KOJI TTDI: Japanese–Italian Flavours, Creative Seafood Plates and a Signature Claypot Rice Worth Saving Room For

Save KOJI TTDI for an evening when you want dinner to feel a little special. With its dark interior, warm lighting and streamlined bar, the restaurant sets the scene for a leisurely meal filled with unexpected flavour combinations.

Located along Jalan Aminuddin Baki in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KOJI brings Japanese and Italian influences together in some intriguing ways. Think raw minced tuna paired with prosciutto and Parmesan, burrata accompanied by ponzu jelly, and a seafood taco with creamy mascarpone.

It is the kind of menu that makes choosing just a few dishes a little difficult. My advice is to explore the smaller plates, but keep enough appetite for the signature Kamameshi Claypot Rice. This is one dish you will want to give proper attention to.

Tuna Bruschetta

The Tuna Bruschetta sets the tone with a combination of raw minced tuna, prosciutto, balsamic and Parmesan.

There is plenty of savoury character here. Prosciutto and Parmesan bring their distinctive salty richness, while the balsamic adds sweet acidity around the delicate tuna.

What catches my attention is the pairing of raw fish with cured meat and cheese. It gives a familiar starter a completely different personality and offers an introduction to the ideas running through KOJI’s menu.

If you enjoy trying unusual combinations, this is a good place to begin.

Akaebi Nori Taco: Crisp, Creamy and Playful

The Akaebi Nori Taco packs plenty into its crisp seaweed shell, bringing together akaebi, mascarpone, yuzu kosho and ikura.

The combination has an inviting mix of textures and flavours. Creamy mascarpone meets the citrus-and-chilli accent of yuzu kosho, with the seafood elements adding savoury depth. Around it all, the crisp nori shell gives each mouthful a contrasting crunch.

There is a fun quality to this dish that suits a relaxed dinner with friends. It brings together several distinctive ingredients in a format that feels easy to enjoy.

Pan-Seared Hokkaido Scallops: Bring on the Garlic Béchamel

For something richer, the Pan-Seared Hokkaido Scallops come with garlic béchamel, tomato salsa and pangrattato breadcrumbs.

The garlic béchamel—aglio besciamella on the menu—gives the dish its creamy, comforting foundation. Tomato salsa introduces a brighter note, while the breadcrumbs add texture.

This is a plate to enjoy with a little of everything in each bite. Bring the scallop, sauce, salsa and breadcrumbs together to appreciate how the accompaniments work around the seafood.

For anyone drawn to creamy sauces, this is a tempting addition to the order.

Cold Burrata with a Japanese Twist

Burrata lovers have something to look forward to with the Cold Burrata, served with umeshu tomato, ponzu jelly, shiso and ogonori.

The cheese brings its familiar creaminess, while the umeshu tomato adds a fruity element and the ponzu jelly supplies a citrus-led, savoury lift. Shiso contributes an aromatic herbal note, with ogonori adding another Japanese touch.

The ponzu jelly is a particularly interesting detail. It gives you another component to combine with the burrata, allowing the creamy cheese and sharper seasoning to meet in each mouthful.

This is one of the dishes that makes KOJI’s concept easy to appreciate: recognisable ingredients brought together in a way that encourages you to explore different flavours.

Signature Kamameshi Claypot Rice

The signature Kamameshi Claypot Rice is the dish I would prioritise when planning the order. Made with Japanese short-grain rice cooked in a claypot over charcoal, it features shiitake mushrooms, gobo, ikura and pork lard. That combination gives it plenty of character, from the earthy mushrooms and gobo to the savoury seafood accent of ikura.

The pork lard adds another layer of richness, bringing an indulgent touch to a dish already built around the comforting appeal of rice.

There is something especially satisfying about making a rice dish the centrepiece of dinner. After exploring the smaller plates, the kamameshi brings the meal together with familiar comfort and a distinctive combination of ingredients.

My ordering tip: leave room for the rice from the start. Choose a few smaller dishes to enjoy alongside it, and give this signature the appetite it deserves.

A Spot for Your Next Dinner Date

KOJI offers plenty to talk about over dinner, from its tuna-and-prosciutto pairing to the crisp nori taco and citrus-accented burrata. The intimate atmosphere adds to the appeal, making it a lovely consideration for a date night or a catch-up with friends who enjoy exploring food.

I would start with a couple of the smaller plates, add the scallops if you are in the mood for something creamy, and make the Kamameshi Claypot Rice the main event.

Come curious, bring good company and keep room for that claypot rice.