Raisu Izakaya on West 4th is a Japanese izakaya serving Japanese fusion food and drinks in an upscale trendy atmosphere. They have an extensive menu covering all manner of fresh seafood, fried bar food and more substantial teishoku (set menu) meals. I have previously covered some of their signature items here. I went back earlier this month to try some of their newest items. Check out the new menu items at Raisu that I tried below!
Surf and Turf Bowl at Raisu
First up is their brand new Surf and Turf Bowl. This show stopping rice bowl features slices of Canadian AAA beef steak on top hot rice. To top it off there is a spice rubbed grilled lobster tail. The bowl is served with seasonal vegetables, sautéed mushrooms and mashed potatoes with a touch of spicy cod roe.
If that wasn’t enough, the rice bowl comes with a sizzling hot stone for you to finish your steak to your liking! The beef was so tender and the lobster was perfect! This is a very indulgent bowl, and I really like the interactive element of cooking the beef on the hot stone.
Otoro Zeitaku Bowl at Raisu
I adore Otoro, and this bowl did not disappoint! The ‘Zeitaku’ means luxury in Japanese, and this bowl lives up to its name. The Otoro Zeitaku Bowl features 2 kinds of super fatty Otoro bluefin tuna! Otoro tataki and minced otoro! To accompany all this fatty richness is tobiko, chopped takuan (pickled Daikon radish, shiso, arare (small rice crackers for textural contrast) and a poached egg.
This bowl was FANTASTIC. It was so rich and fatty without being overwhelming. However, I do recommend you share this with a friend as it is rich. The Otoro was absolutely melt in your mouth, and the sheen on the fish was absolute perfection.
Wagyu Items at Raisu
There are two new Wagyu items to try at Raisu – Wagyu Beef Shabu Shabu Udon and Kobe Wagyu Aburi Nigiri Sushi. The Wagyu Beef Shabu Shabu Udon is brough to your table in an enormous bowl. The bowl has thin slices of rare Wagyu beef, Sanuki udon and greens. A piping hot broth is then poured on top to finish the dish. The flavour is so deep and complex – you need to try this!
The Kobe Wagyu Aburi Nigiri Sushi is two thin wagyu beef blankets on rice. It is so simple but just a flavour explosion. It is torched at your table and when you pick up the nigiri it is dripping with delicious fatty goodness. If you can, eat it in one big bite!
Worth a Try?
Yes! I am a huge fan of Raisu, and these new menu items did not disappoint. Everything was so flavourful (as always) and fresh!