Nomi Tomo Sake Bar at Bukit Damansara: Review

Hidden without a signboard on the third floor of a Plaza Damansara shop-lot, Nomi Tomo – which translates into ‘Drinking Buddies’ – serves purely sake & skewers (with an interesting selection of both), founded by friendly brothers Kelvin & Kai Zhou.

You’ll find bottles of the brothers’ favourite sakes lining the walls, as well as bountifully stocked cabinets that tease & tempt with highlights like the Houraisen Junmai Ginjo Wa (RM173 for 720ml) & Hoshi Usagi sparkling sake (RM81 for 300ml). If sake categories like Honjozo-shu & Daiginjo-shu mean something to you, Nomi Tomo could become one of your favourite hangouts.

Sake by the Bottle

We ventured into fruity territory, sampling the invigorating Aragoshi Yuzu & ordering a bottle of the richly sweet Aragoshi Umeshu (RM202 for 720ml), reputedly made with 18 types of plums. Note that Nomi Tomo currently offers sake only by the bottle (with carafes expected to be available later this year), so come prepared to drink a lot if you plan to order sake.

Skewers

But even if you’re not into sake, it’s worth visiting Nomi Tomo simply for the skewers, served sizzling & smoky – beef with togarashi spices, tasty-tender pork belly, crispy-savoury chicken wings, & juicy salmon wrapped in bacon. Kelvin & Kai Zhou have spent time working at teppanyaki & Thai eateries in Melbourne, & they’ve put their F&B experience to fine use here.