Taste the wonderful flavors of Japan in true form at Edo, a classic and popular Japanese Restaurant now located at Al Khaled Complex. With more than two decades of experience in Kuwait, Edo continuously claims its rightful place amongst the elite and consistently strives to be one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants in the country.
While we fondly remember jazz nights and delectable Japanese delights at Edo’s iconic Shaab Villa, and we’ve fallen in love with the expansive views at their previous Sahara Club location, there is something quintessentially poetic about this establishment’s cozy abode in Salmiya’s Al Khaled Complex. It’s actually quite fitting, an iconic Kuwait location is the perfect match for an iconic restaurant that constantly delivers pristinely clean Japanese flavors paired with an inimitable ambience.
As you walk towards the entrance, a colorful, hand illustrated sign informing you of their latest addition, the Soup Dumplings, is perfectly placed to create intrigue as to what Edo has in store: We couldn’t help but grin when we saw the sign, because we instantly knew that if Edo chooses to do dumplings, then they will be doing it perfectly. This is the same sign that signals to diners Edo’s daily chef specials, but as the gorgeous sign alluded, we knew we were ordering dumplings today!
Surrounded by the quiet wind, mellow background music and a cozy atmosphere, Edo’s outdoor area was our chosen dining spot. Whether you choose to sit indoors and blend into the atmosphere Edo has created with emblematic black, red and white decor colors, or outdoors in a perfectly sized area surrounded by the beautiful plants, you can’t go wrong. You can even book the upstairs seating if you plan to go with a group to have the perfect amount of privacy.
We cleansed our palates with the light, fragrant green tea served to you by the extremely friendly staff and we definitely realized how we have missed the banter at Edo. Nurturing, attentive and always smiling, if you are new to Edo, then you will keep coming back for this interaction as the team’s sense of hospitality is so refreshing. And while they knew us as Edo regulars, they took the time to explain the latest menu changes, the meticulous process behind creating the Soup Dumplings, and so much more. Dining isn’t just about a great food experience, it’s most certainly about the memories you create with your loved ones and the dining establishment itself. We always feel like we’ve picked up right where we left off when visiting Edo.
Our eyes danced across the pages of Edo’s extensive 14-page menu while our appetites were whetted, and we couldn’t decide between revisiting classic favorites, or simply diving into the dumplings experience we knew we wanted to try. To reach a happy medium we decided to do a mix of both!
We started off with the incredible Sunomono Mori salad, a mix of cucumbers, seaweed, scallops, octopus and crabsticks was the perfect introduction to what’s about to come. This classic salad is definitely an Edo best seller because of its simplicity. You know you’ve arrived at Edo once you’ve had the Tuna Tataki. Each hand-cut, sesame encrusted slice is a showcase of freshness and deep flavors. Nothing is doused in sauce, a massive no-no at this establishment, as quality of the Tuna itself is rightfully celebrated.
And, of course, we had to try the soup dumplings that were so beautifully advertised at the entrance! The Chicken Soup Dumplings, Shrimp Soup Dumplings and Beef Soup Dumplings were an adventure that our taste buds will never forget.
While each dumpling offering has its own unique flavor profile, the common unifying thread between them has to be the immaculately delicate dough. Each dumpling is hand wrapped and pleated to perfection, encapsulating the filling that is laden in the soulful, light broth and filling. Unlike classic gyoza, which are usually prepared with a chosen filling then pan fried or steamed, soup dumplings feature a traditional filling that includes a gelatinous broth layer mixed in, which then melts upon steaming, hence the beautiful explosion of soup flavor you get when you bite into each dumpling.
Edo’s founder Chris Boustany explained to us the trials of creating the ideal soup dumpling, and while the team had gone through so many renditions, he wasn’t going to stop until he believed that they were ready to be shared with the public, from the simple but tricky filling to the perfect pleating on each and every soup dumpling that is made fresh to order. Nonetheless, Edo’s team make the entire process look absolutely effortless. In the beef rendition, we loved how the broth didn’t overshadow the flavor of the beef, and all it took was a small dip of soy sauce to bring out the gentle flavors of the broth and beef together. The chicken could only be described as a full explosion of taste, and we appreciated the gentle infusion of ginger in the filling to deliver a hearty flavor. For fans of seafood, the Shrimp Soup Dumpling offered a lively flavor pairing that danced on the palate. We now truly believe that we’re going to be starting a new tradition at Edo: Soup Dumplings night!
We were then treated to the magnificent Kaki Ponzu. A firm favorite of ours, we love how the fried oysters are lightly seasoned with the zesty citrus sauce. Not too much, but just enough to appreciate the salty flavor of the oysters which balanced out the Ponzu. Every bite was bold in flavor, and aptly came after the gentle Soup Dumpling tasting we just experienced. Our taste buds were energized, refreshed and ready to take us into our next selection of dishes: Sushi!
We were first treated to a stunning plate of mixed Sashimi, followed by the Jazz Roll. The different flavors of fish and onion quickly showed why the roll is called what it is. The ‘jazzy’ tastes danced in unison on our palates. Team up this roll with the Kyoto Roll and you can’t help but drop your chopsticks for a minute to completely savor the unbelievable taste of the Crab, Shrimp and Salmon, which again, like many of the other seafood dishes at Edo, pay homage to the quality ingredients faultlessly.
But don’t just visit Edo for their amazing rolls, as their noodles and Teppan offerings are truly memorable. We cannot recommend enough the Wagyu Beef Teppan, which is expertly prepared (and if you must ask, perfectly cooked Wagyu is only cooked to medium rare!) and served with a selection of fresh vegetables. One of the best beef dishes you can possibly try, the beef actually melts in your mouth, and you can taste every part of the hearty flavors that come with impeccable quality Wagyu beef. The incredible Chicken Rice Noodles, which like their other dishes, was expertly balanced to allow you to appreciate every element of the dish to absolute satisfaction, and we slurped this down happily.
We’re excited for Edo’s new abode in Salmiya, and while locations may change, the true spirit of this iconic establishment grows stronger than ever. From the inspired attention to quality ingredients to Edo’s unwavering commitment to Japanese authenticity, fans old and new alike will quickly find themselves back at Edo in no time.
You can follow Edo’s latest updates on Instagram @edo_restaurant or visit them at Al Khaled Complex in Salmiya. Have a look at their menu www.edo-delivery.com or give them a call on 6600 7341 or 6060 1042. Photography by Muneera Alkhulaifi @i9ora.
