this would be my third time at Enyaa but my first time for lunch, it was just as good and great value. it was also much quieter than dinner, only a few tables were occupied while at dinner the place is always full.
First course was chawanmushi, japanese egg custard with semi dried tomatoes, mushrooms and chives. this was interesting as it wasn't the typical chawanmushi, there was no fish cake, shrimp, or even gingko. instead the semi dried tomatoes added an unique flavor component, a bit sour, salty and sweet but it seemed to work with the mushrooms and egg custard. this had far less ingredients but it was actually still quite tasty.
tempura of seasonal vegetables (mushroom, tomato, sweet potato, sweet green pea) and chicken. these were Super crunchy and the tempura skin wasn't too thick. however it was a bit salty and the dipping sauce was also salty but the texture was perfect.
the main course was a bento box (top left to bottom left):
mackerel sushi, grilled eggplant with miso, canard duck, spinach, and japanese omelette (Tamagoyaki). the mackerel sushi is one of their signature dishes and it was just as good as we have had it before. the grilled eggplant with miso was both sweet and salty, it DEFINITELY had an umami flavor. the duck was not dry but very moist and tender, could have had a touch bit more of salt. the omelette was good and tasty, not an easy thing to make.
grilled salmon with white miso and sake. This was very delicious, the miso was very light and didn't overpower the fish. Sometimes they put so much miso glaze that all you can taste is miso.
red tuna sashimi with seaweed. very high quality fish with very fresh seaweed.
1/2 cooked chicken with dijon mustard, rice vinegar, and miso. spicy, sour, and a bit sweet. to use mustard in japanese food isn’t so common also with the combination of rice vinegar and miso, but it added a bit of spice and another flavor component to the dish. the 1/2 cooked chicken was an interesting texture because it was so soft and tender. I’m sure it was a special kind of chicken that could be cooked this way.
the last dish was the chicken rice with red miso soup. unfortunately this was a bit to dry again. it was only the first time that I had it that it was moist and more tasty. this is such a let down as this is one of their signature dishes and i don’t understand why it just can’t be as good as the first time.
and for dessert the Hojicha panna cotta. this is Still hands down one of my favorite desserts, a good balance of sweetness, earthiness and creaminess. if you have only one dish to try this would be it.
although I love the food of enyaa, I may need a little break. three times in less than 10 months might be a bit excessive, however each time i have had a great experience. there are only a few signature dishes that appear every time but most of the dishes change due to the seasonality. the food is excellent, the staff is great, and the sake is pretty good. a definite recommend if you want some high class japanese food without breaking the bank in paris.
