If you’ve dined around Kuala Lumpur’s Japanese restaurant scene, you’re probably familiar with Kyomo, Kingyu, Itsumo, Minamo, and Asumo Subang- all celebrated names that have delighted discerning palates with premium wagyu yakiniku, hearty ramen, and refined Japanese cuisine.
This November, the same restaurant group takes a completely different turn – from savoury to sweet – with the launch of a new sister brand – Kotsu Kotsu Desa Sri Hartamas, a modern Japanese patisserie that that stands apart from most of the cafés in KL, bringing a piece of Japan’s Omiyage culture to Malaysia.
In Japan, cakes are one of the most popular gifts and have connected people in daily life, When people travel, they often buy local specialty sweets to give to their friends, family, and coworkers. It’s also common to see people buying sweets for their families on the way home from work. The countless sweets lined up at airports, train stations, and department stores are not just commercial products – these are gifts to express gratitude and respect. Through the act of giving sweets, Japanese cherish their relationships with others.
Helmed by two experienced Japanese chefs – Chef Sasaki and Chef Fukuda – Kotsu Kotsu’s menu showcases the precision, patience, and passion behind Japanese-style patisserie.
The duo spent 300 days in Malaysia, going through over 1,000 recipe trials before finalizing their range of cakes that suit local tastes while staying true to Japanese techniques. Only halal-certified ingredients are used, allowing everyone to enjoy their desserts with with peace of mind.
The first thing we noticed when walking into Kotsu Kotsu is the sleek 4-metre-long glass showcase, specially made in Japan. Inside, eight types of cakes are neatly displayed, each one designed with minimalist Japanese elegance.
The current lineup includes Classic Japanese Roll Cake, Kinako Roll Cake, Matcha Japanese Roll, Chiffon Cake, Cheesecake, Fruit Cake, Pistachio Cake, Chocolate Cake.
In the kitchen, Kotsu Kotsu imported a Japanese-made BACKEN oven directly from Japan — a serious investment of over RM360,000, known for its precise heat control and sealed structure that retains moisture.
We tried few of the cakes and Chiffon Cake easily stands out. Light as air yet full of flavour, generously infused tea leaves into fluffy chiffon cake, enveloped in smooth whipped cream, creating a delightful milk tea flavour. Raspberry and strawberry which offers a tangy contrast that completes the flavour balance.
More than just another café, Kotsu Kotsu is a gentle introduction to Japan’s sweet gifting culture. Whether you’re buying a treat for yourself or something to bring home for family and friends, each cake feels special – a little reminder that joy can be shared in simple ways.
Kotsu Kotsu Japanese Patisserie
Address:
No. 34-G, Jalan 24/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 012-4112369
