Robata Monkey

Finally visited the place after hearing some pretty good comments about the place, and the visit itself was fine, but it was slightly sad that I didn’t come across the wow-​factor.
Came here around 8pm on a Monday night, and the crowd was not that big considering that it’s actually school holidays. Part of me like that the place isn’t too noisy, and part of me wished that the place is more happening.
If you are someone who likes to nibble on some grilled food and light snacks while you’re having your drinks, this would be the perfect place. They have a charcoal pit here which they use to grill your food. I ordered their grilled okra, but it was slightly too salty, as the salt were not being spread evenly. I just felt like something was lacking.
However, I must say that their sashimi here’s very fresh, and very well cut too. We ordered the 3 kinds, which you would get three slices of salmon, tuna and hamachi. Good quality and they have red and green seaweed on the side too. If I’m returning, sashimi would be something I’m surely going to order.
I wanted to get their uni temaki, which was however not available during my visit, for the reason that it’s ‘very seasonal’.
We also had yasai salad, which was okay, and some edamame and kakiage, which is a big chunk of vegetable fried in tempura batter. These were okay as well.
For drinks, we had their Paulaner beer, which they serve at RM80+ for 3 pints.
Cozy ambiance and decent food, definitely a good place to have slow dinner and catch up with friends.

Robata Monkey is a great place for those who love grilled seafood. With many of KL’s Japanese restaurants being pretty run of the mill, this one shakes things up with a unique, slow-​grilling ‘robatayaki’ style. Seafood is grilled on pikes vertically, and oak charcoal is used, which is claimed to help retain flavour in the grilled seafood.
This is hard to dispute, as the grilled fish, especially the salmon belly and mackerel, were very succulent and juicy during my last visit. The salmon belly is a must-​try, so is the mackerel and whole salmon. But don’t go overboard as it is quite easy to underestimate the portions here. The salmon belly + grilled whole salmon proved too be big of a meal in one sitting. For those who want to drink, there is a good selection of Paulaner beers and sake as well.
All in all, this place offers quite a unique dining experience with fun vibes. Staff are friendly enough when they are not busy, especially if you sit along the bar. I will definitely be going back again soon.