Making your meal count with Shinano

Shinano Kitchen is literally a hole-in-the-wall pork-free diner serving Japanese and Korean rice and udon sets. Nestled on the ground floor of Uptown 5 Tower B in Damansara Utama, PJ, it has seating capacity for only 10 (very cramp seats) inside, but you can opt to sit outside on the sidewalk where it’s more comfortable, without air-cond. Capturing the essence of a real Japanese diner, Shinano fills a niche as prices are reasonable (RM10 to RM28) and the basic bento and rice sets are great for the office crowd who have no time to waste, and just wanna eat and go.

Essentially, there are only 3 main options – rice, fried rice or without carbs – paired with your choice of meat, tamago (eggroll), a side of kimchi and miso soup. Much like chap fan (Chinese mixed rice), but make it Japanese. Considering its tiny kitchen, the menu is surprisingly extensive as it plays with numerous combinations, including Japanese curry, udon and kimchi jiggae. Unlike Korean banchan, the sides are not refillable, but if you ask nicely, they might.

We had the beef patty with the garlic rice set, and unagi rice. Probably one of the cheapest unagi don around, the size of the eel was generous while the hambagu patty was a decent chunk of meat that went well with the garlic rice. I’ve had more exciting garlic rice, but the price would also be higher. Nothing fancy, but we enjoyed the meal – wholesome, prepared on-site and tasty – satisfying enough. 

The sets come with refillable green tea as well so it’s a complete ensemble. Shinano offers a quick, satisfying meal and they have catering services as well. 

Add: 101B, Tower B, Ground Floor, Uptown 5, Jalan SS21/39, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya. hp: 014-328 9941.