Himawari Japanese Restaurant (日馬和里) at The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur – probably one of the best hidden gems in KL for affordable, authentic homey Japanese food.
Was in Mid Valley the other day but we got into dilemma on what to eat despite plenty of food choices available, plus the crazy queue at most of the restaurants really make us want to leave. Had a quick Google online and came across Himawari Japanese Restaurant in Seputeh area, a Japanese restaurant that we have talked about wanting to visit since last year, yet not. So that is it! Drove out straight to Himawari with full excitement – because it has been a while since we last had Japanese food.
Himawari Japanese Restaurant is not located along the main road, nor within shop houses. It is inside an individual building, which is the Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur. Not hard to locate though, just follow the Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur signboard. We parked outside of the building and requested for permission to go in for dine-in at the restaurant. Guards are very friendly, and directed us how to reach. We saw there are ample of parking around the building but not sure if they are only for club members or open to public. If you have elderly with you, you may want to request to park inside as the restaurant is quite a distance from the club’s entrance.
Walking in, we felt like we have been transported to Japan. From the design to colour tone, wooden elements and even the curtain itself! Japanese words everywhere, there’s also convenient store selling items from Japan, Japan language center and also a library! Seriously miss Japan now!
Himawari Restaurant is still empty when we first reached, but was filled up pretty quick after an hour. We saw a lot of Japanese family patronize this restaurants. Menu is extensive, covering from appetizers to salad, nabe pot, don, noodles, sashimi, sushi, yakimono, onigiri, agemono, and the list goes on. Spotted Japanese porridge too, something less found in KL.
Set lunch is available too. So tempted to order a bit of everything. Haha. But here’s what we had, since only two of us dining in:
Sashimi Moriawase (small) RM32
Ten Zaru Udon RM18.80
Koebi Karaage RM11
Gyoza RM11
Omurice RM18
Our personal favourite is Koebi Karaage. So crispy and addictive. Sashimi is fresh too. Overall, food here is alright. Nothing like very fancy or wow but this is what we love about Himawari Japanese Restaurant. The casual ambience, accompanied by homey taste food that is different from commercial Japanese Restaurants out there, like the Omurice.
Total bill came to about RM100. Service is friendly. Staffs are so talently as they can converse in Japanese apart from Cantonese, Mandarin and English. They asked if this was our first time here, and recommended us to walk around, and visit the grocery store. While exquisite, fine Japanese dining is taking the limelight in the city recently, we personally still find that casual, homey style Japanese restaurant is our favourite places to discover. Would definitely bring our family here again to check out more food together.
Himawari Japanese Restaurant (日馬和里)
Address:
The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur
2, Jalan 1/86, off, Jalan Taman Seputeh,
Taman Seputeh, 58000 Kuala Lumpur.
Opening hours:
11.30AM – 10PM (Sat, Sun)
11.30AM – 2.30PM, 6PM – 9.30PM (Mon – Fri)
