Anything but Boring

First published in Options, The Edge Malaysia, May 6, 2019

The Super Boring Club (SBC) entertains patrons in the electric glow of a pink neon sign on bare brick wall, exhaust chimneys snaking down from the ceiling like a Murakami fantasy, a Tokyo-edge vibe, and a Korean-Japanese fusion menu. It’s cosy, noisy and crowded inside, in the way of a too-small Tokyo bar, but that’s part of the illusion.

A smorgasboard of do-it-yourself BBQ meats, appetisers of indeterminate provenance, sake and shochu cocktails make up the menu.

Tori Garlic (Rm16.80) kicks things off in the right direction, delectable deep-fried chicken balls with mustard garlic, rapidly followed by Miso Grilled Eggplant (Rm16.80) gooey soft eggplant filled with fried shimeji mushrooms, a la Chinese yam basket, in a sweet miso sauce. The pace doesn’t let up with Awesome Beef Tataki (Rm 28.80), slices of pan-fried Australian beef in truffle oil and a homemade beef sauce (very good!) and the floral Yummy Spicy Baby Octopus (Rm16.80), looking too pretty to eat, with florets of baby octopi, cubes of watermelon, mushroom slices and – yes, flowers – in a lime sauce, for a cold, crunchy, texture-grounded appetiser.

Onto big things of various meats, and meat combinations, the Combo 3 (Rm98.00, serves 3-4) offers a combination, including squid, spicy baby octopi, Wagyu beef slices, lamb char siew and chicken.  Dipping sauces, lettuce leaves and garlic slices are part of the deal, with a brazier of hot charcoal installed at the table. The exhaust snakes down to the table-top, with scissors and tongs being part of the ceremony.

The wagyu beef is excellent, with some garlic, dipping sauce and kimchi, wrapped in lettuce leaves. Don’t discount the aromatic grilled chicken, the bouncy squid, meaty lamb or delicate baby octopi. It makes quite a meal, with the condiments, so bring company. 

For carbohydrate, you could do worse than the Korean Spicy Rice Bowl (Rm22.80), served in a shiny steel bowl for 2-3. Bibimbap like, it can be eaten as served, or rolled into tight balls (a plastic handglove is provided) and grilled, for a deeper flavour.

The entertaining SBC serves up plenty of Japanese-Korean modern atmosphere with the meals. In spite of its youthful vibe, the food would certainly appeal as well to a mature audience out for a night of good food, funky cocktails and a rollicking good time.

Super Boring Club,

15, Jalan Mesui, Bukit Bintang 50200 K Lumpur.

Tel: 03-21104919

FB/Instagram: superboringclub

Business Hours:  12-2.30pm, 6-11pm, Sat and Sunday 12pm-11pm.

Closed on Mondays