KOFUKU,
Level 4, Seri Pacific Hotel,
Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-4049 4412/4413.
Business hours: noon- 2.30pm and 6.30pm-10.30pm
Restaurant offers other options too, such as local and Western food.
SERI Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s ‘Go-Go Crazy’ Japanese buffet at Kofuku Japanese Restaurant is sure to bring happiness to the palates of diners.
Kofuku means double happiness and the new Japanese buffet promises to bring you twice the pleasure.
The restaurant also offers local and western dishes in the buffet which is priced at RM95 nett for adults, half price for children between the ages of six and 12, while those younger eat for free.
The interior of Kofuku.
Patrons can indulge in a selection of delectable Japanese cuisine such as fresh sushi, sashimi, rolls, udon noodles, and Japanese dessert like mochi (top pic).
This is the restaurant’s second Japanese buffet and according to Malaysian chef Steven Tan, they aim to promote Japanese food while giving patrons other options such as local and Western food.
“There’s something for everyone in this buffet as we realised that people like variety, especially children,” he said.
The buffet offers Japanese, Chinese, Western and Malay cold appetisers, Garden Greens, Oysters on ice, Sashimi, Makimono (assorted sushi roll), Nigiri Sushi (assorted hand mould sushi), hot Chinese, Western and Japanese dishes, local dishes like chicken rendang, nasi kunyit, roti jala and ayam pongteh along with soup and desserts.
There are also food stations such as the Tempura Station serving seafood like prawns, squid, and mussels, a Teppan Station serving seafood and poultry with vegetables, a Grilled Station and a hot and cold Noodle selection. Dishes in the menu will be rotated throughout the promotion period.
Diners can choose from prawns, chicken, or beef at the buffet’s Teppan Station.
Diners also get the chance to make their own Japanese Rice Ball (Onigiri) with their own condiments and stuffing.
Wash your meals down with beverages such as green tea, coffee, cappuccino, latte or four different types of fruit juices.
“We also tailor the menu for customers,” Tan added. Some options like Tempura Station and Japanese rolls, sushi and raw meals section can be made on-the-spot when requested.
Pictures of dishes that can be requested will be placed in front of these stations and patrons need only put their table number into a bowl in front of the picture. The selected dish will then be served at their table.
Tan advised patrons to go for something warm at the start of their meal.
“You need to warm your stomach first before going for cold dishes,” he said.
I started my meal with some hot Japanese dishes, as suggested by Tan, namely the Salmon Shioyaki (Grilled Salted Salmon) and Saba Shioyaki (Grilled Salted Mackerel).
Both were grilled perfectly, with a little crunch on the skin and weren’t too salty.
However, more sauce or gravy would have been great.
I then moved on to a must-have at any Japanese restaurant — Edamame or boiled fresh soy beans.
A selection of (from left) Salmon Shioyaki,Tazukuri, marinated Scallop Lips, Edamame, and Saba Shioyaki.
The restaurant also serves Tazukuri (Marinated Fried Anchovies) which I liked as the anchovies were crunchy and the marinade gave them a sweet taste with a tinge of spice.
I loved the Marinated Scallop Lips, also known as ChukaHotatei.
The flavourful marinade which was a blend of sugar, sesame oil and soy sauce really brought out the flavour.
The sushi and makimono section did not disappoint either and I was happy to see a variety of rolls, sashimi and sushi prepared for the day.
Next, I went to the tempura and teppan station. I chose prawns, mussels and fish at the Tempura station but the batter tasted quite bland.
Over at the teppan station, I picked out beef and squid.
Though the grilled squid was fine, the grilled strips of beef were still too rare as the chef did not ask how I wanted my meat done.
Children can also choose from the restaurant’s kids’ meal with dishes like mini burgers, nuggets and potato wedges.
The Japanese buffet is available from Wednesday to Saturday from 6.30pm to 10.30pm until Sept 27.
Those who purchase two buffets will be entitled to one free.
Patrons can enjoy a 50% discount on Carlsberg draft and Shochu, while those who spend RM400 and above in a single receipt will be rewarded with a complimentary night’s stay in the hotel.
This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.
