Toramaru Wagyu Yakiniku Pelangi Japanese Charcoal Grill 虎丸新山彩虹花园 ☏ +6010 668 5855

 Toramaru Wagyu Yakiniku | 195, Jalan Sri Pelangi, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru ☏ +6010 668 5855 ⏰ 12 noon - 2:30 pm | 6pm - 11pm (Tues off)

Visited the newly opened Toramaru Japanese restaurant in Pelangi which main attraction is wagyu beef. 

Unusual Japanese - Teochew Omakase in Johor Bahru • New Come & Eat @ Stulang 新吃又来

This was our first meet up since the JB - SG borders closed in Mar 2020 due to the pandemic. Glad to meet up again with buddies Peggy, Florence, KK and Shirley who are all, thankfully, doing well 🙏

New Come and Eat replaces the old Come and Eat which was my top favourite place for Teochew porridge in Johor Bahru since 2012. Quite sad that the old Come and Eat closed during the Covid pandemic as it serves excellent old school Teochew porridge 😢

Restaurant name: New Come & Eat 新吃又来

Address: 34-A-2, Jalan Stulang Darat, Taman Stulang Laut, 80300 Johor Bahru

Tel: +6011 2835 1005

Hours: 10:00am - 10:00pm (Mon off)

I Love the Ramen @ Sakaba Cuisine in Impian Emas 酒场美食

Buddy Evonne raved about the ramen at Sakaba in Taman Impain Emas 😁, a township in Johor Bahru's north, far from the tourist belt 😬 I was eager to try as I am looking for great ramen to add to my JB Eat List. (Coincidentally, just the night before, I brought friends to my usual ramen haunt. The quality has changed and I need to find another one for my List 😬 )

Restaurant name: Sakaba Cuisine 酒场美食

Address: 71, Jalan Impian Emas 22, Taman Impian Emas, 81300 Skudai, Johor

Tel: 011 6512 7122

Hours: 10:30am - 9:00pm

Arashi Shabu Shabu @ The Mall Mid Valley Southkey Johor Bahru

We walked past Arashi Shabu Shabu countless times while out window shopping in Johor Bahru malls but never stepped in before because we are street food people, first and foremost. But, this month we were trapped in the annual Singapore / Malaysia haze and had no choice but to eat mall food. So, for the first time, we had our lunch at Arashi Shabu Shabu.

October Japanese Cuisine JP Perdana Budget a la Carte Buffet in Johor Bahru

Scrolling through the posts in 吃的平台 Facebook group, we saw a member shared about the a la carte buffet at October Japanese Cuisine in JP Perdana, Johor Bahru. So, we went there for dinner today.

Set Lunch @ Yaoki Famous Japanese Restaurant in Pelangi Johor Bahru 八起居酒屋

Ask any Johorean to recommend a good Japanese restaurant in JB and Yaoki is bound to be mentioned among the top.

Good Food, Good Value. Tanba Japanese BBQ Buffet in Johor Bahru 炭馬日式烧肉 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I first visited 炭馬日式烧肉 Tanba Japanese BBQ buffet at Twin Galaxy in JB last year for an invited tasting. Today, I came back with friends as a paying customer and am glad to recommend Tanba to you.

Japanese BBQ in Johor JB. Tanba Yakiniku 炭馬日式烧肉

We had lunch today at the Tanba Yakiniku 炭馬烧肉 outlet at Twin Galaxy, a newly opened residential-commercial complex at Jalan Dato' Abdullah Tahir (10 minutes drive from JB CIQ without traffic).

CLOSED Fukuzushi Japanese Restaurant. Johor JB 福寿司

I was invited to a private preview of Fukuzushi Japanese Restaurant 福寿司 at 163, Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa in Johor Bahru. I enjoyed the tasting which covered samplings from the restaurant's 300 item menu. The food was delicious and prices are reasonable. I am looking forward to Fukuzushi restaurant's official opening on 1 Oct 2017.

Menzo Ramen at AEON Tebrau City's Ramen Street in Johor JB

As I am a ramen lover, I am always on the lookout for good ramen in Johor Bahru but I have to admit that choices are limited so far. So, I am excited that AEON Tebrau City Mall recently launched a Ramen Street. 

Delicious Ramen in Johor JB at ShenYeKitchen 深夜食堂 Food Truck

I was so excited to try this ramen after posts about Shen Ye Kitchen 深夜食堂 food truck keep popping up on my Facebook while I was still in Canada 😂 I love ramen and am also fascinated with food trucks, so the idea of a ramen truck is irresistible to me 😄

Yuzu Japanese Restaurant in Kulai Indahpura Johor

Dropped by at Yuzu Restaurant, a Japanese style casual, family friendly diner near to the AEON mall in Kulai. The menu consists of don, gozen, curry, ramen and udon - Yuzu's hearty servings are tasty, competitively priced and the environment is cosy.

Fukuryu Hokkaido Japanese Snow Crab Season Johor Bahru 福龙北海道雪蟹料理优惠 JK1523

Chef Cash Fong, owner of Fukuryu 福龙 invited Johor Kaki to taste their Snow Crab season dishes. There are four different dishes using snow crabs from Hokkaido, Japan.

CLOSED Kinya Japanese House 金屋 JP Perdana Johor Bahru

Johor Kaki was invited for lunch at Kinya Japanese House 金屋 at JP Perdana in Johor Bahru.

Fukuryu Ramen Dining Johor Bahru Taman Sutera JK1243 福龍日式拉麵

As a big fan of ramen, I am very happy that a new ramen shop Fukuryu Ramen Dining 福龍日式拉麵 recently opened in Sutera Utama in Johor Bahru (near Sutera Mall).

Gozen Japanese Restaurant at Johor Bahru, Amansari Residence Resort 御膳

I was invited to visit Gozen 御膳 Japanese Restaurant at Amansari Residence Resort in Johor Bahru.



Gozen Japanese Restaurant at Amansari Residence Resort is a small, neat and cosy place. There is a serene and peaceful feel about it - ah.. yeah... Zen.



The owner-Chef Mr. Chua learnt his craft working in the Japanese restaurants of Pan Pacific Hotel and Swissotel in Singapore.

Mr. Chua returned to JB in 2011 to start Gozen.

Over the 3 years, Gozen has built a loyal following of Japanese expats and retirees as well as Johoreans.

We were at Gozen at 2:00pm after it closed for the afternoon. So Mr. Chua had time to chat with us and so it wasn't like the usual tasting. Most of what we tasted were off menu and was decided as our relaxed conversation flowed.

Here were what Mr. Chua whipped up.



Pan fried salmon belly. Belly is my favourite part of any fish as long as it is fresh :D I like the softness and sweetness with subtle hints of bitter notes.



Gozen Special Course comprising Sashimi combination (Tuna and Salmon belly), Edamame (soybeans), Nameko Chawan Mushi (mushroom and egg custard), Tempura (batter fried prawns), Unagi (eel) steamed rice and fruit slices.



I like the soft sweet Unagi (eel) and tasty steamed rice.



Nameko Chawan Mushi (mushrooms and egg custard).



We spoke about the ramen culture of Japan and Mr. Chua brought out this Sapporo ramen set.



The springy ramen was served in a large bowl of ice cubes.



The light soy dipping sauce for the cold ramen.



Tender and savoury smoked duck with torched skin.



Fresh shrimp with roe.

I love the Sappora ramen set - a style of ramen that I have not tried before.



Gozen's house made chilled apple sake. Sweet and smooth liquor.



Ice cream dessert set with tea and cut fruits.



The food and ambiance at Gozen was neither overly exquisite nor exclusive but it felt intimate. The type that makes Japanese expats and retirees return regularly to Gozen because it makes them feel welcome, at home and comfortable.

Gozen is a nice little quiet nook to enjoy simple Japanese fare at moderate prices.

Oh, car parking is free for restaurant patrons at Amansari Residence Resort. Just have the cashier validate your parking ticket before you leave Gozen.



Restaurant name: Gozen 御膳 Japanese Restaurant
Address: Amansari Residence Resort (Seri Alam), Block D, LG 1, Jalan Persiaran Seri Alam, Bandar Seri Alam, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/GZjc9
GPS: 1.506841,103.860368
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:30am to 2:00pm, 6:00pm to 10:00pm (last call: 9:30pm) including public holidays (closed on Sunday)
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 21 Apr 2014

Return to Johor Kaki homepage.

Yakitori Japanese Grill at Vino Vino in Taman Molek, Johor Bahru

Johor Kaki was invited by Christian, manager at Vino Vino Bistro to try their Japanese grill or yakitori dishes.





Vino Vino Bistro in Taman Molek is a very well appointed restaurant with an impressive range of beers, whiskies, fine wines, and premium spirits.



Vino Vino has a private room for those special occasions.



Vino Vino has plenty of choices of fine sake and shochu, needless to say.





And, this is the charcoal fired yakitori station that churns out all the delicious Japanese grilled dishes to go with the fine spirits in Vino Vino. Heading Vino Vino's kitchen is Japanese Executive Chef Inose Kazuhiro who has many years of working experience in Japan and Singapore, and over 10 years in Malaysia.



Before we get down to the yakitori, Christian started us off with a couple of Japanese appetisers. This was the Ockura Mentaiko Ae (RM16), lady's fingers with cod roe.



I liked this Ockura Mentaiko Ae a lot. The tender, crunchy, slightly sweet lady fingers with slimy sap were mixed with savoury cod roe. Excellent, delicious combination that really whetted my appetite. 



The Gobo salad (RM16) made with very thin slices of fried fibrous root is a very popular appetiser among Japanese.

Our appetites nicely whetted, it's time for the main course. Yakitori literary means "grilled chicken". So central to any good yakitori menu are its grilled chicken parts.







Nankotsu (RM3), chicken cartilage from the breast bone. My family and friends know that I will always "reserve" this part of the chicken whenever we eat together. I like nankotsu for its crunchy bite.



Torikawa (RM4) or grilled chicken skin and ginan (RM3) or grilled ginko nuts. Crispy and savoury.



When I saw bishop's noses (bonjiri RM6) on the menu, I couldn't resist asking for it. Hey, the best blend of skin, fat, meat, and collagen in a chicken is right here, not anywhere else. They are always good when grilled till the skin is crisp.



Aburi Mentaiko (RM38), cod roe marinaded in red capsicum juices and then grilled.



Salty and savoury with very subtle tender, poppy mouth feel from the bursting eggs, Aburi Mentaiko goes well with drinks, in my opinion.



Tokusei Tsukune (RM6) or "Special Meat Ball" made with minced beef and chicken.



The "meat ball" is dipped in soft boiled eggs and sauce before eating.



Eringi, King Trumpet Mushroom (RM3).



The manager's recommendation, Ocatsuki (RM6) or "Rice Ball in Green Tea Soup".



The steamed rice is compacted into a ball and then grilled till a slightly burnt crust forms. The bits of burnt, crunchy crust matched well with the clear, lightly flavoured broth to create an interesting dish that goes well with yakitori.



We had a couple of wines to help us wash all that yakitori down.



Getting to Vino Vino Bistro is really easy. Just 15 minutes' drive from downtown Johor Bahru via the EDL (Eastern Dispersal Link). If you don't want to drive, Vino Vino even has a limo service (actually a SUV clearly painted Vino Vino) in which they will pick up diners from anywhere in town and bring you to the restaurant. After your dinner, Vino Vino's limo will send you to anywhere you want to go in Johor Bahru town. Just call Vino Vino at 607-357-6699. I think this is a really thoughtful and helpful service. I will use this service the next time I am going to Vino Vino, and perhaps, indulge myself a little bit more in the drinks :)

I would definitely like to come back to Vino Vino Bistro for the food, drinks and the ambiance.



Restaurant name: Vino Vino Bistro
Address: 12, Jalan Molek 1/13, Taman Molek, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/BCkwD
GPS: 1.527851,103.789719
Hours: Monday to Saturday 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight  /  Sunday 4:00pm to 12:00 midnight
Non Halal

Date visited: 1 Apr 2013