Tanuki – Dubai Mall – Dubaicravings.com

Tanuki is a new restaurant that had recently launched in Dubai Mall. It’s the 17th restaurant in the world but the first one in UAE. The first time the restaurant caught my attention was after I saw their interactive Robot at the entrance of the restaurant. It is a true attraction to all the passer-by. Tanuki specializes in Japanese, Chinese and South Asian cuisine. It’s been a palatable experience at Tanuki, with a range of ingredients mixed and matched with a perfect balance of meat, rice, seafood, fruits, vegetables and spices.

Tanuki Dubai Mall outside seating facing the Dancing fountain

The interiors reminds you of spring. Tanuki is filled by beautiful flowering trees through out the restaurant. Samurai swords can be seen spread across the walls of the restaurant which depicts Japanese heritage and culture. You could also sit outside the restaurant which has a smoking and non smoking area. Although facing the Dancing fountain, it isn’t very close to the Dancing Fountain. The wooden chairs are uniquely designed which also represents their art and style.

Their Dining set would include their classic chopsticks rested on a pebble. For amateurs, the would have an easy to use specially arranged chopsticks by a trick using rubber band and rolled paper between the sticks.

Drinks – AED 25 – Lemongrass Mandarin Iced Tea, Foku Pear, Hawaiian Breeze Mocktail

The drinks have been mind blowing. True taste of freshness and each drink was different from the other. A genuine iced tea that you could find, although my favourite drink would be Hawaiian Breeze.

Kids Bento Box – AED 38 – one maki, one main and one dessert along with smiley fries, ketchup, side of raw vegetables and fresh juice

The kids bento box was an interesting one. This is one of the most exciting kids meal box. It comes packed in a tiffin and remains a suspense until open. Kids meal is colorful and neatly cut and shaped to make it attractive for kids. For the bento box you have one selection of starter, main and dessert. Good enough to fill up an adult too and is absolutely healthy and yum.

Tanuki Tom Yam Soup – AED 30 – signature soup with coconut milk, shrimps, mussles, squid, mushrooms, lemongrass, chillies served with rice

Do not miss the soup here. Tom Yam soup was just the perfect soup for this weather. The sticky rice is also served along with the soup which is usually dipped into the soup. The soup had a good balance of tanginess and spice.

The raw salmon Sashimi was beautifully presented. The chunk of ice underneath and the plate of leaf gives this dish a special touch and literally looks as if this fish is placed on a bed of diamonds. so it’s just cold raw fresh salmon.

Arigao sushis – AED 38 for 6 pcs – shrimp, arugula, avocado, cucumber and unagi sauce

Philadelphia Sushi – AED 50 for 6 pcs – salmon, cucmber, avocado, green onion, sesame seeds, soft cheese

chili Thai – AED 42 for 6 pcs – shrimp, salmon, avocado, cream cheese, sweet and chili sauce

Mango pleasure sushi – AED 55 for 5 pcs – seafood mix, creamcheese, mango and unagi sauce

Seared Salmon(AED 11), crab meat(AED 17), Chuka Wakame(AED 10)

Sushi is the signatures here. A huge collection of Sushis is waiting for you at Tanuki. We tried many of their signature Sushis and they have been top notch. You have a wide range of selection of sushis. They even have a dedicated vegetarian section. They are also presented beautifully. I noticed the cream cheese is very dominating in taste, I prefer not to pick a Sushi with cream cheese stuffing in it. I love dipping these sushis in those sauces they provide, it really adds up to the taste.

Beef Teriyaki – AED 60 – Teriyaki beef tenderloin with stir-fried vegetables and steamed rice

Beef Teriyaki was a lovely dish. Beef tenderloin was tender and the steamed rice along with stir fried vegetables was a nice side to the beef in the plate. The rice reminded me of the same rice that we found in the sushis.

Shumai – AED 30 for 4 pcs – shrimp and chicken with Teriyaki or Chili sauce

Chicken dumplings – AED 20 – chicken, spring onion and soy

Truffle and chicken XLB – AED 30 for 2 pcs

The dim sums were cute and delicious. I had lot of expectations from their giant mutton bun but the minced meat was more light in texture and taste, I would prefer to find chunks of meat with a strong flavor instead. The shumai was really pretty and it reminds of you a sack bag. The sauces are a great companion to these dim sums.

Mochi – AED 17 per pc – ice cream in thin rice tough

Kuro Eru – AED 38 – sweet kiwi maki with pineapple, strawberries, banana, almond and cream cheese

Desserts at a Japanese restaurant is very different from the usual. The signature dessert Kuro Eru was more like fruits and cream wrapped in a thin chocolate crepe. The Mochi ice creams were really nice and I highly recommend to try the GREEN TEA flavor. It was nice to end their meal with their speciality hot tea which was a soother.