If you are looking for Yakitori shop, this is definately one of them but for their ODEN, I must say it is one of the best I had so far. Could it be best ODEN in KL?
Toridoki has a fantastic selection of chicken dishes made from every conceivable part of the bird. They also have a variety of drinks including Japanese style cocktails, sake and beer.
Just around the corner from the stretch of classy looking Japanese restaurants, Tori Doki at Desa Sri Hartamas aims for something a little more cheerful and joyous. The brightly lit dining room with a grill bar has a polished, contemporary feel, attracting a more mature clientele looking for a drink or two to go with a lineup of standard options like yakitori and tempura, as well as of the luxe ingredients and seasonal items.
One of the must-try dishes at Kin Gyu is the Sukiyaki hot pot (RM250). Sit back and watch as one of the staff cooks the sukiyaki tableside. For 2 - 3 person set, you will get two different cuts of Wagyu - the rib eye and chuck. The staff starts off by gently grilling the leeks and then adding some of the warishita sauce and then cooking the rib eye beef. You can choose from three different dipping sauces - whipped egg sauce, raw egg and dashi sauce - to which the beef will be added for you to enjoy. Then, the staff will meticulously arrange the other ingredients into the sukiyaki pot, such as vegetables, mushrooms, wheat gluten and kudzu starch noodles. There is also a pot of dashi stock, which you can add to the sukiyaki if you find it too sweet. For us, the taste was just right. Truly enjoyable.
Highly recommend the latter (Soy Milk & Cream Cheese Tofu RM15) – homemade cheese tofu using fresh soy milk, arrow root and cream cheese. So creamy, savour slowly for the melt-in-mouth sensation.
Wagyu Beef Soup Rice – RM100 Charcoal grilled Wagyu beef served on top of a bed of rice in a claypot. On the side, with Japanese soup stock of bonito flakes, dried sardine and mackerel flakes poured over. This is heavenly lip smacking. I was taught how to eat this Gyu Kabayaki Hitsumabushi – first we eat the original flavour without adding anything. Then, add in condiments for another taste. Lastly, add in the dashi to the rice. 3 ways of enjoying this rice!
Since there aren't any set menus (for dinner), the prices may seem a little higher for the a la carte orders, so be prepared to fork out around RM100 per person for a meal here. Though prices are on the higher end, I have no complaints and deem it worthy when the meat and seafood is utterly fresh and of such good quality. My only tiny grouse to our otherwise very satisfying dinner was that some of the diners decided to smoke (I'm not sure if that's allowed but none of the staff seem to object) probably thinking that it's ok since there are exhaust hoods to suck up the smoke (luckily so). Overall, we enjoyed our meal tremendously and I would say it's an excellent place to satisfy your craving for some good tasting grilled meats. Coupled with a personal one-on-one service of grilling the meat at tableside, it was brilliant and much welcomed. I'd probably return at some point but not before I've had the chance to try out the other grilled meat joint in the area! ^_~
There are two yakiniku restaurants in Desa Sri Hartamas: KNK (Kannichikan Yakiniku) and Momotalo Yakiniku. Personally, I find both of them equally good but KNK seems to attract more Japanese customers while Momotalo enjoys more patronage from the locals – mainly because it’s pork free. And since Momotalo is pork free, their menu has lesser choices compared to KNK. But that does not take away the fact that their ingredients are fresh and the quality is top notch for the price you pay. Meat options start from RM20 and could go up to RM165 for Kobe beef.
Mei by Fat Spoon is located in Desa Sri Hartamas, so it was pretty challenging finding a parking spot when we were there in the afternoon. The restaurant is nice and bright, with lots of natural lighting. The menu features Japanese-inspired comfort food, so you will find cold and hot rice bowls, as well as appetizers and pasta dishes.
Food was satisfying in terms of flavours but the price not really cheap to be honest.
This Smoked Scamorza Cheese was awesome! Rich, dense and creamy, worth to be savored bit by bit to experience the melt-in-mouth sensation. Call it a hidden signature in Yakitori Dining Fukuda, not too wrong though. Highly recommended.
Continuing with the grilling theme, besides the skewers, the Chargrilled Lamb Chops and Japanese Saikoro Beef Cube Steak are great choices. The lamb and beef are skilfully grilled over charcoal heat, rendering them perfectly tender and juicy to the bite.
Iburi-Gakko (Smoked Radish) with Cream Cheese @ RM 18.80. One of a unique item that I am trying for the first time. Was explain by the manager that the Smoked raddish is carefully picked by the owner and air flown all the way from Japan. No wonder the texture is so different. Give you little cruch yet a little chewy end. Cream cheese add the smoothness of flavour on it. – Recommended
Karaage (Rm 19) served with 3 kinds of flavoured salt. The must have in an izakaya. Always the drinks’ best friend! Love their karaage, lightly battered and deep fried to perfection, crispy on the outside and succulent inside.
This their pork charsu is damm good. Burnt crips on the edge and whole piece is well marinated.
One of a hidden gem in Hartamas is this restaurant Makoto Japanese Cuisine that is also offering authentic Japanese food.. It is indeed there are quite number of Japanese Eatery in the area and all of them have their own unique item. A place that previously known as Hikari-ya and had change to Makoto. As for “Makoto” in Japanese means “Sincerity”, “Honesty” and “Essence”. On 23rd September 2017: Special 1-night Unagi Course Menu led by Chef Otani Shinichiro, the 8th generation owner chef of Jubako Restaurant and Chef Hayashi Kazuhiko.
Overall, I think Yakiniku Goro is a fantastic place for anyone looking for authentic Japanese BBQ on a budget. Quality of meat (although technically I only had 2) was fantastic. Service was great and friendly, and also awesome Suntory Highball price during Happy Hour - RM15 per glass.
Don’t miss out their signature Gyu Yakiniku which is well prepared and the beef are simply tender and moist.
My Personal Opinion In the end, it was a BBQ experience that was just passable, certainly not as good as the one we had at Momotalo, not even KNK. Prices were pretty similar with the other two but freshness and taste were far from similar. I guess I shouldn't read too much into reviews from 3 years ago! >_<
There's this place in Sri Hartamas that serves one of the best Wagyu beef in the Kuala Lumpur. No, I correct myself, it serves one of THE BETTER Japanese Wagyu beef in the Klang Valley! Eating here is like a little adventure and also an educational affair of learning more about the eating of Japanese Wagyu.
Overall Rating: 8/10 for the rare "kettle rice" experience. For those who're keen on trying something else, there's also a handful of ramen dishes in their menu. The restaurant is also very family and kids friendly.