Uroko Japanese Cuisine at Section 17, Petaling Jaya: Restaurant review

Uroko is becoming a go-to spot for contemporary Japanese fare in PJ’s Section 17 residential neighbourhood – the setting is sleek but not intimidating (feel free to visit in T-shirts, shorts & slippers), the menu is extensive & enticing, service is faultlessly efficient & prices feel fitting. Trivia: The eatery’s name is Japanese for ‘scales,’ explaining the patterns that dominate its decor.

Salad

If you like the sweet flavour of apples, start with Uroko’s fruit salad (RM23++), featuring a double dose of Fuji apples, as a julienne in the bowl & in a textured, pulpy dressing on the side, meant to be mixed with mango cubes, cherry tomato slices & leaves in a portion that three to four patrons can share as an appetiser. Perky & refreshing, albeit certainly on the sugary side.

The main attractions: Yakitori & Sushi

Sushi & yakitori are among the main attractions – one of the restaurant’s recommendations is a spicy maki that’s deep-fried for a lightly battered crunch, topped with salmon, flying fish roe & bird’s eye chilli (RM28++); no surprises, since this sort of fusion roll has long been a crowd-pleaser in numerous venues. We tried two skewers – the chicken tail & skin (RM4++ each) – both of which proved capably & satisfyingly prepared, bearing the kind of smoky succulence that’s pivotal especially for the bonjiri cut.

Luxurious offerings

There’s a touch of luxe in the menu, with foie gras spotlighted in offerings like the Shake Bomb (RM10++ per piece; salmon wrapped around morsels of liver – the fish is pleasurably juicy, with the foie delivering a distinctive after-taste) & the Hanabi Sushi (RM28++ for six pieces; pan-fried tuna crowned with foie – competent, though the two main components fell short of being completely complementary).

Our costliest order was the scallops with sea urchin in steaming-hot egg omelette broth (RM48++) – an example of Uroko’s strengths & limitations; the cooking here is irreproachable, but while the ingredients are justifiably good enough, they hover closer to above-average than outstanding, illustrated by both the scallops & sea urchin.

You’ll also find omakase sets from RM150++ onwards. Sake is available, starting at RM60++ for a 300-ml bottle.

Location & Details

Uroko Japanese Cuisine

2nd Floor, 22A-1, Jalan 17/54, Section 17, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Open Tuesday-Sunday, 1130am-230pm, 530pm-1030pm.

Tel: 03-7932-0191

Find: View Ukoro’s directory here