Playful Japanese vibe at sake spot in Chinatown

The Star

5 days ago

A giant Astro Boy atop a van placed in a shoplot in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown greets visitors looking for a taste of Japan.
The presence of the fictional Japanese character is a delightful nod to the country's whimsical street food culture.
This rather unusual sight also hints at the lively spirit you'll find in a great yakitori bar.
Shibui Yakitori Bar Kuala Lumpur aims to capture such essence, transporting guests to a cosy izakaya that offers grill-to-order skewers as well as refreshing sake and creative cocktails.
Stepping into the bar, one can't help but notice the pop culture references with several figures of Doraemon characters.
Imported Japanese snack packaging plasters the walls while vintage items hang on display, creating a playful vibe.
On one side, a bright neon sign displays the Hiragana characters for 'sugoi,' meaning 'great' or 'wonderful.'
This place stands out as a sake and yakitori bar in Chinatown, offering not only sake and infused sake but also sake-based cocktails and shots.
Sake selections include Kizakura Junmai Daiginjo, Dassai 45 Junmai Daiginjo and Manotsuru Junmai Ginjo Toki.
The Yakitori Platter comes with chicken thigh and wing, salmon, prawn, leek, cherry tomatoes and shiitake mushrooms.
However, for those who want more fruity flavours, the infused sake is a great choice.
The lychee-infused sake offers a sweet flavour, while the asam boi-infused sake is a subtle acknowledgement of the locally loved preserved sour plums, highlighting a familiar and nostalgic flavour.
As for the sake-based cocktails, the Lychee Saketini Slushie is a sweet and sour libation.
Mixed with lychee, lemon and sake, this cocktail is approachable and easy to drink, suitable for pairing with a platter of yakitori.
The Lychee Saketini Slushie is a sweet and sour drink.
The Ginza Garden cocktail, on the other hand, has a bit more acidity as it is a combination of gin, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, cranberry, lime and soda. It is cooling and refreshing.
For something stronger, the Melon Blossom cocktail is recommended as it is mixed with apple whiskey, melon, lime and shiso.
One can also try the Jim Beam Highball series, available in classic whiskey and soda, or with apple or honey flavour selections.
Drinks aside, visitors are spoilt for choice in the food selection which ranges from small bites to main courses.
The Yakitori Platter, which comes with chicken thigh and wing, salmon, prawn, leek, cherry tomatoes and shiitake mushrooms, is a must-have.
Suitable for sharing, the skewers are grilled to perfection with a mouth-watering marinade.
The Ginza Garden cocktail is a combination of gin, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, cranberry, lime and soda.
Grilled items include scallops (a chef's recommendation) as well as a lot more luxurious offerings such as Wagyu beef.
In terms of bar bites, the Lychee Mayo Cauliflower stands out – it is served with a creamy sauce, while the lychee fruit adds a hint of sweetness to the dish.
One can also order truffle cheese fries, crispy fried squid and crabby clam soup to go with its selection of beers and spirits.
Over to the main course, the Chicken Sesame Tantan-Men is appetising.
It comes with an umami-filled broth that is topped with eggs, cabbage, black fungus and minced chicken.
For desserts, try the assorted mochi and burnt cheesecake.
SHIBUI YAKITORI BAR KL, Ground Floor, No.147, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: [phone]) Business hours: Noon to 1am (Tuesday to Sunday).
This is the writer's personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.