Wako Sushi Omakase Kuala Lumpur Outlet — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

Cod sperm” yum! 😋😆👌🏾

The Verdict:

The meal was a delightful sensory experience, full of character, exceptional technique, and unforgettable flavors. Chef Vincent's passion shines through in every dish. With a little tightening up on the service and ambience, the experience would be flawless.

The detail:

Chef Vincent, a true culinary globetrotter, took us on a sushi-fueled adventure, weaving stories from his training in Singapore to his time as a sushi chef in Ibiza, Rome and beyond.

And the food? INCREDIBLE. The miso soup, hands down, the best I’ve ever had—so good that Chef Vincent offered us a second helping.

The omakase menu is divided into four set menus ranging from R298 to R898, and we opted for the Wako Tasting (R498) and the Wako Sushi Omakase (R898). The main difference? The sashimi selection and an indulgent hot pot course featuring melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu.

One thing that stood out is where many omakase chefs would reach for a blowtorch to sear their fish, Vincent brought out hot coal and grilled it tableside, filling the space with the rich, smoky aroma of perfectly charred seafood.

The pacing was spot on, never rushed, never slow, just an effortless flow from one course to the next. Chef Vincent’s was engaging, animated, and clearly passionate about his craft.

The presentation? A solid 5 out of 5. Every plate was a visual masterpiece, balancing precision with a touch of artistry.

Traditionally, omakase pairs with sake, so we appreciated that they had some wine options. That said, only three white wines and one red felt a little too limited for an experience of this caliber but it’s really nice to have the option to pair wine with our sushi.

At RM2,100 for the two of us (this included wine and the most premium set menu), it was exactly what you'd expect to pay for an omakase of this level—and absolutely worth it. You come expecting an elevated, premium experience, and for the most part, they delivered.

That said, I didn’t score the full 5 stars because there are a few areas of improvement:

Excellence is in the details and at this level, the finer points need to be polished to perfection.

*Ambience hiccup: The music was glitching, which, in a cosy, intimate setting, was a bit distracting. They fixed it quickly when we pointed it out, but ideally, it should have been caught before service.

*No welcome steward: Despite having a reservation hence expected to arrive at a certain time, we arrived to no one at the entrance which is not typical of Japanese welcoming culture. Practically this meant we had to figure out our way (entrance is concealed by a curtain). Also a little awkward once inside not knowing where our seats are allocated

*Presentation cards & service gaps: Each dish came with a well-designed description card, a thoughtful touch. But Chef had to remind the waiter to bring out the first card, which interrupted the otherwise seamless experience. Similarly, we had to remind server to place the wine in the ice bucket which is a minor slip, but noticeable at this level of dining. He was warm and friendly, though, so it felt more like a training issue than a service attitude problem.

*Toilet situation: The unisex restroom had two cubicles, and one had a wee -splattered seat left up (not ideal, especially as the only diners there at the time). It should have been checked...

First impressions at this 2-year old Omakase Sushi joint might give some pause, however food and service are excellent. From the outside of its ground floor location of an office building, with its gauze curtains and colored lights, the decor isn’t typical of sushi bars. However, once seated at the 12-pax bar, food and presentation are what you would expect of a high-end Japanese joint.

Chef Vincent provided warm attention and some theatrical flair in preparing his dishes before your very eyes. Beautifully-illustrated explanatory cards accompany each course, providing interesting information about the dish and their seasonal qualities.

The ingredients are scrupulously fresh, and beautifully presented. I particularly liked the monkfish liver appetizer, the cod milt chawanmushi, the hand roll of Uni, tuna and roe, the otoro, and the barracuda. Attentive and sleek service, very enjoyable.

A word to pedestrians: while the building Wako itself is housed in is fine, some of the surrounding buildings are clearly derelict. This plus the slightly secluded location (it faces only open greenery) means that if you’re coming at night, best to drive or...

We went for the 298 RM menu set, it was our first time experiencing an Omakase and we really enjoyed it. There was just enough food and the quality was really good. We were the only two people there so it felt a bit awkward sometimes but the hosts were really kind. I enjoyed talking to chef William and he’s very passionate about his job.

I dropped a star because the place is trying to give a very fine dining appearance, but it falls down on a basic amenity like the toilet being quite dirty. The dining area was...