80 October 2013 www.womanthismonth.com The Woman this Month team took a lunch break this month. Not only were we impressed by the delicacies on offer, this restaurant won us over with the healthy factor in each bite. Heading the food and beverage division of Remza Group and leading the kitchen brigade at Meisei Bahrain is executive chef Michael Sang-Kyu Lee. His expertise in the gastronomical industry is no secret to the gourmands of Bahrain. So when we decided to try out his new lunch menu, we were sure to be satisfied. Little did we know that we would be trying the best bento boxes that we’d ever come across. If you’ve never tried this practical ‘meal in a box’ concept before, Meisei would be the perfect place to start. In this modern Asian restaurant, it isn’t just about serving delicious food. Chef Michael, inspired by his Japanese background, is dedicated to promoting wellbeing. Therefore, each ingredient is carefully picked and used to improve your health. A bento is a traditional Japanese style of serving food conveniently, especially on trains and on-the-go meals. Separate compartments in the lacquered wooden boxes hold different dishes. However, in a restaurant setup, you can enjoy this as a three-course menu. Do not hesitate trying this feast for fear of ‘raw food’. It’s about time that people got rid of the misconception that Japanese cuisine is exclusively uncooked dishes. You’ll be ruling out a world of scrumptious preparations if you still think so. A treat for your senses Your dining experience begins with a traditional miso soup. Made using the basic ingredients of edamame, tofu and seaweed, this was the perfect start to our lunch. “In my kitchen, no ingredient is storebought,” says chef Michael. “Although the cuisine served is often termed ‘modern’ or even ‘fusion’, I am a purist. Everything I use in a dish is natural and made from scratch.” He explains that the natural enzymes in the soup are beneficial to our hair, nails and skin. No doubt, we lapped it up. This was followed by a salad doused in home-made sesame vinaigrette. The light dish is topped with thin slices of Granny Smith apples, resulting in a marriage of fresh and vibrant flavours. Chef Michael then plated three versions of his bento creations. While the star of one was Black Angus beef, which was simply divine, the second featured corn-fed chicken. The third was the traditional sashimi bento for the daring amongst us. Each box had a vegetable side dish and chicken dumplings with a unique lemonbased dip sauce. Shrimp tempura was another highlight of the meal, served with a special mayo dressing. Following the age-old belief that you first eat with your eyes, presentation is key at Meisei. The next time you decide to meet friends over lunch, have a go at this well-balanced meal. Call 17 007-770. A Meal in a Box showcase MEISEI
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