I chose this place for my birthday after reading positive reviews about the improvement in quality compared to when it was previously named Kyoto. I wanted for once to go for something different from buffets/AYCE, so I booked online for 7 PM (easy and hassle-free, no need to call unless you're a big party of people).
The restaurant was quiet and cozy, with a tasteful Japanese-inspired design, but nothing screaming "very Instagrammable influencer trap".
We ordered the 58-piece combo (sashimi, uramaki, nigiri, hosomaki) and the Chef Kadda freestyle roll. The meal started with miso soup on the house due to Jaya's anniversary (delicious, with silken tofu) and some crunchy prawn crackers.
The sushi boat was impressive: fresh, vibrant fish with a healthy color.
This is what we ate and some comments about the food:
-Fried sushi: crispy, not greasy, very tasty.
-Nigiri: I loved the tuna ones, this was the first time I enjoyed bream and it actually had a taste!!
-Sashimi: thick cuts, incredibly fresh (seared tuna was my favorite!).
-Uramaki: very good, especially the one with seared salmon.
-Freestyle roll: refreshing bits of mango (it was too filling, but it was our mistake of ordering extra, we still managed to finish it and the boat was enough, really).
-Fried sushi with strawberry: a sweet and festive finish to the whole experience.
And here are the final considerations:
-Outstanding fish quality, freshly made and prepared on the spot in front of your eyes, pretty much.
-Flavorful rice (unlike bland versions you find in other restaurants).
-Fresh and crunchy veggies.
-The boat with 58 pieces is a perfect portion for two, trust me!
-Friendly and talkative chef who explained the preparation process and how they treat the ingredients, and great service!
-Quiet, relaxed ambiance, very great for someone like me who has impairments and cannot stand bright lights and loud noises or for who just wants to eat in a calm place.
Jaya is simply a hidden gem: don’t judge by how many people are inside, some places are packed and you need to book in advance of WEEKS, just to be greeted by mediocre disappointment-flavoured dishes.
My only tiiiiny complaint is that the room was a bit too warm, but that certainly didn't stop us from enjoying the food. I HIGHLY recommend this for special occasions or quality sushi cravings, it is totally worth the price over buffets and it left me with an unforgettable birthday experience!! :D
