The Thrifty Foodie’s Guide at 99 Sushi Bar’s Michelin Star Experience in Dubai
Dubai’s culinary landscape is a kaleidoscope of flavors, with Japanese cuisine holding a special allure for discerning food enthusiasts. In our quest for the best Japanese restaurants, we stumbled upon a hidden gem. The 99 Sushi Bar, a Michelin starred establishment with its roots in Abu Dhabi, quietly enchanting diners in Downtown Dubai. Authentic and discreet, 99 Sushi Bar beckoned us on a fortunate stroll towards The Address Downtown Dubai. Intrigued, we decided to unravel its secrets, discovering that its Abu Dhabi branch held a prestigious Michelin star, setting our expectations high for an extraordinary dining experience. Unlocking the key to savoring Michelin starred brilliance without draining our wallets, we turned to the wisdom of a savvy tip. The business lunch. More than just cost-effective, it’s a symphony of the chef’s masterpieces condensed into bite-sized delights, akin to sampling an Essential Kit for Skin Care. Choosing to celebrate the festive season with a Christmas lunch, we booked a table for the Omakase Business Lunch, available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 12:00 pm to 2:15 pm.
Feast your eyes on the 8-course Omasake Business Lunch menu we experienced:
Hosomaki (Chu-toro with Leek) – price not on the menu
Hosomaki (Chu-toro with Leek) is a delectable Japanese dish that showcases a delightful combination of flavors. In this sushi roll, the star ingredient is Chu-toro, a cut of fatty tuna that offers a rich and buttery texture. The addition of leek enhances the overall taste, imparting a mild and slightly sweet note that complements the savory richness of the tuna. The ingredients are expertly rolled in sushi rice and seaweed, creating a compact and visually appealing roll. The result is a bite-sized treat that delivers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, making it a satisfying and memorable part of the culinary experience.
Kobe Edamame (with Truffle) – AED45 approx. $12
Kobe Edamame (with Truffle) is a refined take on the traditional Japanese edamame dish, where the focus is on the rich and earthy flavors of truffle. In this rendition, edamame beans are the star of the show, offering a vibrant and fresh base.
The truffle infusion adds a luxurious touch, imparting a distinct and aromatic essence to the edamame. Each pod is a delightful combination of the natural crunchiness of edamame and the savory, earthy notes of truffle. The result is a harmonious blend that elevates this classic appetizer to a more sophisticated and indulgent level, showcasing the culinary finesse.
Capumiso Soup (Fermented Soy Seaweed, Truffle, Leeks, and Tofu Foam) – AED45 (approx. $12)
Capumiso Soup is a unique and flavorful culinary creation that brings together a medley of distinctive ingredients. The soup is a blend of fermented soy, seaweed, truffle, leeks, and topped with a delicate tofu foam.
The fermented soy introduces a deep and savory element to the broth, while the seaweed contributes a subtle sea-infused richness. The truffle, known for its earthy and aromatic qualities, adds a layer of complexity, enhancing the overall depth of the soup. Leeks provide a mild onion-like flavor, complementing the other ingredients with their gentle sweetness.
What sets this soup apart is the creative touch of a velvety tofu foam crowning the dish. The foam introduces a light and airy texture, creating a delightful contrast to the heartiness of the broth. The combination of these elements results in a soup that is both comforting and sophisticated, showcasing the innovative approach to Japanese cuisine.
Baby Squid Tempura (with Yuzu Mayonnaise and Shiso Leaves) – AED90 (approx. $24)
The Baby Squid Tempura combines the tender essence of baby squid with the crispiness of tempura, creating a delightful harmony of textures. The dish is further elevated with the addition of Yuzu Mayonnaise and Shiso Leaves, adding a burst of citrus and herbaceous flavors.
The baby squid, delicately coated in a light tempura batter, achieves a perfect balance between a crunchy exterior and a succulent, tender interior. The Yuzu Mayonnaise introduces a zesty and citrus kick, enhancing the overall freshness of the dish. Shiso Leaves, known for their aromatic and slightly minty profile, contribute a herbal note that complements the seafood.
This culinary creation is a testament to the skillful blending of textures and flavors, offering a memorable dining experience that captures the essence of Japanese cuisine at 99 sushi bar.
Sea Bass & Scallop Ceviche (Tiger Milk Sauce) – AED135 (approx. $36)
The Sea Bass & Scallop Ceviche is a vibrant and refreshing dish that highlights the delicate flavors of sea bass and scallops, elevated by the zing of Tiger Milk Sauce. Ceviche is a traditional Latin American dish where raw seafood is marinated in citrus juices, and this rendition at 99 Sushi Bar brings a Japanese flair to the culinary experience.
The sea bass and scallops, expertly sliced, showcase a pristine freshness that is characteristic of high-quality seafood. The Tiger Milk Sauce, a citrus-based marinade with a hint of spiciness, bathes the seafood medley, imparting a bright and lively flavor profile.
The acidity from the citrus juices in the Tiger Milk Sauce acts as a “cooking” agent, subtly firming up the texture of the seafood while preserving its natural tenderness. The result is a ceviche that bursts with the briny essence of the sea, complemented by the invigorating citrus notes and a subtle kick of heat.
Japanese Taco (Toro, Smoked Beef with Tomato and Aromatized Herbs) – AED65 (approx. $17)
The Japanese Taco is a creative and flavorful dish that ingeniously replaces the traditional taco shell with nori, bringing a Japanese twist to this culinary delight. This fusion creation marries the luscious taste of toro (fatty tuna) with the smoky richness of smoked beef, all wrapped in the umami embrace of nori seaweed. Complemented by the juicy sweetness of tomatoes and the aromatic infusion of herbs, each bite is a harmonious blend of Japanese and Mexican influences.
The toro, celebrated for its opulent and velvety texture, pairs seamlessly with the depth of flavor from the smoked beef. The fresh tomatoes add a burst of brightness and succulence, while the aromatized herbs contribute fragrant notes that enhance the overall experience.
Served in a nori wrap, the Japanese Taco not only captivates the palate but also delights the eyes with its imaginative presentation. This dish exemplifies 99 Sushi Bar’s culinary creativity, re-imagining traditional flavors in a way that is both playful and sophisticated.
99 Skirt Steak (with Leek Potatoes) – AED150 (approx. $40)
The 99 Skirt Steak is a savory masterpiece that showcases the robust flavors of skirt steak paired with the comforting allure of leek potatoes. This dish is a celebration of premium ingredients and culinary expertise, offering a delightful blend of textures and tastes.
The skirt steak, known for its rich marbling and beefy essence, is expertly prepared to achieve the perfect balance of tenderness and succulence. Grilled to perfection, the steak boasts a flavorful char on the outside while preserving its juiciness within.
Accompanying the star of the dish are leek potatoes, providing a comforting and earthy foundation. The leeks infuse a mild onion-like sweetness into the potatoes, creating a complementary side that enhances the overall dining experience.
The 99 Skirt Steak is not just a meal, it’s a culinary journey that captures the essence of quality ingredients and meticulous preparation. The combination of savory steak and leek-infused potatoes is a testament to 99 Sushi Bar’s commitment to delivering an exceptional dining experience for discerning palates.
The expected bill, excluding Hosomaki, tallied AED530 (approx. $144) per person. However, the lunch magic revealed itself, and we paid only AED169 (approx. $46) per person, excluding drinks.
Enhancing our experience, we added a few treats:
Koko Passion (Passion Fruit, Coconut, Almond Syrup, and Passion Juice) – AED50 (approx. $13)
Hyogo Cooler (Ginger, Coriander, Kiwi, Lime, Green Apple, and Lychee Juice) – AED50 (approx. $13)
Sparkling Water – AED35 (approx. $9)
For two, our total bill came to AED485 (approx. $132), a pleasant surprise compared to the original AED1330 (approx. $362).
As a delightful conclusion to our meal, we were graciously gifted a pair of chocolates as a complimentary dessert. The richness of the dark chocolate, coupled with its sweet undertones and nutty flavor, provided a perfect finale to our culinary journey at 99 Sushi Bar. The complimentary chocolates served as a sweet reminder of the restaurant’s commitment to delivering not only exceptional cuisine but also a memorable and indulgent dining experience.
If you crave Michelin-starred Japanese cuisine in Dubai without a hefty price, 99 Sushi Bar is the place where your taste buds and your wallet will happily meet.
