Pavilion KL's Okonomi serves probably the best okonomiyaki in KL

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — Textures. That's what makes a really good okonomiyaki. And Okonomi in Pavilion KL does an excellent rendition.

I must admit that before visiting Okonomi, all I ever had were soft "pancakes" so I didn't see what the fuss was about with okonomiyaki.

Under chef Takeshi Wada and his band of cooks, you get Osaka style okonomiyaki cooked on their hot teppan grill.

If you're sitting at the counter, it's the front seat to the whole cooking process as they move their spatulas quickly to cook the food.

With this okonomiyaki, it's slowly cooked to achieve a thin crust on both sides. The batter lightly coats the ingredients like the chopped cabbage and whatever toppings you select.

With a crisp layer on top and bottom, the inside has a fluffy texture and slightly crunchy cabbage (left). If you sit at the counter, watch how your okonomiyaki is made on the teppan grill (right).

Fold the avocado cheese to get a crunchy taco with the soft ripe avocado (left). The mini omelette is filled with pork belly slices (right).

Once it's cooked, they drizzle okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise, followed by a sprinkle of bonito flakes and seaweed flakes. The sauce is sweet and savoury with that slight creaminess from the Japanese mayonnaise.

Slowly savour it as the top is crispy and the inside has a fluffy texture with a slight crunch from the cabbage. I got the pork, prawn and squid combination which was scrumptious.

You have various flavour combinations, including pairing pork belly with double cheese, beef, sweet corn and even kimchi. They also do a version with yakisoba. Prices for the okonomiyaki start from RM24 and can go up to RM40 for the combination of pork, prawn. squid and beef.

When your okonomiyaki is served, it's easy to eat as they cut it into four pieces which you can use the spatula to scoop up.

At the eatery, you can eat okonomiyaki as a set meal, if you want to try other things.

Try the yaki soba which is not too sweet and tasty.

The pork ginger was juicy, tender pieces with the fragrant ginger paste.

Clear the palate at the end of your meal with a scoop of yuzu ice cream.

The basic set is RM28 for the pork okonomiyaki served with rice, side dishes, miso soup and dessert.

I went for the course menu (RM49) as I wanted to try more items. Your okonomiyaki will be served with salad, a wobbly blob of super smooth tofu, pork belly omelette. avocado with cheese and dessert.

The avocado with cheese is unusual as they grill the cheese on the hot teppan until it becomes a crunchy thin layer that contrasts with the slice of creamy avocado. For the pork belly omelette, it's a thin layer of fluffy cooked egg wrapped around pork belly slices.

Sit at the counter to watch all the action at the teppan grill.

Dessert is a choice of ice creams and I went for the refreshing yuzu to cleanse the palate.

If you're looking for an alternative to okonomiyaki, they also do a selection of yaki soba and yaki udon. I really enjoyed the original yaki soba (RM18) that was well fried and the sauce wasn't too sweet. It's just a well balanced fried noodle with that not too sweet but slightly savoury taste.

There's also a teppanyaki menu featuring pork loin, chicken and salmon. Beef lovers can try their Angus tenderloin or Wagyu D-rump A5.

From their set meal menu, I ordered the pork ginger (RM28). I had seen a Japanese kid ordering this dish and I was curious about it. What I got were tender, juicy pork slices with a fragrant ginger sauce and sweet tasting onions, which paired so well with the bowl of rice.

The signboard may be a little small but you know there's okonomiyaki with that large poster to entice you inside.

Okonomi

Lot 6.24, Level 6, Tokyo Street, Pavilion KL, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Open: 11am to 10pm. Tel:011-17678568.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Okonomi.pavilion/

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