Yakitori Kakusu @ Zugo Mart, Changkat Bukit Bintang
Who would have thought that there’s a Yakitori restaurant hidden within a convenient store?
Without any signboard at the entrance of Zugo Mart, one need to go past the cashier, followed by all the shelves and display chillers filled with assorted food and beverages, until a red Torii gate decorated with lanterns appears oddly at the end of the shop.
Walk down the staircase and it will lead you to a different world. The aforementioned restaurant – Yakitori Kakusu is nestled in a sort basement level with tatami seating and bar counter seating facing the semi-open kitchen at the front of the restaurant.
Walk further are 2 rows of partitioned private dining rooms, with options of tatami seats or usual tables and chairs seating. The tatami seat private rooms are installed with folding partition to accommodate different group sizes.
The food choices at Yakitori Kakasu are sufficient to please everyone. The menu offers delectable range of Japanese fares include appetizers (RM11 to RM104), Sashimi (RM28 to RM86), Kushiyaki (RM5 to RM12), Kushi Tempura (RM6 to RM13), Agemono (RM11 to RM25), signature free range bearded chicken dishes (RM17 to RM87), Oden (RM7), Nabe & Donabe (RM19 to RM117), Donburi & Ramen (RM29 to RM33), and ice cream (RM12 to RM13). The extensive beverage list combines alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The choices for the former comprise beer, Sake, Highball, Whisky and Shocha, while the latter offers assorted canned teas, fruit juices and non alcoholic beers.
Yam with Mentaiko (RM19.00)
Original Dashimaki (RM12.00)
Assorted Kushiyaki (RM5.00 – RM12.00)
Tsukune Onsen Egg (RM13.00)
These skewers were nicely charcoal grilled with good dose of smokiness but I think they could have been better with stronger seasoning.
Assorted Kushi Tempura (RM6.00 – RM13.00)
Perfectly deep fried to a crunchy finish on the outer, we have no complaint on these.
Ume Highball
These happy juices are easier to the palate if compared with Whisky Highball.
Crispy Chicken Skin (RM12.00)
Put the guiltiness aside, these well executed deep fried chicken skin with a pleasant crisp mouthfeel and beer (or our case- Highball) are a match made in heaven.
Chicken Porridge with Ikura (RM38.00)
A truly tummy and soul warmer with the rice fully absorbed the flavours of the chicken broth. The raw egg yolk provides extra creaminess to the porridge while the Ikura create a burst of briny and umami flavour to the dish.
Assorted Oden (RM7.00 each)
Chicken Gyoza (RM18.00)
The Gyoza were nicely cooked with a crispy bottom, but the overall flavour was rather mediocre.
Chicken Namban Don (RM31.00)
A staple food for a more substantial meal for the gentlemen. 😛
Verdict: Overall, the dinner was fairly good except for a couple of misses in between. Price was slightly on higher side, and there’s time limit for dining period, which is needed to put on consideration as well if one plans to pay this place a visit. Reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Yakitori Kakusu 烧鸟秘地
20, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +6011-2674 3283
Operating hours: 4.30pm to 12.00am, daily
Website: https://izakayagroup.com/yakitori-kakusu-restaurant/
Wow, looks like a great immersive experience
It’s interesting that the restaurant is at basement of the convenience store. I like yakitori, there are so many variations. What is the Yam with Mentaiko like? Is if crunchy?
That yam with mentaiko…if you hadn’t say, I thought it was pickled radish. I like charred leeks and the tempura looks perfectly executed…my favourite would be pumpking & sweet potato. Ikura in a bowl of chicken porridge is something unique I’ve not seen before.
crispy chicken skin!!!!!