Food connoisseurs across the nation are getting restless as they standby for the official opening of the world famous Nobu Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur – the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

The culinary buzz has reached a sky high level ever since news of the famous Michelin restaurant joining Malaysia's Japanese food scene surfaced. While most have no grasp of the exact opening date, it is predicted to be opened on the second week of August. 

[Editor's update: Nobu KL informs us that it will be open to the public in early September, with a grand launch planned for November. Read our exclusive review of Nobu Kuala Lumpur here]

For those who are not in the know, Nobu is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the world, started by chef Nobu Matsuhisa and international celebrity Robert De Niro.

Nobu was first founded in 1994 at New York City and with its unique modern Japanese cuisine, it has become a global empire with restaurants spread across cities in five continents from London, Tokyo to Los Angeles and now in Kuala Lumpur.

Headed by chef Philip Leong who has 9 years of experience in Nobu restaurants worldwide, we are extremely excited to see what the chef has devised for the Malaysian branch.

In Nobu KL, there will be a great combination of signature dishes found in all Nobu restaurants and new exciting flavours exclusive to KL. Chef Philip will take the Peruvian influenced Japanese dishes he knows well and incorporate them with the local ingredients of Malaysia.

While the new dishes will remain a mystery till the opening, there are plenty to look forward to in its signature menu.

Black Cod Miso
As the dish synonymous to the name Nobu, this cod dish is one not to be missed when paying a visit to the restaurant. Marinated in Nobu’s signature miso sauce for two to three days, the dish showcases a succulent piece of roasted cod fish that has simple yet robust flavours. So far, it has received amazing reviews and has never ceased to amaze the palates visiting Nobu restaurants around the world.

Rock Shrimp with Spicy Sauce
What could be better than a spicy dish to satisfy the Malaysian tastebuds. The tempura rock shrimps, glazed with a creamy spicy sauce, are another must-try when at Nobu. This is a relatively simple recipe that is seen in many Asian-influenced restaurants but the fact that it is a signature at Nobu shows the amount of skill and time taken to perfect it. Definitely another to put on your list when visiting.

Nobu Tacos
Nobu is known for its adaptation of Peruvian flavours with Japanese cuisine. The Nobu Tacos feature a series of baby corn shells served with a variety of sashimi toppings including salmon, Wagyu, crab and lobster. This is one dish that you do not see often in other establishments, hence it is a must try for first time Nobu diners. Personally, we look forward to the tuna, crab and Wagyu varieties, instead of the more conventional Atlantic salmon, the non-traditional fish of Japanese cuisine.

Omakase menu
If you are an adventurous foodie, why not try the Nobu Omakase menu where you get a specially-crafted menu, made to your preference by the chefs of Nobu KL. Using the freshest produce of the day, the Omakase is a fun surprise where you get a chance to taste new flavours and textures that are, without a single doubt, Michelin-worthy.

Nobu Kuala Lumpur is set to be opened on the second week of August at Level 56, Menara 3 Petronas, Persiaran KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.

The operation hours are 6pm to 11pm From Monday to Saturday. For more information, visit www.noburestaurants.com.