Against the glittering Kuala Lumpur skyline, FC Supperclub gathered guests at UMI Restaurant for a Japan-inspired evening. In collaboration with Hankyu Ponant, Go Luxury Travel, and Dajin Beverages, the experience brought Japan to the heart of Kuala Lumpur for one exclusive night.
Featuring a seven-course menu, carefully selected sake pairings and a glimpse into Hankyu Ponant’s cruise journeys, here’s a look back at our latest supperclub.
A taste of Japan
The evening’s journey through Japan began at the table, where Chef Danny of UMI Restaurant at Imperial Lexis Kuala Lumpur presented a seven-course menu inspired by the country’s coastal flavours and ingredients. To complete the experience, Dajin Beverages selected a Japanese sake to pair with each course, adding another layer of depth to the meal.
The menu opened with Misaki tuna and Hokkaido scallop carpaccio, served with seasonal vegetables and yuzu soy. Its delicate seafood flavours were complemented by the fruity, lightly acidic Tatenokawa Seiryu Junmai Daiginjo, a lighter-style sake from Yamagata.
The second course presented Sakura Ebi Kakiage, a crisp fritter of tiny sweet prawns and seasonal vegetables, paired with the clean, dry sake Tatenokawa Honryu Karakuchi Junmai Daiginjo. Following that was smoky, straw-seared bonito, dressed with ponzu, ginger, garlic, and shiso. Dajin selected the silky, dry-finished Isojiman Bessen Honjozo sake to accompany it.
Continuing the menu was a grilled Matoya oyster which combined its delicate brininess with rich shoyu butter, while sudachi added a fresh citrus lift. Alongside it, the Jikon Tokubetsu Junmai sake from Mie Prefecture brought fruity notes and vibrant acidity to the palate.
Next came the Hijiki Takikomi Gohan, a Japanese mixed rice dish cooked with hijiki seaweed, shiitake, carrots, and aburaage. Complementing its earthy, savoury flavours was the bright citrus acidity of Tatenokawa Yamagata Yuzu with soda.
The final savoury course featured a crispy fugu karaage with sudachi and matcha sea salt, matched with the smooth, subtly sweet Kamotsuru Hiroshima Junmai-Shu. For dessert, Chef Danny prepared homemade matcha ice cream with red bean, offering a sweet and satisfying finale.
Together, the food and sake offered a considered taste of Japan, moving through seafood, seasonal ingredients, and layers of umami while showcasing the harmony between the plate and the glass.
Journeys through Japan with Hankyu Ponant and Go Luxury Travel
While guests were exploring Japan through food and sake, the evening also introduced them to another way of experiencing the country: by sea. Hankyu introduced guests to its exclusive travel offerings with Ponant, the French luxury cruise line known for its intimate, small-ship voyages and exploration-led itineraries.
Among the experiences highlighted was a Hankyu Ponant charter aboard Le Jacques Cartier, one of Ponant’s Explorer-class ships. With a maximum of 184 guests, the ship offers a more intimate way to travel, combining refined onboard experiences with access to destinations that extend beyond Japan’s more familiar tourist routes.
Japan’s coastal regions take centre stage on these journeys, with itineraries calling at places such as Hagi, Shimonoseki, and Toba, alongside ports in South Korea. Other Ponant voyages explore destinations including Miyajima, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and Kobe, offering travellers the opportunity to experience Japan’s history, culture, and landscapes from a different perspective.
After tasting Japan at the table, the presentation offered a glimpse into experiencing its flavours, landscapes, and traditions at their source. It turned dinner into inspiration for the journey itself.
The spirit of supperclubs
The evening marked FC Supperclub’s return, bringing guests together through a thoughtfully curated experience of food, travel and conversation. As dinner unfolded, conversations moved from the dishes and sake pairings on the table to the destinations to discover next.
Travel recommendations were exchanged alongside personal stories, from favourite destinations in Japan to places still waiting to be explored. The easy flow between food, sake and travel created a sense of discovery, giving guests plenty to share and talk about throughout the evening.
As a platform, FC Supperclub continues to create opportunities for like-minded guests to come together, connect and experience something new. This edition offered a considered taste of Japan, and with its return setting the stage for more to come, we’re already looking forward to what the next one will bring.
For those considering a journey through Japan, don’t miss Go Luxury Travel’s exclusive Malaysia Day offer, bringing added value to the experience. Book by 30 September to receive RM2,000 in cash rebates and RM3,000 in flight credits per person, with a pre-cruise stay and private transfer included.
Designed to make the journey more seamless, the offer brings together comfort, convenience and the anticipation of discovering Japan by sea. For more details, contact Go Luxury Travel at +6010 2898676 or hello@goluxury.travel.
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