Kojitsu Dining @ Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

After seeing the great success of Komorebi Dining over the past two years, the team has now launched a new restaurant in Bukit Mertajam — Kojitsu Dining. Unlike the original concept that focuses mainly on bar-counter seating and Chef's Omakase, this new space offers proper dining tables and a more spacious setup that can accommodate more guests. The menu extends from Chef’s Omakase to à la carte selections, featuring some of the team’s signature creations. While the à la carte prices may have been adjusted, the quality remains uncompromised. Walk-ins are welcome, though early reservations are still recommended. 

Many Thanks to Kojitsu Dining for hosting us. 

[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Kansai, Japan (关西，日本) 2025

Japan has always been one of the top travel destinations for Malaysians, with more China Chinese Airlines being introduced to Malaysia- Malaysians have more options and routes to travel to. This time, we flew Juneyao Airlines (吉祥航空) from Penang directly to Shanghai (transfer) then Osaka. Juneyao Airlines does not support online check in so we had to physically check in at the counter in Penang International Airport 3 hours prior to departure. It runs on A320-Neo so the seats can be quite narrow and they do not serve main on this flight- just beverages and some light snacks. Since its visa-free in China for Malaysian Passports, we took the opportunity to explore Shanghai before boarding the next flight to Osaka. The flight from Shanghai to Osaka offers a more spacious seat. We arrived Osaka in the evening and rented a car before starting our journey to explore the Kansai Prefecture. 

[Wakayama 和歌山市]

1) Totto Park Koshima Road Side Station

Entrance Fee: 1,500 Yen per adult/ 750 Yen per child

Address: 〒 599-0314 455-1 Tanagawakoshima, Misaki-cho, Sennan-gun ,Osaka.

Business Hours: (Mar to Nov) 6 am to 8 pm; (Dec to Feb) 7 am to 6 pm. Closed on Fridays.

Contact Number: 072-447-5126

Totto Park Koshima Information

Kappo By Arakawa @ Burmah Road, Penang.

Omakase is a pretty exquisite form of dining in Penang and often come with a hefty price tag , there are a few established Japanese restaurants in town offering Omakase but one of the latest additions is Kappo By Arakawa. The Japanese restaurant at Premier Centre Burmah Road is a small but pleasant place to enjoy the Japanese highlights carefully prepared by the Chefs. Diners are to be seated at the wood counter where they can witness the Chefs in action. Omakase is not the only way to go here- there are some prix fixe items on the menu as well. The Lunch Omakase tends to be more affordable than the Dinner Omakase; seasonal offerings are available and announcements will be shared on their Facebook Page. 

A.Maze- Omakase of Molecular Gastronomy @ Nagore Square, Georgetown, Penang.

Modernist cuisine or Molecular Gastronomy might not be new to the world but it's definitely something to range over, particularly for Penangites. Innovation is a critical element when it comes to a modernist kitchen- not only that the Chef must change the customary way one would prepare and present the dish but the Chef must bring a change to how diners experience the food either. Adventurous eaters can make their way to the small alley at Nagore Square (where all the bars and small little shops located); A.Maze occupies a strategic corner right next to the vacant land; from outside, the restaurant suggests a nary of information on what it is about to serve, inside... there are only 8 seats arranged snugly facing a small kitchen manned by the Chef-Owner Chef Wei. The very young and talented Chef honed his culinary skills from overseas and had had working experience in Michelin-starred restaurants. A.Maze serves "Omakase" which literally means "leave it to the Chef", the menu is not informed to diners and it relies entirely on "trust" but Chef Wei is not a one-trick pony- diners' sense of taste is not the only thing that changes here... the "Omakse" menu switches once a month and it depends on the seasonal offering. Thanks to Chef Wei, we had the opportunity to join him in his extraordinary gastronomical journey.

Many Thanks to A.Maze for hosting us that evening.

Omakase- The Autumnal Pleasure by Kampachi Japanese Restaurant @ Equatorial Hotel Penang.

An Omakase Japanese meal literally means dishes carefully selected by the Chef, the norm is that the Chef will serve the most delicate dishes using the finest and freshest ingredients that he/she could source. The dining experience will take you on an extraordinary gourmet journey and it is not only the most traditional way to enjoy Japanese meal but the most posh and luxurious as well. One of the standard setters in Malaysia and a great player in the Japanese food industry- Kampachi Restaurant rolls out its seasonal Omakase offer... just in time for diners to experience the Autumnal delights in Japan. The 7-course Omakase dinner requires an advance reservation (ideally 3-4 days) and is priced at Rm 250 nett per person. The menu items typically focus on the in-season offer and consist of dishes prepared from the freshest ingredients presented in their most natural states. All ingredients are air-flown and imported from Japan.

Many Thanks to Hotel Equatorial Penang and Kampachi for hosting us that evening.