When it comes to eating at the malls, despite the abundance of choices, I'm often lost on what to eat. We discovered this tiny place at the quieter side of the old wing of 1 Utama after reading about it on You Get What You Give Sometimes. Right next to Sushi King (no relation to them), I remember this was the place which used to sell ramen long ago. Although they mainly serve tempura, they also have udon, rice dishes and side dishes like agedashi tofu on their menu. We tried their set meals which are priced reasonably below RM10. We chose the Ebi Tendon - mixed tempura with prawns and vegetables. The tempura here is fried with carotino oil for a healthier alternative. Tastewise it's pretty good as the batter is crispy and light. My only slight complaint is it's slightly darker compared to the pale yellow crispy batter you usually get in Japanese restaurants. Not too sure if this means they reuse the oil more compared to the restaurants or is it due to their tempura flour mix.
We also tried the Tori Kara-age Don - chicken coated in a crispy batter on top of rice. Not too bad also and a steal for less than RM10. Both the set meals come with a choice of soft drink or green tea and a scoop of King's ice-cream for dessert. Depending on the promotions they have you can also order the side dishes like agedashi tofu.
Aside from this outlet, they just recently opened an outlet at Hartamas Shopping Centre where the old Only Mee outlet used to be. It's right opposite Wok Hei, Ah Yip Herbal Soup and behind Kim Gary.
Tempura King
Lot G29
1 Utama Shopping Centre (Old Wing)
Petaling Jaya
(Halal. This outlet is at the old wing and right at the end where the Home Centre, Times Bookshop, Selangor Pewter and the taxi stand is located. It's at the corner and next to Sushi King. For details of the locations with maps and also the menu, click on the Tempura King link to their website.)
*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here is entirely based on my personal tastebuds and may vary for others. The reviewer also declares that she has not received any monetary or non-monetary compensation from the restaurant for writing this review.
Tagged with: Japanese Food + Tempura + 1 Utama Shopping Centre
Saw this Tempura King while eating at Pad Thai, Hartamas the other day. Planned to try it for our next lunch date at that shopping centre. Thanks for the info anyway. Now it'll be easier to order.
ReplyDeletei visited this tempura king place too! N i thought of naming the title of the post as 'budget japanese food' too...haha...
ReplyDeletetankiasu - how's the food at Pad Thai? We often pass it by yet to try it. Must join the Dsara Heights group one day for lunchie since you all eat at the same places as I do.
ReplyDeletexiu long bao - what a coincidence. It's cheap Jap food without the frills but must admit the tempura is not bad.
Over fry or reuse oil? ....hmm but from the pic dont look too bad.
ReplyDeleteteckiee - it's not over fry as the crispiness is just right. It's just not like the pale yellow batter you get at Japanese restaurants.
ReplyDeleteA Jap set meal below RM10 is really good news. But then I've not been to that shopping complex for the longest time. Intimidated by d car-jams when looking for parking space.
ReplyDeleteHmm...will give this place at Hartamas a try since I saw crowd is not too big as compared to Wok Hei. Hey, let's do lunch one day..when?
ReplyDeletetummythoz - Yeah, those crazy jams to 1 Utama is enough to drive a person round the bend. Maybe you can try Hartamas Shopping Centre's outlet instead? I was just drooling over the Mee Rebus at yr blog - now craving for it.
ReplyDeleteprecious pea - glad to hear it's drawing a crowd during lunch. The food is pretty reasonable for the price you pay. Not high class stuff but definitely easy on the pocket. No problems having lunch soon, we can do Thurs or Friday if you want, just SMS me.
boo_licious, come over-lor. I've ran out of options to eat over here. Anymore good recommendations?
ReplyDeletealways thought the darker colour of their fried batter is due to the reddish colour of carrot oil.
ReplyDeletehmmm.. have u tried the SUSHI TOMO at ss2 , next to Coffee Bean??? mayb can see wat the difference... price ahh, it depends infividual :)
ReplyDeletetummythoz - see how, guess can go down and eat lunch around yr area one day.
ReplyDeletelanatir - I wasn't too sure as I must admit I have never used carotino oil for frying before. Is this confirmed that the darker colour is because the oil is orange vs the yellow type of oil?
catsndogs - nope, must admit I have yet to try Japanese at ss2. What are the prices like?
very good value for Japanese food !
ReplyDeletecan see pixs confirm freshness.
Wethink 1 Utama is King of new hip cafes !
carotino oil is slightly orange in colour, perhaps thats why its darker colour :) my mom uses it in her cooking
ReplyDeletethanks for this post :) I was looking for something like it and even posted a topic in friedchillies on eats under rm15
team bsg - it's value for money esp if you like tempura.
ReplyDeleteiced nyior - no problems. There's actually quite a lot of good eats below RM15, just depends on what you're looking for.
Jom, we all meet up for lunch this coming Friday? Siapa interested?
ReplyDeleteFriday lunch sounds good. where do you have in mind?
ReplyDeleteHey, this post is up! Yup, at such prices, it's a steal....shhh.... :o)
ReplyDeletethanks for the link.
wmw - the hartamas one has a different promo though, comes with miso soup hence it's pricier.
ReplyDeletesushi Tomo prices are quite ok , of coz depends how u order :), no harm to have a try ...
ReplyDeleteor i can go blog it for u.. :P
catsndog - will try one day when I'm in SS2. Just that I tend to eat local stuff when I'm there.
ReplyDelete