KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — One of the world’s most recognisable names in Japanese restaurants, Nobu, will be opening its doors for business here tomorrow evening.
All eyes are on this restaurant run by Nobu Matsuhisa that serves new-style Japanese cuisine where he pairs Japanese classics with Peruvian flavours.
The 20-year-old Nobu has 28 restaurants in the United States of America that includes its first outlet in New York’s trendy Tribeca neighbourhood, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Within the Asia region, Nobu has outposts in Hong Kong, Beijing, Manila and Tokyo.
This Kuala Lumpur outlet, which is the group’s 29th, has the distinction of being the first Nobu to open in South-East Asia.
Part of Nobu’s star appeal has been its association with actor Robert De Niro who is one of the restaurant’s investors.
This Kuala Lumpur outpost will be headed by Philip Leong, a Malaysian who honed his skills working in Nobu London. Located on the 56th floor of Petronas’ Tower 3, the restaurant will offer a sweeping view of the city.
Diners in Kuala Lumpur will also be happy to know that prices here are kept competitive with other Japanese restaurants in the city. For instance, their omakase for RM380 per person is comparable that of a premium hotel located in Sentral’s omakase with a price range from RM230 to RM410.
In comparison to Nobu Hong Kong, prices for the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno (HK$220 or about RM92) and salmon sashimi new style (HK$210) is relatively cheaper here, where it’s priced at RM50. Some items, like the iconic black cod miso is around the same price with the Hong Kong outpost.
Expect to dine on Nobu’s specialties like tuna and king crab tacos, toro tartar, tiratido or Peruvian-style sushi here. The menu will feature Japanese standards like sushi, sashimi, tempura and kushiyaki sticks.
One unusual section is the brick oven baked items like octopus with yuzu lemon garlic and lamb anticucho miso. In most Japanese restaurants, desserts are often an afterthought or Japanese flavoured ice-creams like matcha, black sesame or yuzu. Nobu tends to break the trend as they pair Western style items with some Japanese flavours. A classic Nobu dessert is the bento box — hot chocolate fondant with white chocolate sauce and shiso syrup served with matcha ice-cream.
Nobu travels for 10 months a year visiting each of the restaurants to ensure its quality is maintained. But like everything, the proof is in the execution. Time will tell whether this Kuala Lumpur outpost will be able to uphold Nobu’s standards and quality.
