Gyukingu at Kota Damansara: Restaurant Review

Gyukingu claims it’s the best yakiniku restaurant in town. That could be true.

Don’t be cowed by the thought of braving traffic to Kota Damansara, not when what’s waiting at the finish line is a fine feast of brilliant beef.

Piece de Resistance

Gyukingu’s piece de resistance: Miyazaki & Saga beef, not for the fat-fearing.

Miyazaki Beef

Magnificently marbled Miyazaki, possibly the ultimate in Wagyu beef; a 200-gram slab of supreme succulence could set customers back by RM600. Legend says it’s hand-carried here from the Land of the Rising Sun with certificates to prove its provenance.

Both Miyazaki & Saga beef are named after the Japanese prefectures where the cattle is raised.

Extremely rich; even two small slices, grilled lightly & lovingly, might prove sufficient.

Saga Beef

Alternatively, try Saga beef, cheaper by about half but still about RM150 per 100 grams.

By comparison, regular cuts of non-Miyazaki, non-Saga beef look nearly fat-starved.

Fat vs Fire

Plenty of fat dripping on the coals below equals lots of flames shooting high; watch your fingers!

Other than Budget-busting Beef

Mercifully, there’s more to this restaurant, which opened this year, than budget-busting beef; recommendations for a bill below RM60 per person include …

Ox Tongue

… ox tongue, thick & floppy …

Pork Tongue

… as well as pork tongue, relatively diminutive & springier.

Grill the Tongues

Grill them side-by-side & eat them one after the other for a fun comparison.

Okinawan Pork

Okinawan-bred pork is also available here, mistakable for the tastiest, sweetest Iberico.

Advance Orders

Some items require advance orders; the sumptuous, savory pork rib is worth the effort

Penang Oysters

Finally, some of the biggest, baddest oysters in the Klang Valley. We wouldn’t have guessed where they’re from: Penang.

Alcoholic Drinks

The formula for being forced to call into work sick the next day (though fortunately, we were already going to be on leave).

A bottle of wine & another of shochu, combined with what seemed like half a cow in our stomachs, proved enough to subsequently keep us in bed for several more hours than usual.