Keito (Zenith), Johor Bahru

Keito Japanese restaurant is a cosy izakaya-style Japanese restaurant right in the heart of Johor Bahru city.  Housed on the ground floor of Suasana building,  the upper floors are occupied by international 5-star hotel chain Amari.  Komtar JBCC shopping mall is right opposite, which also means the JB immigration is just a short walk away.

The decor is peaceful.  Think a lot of wood and olive green couches.

There is also a bar.

Keito Japanese restaurant has a very extensive menu, from appetisers to stir-fried dishes to salads, maki rolls, rice dons and so on.  What they specialise in is ramen and robatoyaki.  The robatoyaki menu goes on for pages. Since robatoyaki is what they specialise in, I couldn’t resist trying a few items.

Beef Bacon Aspara RM$12

Asparagus wrapped in beef bacon

The charcoal flavour was immediately evident.  The asparagus was firm and snappy.  They used quite good quality beef bacon.

Atsuage Tofu RM$6

Crispy beancurd

Crispy on the outside,  white and light in flavour on the inside,  the tofu is lightly adorned with some bonito flakes.  When dipped in some shoyu,  it’s just heaven.

Gindara RM$14

Black cod fish

The cod was firm, fresh and free of any “fishy” odour.  With the natural oiliness of the fish,  the light char flavour and texture and a bit of lime juice on top, it proves that sometimes simplicity is the best.

Yakitori RM$4

Boneless chicken leg

The robatoyaki grill also grills more “exotic” meats such as chicken gizzards and beef tongue.

Tori Sunagimo RM$3

Chicken gizzard

Gyu Tan  RM$8

Beef Tongue

Have you noticed?  Each robatoyaki item comes with some Greens and a lime.  They are very attentive to details.

Gyu Karubi RM$5

Boneless beef short rib

The meat was sweet and very tender.

Gyu Shichimi Taki RM$5

Beef with Japanese chili

Shake Teriyaki RM$25

Grilled salmon fillet with teriyaki sauce

It looks like a small bowl but it was packed to the brim with goodness.  The al dente ramen was steeped in the chef’s special chicken broth which has been prepared over a 12-hour process.  You can choose from 3 types of broth: Miso, shoyu or shio.  My shoyu broth was delicious.  On top of the ramen were 2 thick pieces of grilled salmon with beautiful char marks.  There were also 2 slices of sweet egg roll,  2 slices of fishcake,  some Kombu and sweet corn.  This bowl felt like such good value for money.

Keito Japanese restaurant serves no pork no lard and is msg free.  I was particularly impressed by the no msg part.  NONE of the dishes had any artificially in flavour to them. Just good old natural wholesome flavours of the ingredients.  The flavours here, on the whole, are quite delicate.

Keito Japanese restaurant has another branch at Eco-botanic, where tatami seating is available.

 

Keito Japanese restaurant

#G-03B Suasana, No. 82C, Jalan Trus

Johor Bahru

Tel: +6 011-1146 9812