REPORTING BY Rachel Sadler
PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon www.richardgordonphotography.com
REPORTING BY Rachel Sadler
PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon www.richardgordonphotography.com
Robata Master soft opened in the new DB Plaza extension in mid-December 2021 and there are plans for an official opening as soon as COVID restrictions are lifted and dinner service resumes. A bar-restaurant combo, like all the best robatayaki, it specialises in expertly grilled meat and seafood skewers, Japanese beer and saké.
“Discovery Bay has developed into a unique community with many restaurants but there was nothing like Robata Master. I decided residents needed a new dining option,” opens Robata Master owner Wilson Lee. “The restaurant has been well received by the community; there are seats inside where you can watch the chefs at the grill, and our outdoor terrace has become a hotspot for people looking to relax after work with quality food and drink.”
For many Robata Master fans, the grilled beef, pork, lamb and chicken robatayaki skewers are the main event. While the various meats are sourced worldwide, the sumptuous Wagyu beef is flown in direct from Japan.
“The Wagyu beef is aged for 14 days before serving, this creates a nice texture on the beef,” says Wilson. “We serve our grilled beef with small chunks of raw wasabi on the side.”
It’s not all about the meat, however. Signature veggie skewers include eggplant, mushroom and cucumber, and Robata Master’s prime selection of seasonal seafood is locally sourced.
The beauty of robatayaki is how well the grilled meats and vegetables retain their natural flavours. But when ordering certain items, the chef may ask if you want them flavoured with salt, chili, wasabi or tare (a brown dipping sauce similar to teriyaki).
As well as the grilled items, the menu includes a good selection of everyone’s favourite Japanese meals, including curries, noodles and rice dishes. These are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, COVID restrictions allowing. “Diners especially like the Wagyu beef rice bowl, the beef is so succulent, and the ramen is very popular too,” says Wilson.
At Robata Master, you can order takeout for breakfast, lunch and dinner for pick up or free home delivery within DB. Recommended takeaway dishes include the ramen and deep-fried fish fingers which retain their crispiness for a long time.
Robatayaki refers to a method of cooking, similar to barbecue. In Japan, the loaded skewers are grilled over white-hot charcoal but in Hong Kong, restaurants are only permitted to use electric grills due to fire regulations. “We use an electric grill for safety reasons, but our chefs cook in traditional-style and achieve the same end results,” says Wilson.
The best robatayaki skewers are soft on the inside and deliciously crunchy on the outside, something Wilson attributes to the grilling process and the skill of the chef. “When you place the meat on the skewer, all the juice drops back onto the grill and vaporises back into the meat,” he explains. “Our chefs have a keen eye for timing and they know the exact temperatures needed for the different meat, seafood and veggie items that are grilled.”
One of Robata Master’s bestsellers is its sharing platter for two, which includes a choice of four meat, two chicken and two veggie skewers. Diners are advised to order at least four skewers each, and to pair the grilled meat with Japanese beer, the seafood with saké.
While skewers can be ordered individually for those who know exactly what they want, the most convenient option is to order the omakase, or chef’s special set. The restaurant’s well-priced set lunch – one menu item plus a drink – has been a hit with residents in recent weeks.
Robata Master’s outdoor terrace has been designed as a comfortable after-work hangout for residents, and the bar stocks a good selection of IPAs and craft beers, sourced both locally and in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Japanese beer and saké. An own-brand Robata Master saké will soon be made in house.
As soon as COVID regulations allow, Robata Master’s happy hour will run daily from 3pm to 6pm. There are also plans to introduce regular food and wine/ beer/ saké pairing events, with all sorts of gourmet combinations recommended by staff.
Robata Master is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner (COVID restrictions allowing). To reserve a table, book the space for an event, or order takeout, call or WhatsApp 6636 3303.