A few weeks ago we decided to have a little “not very surprised” birthday party dinner for Suan, one of the pioneer of Malaysian blogsphere, who also happens to be one of my dearest friends.
Since she’s been the yakitori sort of phase, we decided that Maruhi Sakaba at Taman Desa would make a good venue for this purpose. It turned out to be an excellent choice.
Maruhi Sakaba at Taman Desa, they could use a better signboard
Getting to Maruhi Sakaba isn’t a problem, but identifying the exact shop lot proved to be a bit of a challenge. For some strange reasons, the owner decided that a Kanji signboard designed for ants would be sufficient. Nonetheless, if you walk towards the center of the shop lots (Faber Plaza) from Public Bank at the corner, you won’t miss it.
Interestingly, the “Japanese BBQ” at Taman Desa is situated just behind at the alleyway of Maruhi Sakaba.
chicken sashimi, baby intestine carpaccio, organ meat stew
There are two menus at Maruhi Sakaba, the laminated version showcase over two dozen dishes, while another portable white-board menu gives you an additional 15-18 dishes that aren’t as “permanent”.
We ended up ordering over 3 quarters of what they offer.
Lets start with the non-grilled items. Chicken sashimi (RM 15) is something that we haven’t tried before, it tasted a bit like tuna carpaccio with a slightly more chicken taste, not particularly impressive but rather interesting for a first timer. Baby intestine carpaccio (RM 10) was crunchy and rich, goes well with beer. Then there’s the organ meat stew (RM 10), with the broth so sweet we just had to order a few more bowls, you need to order this if you’re there.
pan fried egg on rice, grilled pork rice, and cold appetizersÂ
For those who want to fill up their stomach quicker, there are rice dishes such as the medamayaki (fried egg on rice, RM 7) or yakibula don (grilled pork & vege on rice, RM 20), both versions were pretty tasty according to those who ordered.
There are also some vegetarian appetizers here, including tofu and wakame salad, (RM 8), pickled cucumber (RM 5), Hiyashi tomato (RM 5), and shio cabbage (RM 5). I recommend not having these as appetizers but use these dishes as refreshers for your tongue in between the yakitori sticks that tends to be a bit more oily and savory.
chicken, pork, mushroom, tomato, okra, and even brinjal yakitori
Then the question is, how are the yakitoris?
Well, for the most part, they are pretty darn good. Prices per stick ranges from about RM 3 to RM 5, and service was rather fast. We never had to wait for more than 10-15 minutes for our dishes to come, so ordering in the middle of eating won’t really interrupt the “flow” at all.
I liked their chicken wings, chicken skin, and pork belly sticks, and also particularly happy that they have quite a few choices of vegetable yakitori as well. The brinjal and lady’s fingers were quite awesome too.
we sure had a great time at Maruhi Sakaba, it was Suan’s birthday!
Maruhi Sakaba also serves a few types of Japanese beer and sake.
Of course, this place is not without flaws, for one, it would be great if there’s air conditioning and maybe better chairs. But for the price and quality of food and services, we’re not going to complain much. Filling up our belly with plenty of meat and a few glasses of beer totaled up to RM 40-50 per pax. Would go again.
Address:
Maruhi Sakaba
6A, Faber Plaza,
Jalan Desa Jaya,
Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur
GPS: 3.102578, 101.682947
Hours: 6 pm-11 pm daily, closed on Mondays
yeay best birthday ever…!
… until next year.. 😀 😀 😀 <3
suanie: yesss, awesomest.
I particularly like their pork belly n lamb yakitori…the yakibuta don is pretty awesome too…gonna try the organ meat stew on my next visit =)
ulric: yah that organ stew is a must try!
Hmmm…. too exotic for me. Chicken Sashimi plus intestines… *faint* 🙁
Ken: haha you’re too light weight man.
KY, chicken sashimi is it like chicken tare tare in some where? As for the intestines are they serve raw? I do like those yakitori look so good. There a eatery in state that all they serve with
sake or soju and beer. It more of a guy place but women like it for all kind of yakitoris to eat with
soft drinks.
Vickie: intestine isn’t served raw, only the chicken sashimi. Yah they’re soju and beer here too!
emmm uncle ah, i got few questions…
1. Baby intestine carpaccio = baby of what animal???!!!
2. organ meat stew = again, organ of what???!!!
wahhhhhhhhh, i scared to read your blog liao….. like halloween movie…. tis scarey
Actually the organ meat stew is intestines. VERY GOOD. Must try.
suanie: definitely!
immature: baby intestine could be fallopian tube? hahah I don’t know.
60 year old auntie in Cheras who cut my hair one day show me her fallopian tube, i politely decline….
immature: O.o
I doubt the chicken meat can be eaten sashimi style? 😯
Choi Yen: special chicken!
Just wanted to say that this is the BEST and most authentic Yakitori place in KL!
Balangue: u have a good argument.