Kogetsu, Japanese, Saujana Hotel KL

Kogetsu, Japanese Restaurant, Saujana Resort Kuala Lumpur

Mixed Sashimi Platter – Kogestu, Saujana Hotel

Lunch at Kogetsu – “99 Delectable Dishes”

Words by Brooke Keel

Photos by The Yum List (Monica Tindall)

If elegantly prepared, classical Japanese cuisine is your style, then you absolutely must pay a visit to Kogetsu at the Saujana Hotel – particularly since there is an all-you-can-eat weekend lunch special with a twist. Rather than simply partake in a typical help-yourself buffet, the Kogetsu offers something a bit more classy – for RM99, a diner may order as many items from the specially designed a la carte menu, and these will be served up to you at the table in classic dining style. The options are numerous, of high quality, and all presented beautifully by Kyoto born Chef Taketoshi Minami.

Mixed Sushi Platter

Kogetsu, Japanese Restaurant, Saujana Resort Kuala Lumpur

Kogetsu

View from Kogetsu

The ambiance alone is enough to warrant a visit. Sitting right on the water, with expansive glass windows looking out over a small lake and hotel grounds, it’s distinctly classic and beautiful, made in the style of a traditional Japanese countryside restaurant. We enjoyed sitting near the window, taking in the natural light and water views. Naturally, we were first brought a cleansing washcloth and served hot green tea. Salted edamame followed shortly after, and then we began our sampling of the ‘99 Dishes’ menu.

Edamame

Chawan Mushi

Hot Soup

Snapper Soup

Deep Fried White Bait

Some of our favorite samplings were the Shirauo Karaage (crispy fried and salty little sea creatures), the classic Agedashi Tofu, the Wakame Kyuru Su (a soup-like seaweed salad prepared with vinegar), an assortment of sashimi samplings (over a dozen options, including the Shiro Maguro – yum), and two simmered dishes: Niku Jaga (a beef with potato stew) and Shimeji Aburaage Ni (bean curd skin). The Nigiri and Makimono were beautifully prepared and delectable (try the Hamachi and Anago), and the Soft Shell Crab Tempura was equally delicious. Unagi Kabayaki, grilled eel with sweet sauce, was loved by all (even by one who normally dislikes the strong flavor of unagi), as was the homemade garlic chips on grilled beef tenderloin, prepared in classic teppanyaki style.

Shimeji Aburaage Ni

Wakame Kyuru Su

Teppanyaki Scallops

Unagi Kabayaki

Niku Jaga

Grilled Beef Tenderloin

Teppanyaki Mushrooms

Just to be sure we didn’t miss anything, we tried the traditional Cha Soba (cold green tea noodles, beautiful in its simplicity) and the Niku Udon Matawa Soba (Sliced beef noodles in hot broth), which perfectly ‘hit the spot’ at our table.

Niku Udon Matawa Soba

Cha Soba

Garlic Fried Rice

For dessert, we enjoyed the much loved Green Tea Ice Cream as well as the Grilled Gelatinous Rice Cake and Red Bean (grilled mochi and azuki, for those who recognise this old favorite). If you are at all like us, and you enjoy a spot of sake with your meal, we should note that there is a nice selection available in addition to an array of other classic and Japanese style beverages.