Ma Du Zi Restaurant by Yuya

This isn't fusion cooking; it is cooking without borders. The menu at Ma Du Zi Restaurant by Yuya is a well-conceived example of the type of food destined to dominate the 21st century. The food has its roots in France, but is influenced significantly by ingredients and techniques from Japan and occasionally from other parts of the world.

Visit Ma Du Zi's Profile | Map | Gallery

Guided by Yuya Okuda, a Japanese chef formally trained in the art of French cooking, the restaurant provides the exciting dining one expects in the 21^st century.

Before going any further, a word about the Ma Du Zi. This is a hotel that takes the privacy of its guests seriously. In order to dine at the restaurant, guests not staying at the hotel are required to phone ahead to let the staff know that they are arriving. This, of course, also serves as a reservation, but if someone suddenly decides they would like to dine at Yuya, they can phone ahead as little as five minutes before arriving.

Chef Okuda, like an increasing number of people, moves effortlessly around the world. He was born in Japan, but has a cosmopolitan background that includes working in numerous French and Japanese restaurants. All of his experiences have impacted him as he has moved about the world and it shows in the food that he prepares.

If you are interested in learning about this fascinating restaurant, you might want to start with a visit at lunchtime. There is a 3-course set lunch at 450 baht for those interested in light eating. For diners interested in a larger and more leisurely meal there is a 'Weekly Lunch Menu.' During a recent visit this is what was offered.

Lunch of The Week

650 baht net

Soup

Soup of the Day

Salad

Seafood and Fruit Salad with Prawn, Mussel and Siboga Squid

Hors d'Oeuvre

Organic Cabbage Wrapped Pork with Shiitake Mushroom Infused Consomm,

Main Dish Selections

Catch of the Day, Chef Style

Australian Ribeye Beef Grill with Seasonal Vegetables (+100 baht)

Braised New Zealand Lamb with Fresh Tomato Sauce (+150 baht)

Chef's Signature Bouillabaisse (+150 baht)

Dessert

Dessert Wagon served with Ice Cream

Coffee & Tea

Considering the amount and quality of what is offered, this is one of Bangkok's great set lunch bargains. Where else in town can you get a masterfully prepared quality Australian ribeye with a full complement of other dishes, including coffee or tea for only 750 baht net?

Another lunch item that is popular with diner's is Chef Okuda's special anti-aging lunch menu. It is less than 1000 calories and includes a page of 'food facts' about the health benefits of the items on the menu. Here is what was being served on this menu during our last visit.

Anti-aging Special Menu Course

800 baht

Aperitif

Iran Dried Lemon and Honey Lemonade

(87 kcal)

Salad

Farm Fresh Organic Herb Salad

(118 kcal)

Hors d'Oeuvre

Home-made Marinated Salmon and Organic Avocado

Served with Australian Cream Cheese Quenelle and Apple Chips

(284 kcal)

Main

Hiroshima Oyster and Angel Fish Chowder with Petit Vegetables

(252 kcal)

or

Ensemble of Roasted Pork Fillet and Cocktail Shrimp

Served with Red Wine Infused Dried Prune

(289 kcal)

Dessert

Rose Geranium Scented Blanc Manger with Berry Sauce

(124 kcal)

Today's Herbal Tea

Chef Okuda will be changing his dinner menu in June. We tried a couple of dishes that are likely to be on the new menu and found them unique and exciting. One was a marinated salmon and avocado salad mixed with a bit of cream cheese, encircled with thin slices of cucumber and topped with a thin crisp apple chip. This was an exciting combination of flavors that was admirably accented by the crisp apple chip. We would have preferred fresh salmon with this dish as the marinated salmon was a bit salty, but it was still a marvelous little dish.

Our main course was a beautiful piece of grilled lamb. It was cooked to perfection and of the superb quality that is found in Australian lamb. Chef Okuda marinated the lamb in Japanese red miso to provide the meat with a slight Japanese accent. The result was a superb dish that was tender and full of flavor. The accompanying mélange of vegetables was from the Royal Project in Chiang Mai. They arrived at the table lightly cooked with their natural flavor undisguised by an overpowering sauce.

When the chef's new menu is published we will update with reviews of more of his new dishes. In the meantime you can enjoy marvelous dishes like Quick braised rare tuna accompanied by farm fresh root vegetables and ginger sauce in the Japanese style (800 baht) and Roasted pork spareribs Yuya style, ginger and star anise infused ribs marinated for two days and then slowly steam cooked and roasted (985 baht).

For those who want a set dinner, the restaurant offers three options. There are 4-course dinners, including complimentary coffee or tea, at 1500 baht and 1800 baht. The 5-course degustation menu with complimentary coffee or tea is designed for 'foodies' with big appetites and runs 2500 baht. As with everything in the restaurant the prices include service and tax.

Restaurant by Yuya has a good wine selection of wines from around the world with numerous selections from France. The wines are located in a temperature controlled glass fronted 'cellar' where customers can take a look what is on offer. Alternatively, the knowledgeable serving staff will make a selection for you based upon your needs and preferences.

Chef Okuda loves desserts and has trained his staff to prepare the full gamut of French goodies that the world has grown to love. Especially enjoyable was the Bolero chocolate mousse at 370 baht. This marvelous concoction is what chocolate mousse is all about: rich, cream and sinfully rich. It is a great dessert.

The restaurant is located at the corner of Ratchadapisek and Sukhumvit Soi 16 with the entrance to the hotel located on Ratchadapisek. This means it is just a short walk from both the Asoke BTS and Sukhumvit MRT stations. If you drive, you can enter the hotel's parking lot from Ratchadapisek if you are traveling south. But, however you arrive, remember to phone ahead so they will be expecting you!

Visit Ma Du Zi's Profile | Map | Gallery