JOHOR BAHRU, May 16 — Stepping into Kira Dining, nestled in an unexpected corner of Johor Bahru — a car service centre, no less! — you are immediately struck by a sense of anticipation. 

There’s a deliberate playfulness to the space, shifting from wrenches to whisks, hinting at the culinary surprises that await. 

For Chef Jacob Goy Ye Han, 31, this unconventional setting is part of the restaurant’s charm. He says, “One of our biggest challenges is also what makes us unique: our location. What might initially seem unusual has become one of our strongest talking points, creating a dining atmosphere that surprises guests and sets us apart from typical restaurants.”

Chef Jacob’s journey to Kira Dining began in Bangkok, at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit. He explains, “I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Dusit, Bangkok and have always dreamed of opening a modern dining restaurant to share my passion and culinary experiences with customers in Johor.”

The path wasn’t linear: eight years in Singapore, moving across established dining restaurants, gave him exposure to a spectrum of cuisines and styles.

“These experiences shaped my approach to food and hospitality,” he reflects. This year, he felt the timing was right to translate his vision into a reality.

The restaurant’s name, Kira, is more than a label. “Kira represents the spark that appears when good food meets pure craving. The mask symbolises transformation: once inside, you’re no longer just a guest — you become someone who can’t resist the flavours, textures, and imagination behind every dish,” Chef Jacob says. 

That philosophy is evident from the very first bite. For sharing, dishes like foie gras atop crisp sourdough toast with sambal onion marmalade or Hokkaido scallops paired with curry pumpkin and butter vinaigrette set the tone: luxurious yet playful, familiar yet inventive.

Kira Dining’s cuisine is described as modern casual, but the term barely captures the subtleties Chef Jacob brings to the table.

“Our modern casual cuisine is about creating familiar flavours in unexpected ways. I focus on balance while giving diners surprises in every dish. Instead of presenting dishes in a traditional format, I deconstruct classic dishes to create something exciting yet approachable,” he says. 

The menu reflects this philosophy: Spanish octopus with romesco and mojo verde sits alongside burrata with beef salami, confit grapes and hazelnut oil, while king fish crudo is brightened with kumquat, tobiko and seaweed. Each dish is a conversation starter.

Mains continue the dialogue, layering textures and flavours in unorthodox pairings. Squid ink pasta is elevated with tiger prawn, calamari and smoked duck, while truffle pappardelle with assorted mushrooms in truffle cream demonstrates the precision and restraint that define Chef Jacob’s approach. 

Comfort meets adventure in Jamaican jerk chicken served with pilaf rice and sriracha, or in the Black Angus ribs infused with bak kut teh and paired with black garlic mash potatoes — a nod to both heritage and innovation.

Diners respond enthusiastically to the way traditional Malaysian flavours have been elevated to contemporary elegance. Chef Jacob proudly shares, “Since opening just over three months ago, we have been consistently fully booked, with guests returning for both the food and evolving experience.”

Despite the meticulous craft in the kitchen, Kira Dining thrives on spontaneity. Seasonal décor updates and daily specials inspired by seasonal ingredients ensure each visit feels fresh and dynamic.

Looking forward, Chef Jacob is keen to expand the Kira experience. A lunch menu is in development to attract daytime diners, while the front area of the restaurant will host art exhibitions, merging culinary and visual creativity. 

“We are aiming to open a second outlet in a unique space that aligns with our concept,” he says, hinting at further exploration of the intersection between food, space, and imagination.

At Kira Dining, dining becomes an act of discovery. It’s a place where textures, colours and flavours converge to surprise, delight, and linger in memory — proof that culinary sparks can ignite anywhere, even in a car service centre.

Kira Dining

PTD52709 B, Jalan Ros Merah 2/2, 

Taman Johor Jaya, Johor Bahru.

Open daily (except Mon closed) 12pm-10pm

Phone: 011-6768 2758

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kira.dining/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/KiraDining-61584666546531/