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Njeri Maina @njerimainar

The first thing I notice as I walk in to Chekafe, on Kauria Close in Lavington is the person making dough sheets for homemade noodles.

Turns out that Chef James Luvui has been at it for over an hour. It takes him two and a half hours to make the dough, use a machine to harden it, and then shred it into noodle ribbons. 

The last time I was here was pre-plague, after a friend told me of this serene eating place owned by a Japanese and known for making authentic Japanese food.

Nothing much has changed apart from the largely distanced tables and the bemasked servicemen.

The décor is largely the same, airy european garden vibe with potted plants hanging from the high roof and well-tended grass and palms to dot the periphery.

I decide to order dumplings and Cheka rolls or sushi as my date and I decide on what to take.

Our starter, a tiny bowl of soy noodle salad is brought to whirl away the time as we wait.

Each mouthful is a revelation of textures and flavours with the tang from the salad dressing beautifully contrasting with the sweetness of the bean sprouts and sugar snaps. 

White before the cold plates

Sushi is brought first followed closely by the dumplings. The chef informs us that it is best to take cold plates before hot plates, so we dutifully start with the sushi before the dumplings.

The sushi is served with a side of ginger and wasabi. A tiny dab of wasabi, a dunk in the soy sauce and the heat from the ginger enlivens the sushi roll delighting me to no end.

The dumplings are tasty with there being a surfeit of pork and green onions encased in the tiny filled pastry.

My date orders the Japenese fish curry bowl as I order the spicy chicken ramen.

Having been wowed by just how explosive and delightful the translucent broth in the pork ramen bowl was on my last visit, I cannot wait to see if the spicy chicken ramen will measure up.

The food arrives soon after. It is interesting to think that the noodles that we will consume in less than 10 minutes took almost 10 times as long to prepare.

The spicy chicken ramen comes with a side of rice. The broth is thick and mildly spiced.

The fish curry is definitely getting on my ‘to repeat’ list. It is an explosion of flavours, with the noodles being al dente to add bite to each mouthful, while the minced fish adds umami to the spicy broth. 

End times’ sake

The portions are large that someone with an average appetite might not finish. But I always have dessert regardless of how full I am.

I order the matcha cake, a healthy but still sweet dessert. My date orders cheesecake, claiming that she needs the sweetness, especially since these are possibly the end times.

The matcha roll is so good that I almost order a second piece, but decide on a drink instead.

For traditionalists, there is either hot or cold shake. For those of us who have embraced the end times, you can pick anything from a mojito to a cold beer. I pick a mojito.

The ambience is great with piano music playing unobtrusively in the background.

It is a perfect place to catch up with friends or work from. Maybe I will bring a book and do a solo date with a slice of cheesecake and coffee next time.