Warakuya Japanese Garden, Mount Austin

I used to whine that Japanese cuisine in Johor Bahru is horrifying and disappointing until I meet Warakuya Japanese Garden at Mount Austin. From the exterior itself, this restaurant looks so grand and luxury. The first thing comes to my mind is the price will be hefty. However, when I saw the queue in front of the restaurant, I already doubt their price is going to be really expensive. I know people just loves good food but at the minimum price. Who doesn't anyway? One of the best part of the restaurant is they are providing 42" LCD TV, free flow of drinks and seating area for the queue. You will never know time flies when you are having those things at the waiting area. Something that Sushi Zanmai needs to consider.

Mango Sushi @RM11.90++

Outlook: 5/5

Creativity: 5/5

Taste: 5/5

Price: 4/5

Overall: 4/5 - The moment I put the whole piece into my mouth, the sweetness of the mango already started to pamper my tongue. Once the biting started, the sweet taste is getting stronger and the fish roe is started popping like fireworks in my mouth. I really do not wish to swallow them early but it is just too addictive not to do so. This is one of the best sushi that I had in my life. Highly recommended.

Ebi Mentai Maki @RM13.90++

Outlook: 4/5

Creativity: 4/5

Taste: 4/5

Price: 4/5

Overall: 4/5 - Cheesy fish roe with crunchy prawn is really a creative combination. For your information, the wasabi served in this restaurant is not a cheaper type which you are having in Sushi Zanmai. They are serving a premium type which you just need a little bit of wasabi to enjoy the maximum taste of it. I only get to taste this kind of wasabi in a Japanese restaurant in a 5 stars hotel.

Kani Karaage Temaki @RM7.90++

Outlook: 4/5

Creativity: 4/5

Taste: 4/5

Price: 4/5

Overall: 4/5 - Finally, I got to taste a real temaki which is using a crispy seaweed roll. That's how a temaki supposed to be like.

Akagai Sashimi @RM48.00++

Outlook: 5/5

Creative: 4/5

Taste: 4/5

Price: 3/5

Overall: 4/5 - Akagai which is known as red clam. This is their seasonal sashimi which is really fresh and sweet. The price is a little high but it is worth it.

Sashimi Carpaccio @RM29.90++

Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Price: 3/5
Overall: 3/5 - A combination of swordfish, salmon, tuna and yellowtail soaked in a soy sauce + vinegar. The visible sweet and freshness in all of them.

Kake Soup @RM11.90++

Outlook: 3/5

Creativity: 3/5

Taste: 4/5

Price: 4/5

Overall: 3/5 - Looks plain and unattractive but the somen taste so good with the broth. It is not too salty and carries a little sweetness in it too. The most important thing is my 1 year old baby likes to eat it. He is a picky eater but loves this kind of soup noodle. So you can already roughly guess how good is this.

Hamaguri Sakamushi @RM16.90++

Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Overall: 4/5 - Clam in white wine soup. The clam is fresh and the meat is fat. Definitely enough to pleasure our seashell indulgence. Moreover, the soup is so delicious and we finished them all. I wish I didn't order their green tea because we have been drinking soup. Anyway, their green tea is unlike other cheapo Japanese restaurant. Their green tea is with brown rice in it but they only charge RM1.00/pax and it is refillable.

Dobin Mushi @RM9.90++

Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Overall: 4/5 - Another soup but this soup is the best among all. If you like a little sourish kick in the soup, you can squeeze a little lemon juice in it. For my preference, I would skip the lemon juice. My only advice is drink it while it is still hot. When it is still hot, the seafood fragrance and the sweetness in the soup is so strong. One small cup is just not enough. You will wish to drink the whole pot by yourself. The best part is this is the cheapest Dobin Mushi I have ever ordered. Unbelievable.

Tofu Gomaae @RM4.90++

Outlook: 2/5
Creativity: 3/5
Taste: 2/5
Price: 4/5
Overall: 2/5 - Not all the dishes we ordered on that day was good. Just this tofu is a little bit disappointing. Even though the tofu carries sesame fragrance in it but the saltiness has destroyed the fragrance in a second. You would prefer the sesame fragrant to stay on your tongue instead of the salty sensation. However, the price is pretty reasonable.

Overall, this is the best Japanese restaurant in Johor Bahru. If they are to take the same concept to  Klang Valley and make a lot of branches like Sushi Zanmai, I think the end of Sushi Zanmai is very near. Can you imagine that I have ordered so many things above and the bill is not even RM200??? I really hope their standard will always maintain the same and the quality too. FYI, they do have private room available in this restaurant. However, there is a minimum spending requirement of RM400.00 per room.

They have 3 books of menu to be chosen from with more than 300 dishes in it. You can even order Alaskan crab here. The luxury of choices make you doubt how many chefs they have. However, they able to serve their food in less than 5 minutes of waiting. Outrageous serving speed despite so many customers in the restaurant. Even so, the food quality and the display on the food as you can see from the picture are not being taken lightly. I am really surprised with such a good quality restaurant exist in Johor Bahru instead of Klang Valley. I am truly grateful. 

Total Damage: RM181.00
Ambiance: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Food Serving Speed: Very Fast
Recommended?: Highly recommended

Warakuya Japanese Garden
2, Jalan Austin Heights 8/9,
Taman Mount Austin,
81100 Johor Bahru
Tel: 010-9530000
Business Hours: 12.00pm - 11.00pm (daily)