lifestyle

This New Japanese Restaurant In KL Lets You Dine With All The Four Seasons Under One Roof

The boutique eatery also houses 10 concept restaurants, each serving a different kind of food.

Cover image via SAYS

Dubbed the "first and largest authentic Japanese restaurant in Asia", Aragan Yokocho - the latest addition to KL's Quill City Mall - may just become a new favourite for Japanese food lovers in Malaysia

Image via SAYS

In a bid to provide a unique dining experience, the 18,848 square feet restaurant is spread out into four themed seating areas inspired by the four seasons - spring, summer, autumn, and winter

Summer-themed (foreground) and autumn-themed (background) seating area.

Image via SAYS

Each section is decorated with motifs that correspond to each season to help you identify the theme of where you choose to sit, such as bamboo shoots for spring.

Spring-themed seating area.

Image via SAYS

Summer-themed seating area with private booths at the back.

Image via SAYS

Autumn-themed seating area.

Image via SAYS

Winter-themed seating area with private booths.

Image via SAYS

Pseudo tatami-style seating area.

Image via SAYS

Aragan Yokocho sets itself apart from other Japanese restaurants in the sense that they house 10 concept "stalls" in a food court-style space, each serving a different kind of food

Image via SAYS

Each station has a specific chef (or chefs) assigned to prepare different kinds of cuisine, such as sushi, tempura, noodles, rice bowls, teppanyaki, sukiyaki (hotpots), yakitori, as well as drinks and desserts, all priced between RM15 to RM40. Those looking to unwind for the evening can also order sake from their varied selection of spirits at the sake bar.

Image via SAYS
Image via SAYS

Despite the food court-style arrangement, you don't actually have to order and carry your own food to the table

Image via SAYS

Waiters are always on hand to take your orders (and even give you a tour of the massive space), or you can simply key in your selection via the tablet provided and wait for it to be delivered to your table.

With over a hundred dishes to choose from, we found ourselves spoilt for choice! With some help from the restaurant's staff, we narrowed it down to some of their signature dishes:

Image via SAYS

Assorted sushi i.e. Salmon Wasabi Mayo (top left), Negi Toro (minced tuna with spring onion, top right and bottom right), and Tai Bainiku (red snapper with pickled plum, bottom left).

Image via SAYS

Ebi Tempura Moriwase: A platter of prawn, scallop, perilla leaves, and okra fried tempura-style, served with tempura sauce as well as plum salt, matcha salt, and curry salt.

Image via SAYS

Syouyu Hiyashi Chuka: Cold noodles served in soy sauce, topped with julienned cucumber, crabmeat, seaweed, beansprouts and chicken. Our personal favourite!

Image via SAYS

Japanese-style rice bowl topped with fresh tuna slices, seaweed, and a bouncy soft-boiled egg.

Image via SAYS

Cherry Blossom set: Chicken katsu don (rice bowl with fried chicken thigh cutlets), served with a fried tempura nest.

Image via SAYS

Kamameshi: Literally meaning "kettle rice", served with burdock, eel, mushrooms, snow peas, and dashi stock.

Image via SAYS

Okonomiyaki: Japanese-style pancake stuffed with squid, mentai (cod roe), and cheese.

Image via SAYS

Kurogawa Monaka: Sesame ice cream, azuki bean paste, and whipped cream sandwiched between soft wafer. Also available with matcha (green tea) ice cream.

Image via SAYS

Kurogoma Parfait: Sesame ice cream served with azuki bean paste, longan, and whipped cream. Also available with matcha ice cream.

One interesting tidbit about Aragan Yokocho's food - the dishes are based on cuisine from the Kantō region, unlike most Japanese restaurants in Malaysia

According to managing director Kunio Yoshikawa, most Japanese food in Malaysia originate from the Kansai region. He added that while dishes from Kantō tend to be saltier, it's "good for health!"

For those who'd like to have a unique keepsake of their visit, the restaurant also provides yukatas - both male and female - for you to take Insta-worthy pics in!

Image via SAYS

Don't worry if you have no idea how to wear them the right way, the restaurant staff will guide and even help you put them on. :D

Image via SAYS
Image via SAYS

Aragan Yokocho has plans to open an even bigger outlet in Sunway Velocity, Cheras later this year. In the meantime, you can visit them at their flagship location here:

Address: Lot No. 20, LG, Quill City Mall, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Opening Hours: 11.00am to 3.00pm, 5.00pm to 10.00pm daily.

Contact Details: Call 03-2856 0259 for reservations or if you have any enquiries.

Facebook

Can't get enough of Japanese food? These might be right up your alley:

You may be interested in: