Restaurants

Ginza Sushimasa

Japanese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Kuala Lumpur Sentral

For an authentic Japanese dining experience that’s second to none, made from the freshest produce and savoured in a cosy and tranquil ambience, Ginza Sushimasa is the top choice.

 

SETTING

This quaint little Japanese restaurant is found tucked behind a discreet, albeit very Japanese-y door at the end of a hallway on a very quiet Level 7 of Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur. The restaurant itself transports you to Japan with its décor; although relatively small and cosy, there are a few private rooms available if needed. But the bar space is where you will likely take your seat, right before the chefs who will be serving you, making the term ‘dining experience’ quite literal.

FOOD

The omakase lunch menu, prepared by chef Hiroyuki Murakami, is without doubt the must-order highlight as wave after wave of sushi and largely seafood delicacies in typical Japanese bite-sized portions pander to your gastronomic sensibilities. As the omakase menu leaves everything to the hands of the chef and the produce or ingredients he has available to him on that particular day, no two sittings will be alike, unless you so request for a particular dish upon making your reservation.

Wake up the palate with the excellent combination of salted edamame with seaweed jelly, then proceed to stimulate the taste buds with a course of sashimi encompassing fresh slices of tuna and butterfish. The grilled black cod is delightful and so is the beautifully presented combination of oysters with seaweed, with both dishes utilising ingredients that are the best in season.

Following that is the restaurant’s raison d’etre – sushi – which is prepared before you by the head chef himself and served straight to your plate. Chef Murakami pulls out all the stops with his knife skills, expertly slicing and forming, treating each slice of fish as a piece of art. Of all the stars in the sushi line-up, the standout must be the flounder. Lightly grilled under the blowtorch and finished with a dash of rock salt, the meat is smoky, buttery with a hint of sweetness and provides an excellent mouthfeel.

DRINKS

Apart from the must-have traditional Japanese green tea, the alcoholic beverages and wine list is suitably impressive. Sake, imported Japanese beer and shochu are available by the glass or bottle; do get the opinion of the chef or hostess for which goes best with your meal.

SERVICE

Ginza Sushimasa is no different from any traditional Japanese restaurant which pride themselves on the best service possible and that is a very good thing here. Guests are promptly ushered to their seats and those seated at the bar area are treated to the sight of the chef preparing their meals. As chef Murakami serves up each individual dish, the head hostess describes its contents and the best way to consume it. No gesturing was needed for refills or clearing – everything was seen to promptly.

PRICE

The price for an omakase course, like the menu itself, isn’t fixed and depends entirely on what is served. That may be unsettling to some, but with a starting point of RM690, diners who choose to dine here certainly wouldn’t mind. With the quality ingredients, attention to detail and all-round dining experience to boot, you know exactly what you’re getting for the price point and get it you will.

Must Try


  • Omakase
  • Engawa sushi
  • Wagyu beef with uni