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- Here's what it's like to dine in first class at 35,000 feet
Here's what it's like to dine in first class at 35,000 feet
The feast began with an amuse-bouche plate, consisting of four bite-size morsels: a roasted duck and kumquat pincho, a grape and goat cheese ball coated in crushed pistachio, smoked salmon and scallop tartare served in a puff pastry, and a sharp cheese and pepper bar.
![Here's what it's like to dine in first class at 35,000 feet](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-70108655%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-51857%2Fthe-feast-began-with-an-amuse-bouche-plate-consisting-of-four-bite-size-morsels-a-roasted-duck-and-kumquat-pincho-a-grape-and-goat-cheese-ball-coated-in-crushed-pistachio-smoked-salmon-and-scallop-tartare-served-in-a-puff-pastry-and-a-sharp-cheese-and-pepper-bar-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
As we snacked on the amuse–bouche plate, flight attendants came by to take our lunch orders. There was a Japanese cuisine option, and an "international" one. I went with the Japanese — I mean, how could you not?
![As we snacked on the amuse–bouche plate, flight attendants came by to take our lunch orders. There was a Japanese cuisine option, and an "international" one. I went with the Japanese — I mean, how could you not?](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108654,width-700,height-525,imgsize-45182/as-we-snacked-on-the-amusebouche-plate-flight-attendants-came-by-to-take-our-lunch-orders-there-was-a-japanese-cuisine-option-and-an-international-one-i-went-with-the-japanese-i-mean-how-could-you-not.jpg)
After she took my lunch order, the flight attendant came to set my table for lunch.
![After she took my lunch order, the flight attendant came to set my table for lunch.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108653,width-700,height-525,imgsize-917778/after-she-took-my-lunch-order-the-flight-attendant-came-to-set-my-table-for-lunch-.jpg)
The first course, the "zensai" appetizer, was an eclectic mix of small Japanese bites, most of which I'd never tried before. All of it was delicious.
![The first course, the "zensai" appetizer, was an eclectic mix of small Japanese bites, most of which I](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108652,width-700,height-525,imgsize-59269/the-first-course-the-zensai-appetizer-was-an-eclectic-mix-of-small-japanese-bites-most-of-which-id-never-tried-before-all-of-it-was-delicious-.jpg)
Here's what the menu listed.
![Here](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108651,width-700,height-525,imgsize-767993/heres-what-the-menu-listed-.jpg)
Next came the soup — a clear broth with vegetables and a scallop fish cake. After the strong flavors of the first course, it was a nice palate cleanser.
![Next came the soup — a clear broth with vegetables and a scallop fish cake. After the strong flavors of the first course, it was a nice palate cleanser.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108650,width-700,height-525,imgsize-55637/next-came-the-soup-a-clear-broth-with-vegetables-and-a-scallop-fish-cake-after-the-strong-flavors-of-the-first-course-it-was-a-nice-palate-cleanser-.jpg)
Next came a fabulous sashimi course, consisting of a lightly seared yellowtail.
![Next came a fabulous sashimi course, consisting of a lightly seared yellowtail.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108648,width-700,height-525,imgsize-47966/next-came-a-fabulous-sashimi-course-consisting-of-a-lightly-seared-yellowtail-.jpg)
Next came the entree. There was a grilled sablefish in a sweet soy-based sauce, steamed alfonsino fish with grated turnip, a tasty crab meat salad with mascarpone and avocado, steamed rice, miso soup, and pickled vegetables. It was incredible, and quite filling.
![Next came the entree. There was a grilled sablefish in a sweet soy-based sauce, steamed alfonsino fish with grated turnip, a tasty crab meat salad with mascarpone and avocado, steamed rice, miso soup, and pickled vegetables. It was incredible, and quite filling.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108647,width-700,height-525,imgsize-56376/next-came-the-entree-there-was-a-grilled-sablefish-in-a-sweet-soy-based-sauce-steamed-alfonsino-fish-with-grated-turnip-a-tasty-crab-meat-salad-with-mascarpone-and-avocado-steamed-rice-miso-soup-and-pickled-vegetables-it-was-incredible-and-quite-filling-.jpg)
For dessert, I had a few different things: a red bean pastry, a flan-like pudding, and a cup of fresh green tea.
![For dessert, I had a few different things: a red bean pastry, a flan-like pudding, and a cup of fresh green tea.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108646,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1012366/for-dessert-i-had-a-few-different-things-a-red-bean-pastry-a-flan-like-pudding-and-a-cup-of-fresh-green-tea-.jpg)
One of the highlights of the airline's first class service is an extensive list of "Light Dishes Anytime." While I was very full after the initial feast, the flight is a long 14 hours, and I woke up from a nap a few hours later feeling peckish.
![One of the highlights of the airline](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108645,width-700,height-525,imgsize-31661/one-of-the-highlights-of-the-airlines-first-class-service-is-an-extensive-list-of-light-dishes-anytime-while-i-was-very-full-after-the-initial-feast-the-flight-is-a-long-14-hours-and-i-woke-up-from-a-nap-a-few-hours-later-feeling-peckish-.jpg)
I had the "Tea-and-rice" with shredded chicken and chopped Japanese plum. It was a light savory, salty snack — perfect for mid-flight.
![I had the "Tea-and-rice" with shredded chicken and chopped Japanese plum. It was a light savory, salty snack — perfect for mid-flight.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108644,width-700,height-525,imgsize-36744/i-had-the-tea-and-rice-with-shredded-chicken-and-chopped-japanese-plum-it-was-a-light-savory-salty-snack-perfect-for-mid-flight-.jpg)
Before we landed, the flight attendants came by to offer a final light meal. Who was I to say no? I had the udon noodles with deep-fried tofu, which, despite the fact that we were on an airplane, was actually crispy...
![Before we landed, the flight attendants came by to offer a final light meal. Who was I to say no? I had the udon noodles with deep-fried tofu, which, despite the fact that we were on an airplane, was actually crispy...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108643,width-700,height-525,imgsize-41261/before-we-landed-the-flight-attendants-came-by-to-offer-a-final-light-meal-who-was-i-to-say-no-i-had-the-udon-noodles-with-deep-fried-tofu-which-despite-the-fact-that-we-were-on-an-airplane-was-actually-crispy-.jpg)
And a small fruit salad.
![And a small fruit salad.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108642,width-700,height-525,imgsize-43390/and-a-small-fruit-salad-.jpg)
On the return flight, I decided to try the "international cuisine," just for a point of comparison.
![On the return flight, I decided to try the "international cuisine," just for a point of comparison.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108641,width-700,height-525,imgsize-47927/on-the-return-flight-i-decided-to-try-the-international-cuisine-just-for-a-point-of-comparison-.jpg)
It started with a slightly different amuse-bouche plate: a pistachio-coated nut stick, duck prosciutto wrapped around a marinated mushroom, an apricot and butter roll, and a smoked scallop with mandarin orange sauce.
![It started with a slightly different amuse-bouche plate: a pistachio-coated nut stick, duck prosciutto wrapped around a marinated mushroom, an apricot and butter roll, and a smoked scallop with mandarin orange sauce.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108640,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1100025/it-started-with-a-slightly-different-amuse-bouche-plate-a-pistachio-coated-nut-stick-duck-prosciutto-wrapped-around-a-marinated-mushroom-an-apricot-and-butter-roll-and-a-smoked-scallop-with-mandarin-orange-sauce-.jpg)
For the appetizer, I had the "gâteau style of homard and its consommé gelée," or lobster served in a gelled stock, which was served with caviar. The lobster was tasty, but the texture wasn't my favorite.
![For the appetizer, I had the "gâteau style of homard and its consommé gelée," or lobster served in a gelled stock, which was served with caviar. The lobster was tasty, but the texture wasn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108639,width-700,height-525,imgsize-50789/for-the-appetizer-i-had-the-gteau-style-of-homard-and-its-consomm-gele-or-lobster-served-in-a-gelled-stock-which-was-served-with-caviar-the-lobster-was-tasty-but-the-texture-wasnt-my-favorite-.jpg)
Next was a crisp and fresh garden salad ...
![Next was a crisp and fresh garden salad ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108638,width-700,height-525,imgsize-52122/next-was-a-crisp-and-fresh-garden-salad-.jpg)
... followed by the main course, for which I ordered a grilled wagyu beef with pancetta and tarragon sauce, which was served with a tasty lotus root pancake.
![... followed by the main course, for which I ordered a grilled wagyu beef with pancetta and tarragon sauce, which was served with a tasty lotus root pancake.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108636,width-700,height-525,imgsize-52264/-followed-by-the-main-course-for-which-i-ordered-a-grilled-wagyu-beef-with-pancetta-and-tarragon-sauce-which-was-served-with-a-tasty-lotus-root-pancake-.jpg)
Considering that this was steak served on an airplane, I was tremendously impressed. It was melt-in-your-mouth, and while it wasn't quite as rare as some might like, it was delicious, and not overcooked.
![Considering that this was steak served on an airplane, I was tremendously impressed. It was melt-in-your-mouth, and while it wasn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108635,width-700,height-525,imgsize-61037/considering-that-this-was-steak-served-on-an-airplane-i-was-tremendously-impressed-it-was-melt-in-your-mouth-and-while-it-wasnt-quite-as-rare-as-some-might-like-it-was-delicious-and-not-overcooked-.jpg)
For dessert, I had the blood orange and lychee mousse, which came with a meringue.
![For dessert, I had the blood orange and lychee mousse, which came with a meringue.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108634,width-700,height-525,imgsize-36696/for-dessert-i-had-the-blood-orange-and-lychee-mousse-which-came-with-a-meringue-.jpg)
Finally, for the pre-landing meal, I had a fruit plate with a couple of rolls.
![Finally, for the pre-landing meal, I had a fruit plate with a couple of rolls.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-70108633,width-700,height-525,imgsize-48459/finally-for-the-pre-landing-meal-i-had-a-fruit-plate-with-a-couple-of-rolls-.jpg)
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