Did this van crash into a bar? Turns out, the van IS the bar and it serves Japanese highballs!

With the sheer number of eateries in Malaysia, the only way for some places to thrive is to be truly eye-catching. Shibui Yakitori in Chinatown KL is certainly one of them, most people can’t help but stop and stare as they pass by.

What’s catching their attention? Well, it’s the question of whether this is a quirky restobar or the scene of an accident. At first glance, you might think that the kei van sitting inside a pre-war shophouse had been parked by a drunken driver.

Shibui? More like Shibuya!

That is not the case, of course, though the van does smell of alcohol. Mostly because it’s a functioning bar. Its interior has long been gutted, replaced with a fully stocked bar that specialises in highballs.

From the setup to the décor, it’s clear the owner has a soft spot for Japan. Indeed, Shibui wouldn’t look out of place in an alley in Shibuya’s nightlife district. It’s the kind of spot where you can unwind with friends after a long day’s work.

A strange, sweet appetiser

For starters, try one of the quirkiest items on the menu: the Lychee Mayo Cauliflower (RM18). As odd as it sounds, it’s a popular order. And according to the waiter, it’s best enjoyed with a drink in hand.

When it arrived, the scent of syrup hit me first. The soft lychee, sweet mayo, and crunchy cauliflower; each component complemented the other, giving every bite a mix of textures and flavours that was strangely addictive.

Meet the meat on a stick

It was a good start, but I need something meaty. The Yakitori Platter (RM49) was an easy choice. For that price, you get seven skewers: chicken thigh, chicken wing, salmon, prawn, leek, cherry tomato, and shiitake mushroom.

Of the selection, the chicken thigh disappeared the fastest. Perfectly grilled with a smoky char on the skin, it gave way to juicy, tender meat.

Mad for marrow

For the meat-loving Malaysian, this next one is bound to call your name. The Fried Rice with Beef & Marrow (RM68) may set you back a bit, but in all fairness, how often do you see beef marrow on a menu?

A thick bone arrived split in half, marrow glistening from end to end. It was delight scraping it onto the rice. Buttery, rich, and creamy, the marrow melted in my mouth and coated the rice with pure indulgence.

An eggy explosion

Which came first: the chicken or the egg? At Shibui, the Eggplosion Rice Bowl (RM17) makes it clear that the egg takes the crown. This protein-rich bowl was bathed in egg sauce and leeks. The combo of soft rice, crunchy leeks, and umami egg made for the perfect comfort dish.

Want-want tan-tan

You can never go wrong with noodles when you’re drinking. Shibui’s Chicken Sesame Tan-Tan Mee (RM23) delivers just the right punch. The generous amount of Lao Gan Ma chilli sauce adds a fiery kick, which left my lips tingling and my heart racing.

Thirst quenchers

To cool off, I quenched my thirst with the Honey Highball (RM28), which was a lovely mix of honey, whiskey, and citrus. It was a bubbly treat, but the Lychee-Infused Sake (RM25) was the easier drink of the two, with its fruity sweetness and smooth sake base.

Is Shibui worth your time?

With so many bars and bistros to pick from in Chinatown, Shibui Yakitori is a safe yet satisfying bet if you’re after good food, great drinks, and a bit of novelty. Just maybe resist the urge to “drive off” in the kei van after a few too many highballs, alright?