SETTING

Toraji is located on the 4th floor of Isetan, The Japan Store; there are clear signs throughout the department store leading up to the food level. The restaurant has a casual and intimate décor reminiscent of small specialty restaurants in Japan. It’s suitable for group dinners as the barbeque aspect is a very sociable one.

FOOD

Currently, this popular Japanese grill house has over 70 outlets worldwide, a far cry from its humble beginning in a small back street in Ebisu, in Tokyo’s Shibuya area. Its reputation precedes it primarily due to its top drawer Australian beef and the signature diamond-cut treatment of their meats. Hence, you can’t go wrong with the diamond-cut kalbi. One of Toraji’s signature dishes, the diamond-cut ensures the short ribs are cooked better and faster, resulting in a nicely done sear that seals in the juiciness of the meat.

The meats are served in a beautifully set platter, with a standout found in the grilled Wagyu. Bearing the highest grade that can be bestowed on Japanese beef, the A5 grade Wagyu is simply exquisite – nicely marbled and melts in the mouth.

A recommended soupy accompaniment to the meal is the restaurant’s hot and spicy ‘yukkejang’ noodles soup. The hearty broth bathing the mixture of noodles and beef slices is lightly spicy with an almost creamy consistency that is simply tasty.

DRINKS

The drinks menu is somewhat limited; however, there are a select few options of sake and shochu that go very well with the grilled meats. Do get the recommendations of staff for the best pairing.

SERVICE

Guests are greeted promptly upon arrival and there were no issues with reservation. Service is good, and the staff pleasant, but somewhat less attentive and personal than could have been. Yakiniku restaurants usually give a lot more advice and suggestions on how best to cook the meat, and which sauces go best with each cut, but the staff did not offer much in that respect.

PRICE

The bill came in slightly higher due to the decision to try out the A5 Wagyu; otherwise a meal with a drink could cost anywhere from about RM100 to RM250 per head. The outstanding quality of the meats served justifies the price of the meal. A good way of getting value at Toraji would be to go with the course menu – the Standard menus at RM120 and RM200, with the Premium menu at RM280. Each menu includes appetisers, main dishes, side dishes, main meals and desserts. There is also a very reasonably priced lunch menu that starts at RM18 per lunch set.