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Why all the Asian fusion restaurants clutter together in Nyarutarama is a mystery, but the two best (read: only) options in Kigali are Zen and Sakae, both situated along the main road heading to the MTN Center. While Zen focus on Thai style dishes, Sakae has a lot more Korean and Japanese.
Sakae opened fairly recently, but has already gained popularity among Kigalians. Though it’s slightly pricey, the food is delicious and totally worth it. They have plenty of sushi options (including a mix plate for Rwf 12,000 and Sashimi set for Rwf 11,000). As far as I remember, Zen don’t actually have sashimi, so…yay! Most Korean dishes will cost you from Rwf 5,000 – 8,000. For a great lunch alternative try their Lunch Box (Rwf 7,000) with tempura, sushi, beef/chicken, and marinated tofu, and octopus. It was supposed to come with a pancake, but I never got it. By the time I was done eating, I was too full to thing about it, but it did dawn on me later.
Another cool thing about Sakae is the complementary Miso soup and little avocado salad they give you as starters. Although this could just be part of the lunch deals. The chicken teryaki dish cost Rwf 7,000 and with the rice, soup and salad might have been enough for two people to share. Plus it was served on a sizzling, iron cat which is odd but awesome. I also highly recommend the tempura ice cream. Yum!
Apart from good food and (almost too) speedy service, the general feel of the place is quite satisfying as well. The view over the serene Kibagaga hill can be enjoyed through the big windows covering the wall, and there are also outdoor seating options.
Admittedly, I am not the biggest fan of the airy hall. When I came here for lunch, there were hardly any other costumers (apart from this annoying Swedish girl that kept bugging me), and it did fell kind of lonely. Also, they might have gone a little ‘IKEA-on-speed’ on the Japanese lamps, but otherwise the wooden décor is soothing and calming and… everything else Asian fusion is supposed to make you feel. Combined with the giant pot of green tea, you are likely to lull yourself into coma. And who doesn’t love a good coma once in a while?
I never tried the bathrooms here (we usually prefer walking to Magda café for that), but I’m sure they are perfectly perfect as well. It’s a good place, guys: you should all try it out. Do beware of the steep hill back to the main road, however, especially if you had too much of that tempura ice cream…
i love the food! missing oriental food way back come. well, its not that tasty per se but its way better than oily chinese foods. gotta love the Tepanyaki meals where they cook the food in front of you. they cook one by one & you consume it also one by one. by the end of the course you feel completely full but not feeling bloated. and its very entertaining also with a very friendly cook who looks like Floyd Mayweather.
lol! place is good, ambiance is good. price compensates for its “fast-food”-like service & delicious & nutritious foods.
p.s. The picture on the resto’s profile is better if it was shot during the night.
Mhmmm just thinking about Sakae makes my mouth water.
The food is so delicious and I definately appreciate the fast service! In fact, I think it is even better than the restaurants I used to go in Nairobi. Not only is the sushi great but the Korean food is also amazing!
I’ve always been waiting for some proper Japanese sushi and now my dreams came true!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I had their Chef’s special assorted Sushi and assorted Sashimi platter, so I will comment on them only. I understand that they have to air fish frozen, but their technique to defrost was terrible, thus the taste suffer. Raw fishes on the sushi rice were soooooooo fishy….Salmon, Tuna, Squid, even Shrimp! I can tell that they dunked the whole fish in the water, rather than defrosting naturally by leaving them out. Because of suspected water-defrosting, finer composites of Tuna and salmon are broken, ruining the soft palate touch tuna and salmon usually have. The same for the Sashimi. I would never order their Sushi and Sashimi. If you want to open Sushi restaurant, learn skill. You are lucky that there aren’t many palate-cultured peeps here in Kigali for Sushi.
Love it, great food and the best service in town. We go for special occasions only because of the prices.
hmmmmm how can a Japanese restaurant have its sign written in the Korean . . . one of those pseudo-Japanese places run by smiley non-Japanese people. Bizarre.
Only tried some Korean food, nothing special and very greasy. Asked for a sort of Japanese tea but they brought me something I’d never tasted in Japan. Very bizarre. People were friendly and services good. View from the windows very good too. Fine for a Korean restau.
I was rather impressed with Sakae. I really liked the open atmosphere, the food was delicious and the service was the best I’ve received in Kigali in the two and a half years I’ve been living here. Sure it’s pricey, but considering what you get for your money you can’t really complain. It’s certainly the kind of place I’ll only be visiting on special occasions, but when I have that rare craving for sushi and sashimi it’s nice to know there’s a great place I can go to satisfy it.
Very nice and good sushi!
I love the service provided at Sakae!
Usually it takes more than a hour to get your food at other restaurants, but the speed at Sakae is amazing. In about 15mins your food is ready and at your table!
I love the beef terriyaki and mok sangypsal? dish… love asian cuisine!
One of the best value in Kigali.