Japanese Food @ Chuka Cafe, Saujana Villa Condominium, Petaling Jaya

comforting eggplant with minced pork

I never really realised it but I often find myself eating solo most of the time purely for convenience sake - it kinda seems easy to just go grab something rather than plan with a friend where to eat. Dining alone often brings upon some weird situations - the disbelief on the waiter's face when they ask how many people are they sitting, the "trying to look like busy when you're waiting" look (A tip for novices: bring something to read or twiddle with your handphone to LLB aka look like busy) and most recently the most hilarious one ever -someone trying to pick me up for a free meal when they saw I was dining alone. Seemed apt that I should blog about this place where I recently noticed that it is very singles friendly.

gyozas are filled with minced pork!, the tonkatsu served with the sweetish brown sauce

This cafe hidden within Saujana Villa condominiums seems to be a great singles hangout especially during quieter weekday nights. On weekends, it is peppered with families and boisterous kids playing at the nearby swimming pool. As the condominium caters for the Japanese expatriate crowd (the Japanese school is just up the road), expect to see loads of single or even groups of Japanese guys sitting at the tables chain smoking away throughout dinnertime.

divine tummy happiness - a large bowl of ramen in miso broth with corn and char siu

On to the food, this small cafe is part of the Shokudo, Oh Sushi!, Ozeki group. They're a little different than other cafes within condominiums that are usually pork free - this small place serves sinful buta or pork in many ways - cooked in vegetables, served in noodles and rice. The cafe has a simple set up but food is hearty and tasty. I loved the ramen there - so crunchy and bouncy that I was slurping down those strands without trying to sound too rude. Paired with a robust miso laced broth and topped with corn niblets and two slices of char siu, it was great for a rainy night. Gyoza is also good here - filled with minced pork and spring onions. My other favourite was their comforting eggplant with minced pork - more veering towards Chinese food but nevertheless still very good. Tonkatsu is pretty average tasting though with the sweetish and tangy brown sauce served on the side. Prices are pretty reasonable and won't break your bank but sadly no receipts issued means I can't remember the prices.

If you're ever in this neighbourhood, drop by for a satisfying Japanese meal served in a simply decorated cafe. No promises though on whether it will yield you a Japanese other half though since my matchmaking record is full of zeros. Have a good weekend everyone!

Chuka Cafe
Saujana Villa Condominium
13 Lingkungan Golf Saujana

Subang

Tel: 03-7846 7664

(Non halal. Cafe is located at the club area next to the swimming pool. Beware though it gets smoky within so if you don't like to inhale second hand smoke, opt for the chairs placed near the pool. You will need to sign in at the guardhouse and they'll give you a slip of paper that the restaurant needs to chop. To get here, drive down the subang airport old road, take the turn off to ara damansara/saujana on the left hand side, take a left turn, you will come to a small roundabout, take a left turn. Drive straight, you will pass by the Japanese school on your left and Saujana resort on your right. Condominium is after The Club by Saujana Hotel.)

*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here is entirely based on my personal tastebuds and may vary for others. This review is time sensitive; changes may occur to the place later on that can affect this opinion. The reviewer also declares that she has not received any monetary or non-monetary compensation from this place for writing the review.

Tagged with: Japanese Food+ Ramen

Others who have also visited here:

• Babe in the City
• Bing & Gorge
• Fried Chillies