Nippon Tei, KLCC

After the hour we had at Taman Tasik Perdana, all of us were hungry. When he was having fever, Idlan kept on telling us that he wanted to have chicken teriyaki. Now that he was much better, we decided to have some. Since we ended up in KLCC, we thought we might try Nippon Tei again. The place certainly has changed a bit …..

Dozo! Dozo!The temaki to start withIt still looked the same from the outside. The menu still looked similar, but it had been more than a year since we last came to visit. The problem with place was, they did not seem to be able to cope during peek time. Order came late, even sometime needed reminding. It was early evening. The place was already half full by then. We decided to go in anyhow. To our surprise, the service had improved tremendously, and the food was definitely much better than before.

The excellent starfruit juiceI have to admit upfront, it wasn’t the cheapest Japanese outlet in town. Certainly the place was more expensive than the excellent Express Sushi at Great Eastern Mall. But compared to before, it was miles better. The service was much quicker, and the staff seemed much more friendly and accommodating. We started off with sashimi and temaki. We ordered the garlic fried rice - which was excellent - for the boys and chicken teriyaki bento for Idlan. The teriyaki was served piping hot on a hot plate, still simmering with juicy goodness. Both Idlan and Irfan enjoyed it, Irfan later licking the crusted gravy off the plate, it was that tasty.

The teriyaki has arrivedThe sashimi was fine, rather on the expansive side - about RM30+ for 5 slices. I get twice the amount at almost half the price at Express Sushi. The fruit juice was excellent. I also ordered some unagi and rice as my main dinner, and it was really nice. The sauce was very good, and the eel was well-cooked. I must say that I was really impressed with the garlic fried rice - something I would try on the next visit.

Irfan munching awayAll in all, it was a great dinner out. The boys especially Irfan enjoyed it. Idlan enjoyed the miso - nobody can resist MSG I supposed! The restaurant was located on the fourth floor of Suria, on the Isetan end, right next to another Japansese eatery - one which I suggest you avoid - Sakae Sushi. The teriyaki was well done, and I suggest those visiting should try them.

Teriyaki no more - after Irfan done with it. Here seen licking the hotplate dry!

Would I go there again? - Most definitely, and I will order the teriyaki, temaki, garlic fried rice and starfruit juice. If you’re into Japanese and happened to be around KLCC, you should definitely give the restaurant a visit.

Lot 426/427 Level 4 Suria KLCC, KLCC, KL, 50888 - Tel: 603-21614176 

Should I stay away as protest?

I had a bad experience last night when I went out for dinner. After work, Anita wanted to head over to Kinokuniya to order some books for Idlan. I thought we might as well have dinner there in KLCC, taking Irfan along with us. We left just after Maghrib, headed straight for food. Anita decided we should try Sakae Sushi.

The restaurant was quite full already at that hour of the evening. About 60% full. The waiter ushered us to a table at the back. And that's when the problem started. I soon realised that all the staff there were foreigners! Worst still, their command for the local nor the English language as we say, left much to be desired. That was to paraphrase, they can't speak a word of Malay and their English sucks, and they are not from Indonesia. The majority was either from Myanmar or Bangladesh.

Let me put you in the picture here. You are at Suria KLCC. One of the tourist hotspot. Probably the only place for tourist with is under the pressure of time might encounter Malaysia before jetting off somewhere, or get stuck in a meeting room with no time to explore KL. Hmm! Under the Twin Tower, decent shopping mall, they might want to walk around. I just can't find any sensible reason why the Tourism Board not insist on making sure that the front-line staff re, waiters etc at these premises are at least Malaysian! They took a step in the right direction when insisting that all front-line staff in KLIA are Malaysians, which is in my book, a brilliant move. The foreign worker can still be employed as backroom staffs. No problem with that!

I ordered some California handroll and Anita wanted some extra mayonnaise. The answer from the waiter was, it's already in there or some muttering to that effect! Disgraceful! I looked around to find the manager. Alamak! Even the shift manager was a foreign lady, and I would rather eat my necktie and have a conversation with her. And the place is getting full by now. Around 30% of them were Mat Salleh.

Suggestion: High profile tourist attraction such as Suria KLCC should be manned by the locals. Before long, even the people behind the desk at the information counter may be from Indonesia. It already is from all we know! This is just appalling! Hmm! I'll probably be quoted as racist for saying all this, but hey! It's a free world ... or is it?

Prince Court to Pavilion via Yo! Sushi!

There was no really happening cafe at Prince Court to spend my couple of hours. Since I've been to Low Yat earlier, I decided against going over there again. Instead I decided to chill at Pavilion. Have a sushi or two while surfing the net or just walking around. Maybe I'll head for the bookstore next.

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