murasaki
Korkeavuorenkatu 47 00130 Helsinki, Finland
More info

Today, I suggested my gourmet friend/collaborator to go to Murasaki for lunch. Murasaki is a Japanese restaurant which opened on the first day of December. With recommendations of friends and a Japanese chef, I had been looking forward to tasting Murasaki’s “teishoku”, Japanese set menu, lunch.

Murasaki challenges “Japanese food = sushi, ramen or tempura” concept which most people think of when they think of Japanese food in Finland and many other countries. The chef Saki would like to introduce other Japanese food, especially, the ones we eat at home in Japan.

The lunch menu consisted of such home-cooked dishes and the tastes reminded me of what I used to eat at home.

I chose simmered chicken wings with sweet vinegar soy sauce for main and sesame tofu and spinach in broth. Both are typical side dishes we eat at home in Japan. The lunch was served with a bowl of rice and miso soup. Warm main dish was perfect for the cold day with a lot of snow on the street. Side dishes were also lovely and remined me of Japan.

The friend chose the stewed pork belly with sweet soy sauce with the same side dishes as mine. Pork belly dish also looked perfect for this kind of weather. And it looked authentically Japanese.

Murasaki is open for “teishoku” lunch (11:00 -13:00) and in the evening as Izakaya (17:00 – 21:00) for seven days a week. Izakaya (Japanese pub) serves small dishes as they do in Japan. There are good selections of sake and other drinks. There is only chef Saki working in the restaurant and he is open for requests and suggestions.

Price of lunch is more expensive than average lunch, but quality is great. Also, the teishoku has enough volume and satisfies your appetite. Chef Saki had worked in a traditional Japanese restaurant in Kyoto going through strict chef training. One can trust his cooking skills.

There is a L-shape counter and a table for 6 people. We sat at the counter and enjoyed talking with the chef. It’s possible to book a table via FB or Instagram.