Doraku @ Life Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

If your table at Doraku isn't overloaded with dishes, you are doing something wrong. Start with standout cold dishes like Shiromi Shiso Carpaccio, followed by Ahi Hawaiian Poker and move over to the hot side and be dazzled by the Doraku Wafu Burger. To end, order your choice of ice cream and leave the table with a satisfying smile =)

Now I have an answer if anyone asks I know of any good Japanese Fusion style restaurant in KL. The answer will be Doraku. 

When you are here, expect nothing but a vivid palate of flavors, heightened by fresh ingredients and generous portions meant for sharing. 

Hiyashi Wakeme (RM8) - Served chilled, this marinated cold seaweed played well as an appetizer. 

Shiromi Shiso Carpaccio (RM30) - Thinly sliced Shiromi got extra layer of flavor from the shiso leaf, topped with marinated cucumber, sweet onion and tomato. The fresh ingredients and Kabayaki sauce was an instant flavor bomb.

Ahi Hawaiian Poker (RM36) - This dish started out as Japanese but ended with Hawaiian accent, thanks to the fresh ahi tuna, sweet onion, seaweed mix and nuts - all doused healthily in a Doraku Special sauce. We can't stop thinking how all these wonderful ingredients can sit together so well. 

Sashimi Moriawase (RM60) - It's always nice to complement the culinary journey with simple fresh sashimi, designed to accentuate both seafood and Japanese game.  

Doraku Wafu Burger (RM36) - The burger was a standout! Luscious greens and a fried egg draped across the juicy hamburger patty, held together by soft buns and flavored with special Japanese sauce.  We will definitely be back for this umami rich burger! 

Doraku Roll (RM30) - Unlike the typical rolls that can be found anywhere in KL, the Doraku roll was dressed with crabmeat and avocado, topped with seared tuna, daikon radish, shiso leaf and crispy garlic chips. To top it off, it was drizzled with special wasabi yuzu citrus sauce, giving it a sweet and spanking fresh combo. 

Sakura Ice Cream (RM12) - There is always room for desserts. A sweet sakura ending accompanied by azuki and a touch of Japanese sweets.

VERDICT: TOTALLY SMITTEN

SMITTEN DISHES:

Doraku Wafu Burger 

Shiromi Shiso Carpaccio

Ahi Hawaiian Poker 

Hokkaido Ichiba @ Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur

Hokkaido Ichiba challenges diners with a seasonal menu of what they should be eating during the summer months. You will find interesting dishes such as, Nouryo Somen, Ankimo Ponzu, Jumbo Kaisen Chawanmushi and Wagyu Sukiyaki on the 2 page seasonal menu. 

Kyuri No Asazuke (RM7) - The selection of delicious starters are perfect for sharing. The homemade Japanese cucumber pickles brought in the conversation of sweet and crisp - a balanced portrait of what a simple salad should be. 

Ankimo Ponzu (RM13) - Monk fish liver served with ponzu sauce was equally noteworthy. With scattering of green onions and seaweeds, we almost forgot that we are eating one of the best delicacy in the world.   

Jumbo Kaisen Chawanmushi / Japanese Steamed Egg with Assorted Seafood (RM20) - If you like steamed egg topped with generous portion of assorted seafood and lightly perfumed broth, then the Jumbo Kaisen Chawanmushi will surely satisfy. 

Sashimi Moriawase (RM100) - 8 kinds of seasonal sashimi nestled on a elongated ceramic plate. Perfectly cut and absolutely fresh!

Nouryo Somen (RM20) - Cold thin wheat noodle came swimming in a special broth, crowned with fresh prawns, scallops, tofu and cucumbers. At first glance, the dish appeared simple, but the not so usual noodles brought all the elements together on our chopsticks for the best bites. 

Wagyu Sukiyaki (RM60) -  While the restaurant has a spotlight on fish, it provides beef substitutions for those who are craving for meat. The number was 6, so if you are in an odd numbered dining party, be prepared to fight over the last bite! 

The wagyu beef (shoulder part) was dipped in a sukiyaki style hot pot.

To score extra points, slather a layer of raw egg before putting it into your buds. The splash of vivid raw egg will elevate the dish from "soso" to "wow". A perfect dish for rainy days, even though it has not been rainy for the past few days. 

Smitten Dishes:

Jumbo Kaisen Chawanmushi 

Sashimi Moriawase

Wagyu Sukiyaki 

VERDICT: TOTALLY SMITTEN

Romanza Le Restaurante @ Terrace at Hock Choon, Kuala Lumpur

When Romanza first opened its doors on Feb 14th, its location was a head scratcher - a high end restaurant on a sleepy stretch of Lorong Nibang, off Jalan Ampang. But inside the well decorated restaurant was a menu that reference a piquant kaleidoscope of flavors and cuisines.

Purple potato bread. 

Beef Carpaccio (RM39) - The beef carpaccio was seared and served on a bed of wild rocket, with sweet slow roasted cherry tomatoes, laced with some balsamic reduction and lemon caviar. We absolutely loved the well sliced beef carpaccio, which was thicker than usual.

Spicy Peri Peri Chicken Liver (RM21) - The creamy chicken liver was well balanced with sofrito, crisp salad leaves and homemade bread. Romanza may have opted for an austere, black and white furniture design, but the menu was definitely in full color. 

Slow braised lamb shank (RM70) -  The braised lamb was tender, served with a carrot emulsion, pomme puree and topped with minted peas finished with a thyme jus. It may not be the cheapest lamb shank in town but the portion was surely huge. 

Line fish of the day (RM52) - The pan seared fish was paired with delicate pesto potatoes and bathed with mildly spiced tomato salsa. The fish may pale against its peers, but it's definitely a healthier option.

Chocolate Landscape (RM42) - For dessert, its hard to go wrong with chocolates that offers light white chocolate mousse, peppermint crisp semi freddo mille fueille, dark and white chocolate set ganache with crisp hazelnut meringues and dark chocolate cylinder filled with hazelnut anglaise - It was indeed a beautiful landscape.

Previous entry on Romanza.

Verdict: SOMEWHAT SMITTEN

Yamagoya Ramen @ Publika, Solaris Dutamas

Located on level G2 (same level as Rakuzen and Ben's) at Publika, Yamagoya Ramen which opened its doors in April 2012 has garnered quite a good following over the last few months. 

Seasoned Soft Boiled Egg - Never leave the eggs in the kitchen, as there are meant to be served. Even though the eggs were a tad over cooked, nothing can come between our love for eggs, especially well seasoned eggs.

Yamagoya Ramen (RM19) - Yamagoya Ramen was probably the plainest option on the menu, which was nothing more than a twirl of silky soft noodles, bean sprouts, 2 slices of char siu, wood ear fungus and thinly chopped green onions. The char siu was tender and well flavored with a nice salty and intense pork flavor. 

Mukashi Special Ramen (RM24) - This was probably the most popular ramen on the menu, where noodles luxuriated in hot broth, together with seasoned egg, bamboo shoots, char siu, wood ear fungus, seaweed and green onions. The broth was rich and creamy, while the noodles were thin, round and buttery soft. 

Black Garlic Ramen (RM22) - The blackened soup was garlicky and more pungent compared to the milky pork bone soup. The noodles were perfectly toothsome with a touch of nutty garlicky flavor. This was definitely a healthy blend with a different depth of flavors.

Gyoza (RM11) - While we appreciate the wholesome ramen broth, we can't help but to love the gyoza, which completed the meal with another tang. 

Many Asians believe that noodles represent longevity and it is not meant to be cut or bitten half way. So if you are planning to have noodles tonight, make sure you slurp them in one go and try not to choke yourself in the process =)

VERDICT: SOMEWHAT SMITTEN

Kirishima @ Dua Residency (Dua Annexe), Kuala Lumpur

There are two ways to stand out in the increasingly crowded Japanese game: authentic flavors or value for money proposition. Kirishima is one of the few Japanese restaurants that offers both. The food here are not priced prohibitively and the ingredients are always fresh.

Nestled snugly among the apartments of Dua Residency, the eatery comes with well trained waitresses, minimalist decor and Japanese zen type vibe that sets it apart from your local sushi joint. 

We started off with boiled spinach, dressed with sesame seed and light soy sauce. 

It was followed by lotus root, carrot and Chinese mushroom

Chawanmushi (RM8) - This may be an old fashioned dish but the silky soft steamed egg never fails to win our hearts over and over again.

Kani Salad (RM32) - A piled of mixed salad topped with crab meat flakes, tomatoes and shrimp roe with wafu dressing. 

Shiro Maguro (RM38) and Salmon Oyaki Mori (RM42) - The restaurant receives new shipment of fish every Tuesday and Friday. Hence, it is wise to come during those days to enjoy immaculately fresh sashimi.

Foie Grass BBQ (RM38) - It is not very often that we will find Foie Gras on the skewered menu. When we saw it, we were tempted to try. The pronounced earthiness and creamy texture was enough to guarantee a standing place next to the Chef's grill. 

Soft Shell Crab Roll (RM18) - The hunky roll was held together with rice paper, filled with generous amount of avocado and soft shell crab.  

Grilled Minced Chicken (RM9) - In effort to showcase the minced chicken's brilliant pairing potential, the Chef hosted a raw egg yolk next to it.

Wagyu Seiro Mushi a.k.a Steamed Wagyu Beef (RM38) - The wooden square steamer, which was placed on top of a boiling pot of water, was filled with thinly sliced wagyu beef and cabbages. The dish was unpretentious, with tender beef slices that exploded into buttery flavor.

Garlic Fried Rice (RM12) -  A garlic laced fried rice served in a hot stone bowl. The result was an epic dish with Japanese flavors running headlong into Korean cooking techniques. 

VERDICT: SOMEWHAT SMITTEN

Smitten Dishes:

Wagyu Seiro Mushi 

Garlic Fried Rice

Salmon Oyaki Mori

Onsemiro Fine Dining Korean Restaurant @ Intermark Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Intermark presents "Onsemiro" (located on the 2nd floor), a new Korean restaurant that celebrates authentic Korean food along with wooden decor that will fool you into thinking that you have actually traveled a thousand miles to Korea. 

At the table, you will be greeted by a seductive mix of Banchan. 

Lightly parboiled spinach dressed with sesame oil,  red pepper and light soy sauce

Cold boiled bean sprouts with sesame oil.

Charcoals from Korea

LA Galbi 200g (RM70) - These sweet, tender marinated beef slices flourished well with some lettuces and spicy dipping sauce. For more kick, add a glove of garlic onto your green wrap. 

Raw egg for the Yukhoe Bibimbap

Yukhoe Bibimbap (RM45) - Yukhoe Bibimbap which literally means "raw mixed rice", was served with shredded raw beef, topped with a variety of seasoned vegetables and gochujang (chili pepper paste). 

Unlike the jasmine rice we usually have, Korean rice has a chewier texture and a shinier look.

Golbaengi Muchim (RM45) - Spicy freshwater snails and thin noodles are an enduring Korean duo. Here, there were treated right with gochujang sauce and accented by some sliced cucumber and sesame oil.  

Gwang Yang Bulgogi 120g (RM50) - The succulent sirloin beef was extremely lean and was grilled to perfection using the aromatic Korean charcoal. 

Kimchi Jjigae - Served in a superheated stoned pot, a bowl of rice is mixed into it, bringing down the tartness of the kimchi as it cooks along with some sardines, tofu, cabbages and spring onions. 

More Banchan to provide some relief from the richness of the food

Yeolmu kimchi seasoned with chili peppers and salt. 

Crunchy kimchi cabbage

The frozen persimmon was amazingly delicious with texture that resembled a sorbet.

VERDICT: SOMEWHAT SMITTEN

Smitten Dishes: 

Kimchi Jjigae

L.A.Galbi

Frozen persimmon

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