When
it comes to food discoveries, there is always something exciting about
exploring a restaurant for the first time, especially when it introduces us to
a different dining experience. This time, our food adventure brought us to
Awadori Japanese Restaurant in Mount Austin, Johor Bahru, where we had the
opportunity to experience Japanese izakaya dining for the very first time.
Folks, if you enjoy exploring Japanese cuisine and discovering different flavours, Awadori is a restaurant worth getting to know. From its variety of Japanese specialities to the fascinating preparation of freshly grilled dishes, our visit turned into an enjoyable culinary adventure filled with interesting discoveries.
Understanding
the Japanese Izakaya Experience
Before
we began exploring the menu, it was interesting to learn more about what makes
an izakaya different from a typical Japanese restaurant.
In
Japan, an izakaya is a casual dining establishment where people gather to enjoy
food, drinks and conversations. Often compared to a Japanese gastropub, it
encourages diners to order different dishes, share their favourites and enjoy a
relaxed meal together.
Rather than focusing on just one main course, the experience is about exploring a variety of flavours, textures and cooking styles throughout the meal.
At
Awadori, we were excited to discover an assortment of Japanese dishes,
particularly its yakitori offerings. The menu features grilled skewers
alongside other Japanese favourites, giving diners an opportunity to explore
different aspects of Japanese cuisine in one sitting.
Among the dishes that caught our attention were the yakitori skewers, Mentai Dashi Maki and Unagi Rice Bowl. The Mentai Dashi Maki is a Japanese rolled omelette featuring seasoned pollock roe, while the Unagi Rice Bowl brings together grilled eel, rice and a sweet-and-savoury glaze.
With
so many dishes to discover, we knew we had quite a food adventure ahead of us!
Freshly
Prepared Dishes and the Aroma of Grilling
One of the things we particularly appreciated about Awadori was the opportunity to witness the preparation of the food.
The
dishes were prepared fresh to order, and the grilling process added another
interesting dimension to the dining experience. We could see the kitchen team
busy preparing orders for diners, while the aroma of freshly grilled food made
us even more excited to try what was coming next.
While
waiting for our orders, I found myself looking around at the other dishes being
served. The tempting aromas and appealing presentations certainly made the wait
more exciting.
For food lovers like us, these little details are part of what makes discovering a restaurant enjoyable. It is not just about what eventually arrives at the table, but also about seeing the effort that goes into preparing each dish.
Following
the chef's recommendations, we decided to explore several specialities,
including Tori Paitan Ramen Shio, Wagyu Roast Beef, Yakitori Moriawase, Unagi
Tamago Don, Salmon Fish Head Sumiyaki, Ebi Tempura, Dashi Tamago and Cho-Chin.
Here
is a closer look at what we discovered.
Tori
Paitan Ramen Shio: A Comforting Bowl of Japanese Flavours
Our
meal began with the Tori Paitan Ramen Shio, a dish that immediately caught our
attention with its appealing presentation.
The
ramen features a creamy chicken-based broth seasoned with salt, delivering a
rich and savoury flavour. The noodles soak up the broth, creating a comforting
combination that makes every mouthful satisfying.
The
toppings also contribute to the overall flavour, adding more character to the
bowl without taking away from the comforting taste of the chicken broth.
What made this dish even more memorable was the response from our little ones. The kids really enjoyed it, so much so that we ended up ordering another serving!
For
us, that was a lovely discovery. Sometimes, the dishes that become family
favourites are not necessarily the most elaborate ones, but those that everyone
at the table genuinely enjoys.
Wagyu
Roast Beef: Rich Flavours with an Interesting Twist
Next,
we explored the Wagyu Roast Beef, a dish that offers a different experience
from the grilled skewers and comforting ramen.
Wagyu
is prized for its rich beef flavour and natural marbling, which can contribute
to a tender, juicy texture when prepared well. The roast beef provided a
satisfying savoury taste that we enjoyed exploring with the accompanying
condiments.
One
of my favourite ways to enjoy it was by pairing a slice of the beef with the
crispy sliced garlic. The garlic added a pleasant crunch, creating an
interesting contrast with the tenderness of the meat.
I also enjoyed adding a little wasabi, which provided a sharper, refreshing kick that balanced the richness of the beef.
It
was a simple combination, but one that made the dish even more enjoyable.
Sometimes, discovering how different ingredients complement one another becomes
part of the fun of dining out.
Yakitori
Moriawase: Discovering the Art of Japanese Grilled Skewers
If there is one dish that deserves special attention during a Japanese izakaya experience, it is yakitori.
The
Yakitori Moriawase at Awadori brings together an assortment of Japanese grilled
skewers, allowing diners to explore different cuts, textures and flavours in
one serving.
Each
skewer offers its own character, while the grilling process contributes a smoky
aroma and savoury finish. It is an excellent choice for those who want to
experience the restaurant's speciality rather than limit themselves to a single
dish.
What
I particularly enjoyed was seeing the team prepare the skewers fresh on the
spot. The grilling area was busy, and watching the food being prepared made the
experience more engaging.
There is something special about freshly grilled food. The aroma, the slight char on the exterior and the anticipation of tasting each skewer all add to the overall enjoyment.
The
Yakitori Moriawase was also a great dish to share, especially when dining with
family or friends who want to sample different flavours together.
Unagi
Tamago Don: A Satisfying Combination of Eel, Egg and Rice
Our next discovery was the Unagi Tamago Don, a Japanese rice bowl combining grilled eel, egg and fluffy rice.
The
eel brings a sweet-and-savoury glaze, accompanied by a rich flavour that
complements the rice beautifully. The egg adds another layer of softness,
creating a comforting combination of textures.
What
I enjoyed about this dish was how the ingredients worked together. The eel
provides the stronger flavour, while the rice and egg help balance the overall
taste.
It
is a satisfying option for diners who prefer a rice-based meal while still
wanting to experience the distinctive flavours of Japanese cuisine.
For
anyone exploring the menu, this is the kind of dish that offers both comfort
and a taste of something special.
Salmon
Fish Head Sumiyaki: Smoky, Savoury and Full of Character
Seafood lovers may also appreciate the Salmon Fish Head Sumiyaki, another interesting discovery from our visit.
Sumiyaki
refers to charcoal grilling, a cooking method that helps develop a lightly
charred exterior while bringing out the natural flavours of the ingredients.
With
the salmon fish head, the meat around the head can be tender and juicy, while
the grilling adds a distinctive smoky aroma. The richer portions of the fish
also make it an appealing choice for those who enjoy exploring different
seafood cuts.
Personally,
I enjoyed squeezing some lemon over the fish. The citrus added a refreshing
sour note that helped balance the richness of the salmon.
It
was a simple addition, but it made the flavours more enjoyable for me.
This
dish also reminded us that Japanese dining offers more than familiar sushi and
sashimi. Exploring grilled seafood and different cuts can introduce diners to
new tastes and textures.
Ebi
Tempura: A Crispy Favourite for the Little Ones
When dining as a family, it is always nice to find a dish that appeals to younger diners too.
At
Awadori, the Ebi Tempura was one of those dishes.
The
prawns are coated in a light batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy. The
contrast between the crunchy exterior and the succulent prawn inside makes each
bite satisfying.
What
makes tempura enjoyable is its delicate coating, which allows the natural
flavour of the seafood to remain the star of the dish.
Our
son particularly enjoyed this one, making it another highlight of our family
dining experience.
For
parents visiting with children, having familiar options alongside more
adventurous Japanese specialities can make it easier for everyone to enjoy the
meal together.
Dashi
Tamago: Appreciating the Simplicity of Japanese Cooking
Another dish we explored was Dashi Tamago, a Japanese-style egg preparation that highlights the delicate flavours of egg and dashi.
Dashi
is a traditional Japanese stock that provides a savoury umami character. When
incorporated into an egg dish, it adds depth while allowing the natural flavour
and softness of the egg to shine through.
The
result is a gentle, comforting taste that contrasts nicely with the stronger
flavours of charcoal-grilled meat and seafood.
Sometimes,
it is the simpler dishes that demonstrate how carefully chosen ingredients can
create something satisfying without needing complicated flavours.
Dashi
Tamago was another opportunity for us to appreciate the variety offered during
our first izakaya experience.
Cho-Chin:
An Adventurous Yakitori Discovery
For
our final dish, I decided to try something a little different: Cho-Chin.
Cho-Chin
is a distinctive yakitori preparation traditionally associated with the
chicken's reproductive tract. It is an unusual choice for diners who are more
accustomed to familiar chicken skewers, but it offers an opportunity to explore
a more specialised side of Japanese grilled cuisine.
Its
appeal lies in its distinctive texture and savoury flavour, making it an
interesting option for those who enjoy trying dishes outside their usual
comfort zone.
For me, this was one of the more adventurous moments of our meal. Food discoveries are not always about finding something familiar that we already love; sometimes, they are about being willing to try something new and learning more about another food culture along the way.
And
that is exactly what made this visit memorable.
A
Wonderful First Taste of Japanese Izakaya Dining
Looking back at our visit to Awadori Japanese Restaurant, the overall food experience was enjoyable, with a variety of dishes that allowed us to explore different Japanese flavours in one sitting.
From
the comforting Tori Paitan Ramen Shio and the rich Wagyu Roast Beef to the
smoky Yakitori Moriawase, satisfying Unagi Tamago Don and crispy Ebi Tempura,
every dish offered something different to discover.
The
Salmon Fish Head Sumiyaki introduced us to the appeal of charcoal-grilled
seafood, while the Dashi Tamago and Cho-Chin gave us further opportunities to
explore Japanese cooking beyond the more familiar dishes.
We also appreciated the freshly prepared food and the attentive customer service, which helped make the visit feel welcoming.
For
us, this was more than just another meal out. It was our first opportunity to
experience Japanese izakaya dining, share a variety of dishes as a family and
discover new flavours together.
If
you are exploring Japanese restaurants in Mount Austin, Johor Bahru, Awadori is
a place you may wish to add to your food discovery list, particularly if you
enjoy yakitori and a menu that goes beyond the usual Japanese dining options.
Folks, have you experienced Japanese izakaya dining before? Which of these dishes would you be most excited to try? We would love to hear your recommendations for our next food adventure!










