CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE EATS AT CALIA

Inspired by the original concept that made waves in Melbourne, Calia has carved out a niche for itself as a modern and stylish Japanese dining spot where good food meets laid-back café vibes.

The casual space is bright with splashes of green and large picture windows looking out towards the bustling city skyline. It draws a steady crowd for its sushi bowls, comforting ramen and inventive beverages.

Creativity rules the drinks list featuring vibrantly colourful and winsome tasting tipples. The creamy sweet Taro Strawberry Latte (RM17) channels a liquid dessert while the delightful Magic Mango Smoothie (RM23) and slightly quirky Blueberry & Sweet Potato Milkshake (RM23) go down smoothly.

 
Healthier thirst-quenchers range from bright and aromatic Lychee & Lemongrass Fruit Tea (RM18) to the toasty Hojicha Fruit Tea (RM18) with diced fruits. Cool down humid afternoons with Easy Summer (RM16) — a mix of cucumber, lime and mint or gravitate towards Matcha Strawberry (RM23) for its alluring balance of fruity sweetness and grassy bitterness.

The dangerously snackable Ko Ebi (RM18), crispy whole small prawns served with yuzu mayo, is a surefire crowd-pleaser and will instantly disappear once it hits the table.

 
Salads go beyond the usual side-dish territory here. Our favourite is Soft Shell Crab Salad with Avocado (RM41) consisting of fried soft shell crab chunks tossed with tosaka (multi-colour crunchy seaweed). We enjoy the artful blend of different textures, pulled together with goma (sesame) dressing.

More contemporary in spirit, the Kale Salad with Bara Bara (RM44) pairs kale with marinated raw fish cubes for added richness. Cherry tomatoes, pink peppercorns and Japanese Caesar dressing complete the eye-catching and tasty ensemble.

Rice bowls are also given prominence. A fine example is Salmon Mentaiko Don (RM46) which has grilled salmon with creamy cod roe sauce covering sushi rice; the dish’s richness enhanced by briny ikura and pickles.

Salmon Tataki Engawa Don (RM88), a sublime pairing of marinated engawa (flounder fin) with scorched salmon slices, amps up the luxe factor. Some kizami wasabi (finely chopped fresh wasabi stems and roots marinated in soy sauce) cuts through the fatty fish nicely.

Also holding its own is the rich and hearty Salmon & Avocado Don (RM48). The scrumptious offering combines fresh salmon cubes marinated in a savoury sauce placed atop sushi rice, complemented by diced creamy avocado and a silky onsen egg.

Sushi rolls lean towards generous and satisfying. The standout creation of Engawa Maki (RM48) features lightly torched flounder fin, egg, cucumber and crabstick rolled with sushi rice and a dab of yuzu mayo, while the Unagi Maki (RM43) entices with sweet-savoury rice rolled with grilled eel, truffle egg, takuan (pickled radish), cucumber and avocado. More grilled eel brushed with sweet eel sauce lends the offering a decidedly luscious finish.

Crispy soft shell crab, avocado and cucumber rolled inside seaweed-wrapped sushi rice then finished with tempura oba (battered shisho leaf) makes the Soft Shell Crab Maki (RM33) a ‘must try’ option.

Comforting with a touch of whimsy, you’d have a field day sampling the Bear Garden Shabu Shabu (RM68). The collagen-rich chicken broth presented as a cute bear-shaped block comes surrounded by assorted vegetables and Japanese meatballs. Chicken slices (+RM10), tiger prawns (+RM15) or Wagyu beef slices (+RM38) can be added according to your preference.

                                                         
Rustic with flavourful depth, the Gyusuji Nikomi (RM38) — a mix of braised beef stomach, tendon and daikon scores for its pleasantly soulful, slightly gelatinous broth.

 
Noodle lovers have several notable options to explore. Food snobs may find instant affinity with Uni Truffle Inaniwa Don (RM126) which has delicate hand-stretched udon slicked with truffle oil, crowned with sea urchin and ikura.

Flavour fiends will discover Ebi Ramen (RM56) – a Japanese take on prawn noodles with sizeable freshwater prawns and springy ramen in a deeply flavoured shrimp broth worth diving into.

Another distinctive choice is Charcoal Truffle Collagen Ramen (RM38); a tempting partnership of sous vide chicken and striking black noodles in a collagen-rich chicken soup.

Those craving meat can opt for the Aussie Full Blood Wagyu Sirloin MB8-9 (RM288), served with yuzu-laced potato salad and garden greens and nuts.

In keeping with the Japanese theme, crowd-pleasers such as Matcha Lava Cake (RM33) and Warabi Mochi (RM28) are highlighted. The former hides a molten green tea centre beneath a spongy chocolate cake crowned with matcha ice cream whilst the latter proffers a more traditional approach with soft, jelly-like cubes dusted in roasted soybean powder and drizzled with dark sugar syrup.

The Black Sesame Burnt Cheesecake (RM21) brings nutty depth to the Basque-style favourite. As a refreshing finale, Yokan Anmitsu (RM28) comprising red bean jelly, agar-agar, red bean mash, seasonal fruits and matcha ice cream, is just ideal to cap off your visit on a lightly sweet note.

All in, Calia balances Japanese flavours with modern café sensibilities. Whether it’s for a quick bite, a stopover for dessert, or simply a friendly catch-up over drinks, Calia has found great resonance with the young and hip crowd as well as seasoned food lovers.

For reservations at Calia Pavilion KL, visit this link: https://inline.app/booking/calia. Address: Lot 6.11, Level 6, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur 
 

SAJIAN ISTIMEWA AT SHANGRI-LA KUALA LUMPUR

Certified by the National Heritage Department of Malaysia, the Sajian Istimewa buka puasa buffet at Lemon Garden proffers a stellar cast of heritage dishes and staple buka puasa favourites. 

Available from 18 February to 20 March 2026, Lemon Garden’s outdoor area transforms into a warung-style bazaar, channelling the sights, scents and convivial spirit of bustling local food markets.

 
Curated heritage dishes prepared by Shangri-La KL’s certified heritage cuisine chefs led by Malay specialty chef, Mohammad Safril are the top draws in the rotational buffet menu. 

The food is freshly prepared at live cooking stations, equipped with charcoal grills, bubbling woks for frying snacks, pots of aromatic curries and pans of traditional delicacies. 

A rare, must try dish is Udang Masak Tempoyak Sarawak. Sample alluringly succulent tiger prawns, lightly fried with lemongrass, immersed in a distinctly tangy gravy of fermented durian, chillies, shallots and garlic.

 
From the royal kitchens of Kedah comes the regal speciality of Ayam Golek Istana. Bite into tender grilled chicken suffused with a special marinade of fragrant spices including coriander, fennel seeds, chillies and shallots among others.

Ever tried cow skin braised until meltingly tender in a deeply spiced coconut gravy? Tease your palate with Sambal Taun Jangek, a delicacy exuding rich, comforting taste of old-school tradition. Wrapped in banana leaves and grilled, the red snapper that's Pais Ikan Jenahak boasts deep complexity from its distinct marinade of local ulam herbs and spices.

 
Noteworthy classic specialities such as Pekasam Daging and Tunjang Gulai stand out too. The former, preserved using an age-old bamboo fermentation method, is gently cooked with spices and freshly pressed coconut milk turning the meltingly tender beef into the bee’s knees. We also enjoy the latter in which toothsome, chewy beef tendons are simmered in a mild albeit flavourful turmeric gravy.

A heritage offering from the state of Negeri Sembilan is a punchy hot Keli Salai Masak Lemak Cili Padi. Accentuated by the tangy acidity of belimbing buluh (bilimbi) in creamy bird’s eye chillies and coconut milk gravy, the fall-off-the-bone, smoked catfish reels in its share of avid fans.

The grill section flaunts a crowd-pleasing Malay-style Kambing Panggang Golek Berempah – a whole spice-rubbed, spit-roasted lamb savoured with buttery Nasi Minyak Hujan Panas – piping hot, ghee-infused rice infused with fragrant spices.

Festive staples such as Ketupat, Lemang with assorted Serunding (spiced meat floss) evoke Hari Raya vibes aplenty. There are also stalls proffering street food-style Goreng-goreng: crisp, golden fritters of bananas, sweet potatoes, yam, breadfruit and cempedak; and different variants of Kuih Cara: mini oval, charcoal-baked cakes made with pandan and coconut milk batter. The sweet version comes filled with gula Melaka (palm sugar) or dates, whilst the savoury ones include spiced mince lamb.

Lemon Garden’s winsome international array of Western, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, seafood and carvery parade enhances the mind-boggling menu. From premium lobsters, crabs, prawns, sushi, and sashimi to artisanal cheeses and wood-fire baked pizzas, you’d be spoiled for choice. Tandoori specialities, baskets of piping hot dim sum, juicy roasts and homey casseroles beckon from various nooks and counters.

 
Local dessert made to order ranges from Ais Kacang and Chendol to Apam Balik and Pengat Pisang. More decadent treats such as Durian Cake, mini portions of Lemon Meringue Tart and Pandan Swiss Rolls, Dates Tart, Onde-onde Cake and Burnt Sugar Cake await.

 

Sajian Istimewa Buffet (7pm to 10pm) is priced at RM270 nett per person (Monday – Thursday) and RM318 nett per person (Friday – Sunday). 

In collaboration with Malaysia Design Development Centre, a Warisan Lestari (a Yayasan Hasanah initiative dedicated to advancing Malaysia’s heritage arts) showcase will be held from 5 to 18 March 2026. The special pop-up at the Main Lobby celebrates Malaysia’s artistic legacy.

 

                                                     

A Ghazal Quartet will render their repertoire of tunes influenced by Middle Eastern and South Asian music with roots in Johor, on 6, 7, 13 and 14 March 2026 from 6pm to 8pm. 

 
From 19 February to 19 March, listen to Calempung – traditional Malay percussion music from Negeri Sembilan comprising small, tuned gongs on wooden frames played rhythmically with mallets.
 
For reservations and inquiries, please call Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, tel:03-2786 2378 or email: dining.KL@shangri-la.com.