We liked the feel of space, minimalistic décor, and comfort at Kyomo Kohi, a Japanese-inspired café at New Ocean World Fine Food City in Petaling Jaya.

Kyomo means “daily” in Japanese, and its varied fare, from pastries, sandwiches, and small bites to lunch offerings and desserts, makes it worth more than just a one-time visit.

At lunch, I was drawn to the gyukatsu don, which had wagyu beef cutlets crumbed and deep-fried, resting on rice. It was a complete meal with miso soup, some greens, and a potato salad.

Japanese curry sauce and a tonkatsu sauce were served with the meat.

The Australian wagyu was done just right, pairing well with the slightly tart tonkatsu sauce (which I initially thought was ponzu) and the curry sauce. It was a satisfying meal.

You shouldn’t compare Japanese curry to our local curries; it’s more of a sauce than a curry, with its own unique flavours and aroma.

The chicken karaage curry rice was quite good. The mild curry surrounded a mound of rice topped with deep-fried chicken and egg. The curry was more savoury than sweet, gently spiced, and well-matched with the tasty, crispy fried chicken.

The salmon ochazuke yuzu spice presented grilled salmon over rice, topped with ikura and bonito flakes. I poured the hot dashi from a teapot over it, submerging the rice and salmon. The fish, rice, broth, and toppings blended well together, making for a hearty meal.

Ochazuke is usually green tea, dashi, or hot water poured over leftover rice to make a simple meal. These days, it’s fancier with fish, beef, or chicken added.

Brioche blossom French toast with smoked salmon would make a light and balanced breakfast. It had a thick piece of fried brioche with smoked salmon, then piled high with salad greens and some berries. The brioche was light and buttery, with a touch of sweetness. I enjoyed the fluffy buttermilk pancakes even without the chantilly cream, maple syrup, and berry coulis they were served with.

The pancakes were spongy and lovely – just some butter and maple syrup would have been good enough, and a cup of coffee would make them perfect for breakfast or tea.

The lemon scone here was triangular-shaped, crusty, and not dry inside. We shared it with a delightful lemon curd that was smooth, a little tart, and lightly sweet.

We nibbled on some Japanese sweet potato dipped in batter and fried, then drizzled with a light syrup. They were quite addictive, though I could have done without the extra sweetness from the syrup.

Drinks that are trending in Japan include the tiramisu latte, strawberry matcha latte, and cantaloupe yuzu, which we shared. I thought the tiramisu latte was more of a dessert than a drink. My spoon went through the thick layer of mascarpone cream, touching the Belgian chocolate, then the coffee. There was a light sweetness from the mascarpone, with the coffee coming through.

The cantaloupe yuzu drink was citrusy, refreshing, and scented with yuzu. The strawberry matcha latte was slightly tart from blended strawberries, and the matcha blended well with the fruit.

Kyomo Kohi is at L1-01, level one, New Ocean World Fine Food City, Petaling Jaya. It’s open from 11am to 8pm.

Call 012-988 2534, for enquiries.– August 24, 2024.

* Eu Hooi-Khaw has been writing about food for the longest time, covering all aspects, from restaurant reviews to cooking and recipes, as well as the healthy side of it. She has written for major newspapers and magazines, published the cookbook Fresh Ingredients, and also writes for her website hooikhawandsu.com.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.