An escape to Samdado - Japanese restaurant in Dhaaka Bangladesh

An escape to Samdado

Faizul Khan Tanim explores the tantalising tastes of a classic Japanese eatery

Traditional Japanese cuisine is said to be one of the healthiest in the world. At Samdado, their culinary art is everything that comes with a bona fide Far Eastern signature and tastes devilishly entertaining as well.

There are many places around town that use sticky rice, seaweed paper, fish – teriyaki and half-cooked with soy sauce as cardinal flavouring, but only Japanese dishes with a dash of wasabi, especially from Samdado's sushi bar are worth the mention.

Samdado, meaning the island of three rocks, is Japan brought closer to the Bengali taste. It is a very neatly decorated cosy eatery with traditional rice paper windows, skin-coloured tables and chairs, interesting artworks and wall hangings – set on two floors to cater to the pouring guests who walk in through its doors each day. The restaurant gives a formal yet relaxing atmosphere which is why it is a second-home for plenty of Dhakaites.

The friendly wait staff will immediately greet you on arrival; many of them are still working from 2003.

The quick starters are on the house whether you are aiming for a heavy meal or not – a mini-bowl of crunchy kimchi, awe-inspiring salad with only one word which can explain the unique salad sauce – woah!, peanuts on sesame sauce, and a bowl of miso soup.

As soon as you are done gulping the liquid, it is time for you to rehearse the use of chopsticks with the remaining tofu and bean curd from the bowl. You can also order extra, fried vegetable or fish tempura, dumplings and gyozas.

The main course ranges from lovely wooden platters of sushi, sashmi or maki rolls up to crispy whole fish — grilled baby tai, grilled eel temaki rolls, beef/chicken or fish teriyaki and of course, the lovely glass noodles.

The best part about all these dishes is you can brush a bit of that lovely green paste for an electrifying taste, also affectionately known as the wasabi high. Eating at Samdado is never complete without that hit.