It’s no secret that the Klang Valley is overwhelmed with shopping malls. Each time a new one opens, I find myself lamenting, “Oh no, another one?!” While I much prefer the outdoors, our tropical weather finds me looking for cooler respites in these shopping malls, so it was inevitable that I’d have a favourite one. Which, you ask? Well, it’s none other than the ostentatious The Exchange TRX.
I love this mall for very few things, and one of said few things is The Aurum Theatre. A true fan of ‘dinner and a movie’, I was ecstatic to hear that GSC’s luxe cinema outlet offered not one but three different dining experiences; Hokkaido Table, Kissa Cafe & Diner, and JIN Gastrobar.
This time around, we opted to try Hokkaido Table, where Japan’s ultra-fresh produce and Italy’s cooking traditions meet.
But first, a movie…
While this may not be my first time at The Exchange TRX’s Aurum Theatre, it was my maiden experience at the Escape Studio. But let’s backtrack a little––here, there are five cinematic options to choose from.
There’s IMAX, which delivers the ultimate audio and visual experience to cinema-goers. Then there is SCREENX, a 270-degree viewing experience. Comfort Cabin & Getha Lux Suite are where luxury and comfort collide.
And then lastly, Escape Studio has four halls offering its own unique themes. We signed up for Escape Studio II, a hall that transports movie lovers to Japan’s bustling streets thanks to its decor. Each Twin Sofa seat will set you back RM300, and comes with two hot meals and soft drinks.
What else? The sofas are fully reclining and to make your experience at the movies even more bougie, is the added touch of a fluffy blanket and soft pillow. Talk about an unforgettable movie night (or day, whatever works).
Food, food, glorious food…
After a dose of cinematic pleasure, it was time to fuel ourselves at Hokkaido Table, where Japanese-Italian fare will tantalise all tastebuds, even the fussy ones. Fusing the best of Japanese and Italian cuisine, every dish here is bold and hearty, set to impress foodies.
Let’s get started with some… starters. To start our food journey at Hokkaido table, we kicked things off with the Nigiri Sushi (RM129), a limited sushi platter promo with toppings like Kingfish, tuna, scallops, salmon, tuna tartare, and my favourite, ebi. Every bite packed a punch and when dipped with the side serving of wasabi (the real kind, not the processed one), each creation tasted that much better.
Up next was the clotted cream goodness known as Burrata Caprese (RM35), a burrata-centric dish served with diced tomatoes, fresh pineapple for some tartness, endives, and mignonette. For those who aren’t too keen on seafood, I would highly recommend this dish. Especially if you don’t want anything too overpowering with flavour.
Lastly, to close our starters phase, we finished it off with Hokkaido Table’s summer special dish, the Soft Shell Crab Roll (RM69)—super crispy, perfectly moist rice, and the portion is generous and meant to be shared.
For the main event…
Kicking things off for the main portion of our dining experience at Hokkaido table was the Miso Lamb (RM159), which showcases the restaurant’s love for Japanese flavours. Served with mashed potato and roasted vegetables, the medley of different ingredients surprises our tastebuds.
Staying on course with our carnivorous journey, the next meal – Waygu Sirloin A5 Myazaki Bistecca (RM299), was seared to perfection. This beef dish was nowhere near gamey but instead was juicy, as each bite went well with its side of roasted potatoes, broccoli, and carrots.
Then we moved on to a serious course of carbs: Lobster Linguine (RM199), Truffle Mushroom Risotto (RM29), and Tai & Ikura Aglio Olio (RM59), the last being an umami explosion! Every single dish was packed with distinct flavours, and if you’re not a big eater, we suggest sharing. After all, a hearty meal always tastes better when shared with family and friends.
While pretty much every single plate Hokkaido Table served us was much to rave about, my favourite for the day was the Chargrilled Tiger Prawns (RM50). You’re really getting a bang for your buck here with generous pieces drizzled with lemon butter and capers, accompanied by a side of fresh greens. I am salivating just writing about this.
Last but certainly not least…
We ended things on a sweet note with the restaurant’s version of the beloved Italian dessert – Tiramisu. Made up of mascarpone, vanilla biscuit, coffee syrup, Kahlua syrup, and topped with whipped cream and chocolate flakes, this dish is not for the faint of heart and kids; mainly due to its alcohol content.
However, if you don’t mind something sinfully strong (again, non-coffee drinkers, you may want to steer clear) to end your culinary journey with, we highly recommend choosing this dessert item.
I’d say, for a first visit to Hokkaido Table, we sampled quite a few dishes and were thoroughly impressed with the balance of both Japanese flavours and Italian flair. We’ll be back for more but in the meantime, you movie-goers should take advantage of their Summer Specials promo that’s happening until 31 July 2024.
Address: L2.15.0, Level 2, The Exchange TRX, Persiaran TRX, Tun Razak Exchange, 55188 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6011 2640 9549
Images by Emma Mallaburn.
