As some of you may know, I am taking Echopunya in a series of new direction. My main focus will still be my personal diary/writing, but I am aiming to incorporate new lifestyle topics to create a more rounded and interesting Echopunya. So say hello to my new first segment – food. I love food as much as the next person, but what I really love is quality food. Remember, what you put in your body is by far the most important thing you do everyday.

Last Saturday was a day well spent. There was an abundance of three very important things – good friends, quality food and laughter. We decided to have our get-together at Harumi 23, a chic Japanese restaurant at a charming new township in Desa Park City – Arkadia. You see, I love Japanese food. I still obsessively think about the grilled scallop I had at a restaurant near Lake Akan in Hokkaido. It counts as one of the best moment in my life.

Harumi 23 is by far one of the best Japanese restaurants I’ve been to in KL. Ingredients are air-flown from the famous Tsukiji Market in Tokyo twice a week.

We started off with the Harumi Dobinmushi – the broth is infused with fresh mushrooms and prawns. You can choose to have it with a few drops of lemon juice or as is. I loved it from the first sip, it went straight to my heart.

Tea has great cultural significance in Japan. The traditional tea ceremony is considered one of Japan’s highest forms of art. We had a bowl of the Ceremony Uji Matcha to share. It is green tea in its purest form – strong and bitter.

Shared a Chef’s Selection (Omakase) Sashimi Moriawase and Mentai Tamago that just melts in my mouth. It’s divine!

Mentai King Prawn that I still dream about.

Japanese Curry that is super hearty. I had it with salad because I’m a loon and you know, balance.

Mentaiko Spaghetti that I wish I can have every day.

They also serve a wide range of alcoholic beverages. This above is the Plum Wine on the rocks.

I was surprised to know that Harumi 23 serves 3rd wave coffee. If it sounds strange to you, it simply means that the coffee has a lighter roast profile and of premium quality coffee beans.

They also serve iced white coffee (with or without alcohol)

Harumi 23 is the first Japanese restaurant I’ve been to that serves Japanese breakfast. It starts from 8AM to 11AM. We shared a serving of Strawberry & Banana Souffle Pancakes. This fluffy goodness tastes like a dream.

The Matcha Kakigori has a nice balance of sweet and bitter, exactly how I like my green tea.

Shibuya Honey Toast served with a very generous amount of vanilla ice cream.

This was taken right after our big feast at Harumi 23. I have to say, friends like Eunice and Ah Bok are really hard to come by. Life goes on, people come together and fall apart. Saying that, whenever things start to spiral downwards, trust your people. Yes, we all have them – your bestfriend(s), your family; those that have stuck with you through it all. And here we are, doing what we do best: getting drinks (and food) and giggling. And trust me, it is the simple things like this with the people you love that will pull you out of your bad/funk mood/sadness you might be feeling.

Harumi 23
FG-02, Plaza Arkadia
Jalan Intisari
Desa Park City

Tel: 03-271 09263