Kurotomon 黑燈门 @ Johor Bahru City Square, JB

Kurotomon 黑燈门 @ Johor Bahru City Square, JB

Distinguished from typical Japanese restaurants which offer Sushi, Sashimi and Teriyaki, Kurotomon is a Japanese Restaurant with its specialty of Ramen and Sumiyaki. Kurotomon is located in the busiest shopping mall in Johor Bahru-- City Square Mall. 

Kurotomon occupies a open air corner at level 4 of City Square Mall and the entrance is very welcoming. Kurotomon embodies the bond of devotion and passion of Japanese dining. Each meal prepared delicately that shapes the diner's experience be it spirited or calming , in an atmosphere of modern oak interior with contemporary touches.  

Traditional Japanese tableware is served before our meals. 

Raspberry & Lemon  RM14

There are limited choices for beverage. Other than green tea and Japanese wine, they serve several flavours of fruity sparkling drink in bottle. We have chosen Raspberry and Lemon. The bottle cap is in pink colour and the attractive packaging is the main reason we ordered this. The taste turns out good too, very chilling and refreshing. 

Kin Maru (Special) 金丸 RM29

*Each Kurotomon's ramen bowl is made with traditional techniques and sincerity. With distinct ingredients criteria for assured quality, each Kurotomon ramen bowl creates an experience that is both satisfying and rewarding.

We have ordered one of their signature Ramen- Kin Maru (Special) which consists of Chasu, Braised Pork, Flavoured Egg, Seaweed, Spring Onion and Menma. It has been a while I have not tasted an authentic bowl of Ramen and I feel great that I finally found one in Johor Bahru. The Chasu and the hot spring egg are superb! The soup base is excellent too, it is thick but not over salty, just right to my liking.

Buta Teisyoku 猪肉餐  RM26

*Ancient style of Japanese cooking prepared with skill and dedication where freshest ingredients from skewers are charcoal grilled and caramelised with robust flavours.

Sumiyaki is another signature dish of the restaurant, but instead of Sumiyaki, we have ordered another type of charcoal grilled cuisine, the set meal contains a bowl of pearl rice, side dishes, salad, soup and not to forget the main role--grilled pork belly. The pork belly is well marinated and excellently grilled. It tastes so traditional!  

The fact that this restaurant in City Square is the first and only Kurotomon restaurant in Malaysia really surprises me.  We had a good dining experience here and it will be good if the same concept and cuisine could be brought to different part of Malaysia.

Address : Kurotomon 黑燈门

Lot J4-19, Johor Bahru City Square Shopping Mall,

Jalan Wong Ah Fook, 80000 Johor Bahru.

Bussiness Hour : 11am - 10pm

Tel : 07-221 5118

Website : www.kurotomon.com

Soon Kee Bitter Gourd Soup 新顺记苦瓜汤 @ Taman Impian Senai Utama, Senai, Johor Bharu

Soon Kee Bitter Gourd Soup 新顺记苦瓜汤 @ Taman Impian Senai Utama, Senai

Senai, being one of the new villages within the district of Kulai, is full with Hakka people. This Hakka's town is famous with Hakka ground tea, yong tau foo and bitter gourd soup. There are few famous restaurant in Senai selling bitter gourd soup and Soon Kee which is situated within a row of shop near to the main road is one of them. Every weekend, you will see the big crowd in Soon Kee during dinner hours. 

There are few reasons that Soon Kee is famous. First, the price of the dishes is extremely reasonable to all people from different levels. Second, other than bitter gourd soup, Soon Kee also offers a wide variety of home-cooked dishes, just to name few, including sweet sour pork, dried-chilies chicken, minced meat tau foo, hakka deep-fried pork and various vegetables.  

Bittergourd Soup 苦瓜汤  RM3.50/pax

The bitter gourd soup, being the signature dish of Soon Kee, is one of the must order. The soup base is made from the pork bone broth. The bitter gourd is cut into very thin slices, slightly boiled in the broth with pork slices and pork intestines (which is optional according to customer's preference). Chinese always says that bitter gourd is good and suitable to be eaten during summer days to reduce heat and to release toxic in human body. Bitter gourd soup is only at RM3.50 per portion.

Bean Sprout with Salted Fish 咸鱼豆芽  RM5 (S)

We have also ordered this superb ordinary dish- bean sprout with salted fish. Other than salted fish, they also put in fresh shredded carrot, Chinese mushroom and leeks, rendering the dish  looks colourful and also more interesting.

Pineapple Pork Intestine 黄梨大肠  RM6 (S)

I always like this dish as it is really appetizing, with this, I can easily clear one big bowl of rice.

Fried Pork 炸肉  RM2.50 / pax

Last but not least, the famous fried pork belly. The interesting part is that the pork belly is marinated with the fermented beancurd and only cut into slices after deep-frying. It is very flavourful and also crispy.

Now you know why this restaurant is always crowded? If the housewife of your home decides to have a break during weekends, here is a good destination to settle a family's dinner as a table of dishes for whole family may cost less than RM50.

Address : Soon Kee Bitter Gourd Soup 新顺记苦瓜汤 

28, Jalan Impian Senai Utama, 

Taman Impian Senai, 

81400 Senai

GPS : N1 35.645' E103 38.816'

Tel : 012-712 8567 / 07-598 0955

Business Hour : 11am - 9pm ( Closed on Tuesday)

Warakuya Japanese Restaurant 和乐屋 @ Taman Pelangi, Johor Bharu

Warakuya Japanese Restaurant 和乐屋 @ Taman Pelangi, Johor Bharu

This is our second visit to Warakuya, and it was during off-peak hour again to avoid the big crowd and long waiting queue. Warakuya might not be the most authentic Japanese cuisine, but the winning point is the fusion of Japanese flavour with Western elements which attracts teenagers and youngster's curiosity.  

Salmon Sashimi 三文鱼生鱼片  RM22.90

Despite the recent news that Salmon may contain parasites, we still risk our stomach to order Salmon Sashimi as I just could not resist myself from enjoying the nice texture of the fish. 

Chicken Teriyaki Set 烧烤鸡肉套餐  RM13.90

While we normally order from ala carte menu, this round we have taken the opportunity to try their set meal. One thing that I like Warakuya is that no matter how busy the kitchen is, I can still feel their passionate in preparing good and quality food for customers, it never disappoint me. Even the simple chicken teriyaki set, the rice, soup and the teriyaki chicken are served piping hot, and they never compromise on the use of ingredients, they use fresh and really sufficient ingredients in preparing the food, rendering customers enjoy every bite of the food. 

Hana Sushi 花寿司  RM11.90

Salmon AGAIN! Crazy love over the fish roe which burst in my mouth.

Chuka Idako Sushi  小章鱼寿司  RM5.90

Chuka Idako is our must order, but this round slightly transformed into chuka idako sushi.

Negi Maguro 红金枪鱼  RM6.90

Negi Maguro is good too, fresh and juicy.

Kani Karaage 香脆软壳蟹  RM13.90

Craving to taste crab but lazy to remove its shell? Kani Karaage must be your choice then, deep-fried to perfection, a very good snack indeed.

Edamame 毛豆  RM4.90

It is just like our Chinese loved steamed peanut, Edamame is very common but once in a while, I really enjoy to eat this while chatting with friends. 

As usual, our meal ended with Warakuya's complimentary dessert. The dessert does not really taste the best, but it always warm and buy our heart. I think most of the regular customers could feel it as well.

Address : Warakuya Japanese Restaurant 和乐屋

43, Jalan Kuning 2,

Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru

GPS : N01 28.675'  E103 46.042'

Tel: 07- 332 0789 / 016 - 7778234
(Reservation is advisable)

Business Hours: Mon-Sun  11.30am-11.00pm

FB : Warakuya Japanese Restaurant 和乐屋