Yuzu Japanese Restaurant @ The Gardens MidValley Kuala Lumpur

I used to pass by Yuzu at The Gardens off and on but never stepped in because it looked expensive. It did not help that the banner outside says that they fly in seafood fresh 3 times a week! One day however, I decided to bite the bullet and have dinner there.

It turned out that it wasn’t as expensive as I had expected. The speciality of course is their fresh seafood and sashimi (raw fish). We ordered salmon because none of us can stomach anything stronger tasting. You get about 5-6 slices for RM30. It comes served on a bed of ice in a glass and the fish is sweet and not fishy at all. Highly recommended!

We moved on to Negima yakitori which was grilled skewered chicken slices and spring onions (RM15/3 sticks). It was not bad – a little sweet but bearable.

Then came Namaharumaki roll (RM12/roll) which is one of my favourite rolls. You get deep fried soft shell crab rolled with chilled salad in rice paper and drizzled with tangy yuzu sauce and mayonnaise. Delicious!!

I always order Ishiyaki Goya Chanpuru (RM15) everywhere I go. Its bittergourd stirfried with egg and bonito flakes and is abosolutely delicious! I first discovered it at Ninja Jones Japanese Restaurant but I now prefer the one at Yuzu which includes some enoki mushrooms and fried whitebait (ikan bilis) as well for added flavour.

For main course, we had Ginmutsu Tofu Nabe (RM68) which was a hotpot of cod fish and assorted mushrooms, vegetables and tofu in seafood stock. It comes served in washi paper in a basket. Washi paper is hardy and waterproof to an extent but its still paper! Very fascinating.

I found the cod a little rich but then I’m a little sensitive to cod anyway. The vegetables and mushrooms are generous as are the fish paste and tofu. It meant to feed 2 and I reckon it feeds 3 perfectly well too!

A spicy dipping sauce is provided but its not that spicy – just a hint of spiciness which is quite nice with the fish.

We had garlic rice (RM12) and chawan mushi (RM6) as well. Neither was very memorable so I did not take photos of them. Dinner was rounded off with Yuzu Ice Cream (RM8) and Mango Pudding (RM6).

Yuzu Ice Cream is ice cream made with the Yuzu fruit – the namesake of this Japanese restaurant. It is a tangy citrus fruit that is very refreshing. The mango pudding tasted a little strange. I thought it was off but apparently it tastes that way. I don’t quite recommend that unless I had a dud that day.

Yuzu says that they fly in fresh seafood on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays so go on those days if you want to be assured of the very fresh fish. When I was there they were also running a discount with Amex for 20% off ala carte orders so that was an even bigger saving on dinner which came up to about RM160 (inclusive of 10% service charge and 5% govt tax) for 3 persons.

Yuzu serves bento sets too and the set meals are very generous in quantity as well as affordable in terms of price. They are open for lunch and dinner. I’d say give Yuzu a shot – its not quite as expensive to dine there as it looks!

Yuzu does not serve pork but I did not see a Halal sign.

Yuzu Japanese Restaurant
T236, 3rd Floor
The Gardens
Mid Valley City
Kuala Lumpur
Tel No: 03 – 2284 7663

Popularity: 11% [?]