I first noticed this place on the 7th Floor, Rocku Yakiniku @ Pavilion, when I dined at Pigs & Wolf a few weeks back. I could see that there was a perpetual queue at this restaurant at dinner time. On the recommendation of a friend (and after reading about it from eatdrinkkl), I wasn't going to pass up on this good value-for-money deal.
The server attending to us was rather efficient and asked us 2 - 3 times if we wanted any re-orders before I finally obliged.
I enjoyed the salmon the most and hence I asked for an additional order (but this time with butter fish that I didn't get the first time round). I think we were given about 6 - 8 pcs each of butter fish and salmon.
The butter fish was also very nice...soft and tender but the salmon is still my undisputed champion.
We also had an extra order of pork belly...another 6 - 8 pcs! We only asked for 2 re-orders but still couldn't finish our food. My favourites were the beef rib eye, pork bacon and belly and salmon. I'll be 'wiser' the next time I visit and get specifically the items that I want only (now that I know what I like and what I don't) since I'm not a big-eater.
Be forewarned that extra orders come in rather big quantities (everything seems to come in 6 - 10 pcs of each which looked like they were meant for 4 or more people) and we had a hard time finishing the 2 additional orders. I wished that they would reduce the portions accordingly for 2 pax. Because of that, I was too stuffed to even try the scallops and shishamo (if I had ordered that, they'd probably give us another 4 pcs of each again). [#Tip 2: More ideal if you go in a group of 5 - 6 people coz the portions seemed to be tailored to this group size. Also, since a 4-seater table shares one burner, more than 4 people will get you 2 burners *wink wink*]
As you can see, we didn't get to cook any vegetables...didn't have time to visit the buffet line again :( The only thing I had that's remotely close to vegetables was the first serving of enoki mushrooms (cooked in butter) :D
Be forewarned that extra orders come in rather big quantities (everything seems to come in 6 - 10 pcs of each which looked like they were meant for 4 or more people) and we had a hard time finishing the 2 additional orders. I wished that they would reduce the portions accordingly for 2 pax. Because of that, I was too stuffed to even try the scallops and shishamo (if I had ordered that, they'd probably give us another 4 pcs of each again). [#Tip 2: More ideal if you go in a group of 5 - 6 people coz the portions seemed to be tailored to this group size. Also, since a 4-seater table shares one burner, more than 4 people will get you 2 burners *wink wink*]
At the beginning of the meal, the charcoal would be incredibly hot, so it would take only seconds to cook the thinly sliced meat...but, after the first hour, the flame eventually slows down and the wire mesh becomes more sticky. It's 'not-so-uncanny' that this happens so that your food takes a longer time to cook and less food gets cooked...kekeke!! I did see this group of 'university-going' young men at the table next to us (and boy, can they eat) asking for their wire mesh to be changed (which they did) and additional charcoal (which didn't come).
From my personal experience, the 100 mins time slot flew by sooner than expected. Although 100 mins is sufficient for one to get fully satiated, I would have liked more time as I'm a slow eater and like to take breaks in-between. I would have preferred a more leisurely 2 to 2 1/2 hrs time frame (taking into consideration the time needed to do the cooking) though I can also fully understand why it's limited to 100 mins. [#Tip 3: Great for fast eaters, not so for slow eaters (or elderly people who needs time to digest their food)...wakakaka! #Tip 4: Also, not ideal for young children who need your undivided attention in getting/feeding them food. By the time you fuss over them and before you know it, your 100 mins are up :P (plus there aren't any desserts to keep the little ones happy). #Tip 5: Because of the time constraint, giving the grilled food time to cool is also a luxury we don't have (but I did wait for it to cool), coz eating it too soon is rather 'heaty' for our bodies, so watch out if you have sensitive throats!]
From my personal experience, the 100 mins time slot flew by sooner than expected. Although 100 mins is sufficient for one to get fully satiated, I would have liked more time as I'm a slow eater and like to take breaks in-between. I would have preferred a more leisurely 2 to 2 1/2 hrs time frame (taking into consideration the time needed to do the cooking) though I can also fully understand why it's limited to 100 mins. [#Tip 3: Great for fast eaters, not so for slow eaters (or elderly people who needs time to digest their food)...wakakaka! #Tip 4: Also, not ideal for young children who need your undivided attention in getting/feeding them food. By the time you fuss over them and before you know it, your 100 mins are up :P (plus there aren't any desserts to keep the little ones happy). #Tip 5: Because of the time constraint, giving the grilled food time to cool is also a luxury we don't have (but I did wait for it to cool), coz eating it too soon is rather 'heaty' for our bodies, so watch out if you have sensitive throats!]
There's also live entertainment for certain days of the week from 7pm....so, if you're not a fan of music performances (or games and magic shows) while eating (like me), it would probably be to your best interest to come for the lunch buffet.
My Personal Opinion
I would say that at RM32.90 RM39.90, it's fantastic value-for-money...even at RM49.90, it's still great value-for-money, taking into consideration the quality and freshness of the meat and seafood you get (and the unlimited quantities that you can have). Although the variety may be limited, it's still more than enough to keep one happy ;)
If I have just one tiny little pet peeve is that I wished they would adjust the portions more appropriately for 2 pax (and not serve the standard portions for 4 people which is way too much for 2 people to handle).
It's definitely a place that I would return to again when I'm craving for some good-quality wallet-friendly yakiniku (if only the 100 mins could be longer). This place certainly appeals to the younger crowd coz these young people can really eat + they like the décor and ambience of the place (and maybe the live performances too). I'm sure you'll have a rocking good time at RockU!
Rocku Yakiniku
Lot 07.01.03 Level 7
Pavilion KL
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2148 8884
Looks good and so very cheap...unlike places like Jagoya, for instance.
ReplyDeleteYes, this one is value-for-money but Jogoya has a lot more choices...and, yes, Jogoya is more expensive but if you go during their promotions like buy 1 free 1, 2nd diner eats at 50% off, etc., it's quite ok.
DeleteFor a moment I thought I was reading Mun's blog LOL! This place is new isn't it? I can't go with my family, 100 minutes doesn't work with them on top of my mom would be constantly nagging at the amount of meat we would be eating :/
ReplyDeleteI agree that it isn't very suitable for old folks as they eat very slow + it's too much meat for them in one sitting. Pssst....go without your mom! :D
DeleteThis looks like a very good deal. I think my brother and I will enjoy this a lot as we are fast and big eaters hah..hah...
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect for you and your brother ;)
DeleteSince you were very full at the end, did you leave any food as leftovers? Do they charge for non eaten food as penalty?
ReplyDeleteYes, I did have some leftovers....and, no, they don't charge you for unconsumed food. Restaurants always say this but I've never been charged for leftover food before. I guess it's used more as a deterrent and as long as we don't purposely order more food than we can eat (or leave too much leftovers), I think it should be alright.
Deleteyay, you liked the food! :D heheh, if anyone ever says that 100 minutes feels like a very long time, take them here and they'll realise how time flies! 100 minutes may feel like a long time when we're driving from kl to malacca ... or waiting at an airport for our flight ... but not when munching on meat at rocku :D
ReplyDeleteYeah, you can say that again! When enjoying fresh and good food, the 100 mins is up before you know it. :D
DeletePretty interesting concept, not so great for slow eater like me though, but then again it's still over an hour
ReplyDeleteIf you're a slow....and smallish eater, then the time limit is probably sufficient.
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