Aburii Yakiniku — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

As I ventured into the relatively quiet section of Taman Tun on a rainy Sunday evening, I found myself surrounded by a tantalizing array of dining options. With a handful of prime restaurants to choose from, each boasting its own unique blend of Japanese, Italian, Thai and Western cuisine, my taste buds were in for a treat. Despite the challenge of finding parking in this sought-after destination, I was eager to embark on a two-hour culinary journey that promised to be nothing short of extraordinary. The option we chose was the “Special Ramadan Iftar Combo” which consists of special salmon roll, charcoal fried chicken, spicy wagyu gyoza, wagyu tsukune skewer, chef selected Japan A5 Miyazaki wagyu cuts, stewed A5 Wagyu rice bowl, Aburii wagyu sushi, kimchi soup and syrup limau ice. It looked odd that a drink with that name (commonly associated with a mamak joint), would be given for a dinner like this, but a sip of the drink brought me to another level! It was refreshingly nice, had an undertone that cannot be placed. Likely there was a “secret sauce” and third ingredient that made all the difference. We were off to a good start. The spicy gyoza came next and this was nice, not too spicy but the filling with minced wagyu brought it up another level. Next up was the charcoal fried chicken; It looked as though a meteorite had “crashed” into a big lump of animal poop and was undiscovered for 100 years. It was a lump the side of a fish and had no shape at all. It did not look appetizing, but a bite and my taste sensation came alive. It had a nice crunchy feel and sorts of “pops” in your mouth as you chew, and the chicken warm inside. A lovely combination. The chef said the coating was made with powdered charcoal and flour. By now, the other dishes (prepared from a central kitchen?) came in a flurry and with the chef selected wagyu (4 different cuts) being grilled in front of us at the Yakiniku counter. The dishes were piling up on the counter. Obviously, the wagyu beef took taste precedence! In the end, the rice bowl and tsukune skewer were already “cold” when we had them. We finished dinner in about an hour, of what was supposed to be a two hours odyssey. The chef selected Wagyu beef were not of the choices cuts. You would have thought that they would have at least one cut that was “ribeye” or “tenderloin”. That would have garnered it a 5* meal. Perhaps they should rename the drink. It would made a whole lot of difference! Would we come back again? Maybe…

Update: Another visit about a week later

In less than a week we were back again to try something different. This time we settled for the Daikayama Mixed Combo, which was; • Japan A5 Shin-Shin (Knuckle) • Tiger Prawn with Tobiko Garlic • Chicken Roll with Mentaiko • Scallops with Cheese And the Shinjuku Premium A5 Wagyu Beef Combo. This was; • Japan A5 100 gms Marukawa (Knuckle Inside Muscles) • Japan A5 100 gms Chuck Ribeye • Japan A5 100 gms Tomo Sankaku (Tri Tip, below the Sirloin) • Japan A5 100 gms Zabuton (Chuck) • Beef Tongue Our party of 4 was seated on the Yikiniku counter and the food prepared on the grill just in front of us. A feast for the eyes and nose before the tongue gets into final vote! The beef was grilled to perfection and did not disappoint, with each cut having it’s own distinctive taste and allure. The shin-shin just “melts” into your mouth and need very little chewing to savour the exquisite taste. The service was good and friendly and would definitely come again if they have different...

I almost never drop any bad review for any restaurant unless the experience was very bad. This was one of them.

We ordered the highest priced omakase birthday dinner for 2. The food was cold when it should be warm (the beef, the fish soup & rice) & I personally didn’t like a lot of the exotic ingredients which the chefs didn’t change for me.

The miso soup is as ordinary as the one you make yourself at home (except with better garnishing).

The chefs never really talk to us and ask us about how our experience was. (Usually omakase chefs will ask us if there’s anything we don’t eat)

It was really a set menu - not omakase.

We did address to the chef of my dislike for certain exotic ingredients but no replacement dish was given.

Basically I paid for dishes I don’t like. And I don’t even get to choose.

I regret having my birthday dinner here and would recommend you to try this place first before deciding to host any celebratory event here.

However, the garnishing is really top notch. If you like to Instagram your food - this place really knows how to dress the dishes.

The otoro + tuna was also very good. Out of the entire line of food, this was the only good one.

For RM600+ per person including tax - your money is better spent elsewhere.

UPDATE:

Aburii contacted us to offer a complimentary yakiniku meal which we decided to accept after a long conversation with them.

When we asked more questions about the yakiniku, they ghosted us and stop replying.

Honestly, so disappointed with this restaurant. I’ve never wanted to write a review like this - but with so many friends having bad experiences with this restaurant - I hope their management will work to enhance...

I had the pleasure of dining at Aburii, and I can confidently say it was an outstanding experience. From the moment I stepped in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, setting the tone for a delightful evening. The star of the night was undoubtedly the Wagyu Chateaubriand, featuring their exquisite Wagyu beef. The flavors were incredibly well-balanced, with just salt and pepper creating a mouthwatering combination. The tenderness and richness of the Wagyu beef were simply unparalleled. To top it off, the chef surprised us with a complimentary dish of Wagyu sushi, which was a delightful addition to the meal. The sushi was perfectly prepared, allowing the natural flavors of the Wagyu to shine through—truly a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Equally impressive was the service. The chef went above and beyond to ensure we felt welcome and comfortable throughout the meal. Our chef, in particular, was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to explain that their Wagyu beef comes with an identification card, tracing the specific cow's lineage and authenticity. This attention to detail added a special touch to the dining experience, showcasing the restaurant’s dedication to quality. The server’s attentiveness, from timely refills to ensuring we had everything we needed, was impeccable. Overall, Aburii exceeded my expectations in both food and service. Whether you're looking for a casual meal or a special night out, this restaurant offers a memorable dining experience that should not be missed. The surprise of the complimentary Wagyu sushi was the perfect finishing touch to an already...