Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus

Monica Tindall
 
My first meal at Nobu Kuala Lumpur disoriented me somewhat. Being one of the most talked about restaurants in the world, located in a prime position in KL and with rumours of extravagant pricing, I felt excitement but also a mild apprehension before the visit. Would I find it too pretentious to thoroughly enjoy an evening here?
Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus
Lunch Time Views
 
Huge smiles from the doormen (multiple led my way through the lift maze to reach the 56th floor), equally broad beams from Nobu’s receptionist, and then a cheer of welcome, “Irasshaimase!” soon had me feeling that the night was going to be infused much more with a sense of fun, than stiffness. We found no white table clothes, or haughty waiters: on the contrary, amiable staff, disposable chopsticks and even some booth seating. Add to that, cocktail in hand, and the dinner continued splendidly. Read Kirsten’s thoughts on the Celebration Omakase menu we sampled via this link.
 
Needless to say, we were impressed by impeccable cuisine, good-natured hospitality and some pretty amazing views. While the pricing of dinner might not be in everyone’s budget, the recently launched set lunch menus make a visit to Nobu Kuala Lumpur much more accessible. It’s for these good value meal deals that I return today with hubby.
 
Set Lunches
 
Nobu Kuala Lumpur’s lunch menu is rather extensive. For those pressed for time, or just not wanting to make another a decision in their already busy day, the newly introduced lunch sets make choosing easy. Accompanied by a tempura assortment, salad (in chef Matsuhisa’s distinctive dressing with predominant flavours of pepper, onion and soy), a large bowl of rice, pickles and a scrumptious miso soup, diners only need select their main. Fish, chicken and beef are all possibilities.
 
Hubby predictably goes with the Beef Tenderloin (RM125). Cooked medium rare, it’s pink nearly all the way through to the lightly browned edges. Tender, soft and melt-in-the-mouth good, it’s clearly expertly prepared and hubby gives it a huge “yums up.” It’s not until we mouth the stack of green pea sprouts underneath though that we truly appreciate the Peruvian twist: anticucho sauce. An elegant chili sauce is precise in its punch and a squeeze of fresh lime enhances the flavour. It’s like dating a bad boy: common sense says to stop, but you just can’t help going back for more.
Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus
Beef Tenderloin
Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus
Beef Tenderloin
Norwegian Salmon Crispy Leaves (RM65) catches my attention. Turns out it’s prettily presented too. Soft coral coloured flesh is encased in a crispy skin. The greens have been fried gifting a delicate crunch and also a contrasting bitterness to the buttery salmon. Vibrant orange pearls of roe explode softly, tickling the mouth with their juice.
Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus
Norwegian Salmon and Crispy Leaves
There are two other options as well, and we are lucky to also sample these.
 
Crispy Skin Chicken (RM55) is a large portion languishing seductively along the rectangular plate. A sticky teriyaki sauces bases the free-range chicken, and it’s cleverly arranged so that you can dip as much or as little as you like. Chicken and beef sauces can be interchanged, so if you have a fondness for spice you might like to try the chicken with the Peruvian anticucho dressing.
Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus
Crispy Skin Chicken
 The Sushi and Sashimi (RM75) platter is superbly fresh, just as expected. A lavish selection of carefully sliced fish glistens solo or atop faintly sticky rice. From the top right and moving anti-clockwise we find shrimp, tamago, salmon belly, yellow tail, tuna, fluke, horse mackerel.
Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus
Sushi and Sashimi
Green tea and handmade Nobu biscuits complete the meal. The small rounds of shortbread-textured green tea cookies are rolled in sugar and their crowns specked with black sesame. They’re a perfect bite of sweetness: just enough to end the meal on a dulcet note while still feeling energized to return to work in the afternoon.
Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus
Nobu Biscuits and Green Tea
 
Lunch sets are price from RM55++ to RM125++.
 
Desserts
 
Although the set lunches are more than enough to assuage lunch cravings, we can’t resist trying a couple of desserts while here too: all in the name of serving our readers better, of course.
 
Bento Box (RM35++) is the signature dessert across all Nobu restaurants. Chocolate fondant and green tea ice cream come in their own corners in the traditional serving dish. I have to admit, writing about menus most nights, I have become a little jaded when it comes to those crowd-pleasing dishes, such as the infamous lava cake, that make an all too common appearance (in my opinion) on menus. Frankly, I fight an eye roll when it’s suggested at the ‘must try’ dessert. Nobu gives me a curt lesson however in not making assumptions when I try the decadent-velvety-smooth-rich-liquid chocolate that flows, at just the right temperature, from its frame. Warm mildly bitter chocolate eaten with a dob of the chilled creamy ice cream presents a magnificent model of this popular sweet.
Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus
Nobu Bento Box
 
Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus
Mmmm… Chocolate
 
Hubby drools while reading “Suntory Whisky Cappuccino (RM30++),” featuring two of his favourite ingredients, cream and whisky, so there’s no escaping this order. Coffee crème brulee, cocoa crumble, milk ice cream and whisky foam are arranged in exquisite harmony in a petite white mug. Froth bubbles over the top tempting fingers to scrape up the overflow before a more well-mannered spoon enters the scene. “Worth the pennies,” declares hubby with that childish beam he gets when eating cream.
Nobu Kuala Lumpur, Set Lunch Menus
Suntory Whisky Cappuccino – First Bite
 
Folks, Nobu Kuala Lumpur has some excellent value midday menus worthy of exploration. Open Monday to Friday, 12 noon to 2pm for lunch, get yourself a reservation to sample some fine fare at one of KL’s most talked about locations.
 
Reasons to visit: a reasonably priced way to try a meal at one of KL’s most renowned restaurants; Beef Tenderloin in Anticucho Sauce; lovers of the lava cake should be sure to try the Bento Box dessert; brilliant city views; friendly service.
 
Nobu Kuala Lumpur
Level 56, Menara 3 Petronas
KLCC
Malaysia
+6 03 2164 5084

Lunch is available Monday to Friday 12 noon – 2pm.

 

17 Comments

  1. Oh I just wish some viewers would read what you write and not just look at the
    fantastic photos. Your holiday in Spain was fantastic to read about and see the
    local bars, resorts and food. That bloody song – GRANADA – stayed with me all
    day yesterday – I could have been the third tenor replacing the Italian fellow – ha ha.
    Granada was on their repertoire, I have their CD somewhere but to save the neighbours
    I won't go looking for it – might result in court action!!!!!

    KL restaurants: That place is impressive as shown as are the meals. The cost is
    steep on an exchange rates. You would really need good fine weather to soften
    the account and KL does have smogs, low clouds and tropical downpours.

    Magnificent sunny weather here today and the sun has some warmth in it.
    The last few days before bloody windy and freezing August!

    You forgot to answer a question on Malaga! Who is the striding "matador"???
    Cheers
    Colin ( the would be 4th tenor!)

  2. Thanks Colin. I'm glad a few people read the words too – I spend a lot of time working on both words and pictures. Ha ha… I had THAT song stuck in my head too, and at your mention of it again today… oh no! 😉
    There are only a handful of high-end restaurants outside of hotels in the city and this is one of them. Considering their set dinner menu is RM450++ per person, the set lunch is at least an accessible way for guests with thinner wallets to have a chance to try the menu.
    Hope August is not too bad for you… we got married in northern NSW on August 3rd (many years ago) and it was a very pleasant 25 degrees!
    Question answered.

  3. Gorgeous views in your first photo, and the presentations are so lovely!

  4. Awesome photos, my legs go jelly by looking at the beef tenderloin 🙁

  5. I see tempura prawns!!! I'd like that!

  6. Oh….this more 'accessible' lunch set is certainly a great introduction to Nobu's fine food! 😉

  7. Mmm their chicken looks so yummy, but it's too expensive.
    I can get a plate of really good chicken rice with RM5. 😉
    Ermm I know it's bit like comparing a Fuji apple with a Braeburn apple.
    Still they're apples. 😉

  8. Nobu quite a well known restaurant. the food looks awesome. the pricings seems reasonable. It is cheap for expats in Malaysia, however, Malaysian itself will be a expensive meal.

  9. What you describe in the beginning is pretty much why I still haven't made it to Nobu! The set lunch seems like a perfect introduction so perhaps it's time – and no doubt the food is fabulous!

    • Another little known option is their bar/ club which is opened Friday and Saturday from 6pm. You can enjoy a cocktail here (from only RM25 nett – I highly recommend the signature Nobu sake shaken with passionfruit), soak up the friendly service, great atmosphere and incredible views and not commit to an entire menu. They have some light bar snacks too.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.