The first thing you will notice at this Avenue K spot is the giant decorative crab mounted outside the restaurant. It is impossible to miss and it sets the tone for what Kani-Kawa does best. Kani-Kawa has quickly become a buffet favourite among KL foodies because it offers something rare: a full-fledged crab buffet with unlimited premium crab.
Prices from RM158 onwards
Weekday lunches are priced at RM238 and dinners at RM298. On weekends and public holidays, lunches are RM298 and dinners RM338. Seniors and children are charged RM158 for all meal times, and children below 95cm dine for free.
Additionally, to avoid waste, a penalty of RM238 is charged for every 100g of food left on your plate. So, be sure only to take what you know you can eat for certain. You are also given only a maximum of 2 hours for your dining session, with last orders being taken at the 90-minute mark.
Three types of crabs on the menu
The draw here is the crustaceans. Kani-Kawa serves three varieties of premium crab: king crab, snow crab, and horsehair crab. The king crab is the star, offering sweet, firm meat with a richness similar to lobster. Snow crab has a gentler brininess that suits those who prefer something lighter, while horsehair crab gives a notably tender, delicate bite.
If you dread cracking shells, the kitchen can boil the crabs for you and serve them hot. The meat slides out effortlessly, which makes it easier to enjoy the seafood without the mess. Delicious crab flesh extracted with no hard work? Yes, please.
Wagyu for the meat lovers
Seafood aside, Kani-Kawa also includes Wagyu on the buffet. The cuts are sourced from halal-certified Japanese suppliers, so everyone can join in. The Wagyu is from the Shimomuragyu brand, which is produced in Aichi, central Honshu. This beef is famous for its high glutamic acid content that gives it a strong umami flavour. It is also high in oleic acid, which contributes to its tender, almost buttery texture.
We tried the Shimomuragyu D Rump and the Shimomuragyu Short Plate. Both were served raw for us to grill at the table. The D Rump was lean with a soft chew, while the Short Plate was richer and fattier, giving that slow-rendering texture that Wagyu is known for.
A generous spread of sushi and sashimi
The sushi and sashimi station is another popular stop. The salmon sashimi stood out the most. It was firm, fresh and mildly sweet, with a clean finish. A simple dip of soy sauce and wasabi was all it needed. Other dishes worth noting are the maguro (tuna) and the hotate (scallops). The scallops in particular were impressively large.
Warm dishes and cooked options
For diners who prefer something comforting, there are cooked dishes such as soups, hot meats, fried snacks and carb options including rice and noodles. The buffet is not only for raw seafood lovers, and these dishes make a good second round if you need a break from the cold items.
A sweet ending
To finish, there are cakes, jellies and free-flow Häagen-Dazs. Most diners made a beeline for the ice cream, and it is a pleasant way to close a very heavy meal.
Is it worth it?
There’s no denying this: Kani-Kawa isn’t a cheap buffet. However, the variety and the quality justify the price if you arrive hungry. Unlimited king crab is already a rarity in KL, and the Wagyu and sashimi strengthen the value further. If you plan ahead and build a good appetite, you will get your money’s worth here.
Kani-Kawa
Address: L2-6A, Level 2, Avenue K, Jln Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, WP Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 11 am – 3 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm daily
Contact: 010-2646881
Halal Status: Pork-free
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