Kani Doraku immediately caught my eye when I was given a list of restaurants to visit in Japan. So yes, I’m super hyped about coming here to enjoy my favourite protein: crab!
Located in the crowded Dotonburi, the interior of Kani Doraku is a nice break from the hectic world outside. The place is calm and quiet, with tatami floor mat setting, overseeing an open area of Dontoburi, where many people passes by.
And the menus all feature different combinations of crab prepared with different cooking methods. It is crab lover’s dream come true!
The crab here is so fresh, so juicy, so sweet. I have such an awesome time savouring the crab dishes here. And with the great service, this restaurant is a must-visit.
By the way, it is also a must to go to the washroom here. Because they play a special Kani song there, which is so cute and funny.
A good start with Boiled Crab and Seasonal Dish
Boiled Crab is cooked crab in its purest form, no seasoning or anything because it can still taste absolutely amazing on its own. The clear briny sweetness of crab takes the center stage. And the meat is do succulent snd juicy. I love this even in its plain form.
Refreshing, crunchy, sweet vegetables rolled up for a good bite. Goma sauce added for an extra earthy, savoury, tangy taste.
Three kinds of crab sashimi, a super rarity in Singapore, is so good that I can say that my favourite sashimi is crab.
Grilled Crab Sashimi features the pure briny sweetness of the springy, juicy crab meat tempered with a hint of char to make the taste more exciting. It is brilliant idea to burn the top of the crab sashimi for that complexity in taste.
Crab Yuba Sashimi has the thin silky smooth yuba adding a layer of lux and smoothness to the texture of the crab. A unique way for pairing with crab, and I love it.
Crab Leg Sashimi is pure crab goodness due to the plump, juicy texture of the leg meat. It is pure enjoyment to eat this.
Crab Chawamushi is full of light clear umami. And the starchy broth on top adds a nice unique texture to the chawamushi.
Carrot in Cut in a Cute shape of Crab
I enjoy Small Crab Sukiyaki Pot a lot too. Because the broth yielded from cooking the crab and vegetables in dashi is so tasty and full of umami. The crab cooked in broth is, of course, delicious. I like it that the vegetable variety is of thin strip shape for easier biting as compared to those big leafy type with thick stalk. It feels so comforting to enjoy sipping on the broth and eating the food freshly cooked in it.
Grilled Crab is incredibly briny sweet. The sweetness is unbelievable. This is oh-so-good. The char from tje grilling actually makes the crab taste even sweeter. Tastes even more exciting with lemon added. This is my favourite of the whole set meal.
Crab Tempura is coated with thin crispy deep fried batter that juxtaposes so well with the bouncy texture of the crab meat. Another delight to savour.
Crab Rice Kamameshi is packed with umami due to the crab meat added and the rice imbued with the savoury goodness of the broth. Though I do get pretty full by now. So adding dashi to the rice to yield Chazuke totally works for me since it is now a bit like porridge in consistency, thus much easier to finish. I totally enjoy this in chazuke form that I can get another helping despite being full.
Nice refreshing Yuzu sorbet. But I wish I had chosen the Matcha Ice-cream instead since the staff will whip up the matcha and pour it over the vanilla ice-cream.
Thoughts: Simply Wonderful!
1 Chome-6-18 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
