Sagano at New World Millennium Hong Kong is presenting a delicious Japanese seasonal tradition, with its summer dinner set featuring eel, or unagi.

In Japan, eel is often consumed on ‘Doyo-no-ushinohi’, or ‘Midsummer Day of the Ox’. It is the hottest day of summer on the Japanese calendar. Since the Edo period (1603-1867), Japanese believed that eating eel can help restore energy amidst the summer heat – surely a welcome antidote in Hong Kong’s hot summers as well.

For the special Japanese Eel Set Dinner, eel is flown in from Japan’s Kōchi prefecture. It comes with assorted appetisers including sashimi of thinly sliced flounder, fatty tuna, striped jack and sea urchin; grilled eel egg roll; clear soup and pickles. For the main course, diners can choose between classic barbecued Japanese eel on rice or deluxe Japanese eel on rice.

The deluxe option is served with wasabi, seaweed and katsuobushi fish broth, and diners are commended to follow the conventional ways of enjoying the eel delicacy: first, by simply savouring the earthy flavour of eel slices served with rice, followed by adding wasabi and seaweed for further layers of flavours.  Finally, diners can pour the clear katsuobushi fish broth over the eel and rice to enjoy the harmonious combination of light, aromatic soup and the sweetness of the eel meat. To round off the meal is a dessert of greenhouse melon with white wine jelly.

The Japanese Eel Set Dinner is priced at HK$1,380+. Epicure members can enjoy an exclusive 25% discount.

For reservations or enquiries, please call +852 2313 4222.

* Information correct at time of print.