Where: Adliya
What: Fusion Japanese
When: Lunch/Dinner
Why: Only the BEST sushi in Bahrain
Feast for the eyes: Modern yet rich with ambiance, trendy but not too crowded, contemporary and young yet you feel the need to kick the dress code up a notch. Mirai can be safely described as one of the most popular restaurants on the island. As you walk in you are greeted by a sleek wall fountain. A refreshing green from the bamboo plants and splashes of orange on the walls perfectly accent the mostly dark and simple interior. Whether you have a table or opt for the sushi bar, you are in for a modern fusion experience that can take you from Japan to Italy in one maki roll. Once you are seated, order a bowl of edamame, which if I must say so has the perfect texture and saltiness, while you study the menu.
Tasty suggestions: If you like creamy stuff, start with the Popcorn Shrimp, fried shrimp with crab shavings and creamy spicy mayo. The salads are exquisite. Try the Mirai salad with baby arugula, tomatoes, carrots, avocado, and sesame drizzled in honey vinaigrette. Or the Spicy Kani Salad with greens, sundried tomato and kanaboko crab (crab shavings).
Maki maki maki! The only restaurant in the world where you can get an Arabian Maki. A safe choice would be the Mirai Maki (shrimp tempura maki with a little bit of spicy mayo on top), which will taste even better if you ask them to add crab shavings on top (aka “Volcano topping”). It is the on the right of the image.
The Unagi Test: I personally think that the key to rating a Japanese restaurant is by their Unagi Sushi (eel sushi). Once you’ve got the Unagi down, you’re good to go. Now forget for a second that eels are slimy slithering serpents. Close your eyes and let your taste buds enjoy the party. The rice is the perfect fluffiness, the eel the perfect “fishiness” and the sauce the perfect sweetness. Eat it all in one bite to enjoy the blend of flavors, textures and aromas.
Little tip: Don’t dip the Unagi Sushi in soya sauce. I learned this from a Japanese server at Sushi Yasuda, an authentic Japanese restaurant in NYC. The saltiness of the soya sauce will kill the sweetness of the unagi sauce.