Kintsugi KL Lunch

This was the first time I was at Kintsugi KL and I was only there because Taverna was packed. And I am glad I visited. I had not realized that they had an Ala-carte menu before this visit.

This flame-seared Kanpachi Aburi was a beautiful start to the meal. Young amberjack, lightly torched to coax out its natural oils and umami, arrived delicately plated and perfumed with a truffled yuzu ponzu sauce. The pairing of tangy citrus and earthy truffle felt indulgent without being overpowering. Bits of wasabi stem added a crisp bite, grounding the richness with a sharp vegetal note.

The texture of the fish leaned towards the buttery side, with a gentle smokiness from the aburi treatment. Each bite reminded me of a Japanese take on ceviche — bright, citrus-forward, and balanced, though with deeper, rounder tones from the truffle. At RM78++ for an appetizer portion, it’s definitely a splurge, but one that makes a confident first impression. A well-crafted dish that teases the palate for the courses to follow.

The wagyu beef rice was a great main. Think of this as Japanese version of claypot rice with choice ingredients.

And of course, they mix the rice for you.