Places : WakuWaku Japan Cafe @ Gandaria City, Jakarta
Ohaiyo! I know I haven't started to post my Japan Trip yet, but here's a fresh reminder : a Japanese-themed cafe presentation as a welcome greet to my just-coming-home self. It's WAKUWAKU JAPAN Cafe, ladies & gentlemen. I was invited by them to be one of the very first guests who can try their exclusive menus - so follow the pictures below!
WAKUWAKU JAPAN Cafe is actually a sort of pop-up cafe, that will only existed within two months and about, from last November end to next January 28th, 2015. It's located exactly at Kaffeine Cafe Gandaria City (Upper Ground), near to Metro Department Store. The design is exclusively Japanese and oh-so-lovely, with little simple details and all that sakura petals hanging on the ceiling. There are indoor & outdoor area for you to choose - the indoor might be best if you want to sit in traditional tatami and enjoy the air-conditioned room, but the outdoor area will be great if you're either a smoker or foodies who need to take pictures in great natural lighting. It's also quite hot to sit outside during this particular season, so you choose which one will be good for you.
The WAKUWAKU JAPAN representative told us that all of their decoration are originally brought from Japan. That's impressive, but also mean that we better be careful while stepping on one of those pretty little glasses...
Hello Mr. Chef! Mr. Tahira Wataru from Japan is responsible for all the goodness taste here.
Alright, food time. WAKUWAKU JAPAN Cafe provides not only main courses but also desserts that are exclusively authentic, not modified, so you can literally eat "real" Japanese food there. I'll take some closer looks at their signature dishes:
TAI-CHAZUKE or Sea Bream Menu Course. This is a sliced Sea Bream / Tai fish over cooked rice. You will need to pour a hot tea before eating and it will melt the flavours togather. It's so good and I never taste anything like that before anywhere in Jakarta, so you should try once.
(IDR 120K/portion)
CHIRASHI SUSHI - the colorful sushi menu! If you want to try a new way of eating sushi (like a mashed rice + toppings blended together), then this dish will be perfect for you.
(IDR 150.000/portion)
TEMPURA-CHAZUKE - Cooked rice and set of tempura, of course. They served this with savory soup, and options of wasabi - pickles - nori additionally. It's crunchy and great for anybody who loves fried-food.
(IDR 120.000)
All of the food are great and wonderful, in terms of taste and presentation. They also felt authentic in a way that bring you to the familiarity of Japanese flavors. A great bargain too. But not long after we finish the meal-tasting, playground was calling. WAKUWAKU JAPAN sets up the ground hall at Gandaria City into a playground of traditional Japanese game booth and free-snack corners. You can also try to wear Kimonos (again, for free) that are available on the venue, play some games or taking pictures with... Ultraman. YEAH, real Ultraman brought to you from Japan, no joking.
Told you, no joking here. Me and Stella Lee tried hard to make the Ultraman did kawaii pose but he refused. *sigh
photos taken by : Fujifim XE-2 - f 1.4
To wrapped it up, I MISSED JAPAN ALREADY! The whole decoration & dine have reminded me to my just-finished holiday and now I'm thinking about buying another return ticket to catch a Spring-trip next year.
If you want to experience the authentic (but still playful and casual) Japanese atmosphere, you should drop by WAKUWAKU JAPAN Cafe before January 28th, 2015. And make sure you tried their desserts! Sayonara~
WAKUWAKU JAPAN Cafe
GANDARIA CITY MALL - Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda, South Jakarta | Upper Ground