Manar Elbaz

DUBAI: Dubai’s Japanese restaurant, Itadaku, is bringing authentic Japanese dishes made from Japanese sweet potatoes, strawberries, and persimmons from Nov. 24 to 28. 

The dishes will be Satsumaimo Soboro Ankake, Japanese sweet potato with chicken mince starchy sauce; Ichigo To Ebi No Shiraae Ikuragake, Japanese strawberries and boiled shrimp mixed with tofu sauce; and Kaki Tempura, Japanese persimmon tempura.

The special dishes will be served from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dubai time. Guests must reserve before going through this form. 

“I have always wanted to convey the wonders of Japanese ingredients to the world,” said chef Masaru Sakagami, who has 25 years experience in Japanese cuisine and will be cooking the special menu for the event. “This event, which focuses on fruits, is an opportunity for the people of Dubai to know about them.”

The chef explained that the reason why Japanese fruits are different from Middle Eastern fruits is because they need to be fully ripe before they get shipped. “Japanese fruits and vegetables are superior (because of) improved varieties, research on cultivation methods, and climate,” he added. 

Itadaku is committed to bringing authentic Japanese fruits to Dubai, as they hosted a showcase of authentic Japanese pears by JA Ichikawa last month. They will be holding more events in the future related to fruits.