9 Course Meal @ Kura Japanese Restaurant.

Following the disappointing dining experience @ Iketeru for 5 star pricing but average quality Japanese food, the JFKA die -hard honorable lifetime member continued her quest for good Japanese food that can sweep her off her feet...

And she finally found her new fave Japanese restaurant--Kura it is!

Calling all Japanese food lover, this is another Japanese restaurant that is worth trying out aside from the newly opened Kampachi @ Pavilion. FYI, the Malaysia International Gourmet festival (MIGF) is back again, from 2 till 30 November 2007. This time round we decided to give Kura's MIGF's menu a try.

The menu offers 2 choices of 'Authentic Japanese 9 Course Menu': Course A priced at RM 198 per pax and Course B priced at RM128. Having scrutinised both courses which serve more or less the same dishes, we decided to go for Course B.

We were seated in a cosy bird cage-like cubicle overlooking Damansara Utama.

Diners that go for the MIGF menu enjoy a free aperitif drink--Choya Umeshu (plum wine).

COURSE B: RM128 per pax

1st Dish: Kinzanji Wasabi Miso no Morokyu / Koimo / Shioiri Ginnan

To start off the 9 course meal, we had Japanese yam, cucumber salad and gingko nuts as appetizer.

2nd dish: Jikasei Zaru Tofu

This homemade smooth silky pudding-like tofu served on a bed of ice has my vote as the simple yet best dish amongst the lot.

3rd dish: Otoro/ Kanpachi / Salmon

Taadaa...finally the highlight of the course was served with 2 thick slices of toro (yummy!), salmon and yellowtail. The sashimi was very fresh and delish, love 'em so much.

4th dish: Madai to Ebi no Doumyoji Mushi

Next up is the Japanese steamed dish, we had steamed sea bream and prawn in sake.

5th dish: Unagi Kabayaki

Have to confess that I never had such a big and thick slab of unagi at a go before. The seasoning was just nice, unlike some Japanese restaurants that serve unagi with overpowering marinade.

6th dish: Ebi to Satsumaimo Tempura

7th dish: Hokkigai to Wakame no Sunomono

Thumbs up for this Wakame salad with vinegar dressing. Very refreshing and bud tantalising.

8th dish: Asari Misoshiru

The Miso clam soup was loaded with big fat juicy clams.

9th dish: Matsutake Gohan

Finally, we ended the 9 course meal with a simple but yummy bowl of rice cooked with gingko nuts and Japanese pine mushroom--a highly sought after exotic ingredient in Japanese cuisine.

Dessert--Jikasei Kurogoma Pudding

The course came with a dessert as well, the homemade black sesame pudding really swept my feet off. The texture was similar to their homemade cold tofu, smooth and slightly gooey, with bits of aromatic black sesame. Also available in green tea flavour.

Kura also offers a range of affordable set lunch & dinner, starting from RM25. We ordered a Zanmai Sashimi to Sanma set (RM45).

Sanma shioyoki. You can also opt for Salmon or Saba shioyaki.

Sashimi again! I feel so satisfied after loading myself with these goodies that have great therapeautic effect :)

Piping hot chawan mushi.

Interesting scoop of tuna spread that looked like the usual canned tuna but tasted fine.

Yeap, more desserts! I was so tempted by the dessert menu that offers a range of interesting Japanese homemade desserts.

I love their Strawberry Ice (RM9) that came with frozen real strawberries stuffed with vanilla ice cream. Too bad they only served 4 tiny strawberries, can't seem to get enough of these cuties.

Green tea ice cream with azuki beans (RM7). Somehow I don't really fancy the taste of their green tea ice cream, abit artificial for me. Just stick to their homemade puddings and strawberry ice or perhaps azuki beans soup with glutinous rice balls when it comes to desserts.

All in all, the bill came up to RM200 plus but it is worth every cent paid. This Japanese restaurant has my vote for good sashimi and desserts...oh yes, and nice ambiance.

Location: One world hotel, First avenue, Off dataran bandar utama, PJ.

Tel: 03-7681 1111