Kampachi, Malaysia’s most distinguished Japanese restaurant, is serving up yet another rare treat. For the first time in Malaysia and exclusively at Kampachi, Tottori wagyu – a former winner of the famed Japanese Wagyu Olympics – will be available at all three Kampachi outlets.
It is being offered as part of the Tottori Prefecture Showcase that will run from Dec 7 to Dec 23, 2022. Apart from the wagyu, other Tottori exports such as sake and snow crabs will also be presented. Dishes designed to highlight the superb quality of the wagyu can be experienced via a specially curated omakase menu or tantalising à la carte dishes.
Tottori Prefecture is the least populous prefecture in Japan but has roots that go back to the prehistoric era. It is renowned as the production center of Japanese beef since the Edo period and supplied many stud bulls across the country in the 1920s.
The superior quality of its agricultural produce can be attributed to its pristine environment. 14% of its total land area is designated as national parks. With the clean air, infinite greenery, and mineral water from Mount Daisen, Tottori cows live a healthy and stress-free life. These ideal surroundings and generations-old cow-rearing techniques combine to create the exceptional Tottori wagyu.
To earn the appellation, Tottori wagyu has to come from Japanese black cattle that are raised in the prefecture. It also has to be grade 3 or higher. With grade 5 being the highest, the grading system that is governed by the Japanese Meat Grading Association awards points for marbling score, firmness, texture, colouring, and yield.
Hailed as “beef that is the highest quality in the world” by The Japan News, Tottori wagyu’s intense marbelisation comes from its high content of oleic acid. It is a form of monounsaturated fatty acid that is liquid at room temperature and can help reduce low-density lipoprotein or ‘bad’ cholesterol. Plus, it accounts for the strong umami taste associated with wagyu.
If you wonder if there’s any veracity to the notion that beef can melt in your mouth, there is. Room temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. And the human mouth is at least 10 degrees Celsius warmer than that. This is why connoisseurs gush over marbling (or, technically, intramuscular fat) – it is literally one of the reasons that makes wagyu so good.
Nonetheless, having the best wagyu in the world means nothing if it is not prepared right. This is where Kampachi’s expertise comes in:
“We’ve been in the business of serving premium Japanese ingredients for close to 50 years. As a restaurant that has been at the forefront of Japanese cuisine for so long, Kampachi has introduced many specialty items to Malaysian diners,” said Kampachi Managing Director Donald Lim. “We’ve also had to opportunity to work with chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan to ensure the level of authenticity is high,” he added.
“So, there are two elements here: One is an ingredient of the highest quality and the other is the preparation skill, honed over years and years of experience. And these two are coming together to create exceptional dishes that you will not be able to find anywhere else.”
The Tottori Prefecture showcase will feature a 7-course omakase menu designed to tantalise your senses. Some dishes include the Wagyu Nigiri Aburi Sushi (Flame-seared Sirloin Sushi) that will show off the meat’s tenderness and rich, satisfying flavour. It is a menu that has been thoughtfully created to bring you and your palate on a delectable, one-of-a-kind journey.
To experience the Tottori omakase, an advance reservation of two days is required. It is priced at RM950 with the option of sake pairing at an additional RM250.
The Tottori Prefecture Showcase will run from Dec 7 to Dec 23 at all three Kampachi outlets. Other than wagyu, some of its well-known sea bounties such as Matsuba Gani (snow crab), Aji (horse mackerel), and Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) will also be available.
For reservations and enquiries at Kampachi, email [email protected] or visit https://linktr.ee/KampachiOfficial. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (KampachiOfficial) for updates and news.
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