Indeed it was a good new experience for me to have dined in a Japanese Restaurant here in Toulouse. Obviously many people would say " Why go for Japanese cuisine in France?" which is a typical question one would get overseas. But the truth here is that, in different countries, the food is altered to the likings of the locals. However the food in this restaurant does not differ much in their authenticity of their cuisine.
Motchiya isn't only the name of the restaurant, it's the name of the owner/chef as well. It looks plain and simple from the exterior, but of course, its just a brasserie class cafe here.
As a standard pricing here in Toulouse, a set meal can range from 12 euros up till 18 euros for lunch. The menu for the day is Salmon Tataki with salad and Miso soup.
The kitchen is rather small which can only accommodate 2 person at a time. Which is normal for a authentic Japanese restaurant of course. That is the chef in the picture, unfortunately he wasn't looking at the camera.
Perhaps you can imagine the space allocated in the kitchen here form the previous picture and this combined. That would be the chef's wife. Yes both are Japanese immigrants.
The decor suits the environment as the space inside is very small. Minimal decorations of arts and small collection of bottles here and there.
Its the menu of Motchiya. This is only the drinks section and of course, its all in French. There's bottled drinks and at the bottom it's their home made drinks.
The concept here in Motchiya is that, you eat what he cooks for you. You can't demand any orders as he will rotate his menu daily from Monday to Friday. He will offer a menu with rice and soup as well as a main dish, depending on the days as well. And as for the desserts, its pretty much a straight forward Japanese dessert.
In case of any readers who are around Toulouse, here is the address at the back of the menu. Motchiya opens up Monday to Friday 12.00 pm till 7.00 pm, however there is a chance that he will close up early when he sells out his daily menu.
Voila!! its the main dish of the lunch set, the Salmon Tataki with salad and rice. It looks magnificent as it is already. There's 2 different organic carrots in the salad, orange and yellow carrots, including romaine lettuce as well as blanched broccoli. Salmon wrap in the middle with sauteed and braised tofu. My eyes ate the food first before it has even touched my lips. Its brilliantly beautiful with so many different colours. Oh and not to forget, there's 4 different dressings on this dish, mango puree, garlic soy sauce, white sessame sauce, and plain soy sauce. It may sound complex but when you take a bite, its magnificent, full with harmony with flavours with different elements all together.
Behold the salmon wrapped with Nori (dried seasoned seaweed) I had to take a close up pictures because its so pretty and attractive to my eyes.
Indeed I was wondering, where is the rice? I seen Motchiya scooping out some brown coloured rice but it wasn't on my plate. and there you go, it was covered by the bed of vegetables. Plus, its not brown rice, its merely red rice. which is said to be organic. First time I had such rice and it was really good, a little creamy and not so starchy as the common Japanese rice. I'm sure its packed with nutrients.
This tofu that Motchiya sauteed and then braised with soy sauce with plum sauce, is really something that made me raised my eye brows. It looks just like a normal soy sauce braised tofu. But there is a catch, it is savoury and it has a smoky flavour to it. It is hard to resist after taking a bite. Its really worth having this sumptuous meal.
Behold the handsome Motchiya behind 4 wonderful jars of the sauces that I have mentioned earlier. From left to right, Sessame sauce, Mango puree, soy sauce and garlic soy sauce( if not mistaken)
For my dessert , adding up another 2.50 euros. Matcha Dorayaki (green tea) with red bean paste and a slice of apple. Its pretty good, considering that this is my first time having Dorayaki and I cant compare it with another source.
Another interesting dessert that my friend had. A soy flan with a chestnut in side, topped with a base of mango puree and a chesty chestnut puree, raspberry and cuts of apple.
Total of my course here in Motchiya is 17 euros for a delicious lunch. I would definitely return another day during my off days to try out new mysterious dishes Motchiya would prepare. Salut!
