We tried the Summerlicious lunch menu and added a couple of skewers…read more
Grilled Chicken Satay
The chicken was juicy and not dry. The peanut sauce reminded me more of Chinese satay sauce than traditional satay--it was thick and covered the chicken completely, overpowering both the chicken itself and the turmeric spices. Personally, I prefer satay where the chicken is the star rather than the sauce.
Beef Tongue Skewer
Instead of the thick-cut beef tongue you'd find at an izakaya, this one uses thin slices stacked onto a skewer, more like Japanese yakiniku. The texture was tender, and each bite was packed with the sweet and tangy glaze. The downside is that the thin slices char easily, and some edges were a little overdone. Still, I thought it was an interesting idea.
Charred Cabbage
A generous portion that's great for sharing. The cabbage is paired with dan dan sauce, rayu, and kimchi furikake, bringing together Chinese, Japanese, and Korean flavors. None of them dominate, but they work surprisingly well together.
Salmon Tartare
The yuzu ponzu and avocado complemented the salmon beautifully. They enhanced its freshness while balancing the richness, making the dish bright and refreshing.
Pork Belly Loco Moco
A Hawaiian comfort food built around rice, meat, a runny egg, and gravy. This version uses charcoal-grilled pork belly and a sweet tonkatsu-style gravy, adding Japanese and Korean influences. It definitely feels like Pacific Fusion, although the different elements felt more like they were placed together than truly creating something new.
Mochiko Fried Chicken
My favorite dish of the meal. The crust was crisp and packed with flavor, rather than relying on a coating of sauce like Korean fried chicken. You first taste the seasoned crust, followed by juicy chicken. The rice also had a subtle coconut aroma that was a pleasant surprise.
Mango Custard Tart
Layers of mango jelly, salted cream, coconut Chantilly, and tart shell created a nice sweet-and-salty balance. Well executed, although it wasn't particularly memorable.
Lemongrass Crémeux
The lemongrass crémeux had a texture somewhere between mousse and pastry cream, with a slightly sandy richness that I really enjoyed. Pineapple jam added a vibrant tropical fruit note, while the mango pieces brought a pleasant contrast in texture. The lemongrass and sea salt tied everything together beautifully. A well-balanced sweet-and-savory dessert, and my favorite dessert of the meal.
Overall, Lulu Bar is a fun Pacific Fusion spot with plenty of creative ideas. Not every dish was a hit, but several combinations really worked. It's the kind of place where you can enjoy some unique flavors without taking the meal too seriously, and that's exactly what I liked about it.
