Harumi 23 Tokyo Cuisine, Dessert & Coffee @ Desa Parkcity, KL

Our quest for modern, innovative Tokyo Cuisine is finally being answered by Harumi 23!

The relatively new Plaza Arkadia residence-cum-commercial area in Desa ParkCity is worth exploring especially when we are in search for a satisfying gastronomic experience with a wide variety of Tokyo cuisine, desserts and third wave single origin coffee. 

We are here for lunch at Harumi 23, a 2-month old Japanese establishment in Block F of Plaza Arkadia. Basement parking space is aplenty, and you can park near Block D and H exits that lead your way to this restaurant.

Named after the 23 districts in Tokyo, Harumi 23 takes pride of bringing to us the new, exceptional quality Tokyo cuisine which literally transports us to the Land of Rising Sun without burning a hole in the pocket. 

The contemporary interior matches well with the modern Japanese dining concept here - very family-style and kid-friendly. In fact, Harumi 23 is very crowded during my visit on a Saturday afternoon as it gains popularity among the families staying within the vicinity of Desa ParkCity. 

Here we get to try the signature items on the food menu including Charcoal Grilled Kushiyaki and organic Japanese pork, Tempura, Tokyo Spaghetti and authentic Japanese Dashi soups.

As for the dessert and drinks menu, you shouldn't miss the house specialty items including Rockmelon and Green Tea Kakigori, Harajuku Souffle Pancakes, Shibuya Dessert Toast and Yuzu Freeze.

Another surprise in Harumi 23 is the Third Wave Coffee which has a lighter roast profile using single origin coffee beans of the highest quality imported from Nozy Coffee of Japan. 

BEVERAGES

Hojo Premium Mountain Hojicha from Uji Sencha Jubuzan @ RM11.90

Our healthy start of the meal is the rich, authentic Japanese powdered green tea which is whisked with hot water to create a fresh, foamy, healthful drink. The reason behind its name is the traditional use of Matcha in Japanese tea ceremony.

The taste of green tea is very strong on the mouth, followed by a natural bittersweet aftertaste,

as it is served without any milk or sugar. 

Matcha Frappucino @ RM19.90 / Yuzu Freeze @ RM14.90 / Hot Matcha Latte @ RM10.90

But if you are into something more flavourful / sweet, Harumi 23 has lovely varieties of green tea based beverages as well as refreshing fruity ice blends, pure juices and milkshakes.

SOUP

Harumi Dobin Mushi @ RM15

First to tantalize our palate is the mouth-watering Japanese Dashi Soup which is a rich concoction of prawn, chicken and maitake mushroom in superior clear dashi broth. Tastewise, it is naturally sweet with delicious umami flavours on its own but you can add a zest of lime cube for a refreshing touch.

SASHIMI

Sashimi Moriawase (Assorted Fish) @ RM138 for 6 kinds

Sashimi is often the epitome of a good Japanese restaurant, therefore in Harumi 23, you can expect the high quality sashimi to be served fresh as it is air-flown from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo twice a week. But they only serve fishes which are more commonly sought after, such as Salmon, Salmon Belly, Tuna, Kampachi and Octopus.

KUSHIYAKI (CHARCOAL GRILL)

Hotate Bacon (Charcoal Grilled Scallops Wrapped in Bacon) @ RM12 per stick (2 pieces)

If you are a fan of Yakitori (Grilled Skewers), this is a heaven for you. Harumi 23 uses only organic Japanese pork and grills it with real charcoal on a traditional Japanaese yakitori grill for the best of flavours.

Apart from pork, grilled items for chicken, duck, seafood, gizzards, mushroom and vegetables are available too. 

Butakushi (Charcoal Grilled Pork Belly and Asparagus with Salt) @ RM5 per stick

Who doesn't love pork belly when it comes to yakitori? Thanks to the sprinkle of salt, the melt-in-the-mouth pork belly is extra savoury and good to go with Japanese sake. Similarly, the grilled salmon belly exudes natural sweetness of the fish while it melts slowly in the mouth. 

Toro Salmon Shio (Grilled Salmon Belly) @ RM22

AGEMONO (FRIED)

Tempura Moriawase (Assorted Prawn and Vegetable Tempura) @ RM18

The tempura here is not the ordinary deep-fried Japanese dish. It is prepared with high-grade Japanese tempura flour and ice-cold water, resulting in an ultimate crisp and light texture which makes the dish a crowd pleaser especially when dipped into the savoury tempura sauce. 

Crispy Sushi Roll @ RM28

For sushi, we skip the house specialty Unagi Roll and opt for something even more interesting - a crispy, breadcrumb coated sushi roll with asparagus, salmon and ebiko filling. Crisp on the outside and dense inside, it is definitely something that easily fills the tummy.

YAKIMONO (GRILLED)

Mentai King Prawn (with Half Broiled Cod Roe) @ RM28

Next up is something I am excited for, because I love anything with mentai (cod roe sauce)! The grilled prawn is fresh and grilled to perfection as the flesh falls off its shell easily. Whereas the creamy cod roe topping does a wonderful job in enhancing the flavours of oceanic goodness. 

DONBURI / MENRUI (RICE / NOODLES)

Mentai Don @ RM19

Ah, we seriously can't have enough of the mentai, so we go for this bowl of rice with Japanese style omelette and cod fish roe. The omelette is the bomb! So silky smooth and melty inside, we can taste the sweet freshness from each bite.

Plus, Harumi 23 uses only high-grade Koshi Hikari rice, planted and imported from Japan which have better quality and give the dish more robust flavours.

Salmon Mentaiko Spaghetti @ RM36

For a nice rendition to the usual Italian spaghetti, try the Japanese-style spaghetti which is less creamy (hence, less cloying on the palate) and is beautifully topped with salmon sashimi, cod roe, nori flakes and spring onion. 

DESSERTS

Matcha Kakigori @ RM23.90

When it comes to desserts, the Green Tea Kakigori literally mutes my senses with the ultra-smooth plain ice shave, paired with homemade green tea ice cream, red beans, mochi and green tea sauce. If you are a fan of green tea, this is the No.1 dessert you should go for!

Chocolate Strawberry Toast @ RM18.90 

Apart from that, the restaurant has gone great lengths to serve something more extraordinary - the trending Japanese Toast and Souffle Pancake - without compromising on the quality. I am sure you'd need more dessert room if you are craving for sweet stuff here!

Maple & Butter Souffle Pancake @ RM10.90

Verdict:

1. Overall, it is an all-rounder in modern Japanese cuisine. It has everything that you can possibly think of, and surely there'd something that satisfies your taste here.

2. This value-for-money casual family restaurant is a great place to dine whether you are working nearby or staying around Desa ParkCity.  

3. Recommended: Mentai Omelette, Harumi Dobin Mushi, Butakushi, Mentai King Prawn

Harumi 23
F-G-2, Plaza Arkadia,
Jalan Intisari,
Desa Parkcity,
52200 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 03-2710 9263
Website: www.harumi23.com
Facebook: fb.com/Harumi23.Restaurant

Restoran Woo Ng Kee (胡伍纪冷气海鲜酒家) @ Taman Ehsan, Kepong

 

If you happen to search for traditional Chinese food around Kepong, then you should drop by at Restoran Woo Ng Kee, a third-generation family run business. Although it took me some time to find this place as I'm a stranger in Kepong, the trip was really worthwhile with loads of good food here!

From a roadside stall at Pudu 60 years ago, it is relocated into a two-storey restaurant since more than 26 years ago and the business remains brisk until today. 

Its warm ambiance is rather old school which reminiscences the nostalgic yesteryears. The restaurant is of the size of 3 shop lots yet you may still need to queue outside during weekends or public holidays.

#1 Double Boiled Garoupa Fish Head Soup in Claypot (沙窝鱼头) @ RM80

We started the dinner with the claypot fish head broth, an elegant creation stuffed with goodness of abalone slices, white fungus, goji berry, Chinese herbs and longan.

After the first round of boiling from the kitchen, now pour the old chicken soup essence into the broth and allow it to boil second time for 5-10 minutes, so that the myriad flavours are well-absorbed by the soup.

The broth is so fresh with natural sweetness from the concoctions of ingredients, along with a drizzle of Rice Wine (Shao Hsing Hua Tiao Chiew 绍兴花雕酒). Rich in herbs and great in textures, it is not only tasty but also brings health benefits. 

 #2 Cold Hors d'Oeuvres Platter (七彩冷盘) @ RM85

Traditionally served before the main courses, it was once a very famous dish served in wedding banquets during 1960s. But now it is very difficult to find such hearty treasure because of the complicated process of preparing it. 

Jellied into a clump, the steamed kampong chicken, fresh prawns and thick slices of abalone have a firm, translucent texture. The village chicken is flavourful and it satiates the taste buds without being heavy on the stomach. A dip of mayonnaise just added little touches of tangy sweetness into the dish. 

 #3 Claypot Fried Rice (瓦煲炒饭) @ RM40 (For 4-5 pax)

My favourite of the evening is, in fact, the simplest dish that most Chinese can relate to: Fried Rice. Of course this is not the ordinary one. Very well-thought and it's the best fried rice I've ever sampled!

This is the luxurious creation by the young son of the owner, featuring caramalized rice crackers sipped within the claypot fried rice, topped with fresh crab, scallop and bacon, along with a garnish of spring onions to further enhance the taste and texture. 

  #4 Pei Pa Aromatic Duck (枇杷烧鸭) @ RM40

I can sense what's coming when I smell beautiful aromas wafting in the air from the flattened roasted duck. With the complicated process from steaming, drying to roasting which takes around 5-6 hours, limited amounts are served daily so do preorder to avoid disappointment. 

I always love Pei Pa Duck which is drier, crispier and less fatty than the usual roasted duck. Slightly saltier but smoky enough to whet my appetite! The duck, when dipped into a choice of plum sauce or chilli, has a refreshing twist to the crispy flavourful meat. 

  #5 "Mei Lan, Mei Lan, Wo Ai Ni" (梅蘭梅蘭，我爱你) 

from RM8 (2-3 pax)

The founder is a master chef with more than just great culinary skills but also high creativity in mind especially when naming his signature dishes! 

Here's an unique combination of preserved vegetables (Mui Choy 梅菜) and young Chinese broccoli (Kai Lan Miu 芥兰苗) which is bitter-sweet and salty on the edge. Surprisingly, it is very mouth-watering and I can't stop reaching for more. 

  #6 "Pig & Dog Friends" (猪朋狗友)
from RM16 (4-5 pax)

Next on the menu was the metalpot braised pork knuckle, traditionally known for its body-heating benefits and best taken during winter. The sweet-salty juiciness is revealed as I fork through the lean meat laden with fats. 

This dish is related to dog, because the herbs are used by our ancestors to treat dog meat, but now Mr. Woo has replaced the dog with pork instead. 

  #7 Guilin Crab Dumplings (桂林蟹枣) @ RM1.60 / piece

Beneath the crispy skin, each crab ball gives a soft, moist texture. Overall, the deep-fried light bite is so bouncy and flavourful that it is the first to be wiped out at the table. 

  #8 Nam Yu Pork Ribs (南乳排骨) @ RM15

Mr. Woo and his crew are also experts in authentic Hakka dish as the pork marinated in Red Fermented Beancurd is superb with its crispy deep-in-flavour crust. It is served on a bed of pickled vegetables (酸菜), making for a delightful combination of flavours.

#9 Curry Garoupa Fish Head (至尊咖哩鱼头) 

@ RM22 (Small) / RM30 (Medium)

To wrap up the evening meal, the chef delights us with its best-selling dish, a boiling hot pot of curry fish head instead of Chinese desserts. The graciously garnished fish head claypot is bracingly fresh, with rich creamy curry which is more on the sweet note than spicy. Awesome!

This is how the business started with their famous roasted duck 60 years ago.

Not only the service here is excellent, the humble owner is very generous to treat us with Whisky. To sum up, it is an enjoyable dinner to have a group of chatty friends along with good food and tasty red wines and liquor.

Verdict:
1. Woo Ng Kee is perfect for classic comfort food especially with family to bring out a homey feel.

2. Recommended: Curry Fish Head, Claypot Fried Rice, Pei Pa Aromatic Duck, "Mei Lan, Mei Lan, Wo Ai Ni" and "Pigs & Dogs Friends"

3. Pricewise, it is decent and good value for money considering the generous amount of ingredients.


Restaurant Woo Ng Kee (胡伍纪冷气海鲜酒家)
545, 546, 547, Jalan Ehsan 3/7, 
Taman Ehsan, 
52100 Kepong, 
Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 603-6274 2305
GPS Coordinates: N 3.22116, E 101.623906

Business Hours: 
11.00am - 2.45pm daily
5.00pm - 11.00pm daily
Close on every Thursday