SAMA Celebrates Grand Opening Today in Hong Kong
THE BEST SOUP CURRY IN HONG KONG!
SAMA officially opens
its doors on 9 February , bringing Sapporo’s famed soup curry to Hong Kong. Located in
the hip and trendy neighbourhood of Gough Street, SAMA is founder Shuichi
Takahashi’s first restaurant outside Japan.
SAMA brings to Hong Kong the much-loved Sapporo-style
soup curry, which showcases the Indian and Southeast Asian cooking influence in
Hokkaido since the 1970s.
This foreign influence has continued to evolve
to take on a more Japanese flavour and became popular in its own right as a
quintessential Japanese dish since 2000.
“We have chosen to open SAMA’s first restaurant
outside of Japan in Hong Kong, given the city’s love for Japanese food and
culture, and also the surprising lack of Japanese restaurants dedicated to
showcasing the flavours of Sapporo - particularly that of the soup curry,” says
founder, Mr Shuichi Takahashi.
“We are excited to introduce this regional cuisine
that is wholeheartedly loved by all in Hong Kong, a vibrant city known for its
celebrated unique eateries.”
SAMA’s dining experience is as fun as it is
scrumptious and truly one of a kind. Diners who visit the restaurant are
invited to customise their own soup curry, beginning from selecting their
desired soup curry base which includes Tomato, Coconut, or Prawn; followed by choosing the level of spiciness ranging
from a scale of 1 to 30.
Each of these hotness levels are represented by 3 bear
characters : Baby Bear (Level 0-5), Adult Bear (Level 6-15), and Crazy
Bear (Level 16-30).
Five different toppings can be added to the soup
curry, including “Marathon Chicken” (HK$88), Pork Belly “Oink Oink”
(HK$96), Seafood “Ocean Trophy” (HK$108), “Keema Natto” (HK$88),
and Burger Patty “Curry Hamburg” (HK$90).
Vegetarians are also
treated to a “Vegetarian Bear” (HK$78) featuring seasonal
vegetables. Those who are feeling extra ravenous may choose to enjoy “Hungry
Bear” (HK$128) which includes chicken and one additional
topping.
Each bespoke curry bears the signature markings of a
Sapporo curry, which is a thin, soup-like texture that packs a punch in taste,
and comes in a full or half portion at dinner times.
What makes SAMA’s dishes so consistently unique and
memorable is that till today, all curry bases are made in one kitchen in
Sapporo, under the guidance of Takahashi’s sharp and distinct palate.
The
rarity of this curry base also lies in the fact that this is Takahashi’s
special secret recipe, which is what elevates SAMA’s soup curry experience.
Along with the curries come a serving of rice or udon
with a complimentary second refill, with the option to add additional toppings
such as vegetables, eggs, tempura, and meaty treats.
To celebrate the Grand Opening, new
appetisers are added to the menu to enhance the dining experience.
Small
Hokkaido bites such as Otaru Crumbed Oysters (HK$58), Tempura
Taraba Crab Legs (HK$198), Nagoya Style Curry Wings (HK$28), Curry
Fries (HK$28), Hokkaido
Corn Croquettes (HK$18), Creamy Garlic Prawns (HK$72), Traditional
Pan Fried Gyoza (HK$38), Shishitou Brussel Sprouts (HK$58), Spiced
Chicken Karaage (HK$68), Green Salad (HK$68), Hokkaido
Popcorn (HK$28) and Hokkaido
Spinach (HK$78) - all of which accentuate the unique flavours of Sapporo.
SAMA’s drink menu is designed to be savoured alongside
their soup curries, acting as a refreshing way to cool the heat down. The
yoghurt drink, Lassi, comes in Classic, Strawberry, Pineapple or Mango
(HK$58), which perfectly exemplifies this complemental pairing.
The
restaurant also features a good range of Japanese beer, including Hitachino
White Ale, IPA, Sweet Stout, Classic Ale, Ginger Ale, and Pale Ale.
For diners who cannot get enough of SAMA’s addictive
soup curry, the restaurant showcases easy-to-make curries in microwavable
pouches (HK$65), allowing diners to replicate the indulging soup at the
convenience of their own home.
What makes SAMA a fun venue to visit is also its
playful art and decor, giving it a distinct personality which fits in with the
hip vibe of Gough Street. A chic minimalist design is adopted throughout
the boutique café, with light wooden interiors designed to mirror a neighbourhood
joint one would expect to find in Japan.
The traditional Japanese look is
given a modern touch through bright blue and yellow tones, courtesy of plastic
chairs and booth seatings in the restaurant. The entrance of SAMA
hints at this collision of tradition and fun with a playful stencil of a
cartoon bear on the front door.
First opened in 2004 in the quaint Japanese town of
Sapporo, SAMA is a boutique soup-curry restaurant which garnered a loyal
following and critical acclaim, leading its current status of eight branches
throughout Japan.
SAMA is located at 51A Gough Street, Hong Kong. The
restaurant opens from Monday to Thursday, 11:30a.m. to 3:00p.m., 6:00p.m. to
11:00p.m. and Friday to Sunday, 11:30a.m. to 11:00p.m.
For enquiries, please call (852) 2191-8850.
For more information, please visit http://sama.com.hk or www.facebook.com
/samahongkong.
About SAMA Hong Kong
Soft opened in October 2014, SAMA
brings to Hong Kong the regional Sapporo style soup curry, courtesy of Chef and
Founder Shuichi Takahashi, along with Hong Kong foodie Tony Tiong and Kelvin
Yuen.
Complementing the authentic soup curries are a selection of Hokkaido
small plates, showcasing Southeast Asian and Indian influences in the region
from the 1970s which has evolved into a quintessential Japanese culinary
hallmark since 2000.
SAMA’s unique flavours can be sampled
at its Gough Street eatery, which is designed to reflect traditional Japanese
minimalism with modern Japanese accents.
This is SAMA’s first overseas branch
outside of Japan.
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