Attention all foodies! We have a new place for you to check out! Not only is the food good, it’s in a very convenient area, perfect for a nice meal.
If you love Japanese food and enjoy the culture, then this place should definitely be on your list of places to visit. Kingu Kongu hits all the right notes; both in terms of food, ambience and ease of access. We had the privilege of dropping by this week and well, honestly? It left us wanting more.
The star of any restaurant is, of course, its food. As mentioned, Kingu Kongu serves Japanese cuisine which is sure to delight your palate. Although the servings look small, don’t be fooled, it’s definitely filling. We got to savour most of their specialties and there were a few that truly stood out to us.
If you like BBQ, these are a must try: smoke duck yaki, Black Angus beef teriyaki and whole squid teriyaki. Our favourite, hands down, was the Black Angus beef teriyaki. The meat is soft, chewy and just falls apart in your mouth! We also highly recommend the chicken gyoza with cheese. The succulent chicken mixed with the flavourful cheese makes your tastebuds explode with flavour.
Japanese cuisine is never complete without some sushi so take a bite of their Los Angeles maki to balance the taste. If you’re looking to be a little more adventurous, have a go at their salmon sambal petai maki. Be forewarned, order this only if you love sambal and petai! If you’re looking to stay (or attempt to stay) healthy, then try ordering their sashimi salad. Don’t forget to mix it up beforehand to taste all the elements in the dish. Finally, wash everything down with some refreshing asam boi soda. We’ll admit it’s not exactly Japanese, but it brings a lovely finish to the meal.
From their specialties alone, you can tell that Kingu Kongu wants to leave a strong impression. Hence the name, Kingu Kongu which is a transliteration of King Kong in Japanese. “We felt that King Kong resembles us as partners. Because we have this attitude of always going against (the flow), being aggressive,” co-founder Mohamed Imran shared. They’d also chosen the pop culture icon to represent their restaurant as they intended to “(strike) the heart of the capital” and open it during MCO.
Imran stated they’d seen an opportunity blossoming after MCO was lifted. “We feel that you can’t really travel out (of Malaysia) for another one and a half to two years. People will be spending (time) in Malaysia, so we want to build (an) experience for them,” he said. They have certainly pulled it off with Kingu Kongu.
The restaurant, modelled after an ‘izakaya (drinking bar)’ concept from Japan, manages to transport its guests to the country, both with its food and setting. Unlike an izakaya however, Kingu Kongu is halal and does not serve alcohol. Imran explained this choice was intentional as they wanted it to be more Muslim and family friendly.
The outlet itself looks quaint with its wooden furnishings, Japanese styled sliding doors and hanging flags. However, it is also colourfully decorated with various posters, mini lights and figurines. There’s even private rooms for you to celebrate with close family and friends. Located at 5 & 7 Jalan Yap Ah Shak, it sits near the Dang Wangi LRT station; great if you don’t want to drive there. For those who would rather use their own transport, there will be a nearby parking lot available.
Kingu Kongu opens everyday, except on Monday, from 4pm to 10:45pm. Feel free to drop by there for a snack or dinner! Currently, they are on Volume 1 of their menu which is scheduled to change sometime after November. So, make sure you try it out as soon as possible.
Check out their Instagram for updates, extra info and sneak peeks at their food!
