Seven months ago I arrived in Phnom Penh and moved into an apartment in BKK1. The first day in my new lodging I sat out on my big terrace, book in hand, prepared to enjoy the calm that usually accompanies dusk.
Suddenly, the mesmerising silence was ripped apart by the metallic reverberations of a circular saw. Ear-splitting hammering followed. These strident, nerve-racking sounds were to become the ever-present, unwanted companions of my new home life. The source – a construction site situated just across the street from my building.
The winter holidays arrived and when I returned to my apartment from vacation the construction site had ironically transformed into one of my most beloved obsessions in all the world: a Japanese restaurant.
Genkiya opened January 1. Today, I enter it for the first time and I can finally answer the question: will this upscale Japanese restaurant, situated directly across the street from my house, make all of those countless months of tympanic torture worth it?
At the outside gate, two extremely polite, smiling women dressed in Kimonos greet us and escort us through the sizeable patio into the restaurant. Inside, we are welcomed with a resounding “Irasshaimase!”
The first thing I notice is the bright, cold light that floods the spacious room. Then my eyes scan the bare, pastel-coloured walls. Except for Japanese-style paper windows, there is not much in the way of decoration. The minimalistic setting conveys a sense of elegance and luxury. There are two separate rooms built in traditional Japanese style, with sliding shoji doors, tatami flooring, low-rise tables, and cushions on the floor. These are perfect for bigger parties in need of privacy.
I order a cold Asahi beer ($2.5) and start skimming the menu. It is big and colourful. The wide selection of udon, soba and ramen will appease noodle lovers. The sashimi and sushi selections, however, are quite small, with only two options of sushi rolls.
The katsudon ($7) I place in my mouth, here today at Genkiya, is undoubtedly the best I have had in Phnom Penh. The meat is Kobe-tender and they managed to prepare the egg just right: not too runny, not too solid. Five Adolfo stars.
I have yet to mention my dining companion. Remember the curly-haired, dreamy-eyed girl I pursued previously? Well, she is sitting right in front of me and I would dare say this is our third date. She is devouring, with her usual restraint and style, a dish of Japanese curry ($6). She loves it. I try a bite myself and it is pretty authentic: savoury with a thick texture.
As a side dish we get tamagoyaki ($3), or Japanese omelette. It is good, but I would have preferred it a bit sweeter.
So, back to the nagging question: Was Genkiya worth the torment?
Yes, it was. I like Genkiya. The food is great. The service is some of the best you will find in BKK1. The prices are comparable to other Japanese restaurants in the area – $12-15 per person including beer. The head chef is a Taiwanese man, but a new chef from Tokyo will be arriving in the next couple of weeks.
I finish the last piece of tamagoyaki and look at my date. Why she hasn’t called since our last date is beyond me. Okay, I must admit, her eyes display boredom when we converse, she has ceased responding to my text messages, and she doesn’t laugh at my goofy jokes anymore. All of these minor details may lead to one irrefutable conclusion: she’s just not that into me. And I know exactly why: Lucio.
To be continued…
Genkiya, Japanese Restaurant
Street 282, #16, BKK1