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Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
FooTori doesn't chicken out on serving excellent ‘yakitori' in Kelana Jaya
PETALING JAYA, July 20 — In the last decade, the canon of Japanese food in the Klang Valley has grown from simple sushi and ramen places to include specialist tempura, soba and yakiniku restaurants, all executed with notable attention to detail. Even ramen has taken on a new polish, with focused, tightly curated shops emerging across the city. The most dramatic shift? The explosion of small, exclusive omakase-style sushi counters in the past five years, now seemingly everywhere, each offering its own take on refined, theatrical morsels of fish and rice, all for a couple hundred ringgit a pop. But one constant has been the izakaya scene. The allure of ice-cold, crisp Japanese beer, salty snacks and cheap skewers of grilled chicken has always sat well with the Klang Valley palate, with yakitori in particular gaining a strong following. For a while, any loud, rowdy izakaya was the place to find it, aside from longstanding yakitori specialists like Sumi-Ka in SS15 Subang Jaya. But just as ramen and sushi have been given the refined, polished treatment, yakitori is now starting to get the same. FooTori from the front. — Picture by Ethan Lau FooTori, which opened in Plaza Kelana Jaya in May, may not appear to be the epitome of sophistication at first glance. The central grilling area, framed by concrete and glass, feels more like a zoo exhibit than a grand stage for chefs. The rest of the furnishing is similarly austere. Grey exposed concrete features throughout, though it leans less towards industrial chic and more towards 'unfinished' chic. Still, some aspects have clearly been thought through. The air stays remarkably clear, without a hint of smoke. When we left, our clothes didn't carry any lingering scent, and the ventilation system manages all this without a horrid din. Being located in a commercial development as stark as this one probably doesn't help that perception. Three's company: sansho pepper, salt and pepper, and 'shichimi togarashi'. — Picture by Ethan Lau But this is the second restaurant by Chef Foo, formerly of Hinoiri in Bukit Jalil, who has already made this location work for his flagship, Sushi Foo, which is located just a few doors away. Foo spent close to 30 years working in Tokyo, and though he's known mostly for a sincere yet skilled take on sushi, he now intends to bring that same approach to yakitori. FooTori offers three levels of omakase: RM98 for eight skewers, four appetisers and a dessert; RM118 for 10 skewers; and RM138 for 12. It's a helpful introduction for those unfamiliar with the many different parts of a chicken. But for those already in the know, the à la carte menu is full of gems, if you know where to look. 'Kawa' or chicken skin, and 'sasami' or filet. — Picture by Ethan Lau Kawa, or chicken skin (RM6), is a delightful bite, shatteringly crisp and gleefully greasy. But it's the sasami, or filet (RM8), that shows there is more to the cooking here than meets the eye. When a cook places the stick in front of me, he explains that each piece of ghostly white meat is deliberately cooked to 'just done'. The centre is slightly pink, and it is undeniably on the rare side for chicken. He stresses the freshness of the bird being used, though he's happy to cook it further if I prefer. The chicken is still pink on the inside of the 'sasami'. — Picture by Ethan Lau On top of each piece is a daub of wasabi. It's a meaty, tender mouthful, and simply unlike any piece of white meat you will ever experience. I put my trust in the kitchen that night, just as I did nearly a decade ago at Yakitori Masakichi in Tokyo, which had been featured on Netflix's Ugly Delicious. That was the first time I encountered chicken prepared this way, down to the same presentation with the dabs of wasabi and the chicken grilled to medium rare. It was monumental for me then, and it is deeply satisfying for me now to see this becoming more common in the Klang Valley. Hopefully, it points to a shift in how diners approach and appreciate yakitori. Other parts may not require quite the same amount of guts to tackle, but they are no less impressive. 'Momo' or thigh, a second order of 'kawa', and 'obi' or inner thigh. — Picture by Ethan Lau Fans of dark meat will enjoy the momo, or thigh (RM6), and obi, or inner thigh (RM10), each offering a different expression of chicken at its most juicy and bouncy. Bonjiri, or tail (RM8), is essentially the butt, and while it has the potential to taste off, it's been prepared well here, retaining just enough fat for flavour and cartilage for crunch. On the topic of cartilage, the nankotsu or soft bone (RM6) is the ultimate stick for texture. 'Nankotsu' or soft bone and 'leba' or liver. — Picture by Ethan Lau Crunchy, snappy and perfect for dipping into the sansho pepper, salt or shichimi togarashi mix, cuts like this are what make yakitori such a good match for guzzling down pints of cold beer. It would be remiss not to mention the lush leba, or liver (RM8). Grilled with just a small hint of sweet tare, it avoids the unpleasant metallic notes of iron and leaves only a rich, creamy texture to enjoy. A calling card for any 'yakitori' place is the 'tsukune' or meatball. — Picture by Ethan Lau And finally, no yakitori place can be taken seriously without considering its tsukune, or meatball (RM6). FooTori's is tightly packed, with a slight crust from the caramelisation of the tare on the outside, and is a dream to dip and swirl through the raw egg yolk and sweet, salty tare mixture. At a glance, FooTori probably looks unassuming as all get out. A closer look reveals an attention to detail that belies its decor, and a mastery of preparation and technique that can only come from experience, something Foo, an older man who's done his time, wears plainly. But that's the whole idea: a simple, unpretentious set-up, from which he serves excellence. At a time when yakitori is starting to stretch beyond cheap, by-the-numbers izakaya food, FooTori arrives to stake its claim, particularly by not chickening out from serving 'rare' chicken. If this is where things are headed, I'm all for it. FooTori ぷ鸟 B-08-1, Plaza Kelana Jaya, Jalan SS 7/13A, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm-12am Tel: 010-256 2279 Instagram: @foo_tori * This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal. * Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems. * Follow Ethan Lau on Instagram @eatenlau for more musings on food and mildly self-deprecating attempts at humour.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
4 nabbed in RM180mil Johor data centre project bribery probe
The four suspects being brought to the Putrajaya magistrates' court for a remand hearing today. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has remanded a manager from a construction company, along with his wife and two company directors, over suspected corruption involving procurement tenders for the construction of a RM180 million data centre in Johor. All the suspects were arrested in an operation carried out by MACC in the Klang Valley yesterday, during which the agency seized about RM7.5 million in cash from the home of the manager. 'The money is believed to be from bribes paid to the manager in exchange for securing six project procurement tenders,' said a source. The source said the manager is believed to have asked for a 2.5% commission for each procurement tender obtained by the two companies involved. Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin granted a seven-day remand order until July 24 for the manager, while his wife will be remanded for three days until July 21. The two company directors will be remanded for five days until July 22 following MACC's remand application at the Putrajaya magistrates' court this morning. MACC deputy chief commissioner Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests of the suspects, aged between 40 and 60.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
MACC nabs construction firm exec, three more over RM180m Johor data centre bid
PUTRAJAYA, July 18 — A contract manager of a prominent construction company is among four individuals arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for suspected involvement in corrupt activities related to the procurement of a tender for a data centre construction project in Johor, valued at about RM180 million. According to a source, the contract manager, his wife and two others were arrested in an operation, Op Ways, in the Klang Valley yesterday. In the operation, the MACC also seized about RM7.5 million in cash found at the contract manager's residence. 'The money is believed to be bribes paid to the suspect for obtaining six tenders for the project. Initial investigations found that the suspect set a bribe payment of 2.5 per cent for each tender obtained,' said the source Putrajaya Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin has issued a remand order for seven days until July 24 against the contract manager is now on remand for seven days until July 24, while the remand order his wife was for three days, and the other two suspects, both male, were ordered to be on remand for five days until July 22. Meanwhile, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, when contacted, confirmed the arrest. He said the case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 17(A) of the MACC Act 2009. — Bernama
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Shopee Seller Summit 2025: Powering Resilient Growth with Malaysian Sellers
Driving Growth Through Content and Creators Faster, Smarter, and More Flexible Fulfilment Same-Day and Next-Day Delivery have expanded nationwide, giving more buyers access to faster shipping options. have expanded nationwide, giving more buyers access to faster shipping options. Cross-State Next-Day Delivery is now available between Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, with more routes to be introduced progressively. This upgrade helps sellers reach nearby states faster, improving buyer satisfaction and increasing the chances of repeat purchases. is now available between Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, with more routes to be introduced progressively. This upgrade helps sellers reach nearby states faster, improving buyer satisfaction and increasing the chances of repeat purchases. Instant Delivery will be launched soon, offering on-demand doorstep arrival within hours — a convenient solution for sellers serving time-sensitive or last-minute buyers. This will be rolled out first in the Klang Valley, before being introduced across other regions over time. Fulfilled-by-Shopee (FBS) Helps Sellers Scale Efficiently Faster delivery , leading to better buyer satisfaction and higher repeat purchase rates , leading to better buyer satisfaction and higher repeat purchase rates Stronger handling metrics , including lower return rates and fewer order cancellations , including lower return rates and fewer order cancellations Exclusive perks, such as discounted fees, access to East Malaysia, and tools like virtual bundling Smarter Tools That Lighten Sellers' Operational Load Stronger Post-Purchase Support Real Lessons shared by Shopee Sellers KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 July 2025 - Shopee Malaysia brought together hundreds of local entrepreneurs at its annual Seller Summit, themed. The 2025 edition focused on how sellers can deepen engagement, improve fulfilment, and expand regionally — all while tapping into smarter tools to grow her opening keynote,outlined key focus areas guiding the platform's second-half 2025 roadmap - including seller sustainability, AI-assisted selling, content and affiliate growth, and fulfilment speed. These priorities reflect Shopee's commitment to helping local sellers grow sustainably while adapting to changing buyer habits and a more competitive e-commerce landscape."Our goal is to help sellers grow smarter, not just bigger - with tools and support designed to match how Malaysian buyers shop today," she highlight from the summit was Shopee's expanding content ecosystem, including, andvia Shopee Affiliates, which together enable sellers to showcase products in engaging, real-time formats. Supported by a network of, these channels help drive strong product visibility and conversion, and have become vital engines of traffic and trust for local content formats are especially effective in reaching, such as Gen Z and Millennials, who increasingly rely onto inform their purchase help sellers tap into this growing ecosystem, Shopee continues to invest in expanding its affiliate network. Initiatives like theandincentivise more creators to join and produce high-quality content, ultimately giving sellers access to a wider pool of advocates to help boost product discoverability and also unveiled upgrades designed to improve, translating directly into better conversion and seller ratings:Sellers also benefit from, now available at over, and offering. This not only helps buyers save on delivery costs, but also improves order completion rates by reducing failed deliveries and returns - giving sellers greater delivery flexibility and higher buyer summit also featured deep dives on, a one-stop solution where Shopee streamlines the process of order fulfilment, from picking and packing to shipping. This enhances daily operations, reduces manual workload, and ensures buyers enjoy faster, more reliable benefits for sellers include:These services are especially helpful for sellers managing campaign-day spikes or storage limitations, enabling them to scale operations efficiently without needing to invest in additional manpower or warehouse also introduced tools to help sellers manage daily operations more efficiently. Theautomates responses to common buyer inquiries, allowing sellers to focus more on fulfilment and store optimisation. Meanwhile, visual support features likehelp sellers enhance their product listings with minimal manual editing, enabling them to stay competitive with greater these solutions reduce repetitive work, increase conversion rates, and help sellers focus more on growing their addition to these tools, Shopee also reaffirmed its commitment to, highlighting ongoing measures that help reduce the cost and complexity of doing business. These include, and. These policies aim to give sellers a more stable foundation to grow — especially in a competitive and cost-sensitive retail enhance the overall selling experience, Shopee has streamlined its returns and refund process. The platform now covers select return shipping costs and offers clearer protections for sealed-item returns - helping to reduce disputes and strengthen seller confidence after the point of summit concluded with a panel featuring successful sellers fromand, who shared insights on how they scaled their businesses on Shopee."For double-digit campaigns, we always prepare by thinking about buyers' point-of-view and adopt aggressive voucher strategies, making sure we capture buyers across different basket sizes. Making buyers happy translates into sales for us,""During campaigns my orders can reach over 7,000, so Shopee recommended that we join the Fulfilled-By-Shopee (FBS) programme. FBS has helped ensure all my parcels are packed properly, shipped on time, and has saved us the hassle of having to drop off our parcels ourselves. I'm now looking at onboarding my other stores to FBS as well,"Their experiences highlighted how Shopee's ecosystem of tools — from fulfilment support to campaign planning — helps sellers manage growth more effectively and deliver better outcomes for Shopee marks 10 years in Malaysia, the platform reaffirms its commitment to empowering local businesses and helping them grow with confidence. From marketplace innovation to community-driven learning, Shopee continues to build practical solutions to support the sellers who have shaped its #ShopeeSellerSummit The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Shopee Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalise and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services, and uplifting local communities. Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region's digital economy with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce. Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a leading global consumer internet company. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena and Monee.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Low fares keeping KTM Komuter services in the red, says Loke
KTM Komuter services in the Klang Valley started in August 1995, initially running from Kuala Lumpur to Rawang on the original Seremban line. (Bernama pic) GOMBAK : Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd's (KTMB) Komuter services have yet to turn a profit due to the low fares subsidised by the government, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook. While raising ticket prices could help KTM Komuter become profitable, he said this is not a priority at the moment as KTMB is a GLC with a social responsibility. 'Of course, we hope they can eventually achieve financial sustainability. However, that is not our primary concern right now. 'What's more important is improving operational efficiency over time and narrowing the funding gap,' he said after the launch of new diesel buses at the Rapid Bus Complex in Batu Caves. Loke said KTMB's cargo service and electric train service (ETS) continue to be profitable. 'The key is to ensure that KTMB's overall operations continue to improve, particularly for KTM Komuter, ETS, and the cargo services, which are generating profits,' he said. KTM Komuter services in the Klang Valley started in August 1995, initially running from Kuala Lumpur to Rawang on the original Seremban line. No plans to extend ETS to east coast Loke also said there are no plans to extend the ETS service to the east coast, as the region lacks the infrastructure. The east coast is currently served by KTMB's diesel multiple units as the railway lines are single-track and non-electrified, but the East Coast Rail Link project will still serve the region in the future, he said. He said the ETS service will continue to focus on the west coast, operating between Padang Besar in Perlis and Johor Bahru.
