empire subang Archives

On the way back from Klang, after a round of Bak Kut Teh? Craving for Japanese food in Subang Jaya or more specifically in Empire Shopping Gallery? There’s Robataya Izakaya in Empire Shopping Gallery.

There are 5 Robataya restaurants in Malaysia: 4 in the Klang Valley and 1 in Penang.

Robataya @ PUBLIKA, D4-G3-09, Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Robataya @ 1 Utama, G202 & G203, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama Damansara, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Robataya @ Empire Shopping Gallery, Lot G-16, Ground Level, Jalan SS16/1, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Robataya @ SS2 , 9, Jalan SS 2/75, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Robataya @ Raja Uda , No 55G, Block D, Jalan Raja Uda, Pusat Perniagaan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia

Today’s lunch is at the Robataya @ Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang Jaya.

How to get to Robataya

A search on Google Map lists it as Robataya Izakaya Subang Empire.

If you’re taking the train, stop at the Subang Jaya LRT / KTM station, and then walk down to Empire Shopping Gallery. It is a good 15 minutes walk from the station to the mall.

If you’re driving, park at the mall’s basement parking and then take the escalator up to the ground floor. At lot G-16, it is a corner lot on the ground floor. It is just next to Din Tai Fung.

Robataya Izakaya

The founders of Robataya Izakaya wants to bring the most authentic way of Japanese charcoal grill to the diners. Many japanese restaurants use the mordern way of charcoal grill which does not retain the juiciness of the meat. Some restaurants don’t even use charcoal to prepare Japanese grill dishes. The founders went to Japan and was impressed by a century old restaurant which was using an “irori” to grill meats.
Robataya Izakaya (Our Story)

A visit to Robataya Izakaya’s website shows a walkthrough of the history behind Robataya Izakaya, izakaya, robatayaki, irori, and more.

Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll see an “irori”. What is an irori?

An “irori” (囲炉裏, 居炉裏) is a sunken hearth (fireplace) built at the centre of homes of the Japanese many years ago. The irori is used for cooking or to keep warm during winter.