Aka Raka at Solaris Dutamas, Outside Publika: Restaurant Review

This Korean-founded BBQ restaurant features a few interesting flourishes, with a kitchen spearheaded by Mr Kim, a charming & cheerful chef with more than 15 years of experience, which include a long stint in the U.S., where Aka-Raka’s owners reside.

Salad-and-Side-Dish Buffet

Aka-Raka’s attraction is a salad-&-side-dish buffet (complimentary with purchase of grilled sets), with lots of offerings.

When we visited, the counters were heaving with Korean-style tempura prawns, sushi, skewers, dumplings, tofu, kimchi, vegetables & other accompaniments to complement our meal. Help yourselves, but note there’ll be a charge for wastage if you can’t finish the food on your plate. This selection is expected to change everyday.

Pork Belly Marinated with Green Tea

Eventually, the spotlight is ceded to the the grill – we opted for pork belly marinated with green tea (RM28), but there are plenty of other options, spanning wine-marinated pork (RM30), spicy ribs (RM30), as well as a beef selection with rib-eye, striploin & short rib possibilities, costing between RM35 & RM60 for servings sufficient to share.

We enjoyed the pork belly – juicy enough, moderately flavoursome, cooked with care by the chef & his helpers at the table.

Not into BBQ?

Not into BBQ? No prob – have a tender ‘yukhoe’ steak tartare, or try the noodle bowls, pancakes, stir-fried seafood or casseroles, washed down with some welcome sips of shochu. Thanks to the Aka-Raka team for hosting this meal.