Read more about the article ROCKU Yakiniku (Japanese Restaurant) @Pavilion KL – buffet review

ROCKU Yakiniku (Japanese Restaurant) @Pavilion KL – buffet review

With the impending approach of GST and the current instability of fuel prices, increases of prices for good across all sectors are more likely than not to continue.
As a foodie I feel it most when I dine out.

And since food is one of the basic necessities in life, the rising cost affects all of us; the poor, the rich, the middle class.

It’s a sad fact. Dining out is now more painful than ever on the pocket and I’m sure there are many of us who had had experienced paying for a very expensive meal (north of RM100/pax) and left the restaurant feeling disappointed.

The truth is, an expensive meal doesn’t guarantee the best dining experience.
As a foodie, I’ve had my fair share of both the positive and negative.

Earlier this year, I’ve had a sudden thought. Wouldn’t it be helpful for my readers if I start a weekly/bi-monthly feature of F & B outlets that offers really good food with quality ingredients yet reasonably priced?

With that thought in mind, I decided that my first feature would be the newly launched ROCKU Yakiniku at Pavilion KL.

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Read more about the article Best sushi @ Ichiro Sushi Bar – Isetan Eat Paradise, 1 Utama

Best sushi @ Ichiro Sushi Bar – Isetan Eat Paradise, 1 Utama

It has been nearly 20 trips to Ichiro Sushi Bar ever since it opened and hundreds of ringgit spent. This is a post way overdue.

But Ichiro has became such a staple for me, so much so that I’ve taken it for granted. Whenever someone asked for for Japanese food and sushi recommendations, Ichiro is the first name that popped into my mind.
I eat here almost weekly, and have seen its menu and prices scale over the years.

Still I opined that I’m getting value for my buck; for the quality remained constant.

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Omakase in KL – Kame Sushi Japanese Restaurant, Hartamas

Becky’s 1 Minute Summary:
What: Japanese casual dining with not-so-casual prices. Be ready to part with hard earned cash for quality Japanese cuisine.
What to order here: Renowned for Chef’s Omakase literally meaning “I’ll leave it to you“ and thus entrusting the chef to feed you whatever he wishes and hopefully it’s worth the money paid. 🙂
On a serious note, this is the concept where the chef uses his experience and knowledge to select and prepare the meal for a customer without specific directions, usually expected to be the freshest and best ingredients in season or in his kitchen.
Overall experience: Based on my omakase set plus an ala carte order of sashimi, I would safely say Kame is a good bet for really good Japanese food – the fresh seafood and finely prepared courses that are definitely not available at your usual Japanese joints.
Price: I heard there are set lunches available which I aim to try next. An omakase set here starts from RM150++ to RM300++ or more – you can request extras from the chef.  Just pay up. 

For the long story, read on. :)

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Seeking an equivalent Japanese joint that serves comparable sashimi/fresh seafood to the ones in Tsukiji Market is probably not, well, probable.

Most outlets claims to have their seafood freshly flown in from Tsukiji. Places like TEN and Kampachi charges a bomb and yet still disappoints.
For Kame, I have heard of its reputation for a long, long time. I wasn’t entirely convinced of how good it had reputed to be somehow. Like I said, so many restaurants claims to air flown their supplies from Tsukiji and most doesn’t taste anything like the sashimi and sushi I ate in Tsukiji itself.
Anyhow I finally stepped in recently since my cravings for Japanese food was going into overdrive and there are no Japan trips in the foreseeable near future, sadly.

Between the 2 of us; shared an omakase set for RM150++ plus a sashimi platter for RM100.
The reason for my choice is simple, start at the lower omakase set to test the waters and since there are 2 of us, we could share the omakase and fill ourselves up with additional fresh seafood in case the omakase fell short.

Thankfully the food didn’t disappoint. For the RM150++ paid, I’ve had worst (if that’s any consolation).
Looking at my RM100++ sashimi platter, I should have gone for the omakase instead!

Service could be better for sure.
The Chef was perpetually busy and didn’t have time to speak much nor answer queries. The service staff are not very knowledgeable of whatever that was served.
I had to ask them to ask the chef for me each time a course was set down and after a while it just gets tiring.
In Japan, the sushi chef explains a bit of what’s the dish is while he serves it.

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Sushi King Rice Burgers in Malaysia! Choose from Salmon, Chicken Katsu, Yakiniku and more!

Long after many had missed the iconic rice burgers of MOS Burger and after years of having to travel out of Malaysia for our rice burger fix, Sushi King took the plunge and bought back the beloved rice burgers for us!

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Sushi Hinata – St Mary Residences KL – excellent Japanese sushi & sashimi

I’m quite excited. Other than Ichiro Sushi in 1 Utama Shopping Centre, I think I found another gem for excellent Japanese nigiri and sashimi in KL! 🙂

While it’s true there are many Japanese restaurants in Klang Valley, I’m specifically interested only in those that serves top notch sashimi (fresh seafood) and really good vinegared rice. I want something comparable to what I had in Tsukji Market in Tokyo. Something like what Sushi Dai serves.
Or even Sushi Daiwa, which though it is not as impressive as Sushi Dai, but still good nonetheless.

Sushi Hinata comes close. For a price.

sushi hinata - best sushi sashimi japanese restaurant KL-014

Bluefin Tuna. Maguro, Otoro or Chutoro for you? 🙂

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Ju.Ne Japanese Restaurant @ Publika – set lunches and Yogan hot plate with Saga Beef!

Becky’s 1 Minute Summary:
What: Japanese casual dining.
What to order here: Definitely the hot plate set (both meats and seafood). Though it is a Japanese restaurant, my sashimi set (set lunch) and the Rainbow Roll (sushi) was just fair. The hamburg with egg (set lunch) was good though.
Overall experience: Lunch sets are pretty value for money considering the quality, location and portion. But what was really distinguished this outlets from others would be the Yogan sets.
Price: Set lunches are reasonable for the quality and taste. Ala carte and dinner meals are pretty KL standard kind of prices unless you order expensive meats like we did. For example the Saga beef was RM150++ per 100g. 

For the long story, read on. :)

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Being a regular at Publika, I knew about Ju.Ne but had dismissed it as ‘just another Japanese restaurant‘. My perception changed when I found out that my gourmet friend Fern highly favoured it. Fern is well travelled, and I know she’s a discerning gourmet as well.
My curiosity piqued, we arranged for a lunch date.

Decor and ambiance- wise Ju.Ne is as basic as it gets. Nonetheless, it’s the food that matters right?

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