Tokyo Izakaya Damansara Heights – Japanese Restaurant
Words: Michelle Wylie
Photos: Peter Tan
The friendly owners of Tokyo Izakaya Damansara Heights, Shamini and Anna, noticed a lack of affordable Japanese food and no izakaya restaurants in the area. They scouted a good location nestled in a hub of restaurants and bars and set forth on their mission to establish a cute, relaxed Japanese restaurant where locals could dine without breaking the bank. Tokyo Izakaya opened its doors and started welcoming customers on December 1, 2023. I certainly felt very welcome and comfortable when I dined in this new restaurant.
Tokyo Izakaya Damansara Heights
In Japan, an izakaya restaurant is a casual place for postwork drinks and food, similar to Spanish tapas. Tokyo Izakaya Damansara Heights offers its patrons an escape from the stress of a busy day by providing an inviting, warm ambience. I sat by the window and was charmed by the soft light of red lanterns. I admired the walls adorned with Japanese paintings, appreciated the indoor and outdoor seating options, and was quite smitten with the adorable resident dog, Kutti.
Tokyo Izakaya is pet-friendly, so if you don’t want to leave Fido at home, you can take them along for the meal. As a dog owner, finding a restaurant that welcomes pets is a real bonus. For those who are less dog obsessed, you can rest assured that Kutti will not bother you (actually, you may have to wait your turn to steal a stroke as Kutti already has a number of admirers). As well as a comfortable dining space, the restaurant has an open plan bar that occupies the centre of the floor, so you can watch your drinks thoughtfully prepared.
After Work Drinks
Tokyo Izakaya Damansara Heights is a place where you can order a variety of dishes and wash them all down with your beverage of choice. Happy hour is every day from 5.30-7.30 pm, and they have some great deals. I particularly liked the Umeshu Soda (RM 22), which was refreshing with a sweet and sour taste. It is made from soaked green plums, which gives it a slightly fruity aroma with a hint of almond as an aftertaste. If whiskey is your tipple of choice, then the menu boasts some stellar deals with a mug of Suntory Kakubin Highball ringing in at RM20, or you can opt for 5 mugs for RM90. For sake drinkers, a 300ml bottle of Saito Junmai Daiginjo is RM90, and Sapporo Premium Draft (RM 24) is on tap for those who would prefer a beer. This izakaya restaurant is a pleasant spot to have a drink (or several) with friends while filling up on decently priced food.
Appetisers
Plenty of appetisers are on the menu, ranging in price from RM6 for Chawanmushi (egg custard) to RM20 for Ikura (Red Fish Roe). I kept going back for more of the Grilled Edamame (RM10) because they had a delightful umami taste. Other offerings included Cold Cucumber (RM7), Tomago (RM60, which is a rolled omelette, and, of course, no Japanese meal would be complete without Onigiri (RM16).
Yakitori
Yakitori is a Japanese skewer with seasoned bite-sized portions of meat (typically chicken) and vegetarian options. This style of eating is a fun way to try a variety of flavours and sneak some grilled vegetables into the mix. You can find twelve different meat options on the menu, including Chicken Thigh (RM7), Pork Loin (RM8), and also a range of vegetables, including Shiitake Mushrooms (RM6) and Asparagus Rolls (RM8).
Larger Meals – Tokyo Izakaya Damansara Heights
On the menu, you can find very reasonably priced lunch sets (served from 11.30 am -2.30 pm). Dishes start at RM16.90 for Oyakodon and go up to RM45 for a two-person Shabu-Shabu. There are 11 different meals to choose from, and they are all served with a side of miso soup, an appetiser and green tea.
For dinner, you can order several dishes from the grill, such as Salmon Shioyaki (RM 24), a delicately seasoned salmon or Saba Shioyaki – Mackerel (RM 22). If you are craving noodles, there are four choices of Ramen. I tasted the Shoyu Ramen (RM 20), which has a soy sauce-based broth. If you are craving a Japanese curry, there are two options: Katsu Curry Udon Chicken (RM24) or Pork (RM25). A breaded cutlet is served on a bed of noodles with a mild curry sauce. And, of course, there are rice-based dishes, too. For example, the Omelette Pork Fried Rice (RM 18) is a generous serving, but interestingly, it has a slightly sweet taste.
Reasons to visit Tokyo Izakaya Damansara Heights: The staff are attentive, so you can come here for a quick bite or stay longer to explore the range of reasonably priced drinks available. Bring your pet and enjoy the upbeat vibes and the happy hour drinks.
Tokyo Izakaya Damansara Heights
21-G, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
+6 019-390 1238
@ tokyo_izakaya.dh *pet-friendly **non-halal
Tokyo Izakaya Damansara Heights Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5 pm – 12 am
Saturday: 5 pm – 12:30 am
Sunday: Closed
Find more Japanese restaurants in KL here and stay up-to-date with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations for Malaysia here and here.
Atmospheric place.