Here are five Japanese buffets that offer more than the standard sushi, sashimi or shabu shabu selections so you can eat to your heart’s content.
Fans of Japanese food are spoilt for choice when it comes to satisfying their cravings all around the Klang Valley. With so many sushi bars, chain eateries, fine dining restaurants and even dedicated sections in the supermarket, it’s easily one of the most popular foreign cuisines in the country.
Malaysians seem to enjoy Japanese buffets in particular for the wide assortment of delicacies offered and the value for money. It’s not uncommon, however, for some Japanese restaurants to compromise on quality and variety in favour of quantity. Thankfully, there’s still a number that upkeep quality control while providing a sizeable range and quantity of dishes.
Here are five Japanese buffets around town that offer more than the standard sushi, sashimi or shabu shabu selections to eat to your heart’s content.
Hanare
One of the highlights at Hanare, The Intermark Mall is their Weekend Brunch Buffet, featuring unlimited servings of Wagyu beef handpicked and air-flown from Tokyo’s Tsujiki market. Guests can also expect seasonal specials including Hon Maguro (Fresh Blue Fin Tuna), rare cuts of Tai (Fresh Red Snapper), Nama Awabi (Fresh Abalone) and more premium fresh seafood from Japan. What’s more, guests can get 30% off their range of sakes exclusively during the buffet. W hanare.com.my
Zipangu
For a taste of izakaya (informal Japanese gastropub) fare, help yourself to Zipangu’s smorgasbord of over 70 dishes, including snacks, skewers, sushi, sashimi and more. Before that, you’ll be served a welcome drink – either a cocktail or mocktail. To ensure the best quality and satisfaction, the restaurant imports fresh seafood from Japan four times a week. You can also ask the chef if a certain seafood is or isn’t at the peak of its freshness, so you’ll know what to get a second helping of. W shangri-la.com
Kurata
If shabu shabu is your weakness, then you’ll love Kurata. Located at Park Royal Hotel Kuala Lumpur, the Japanese fine dining restaurant serves up a Shabu-shabu Ala Carte Buffet daily. That’s not all – guests can choose from a variety of appetizers, sashimi, sushi, maki, fried and grilled items, rice bowls, noodles and dessert (included in the buffet) to satisfy their appetites. W parkroyalhotels.com
Kampachi
Salmon head. Slipper lobster. Snow crab. These are some of the specialties to look forward to at Kampachi’s famous Sunday Buffet. Available only for lunch on Sundays and public holidays at their Plaza 33 branch, the exclusive buffet is one worth marking your calendars for to enjoy unlimited amounts of the finest Japanese ingredients. You may even want to skip the sushi to make space for more helpings of unagi, codfish, tuna, and the soft, chewy mochi! W kampachi.com.my
Eyuzu
What’s interesting about Eyuzu’s Shumatsu Buffet Dinner is that you wouldn’t know what to expect – and neither would the chefs. Every Tuesday and Friday, the chefs receive “mystery boxes” containing fresh seafood flown in from Japan, but they don’t know what’s inside until the boxes arrive. It can be anything from live scallops to Japanese fishes like kamasu, kinmedai or kurodai. These are served alongside a range of sashimi, oysters, tempura, teppanyaki, hand rolls and desserts during the buffet, available every Sunday night. W eastin.com
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Images: Courtesy of respective restaurants