For people living with coeliac disease, life in Malaysia can be somewhat difficult when it comes to food. While the availability of gluten-free options is slowly increasing, choices remain limited. Thus, it is timely that restaurants like By Age 18 have debuted here.
A gluten-free udon shop?
A new restaurant in Damansara Heights, By Age 18 is a Japanese restaurant specialised in gluten-free udon. Not only is it friendly to coeliacs, it is also a plant-based restaurant. Quite a novel concept, but what’s behind it?
As it turns out, the founder, Moriro Murakami, has a personal reason behind this project. His son has food allergies and Moriro wanted to find an udon that his son could enjoy. So, he began his quest for the ideal udon, which led him to meeting with chef Katsumi Kusumoto.
Clean, bright, white
Katsumi himself is the chef behind one of Japan’s most famous vegan restaurants. With Moriro’s backing, Katsumi developed a gluten-free udon, made with rice rather than wheat. Wishing to share this invention beyond Japan, By Age 18 was hence opened here in Malaysia.
The place has a modern, minimalist decor, with a clean white being the dominant colour. Wide windows ensure the place gets a lot of natural sunlight. For solo diners, there’s a communal table circling a houseplant where you can dine in peace.
Curry Udon
Malaysians love their spices, so it only makes sense to start a meal here with the Curry Udon (RM32). The first thing one notices about the udon is that it’s thicker than the usual stuff. That said, it is also chewier, requiring a few extra bites.
The spicy curry gives the subtly sweet udon a good kick. Most Malaysian palates won’t consider this to be the spiciest thing they’ve ever tasted, but it doesn’t have to be. It is hearty and heaty and that’s good enough.
Mala Tantan Udon
If you want something a little spicier, consider this Malaysian-inspired food item. It’s the Mala Tantan Udon (RM30), taking inspiration from popular mala hotpot noodles. This one turns up the notch on the spice levels, with a noticeable tangy taste as well.
Tempura Udon
What if you can’t take the heat? Well, there’s a noodle that lets you cool off and it is none other than the Tempura Udon (RM32). This one comes with vegetables fried in tempura batter as well as a dipping soup. This soup can be served either hot or cold.
With how hot the weather is these days, cold soup can be very tempting. To enjoy it, simply pick up some strands of noodles, dip them into the soup and consume accordingly. It is strangely refreshing, and made even better with the crunchy fried veggies.
Snacks & appetisers
For snacks or appetisers, there are some menu items to look into. If you love mushroom snacks, the Spicy Yuzu Lion’s Mane Mushroom (RM22) is right for you. Otherwise, try the Kinchaku Kitsune (RM16), which adorably looks like a little sack.
Matcha options
What would a Japanese restaurant be like without matcha? The Uji Matcha Azuki Latte (RM18) is a good choice for any matcha addicts, with a generous portion of red bean to sweeten up your latte. Alternatively, the Houjicha Latte (RM16) with its nutty, earthy flavours.
A rare dessert
Save room for dessert in the stomach, especially for the Brownies with Yuzu & Gac Sorbet (RM28). Plant-based brownies are amazing on their own, but the gac sorbet is worth one’s curiosity. After all, do you even know what gac is?
It is a fruit closely related to cucumbers and melons. As a sorbet, it tastes mildly sweet but noticeably refreshing. The sorbet thus goes well together with the brownies, making it likely you will finish every last morsel on your plate.
Worth your time?
Whether you have coeliac disease or just want to try a new restaurant, By Age 18 is worth a visit. BTW, do you want to know why it’s called that? The portraits of Albert Einstein in the restaurant should give you a clue. We are not telling you, hehe.
By Age 18
Address: A-1-01, 5th Place@KPD, 49, Jalan Dungun, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 11.30 am – 9.30 pm daily | Closed on Wednesdays
Contact: 03-20112362
Halal Status: Pork-free
You should also check out: Check out this matcha specialty cafe in SS2 that serves a silky ‘wat tan hor’ chicken katsudon
