I’ve always had problems with parking and navigating within Publika. The place has the most confusing lettering/numbering system for floors. There are numerous different “ground levels”, and some parking lots aren’t connected to each other the way a logically sound person may expect.
That being said, the place is also packed with huge amount of restaurants offering various different dining concepts, and often in relatively affordable price range due to the immense competition. Today, we’re going to look at Tsubohachi Hokkaido Izakaya. One of the Japanese restaurants that is undoubtedly among one of my favorites in the area.
Update 2019: this place is now closed.
Tsubohachi Hokkaido Izakaya, Publika
Izakaya is basically an informal Japanese gastropub, a place caters for after-work drinking and dining session not entirely unlike many of the Western pubs/bars, but one that obviously serves Japanese cuisine.
Tsubohachi is a renowned chain with over 300 outlets in Japan since its inception 40 years ago at Hokkaido, and currently is one of the two izakaya outlets in Publika, the other being Senya Izakaya owned by the Sushi Train group.
Our first time visiting Tsubohachi Hokkaido Izakaya was with Cheesie sampling their normal menu, but this time around we were invited to try their special Zuwaigani (snow crab)Â menu. How could I say no?
zuwaigani nabe (snow crab hotpot)
The snow crab menu is available till late July, but do call up to make sure its availability. Then again, the usual menu is quite extensive and certainly worthy of a visit or three.
Our session started with zuwagani nabe, or snow crab hot pot (RM 79.90). Basically half a raw snow crab (male, female would have too little meat) with fresh vegetable, tofu, and mushroom in a hot pot. Certainly a luxury comfort dish that is perfect especially on a rainy day, or any day for that matter.
The crab made the soup oh so sweet, it was as good as I had hoped.
aburi zuwaigani, kani chawanmushi
For those who likes it grilled, aburi zuwaigani (RM 58) should satisfy your cravings. A no-nonsense and unadultered way of enjoying snow crab with maybe just a little squeeze of lemon. Snow crab has a much softer shell than our Malaysian mud crabs, so getting a “perfect” peel is an easier job.
Kani chawanmushi (RM 12.90) too is worth trying if you just want to lux up the ordinary Japanese steamed egg with some snow crab meat.
zuwaigani sarada, aburi zuwaigani hakozushi
Want more greens? Try zuwaigani sarada, or snow crab salad (RM 22.90), though all those mayonnaise may discount the perceived healthiness of this salad dish, but those savory taste combined with sweetness of snow crab makes it worth the extra calories.
Aburi zuwaigani hakozushi (RM 35.00) is another dish we tried that incorporate liberal use of those savory Japanese mayo. The pressed sushi was certainly delicious, though I always find mayo & wasabi sort of clashes a bit with each other.
ankake kani chahan, kani zosui, zuwaigani masu-zushi
Rice or porridge? Take your pick in ankake kani chahan (RM 22.90), or kani zosui (RM 29.90). Neither should disappoint as they were both expertly prepared and show cases the sweetness of snow crab through the simplicity of the dishes. I can have either of these for lunch and be a happy man.
If you like things in small packages, try the zuwaigani masu-zushi (RM 21.90). A tiny box of sushi rice with generous amount of snow crab meat on top. Just enough to taste, but unless you have had stomach stapling surgery, this can’t be your only dish for the night.
a selection of yakitori, chicken, pork, mushroom
All the trying pretty much all the snow crab dishes sans tempura & sushi, we got greedy and decided to sample some of their signature yakitori dishes.
We tried chicken skin, bishop’s nose, chicken soft bone, chicken neck, pork belly, and mushroom. They came in both salted or in teriyaki, and I wished I had enough stomach space left to order a beer to go with these. Yakitori dishes are priced mostly at RM 7.80 to 9.80 for two sticks, pretty decent deal if you asked me.
Johnny, KY, Kelvin, Haze, macha de roru
Our final dish of the night was macha de roru as dessert, a sweet ending to a satisfying review session. I certainly don’t mind coming back here again, good food, great value, and without fuss, there should be more izakaya around town!
Address:
Tsubohachi Hokkaido Izakaya
A2-UG1-9, Publika
Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur
GPS:Â 3.170961, 101.665721
Tel: 03-6206 5526
Website:Â www.tsubohachi.com.my
I know snow fish but don’t think I know snow crab, would love to try.
suituapui: I’ve had both but never snow leopard.
Decent prices for snow crab legs though I think king crab legs are meatier and sweeter…but can I sit next to you ah when eating snow crabs…you’re so expert in peeling lah that the snow crab leg looks like a flower bud…kekeke! 😀
eatwhateatwhere: haha, I take pride in my crab peeling skills!
ketam! i’m eyeing the claw! 😉 p.s. i agree that whoever designed the navigation in publika should be reprimanded … A2-UG1-9, B5-G2-6, C1-LG-5 … arrrrghhhh! 😀
Sean: Yah, you need a degree in mazeology to navigate that mall.
I do love crab but the only way I have tried crab meat is in a crab salad made on the premises at grocery stores here in Montreal. The food looks succulent and your photos are lovely! 🙂
Linda: crab salad in a grocery store? That sounds like a good store to be at!
KY, love snow crabs and to see in porridge is so wonderful for I like to try it.
Yakitori chicken skin is getting so popular all over. Must try it deep fried with salted egg sauce. Eating snow crabs is lot more easy than regular crabs and more meat .
Vickie: Yeah, snow crab is definitely easier, more meat and easier to peel. Salted egg sauce is indeed getting popular, there’s even salted egg croissant here!
nice snow crabs. refreshing.
Irvine: delicious too!
I mostly enjoy Japanese food, but I’m not so fond of the slatherings of mayo.
The Yum List: yah, I do generally avoid those mayo sushi dishes when ordering myself.
mcdonalds mayo is much better….
ahahahahahahahahhahahhahaa
immature: mayo’s only good in devil’s egg!
What a feast! We have limited options when it comes to good Japanese food here 🙁
Ken: it is much better than when I was still in Penang tho!
The price of the hotpot with half snow crab is quite surprising me!
Choi Yen: not bad kan!