Exotic Eatery
Japanese food doesn’t get much better than at the affordable Ryu Ichi Japanese Restaurant.
Modelled along the lines of an izakaya, or typical Japanese eatery and bar, Ryu Ichi Japanese Restaurant has just opened its doors to a quickly growing number of diners. It’s set in perhaps the most convenient place on the whole of Samui, at Tesco Lotus in Chaweng. The restaurant is housed in a separate building, just adjacent to the main building, so park here at the mall. Ryu Ichi is an ideal place to come with friends or family or just the two of you. It’s laid-back and convivial, and you can come just about at any time; Ryu Ichi is open daily from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm, with last food orders round 9:00 pm. The clean lines of the restaurant are easy on the eye, and seating is comfortable. Opt for a booth, a table in the middle of the dining room, or do as many Japanese do, take your place right at the bar and watch the magic of a skilled chef preparing your meal right in front of you.
Lunches and dinners are all superb here. Following Japanese traditions, Ryu Ichi offers exactly the kind of varied fare you’d expect in this kind of restaurant if you came in off the street in Tokyo or Osaka. Prices are very affordable; there’s nothing that will cause you to raise your eyebrows once the bill comes. Izakaya-style Japanese food isn’t expensive in its home country; no reason for it to be so here.
When you step inside Ryu Ichi, you’ll imagine that the restaurant has been created by a Japanese designer – it’s totally authentic. The surprise is however that the owner, Khun Virach Pongchababnapa, is a Samui local, and purely self-taught when it comes to design. For most islanders, he needs no introduction. He was responsible for building the Guan Yu Shrine on the ring-road in Ban Hua Thanon. He designed parts of Pavilion Samui Villas & Resort and also designed his other izakaya at Kikusui Japanese Restaurant 2324 in Lamai.
The menu at Ryu Ichi is faithful to its Japanese origins. Some dishes may be new to you, if you’ve never been to Japan, but the menu has photos that give a good idea of what the food is like, and staff can give advice. The menu brims with great tastes, and if you can, indulge in some fabulous appetizers and sides – the accent at Ryu Ichi isn’t just on the mains – and you’ll be tempted, for example, by the salads here. The Ryu Ichi Salad is particularly recommended, with fresh salmon as a main ingredient, and there’s also a spicy tako salad with octopus and Fuji dressing.
Light on the stomach, highly tasty and perfectly presented, the chef showcases the best of sushi and sashimi. You can order sushi in individual bite-sized portions or as sets. There’s a wide variety of fish used, along with the best of crab which you can savour in the Sashimi Taraba, a dish that’s both light and sweet.
Thinking of Japanese food, it’s usually fish that comes first to mind, but Japan has also given us Wagyu beef, and here at Ryu Ichi you can enjoy some phenomenally good meats without breaking your budget. Both Beef Steak and Grilled Beef are available as Wagyu Saka Beef A5; you can select from 50 gm to 200 gm. A range of sauces accompany the beef, as well as a side dish of your choice.
Children are always welcome at Ryu Ichi, and they’ll be happy to come here as they have their own menu, ensuring that there’ll always be a few dishes that they’ll like. Everything’s photographed, so they’ll be able to make an informed choice. Ryu Ichi stocks a whole gamut of drinks. Sake doesn’t disappoint here, and you’ll also find Japanese beers in stock, along with local beers and soft drinks. A rich and satisfying way to end to any meal at Ryu Ichi is to treat yourself to a dessert. They’re definitely worth it. You’ll become an instant fan of hybrid Japanese desserts that have taken their cue from international patisserie, such as the Hokkaido Gateau au Chocolat, or the Hokkaido New York Cheesecake. Equally tempting, you can simply enjoy a matcha ice-cream or the excellent Fruit Daifuku Sakura.
The flavours at Ryu Ichi are deeply authentic and inspired by the best of Japanese cuisine. Here you can enjoy a complete spectrum of favourites, and everything’s affordable. Managed by an utterly professional chef and his team, everyone who comes to the restaurant seems to enjoy themselves, and it’s no surprise that Ryu Ichi has hit the ground running.
Dimitri Waring