice wrapped in nori seaweed. Two of these were in the more difficult to eat cone shaped style Also a couple of Nigiri sushi with sea food topping. We particularly enjoyed the salt and soy salmon (120 baht) which was a very tasty fillet. We also had a neat plateful of asparagus fried in butter and that was in excellent contrast to the sashimi, with the freshest possible tuna slices. There was plenty of soy sauce, wasabi and ginger on offer. We accompanied this little feat with two large Singha beers and the total bill plus a tip came in at around 700 baht. This is well presented, delicious and very healthy food.

They are open from 5p.m. until 11 p.m. and offer around 100 dishes, all illustrated as well as described in the very clear menu. You’ll find Asahi at 98/2 Sri Don Chai Road. They also deliver food. Tel; 053 275 323 or 084 150 0966.

Find more details about the restaurant, recommended menu items, map, etc.