While Ghibli Park in Japan may be impractical to visit for now, it’s heartening to know that there’s Wasabi Plus, a Totoro-themed Japanese restaurant decorated with the popular character throughout the space.
Alton Teh and Ronald Lee, both 35, founded the restaurant due to their mutual love for Japanese culture, and a perfect match it was, since 2016.
“I’ve been a fan of Japanese comics ever since I was a child and the food in those stories looked so beautiful that I always wished I could eat it,” Teh said, mirroring the sentiments of most comic lovers.
“Making the foods featured in there a reality is among my primary focuses in life right now.”
FMT paid a visit to the restaurant and the Studio Ghibli mascot was at the entrance greeting customers silently with its bright eyes.
“My all-time favourite movie from childhood was ‘My Neighbour Totoro’, which I must’ve watched a hundred times over,” Lee recalled. “It’s all about nostalgia for us and our customers when they come into our restaurant.”
FMT also took the opportunity to sample some of the restaurant’s best-sellers. The Osaka Unagi Don can seem intimidating at first glance with its huge serving. Unlike other unagi rice bowls, this version has tempura crumbs at the bottom to absorb the greasiness of the dish.
Customers are encouraged to flip the bowl over to reveal the crunchy goodness and eat the grilled eel, omelette roll, rice and tempura crumbs in one bite to savour the dish’s multi-layered textures.
Meanshile the Sashimi Kaisen Don comprising tuna, scallop, boiled sea-eel, salmon belly and other sashimi slices, came crowned with eye-catching sweet shrimp and flying fish roe. A favourite among customers, one can also ask for the special Nama Wasabi to pair with this exquisite rice bowl and other sushi dishes.
As a palate cleanser, opt for the Tako Sunomono, which means octopus salad. The sliced octopus is paired with salt-marinated cucumber and seaweed for a light and mild dish, that is rather welcome after the hearty food.
And what’s there to drink? Well, the summer fruit tea is a great drink to start with. The mixed fruit concoction includes diced apples, watermelon, kiwi, strawberries with lemon and lime slices for a refreshing and tangy beverage, perfect for a hot day.
The restaurant also offers a Yee Sang promotion in line with Chinese New Year. The colourful platter contains shredded vegetables, pickled radish, scallop strips and tempura crumbs, adorned with an almost too-pretty-to-eat salmon sashimi rosette in the middle, sprinkled with edible gold flakes for extra dramatic appeal.
One just needs to pour over the aromatic yuzu sauce and extra virgin olive oil, then toss with family and friends (while yelling auspicious wishes) for a prosperous and good year ahead!
Until the end of January, customers who spend over RM80 are eligible to receive cute Totoro-themed ang pao packets, which will surely delight children and fans of the studio Ghibli movie.
“No one ever really loses their inner Totoro and I love that it’s a part of my childhood, which is why I wish for this happiness to reach everyone,” Lee said.
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Wasabi Plus
126, Jalan Cerdas
Taman Connaught Cheras
56000 Kuala Lumpur
Business hours:
11.00am-3.00pm; 5.00pm-10.00pm (Mondays–Fridays)
11.00am-10.00pm (Saturdays and Sundays)
Contact: 010-9014051