Makii Makii at The Exchange TRX in KL
Between freshly made sushi elegantly served on a plate and pre-packaged sushi neatly arranged in a to-go box, Makii Makii is a fusion of both. Cementing itself as the first of its kind in Malaysia, the shop specialises in fast-food Japanese maki rolls that are rolled to order for on-the-go enjoyment.
We dropped by Makii Makii at The Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur to bring you this review.
Freshly made maki rolls for on-the-go enjoyment
When it comes to sushi, Makii Makii prioritises both freshness and convenience.
Their maki rolls are churned out straight from the kitchen and packed inside handheld rectangular drawer boxes – all it takes is a mere pull of the drawer to savour the delicious goodness.
The menu reads names of big cities, which represent none other than their maki offerings. There are Melbourne and Tokyo, as well as our capital city – Kuala Lumpur.
Each roll is sliced into eight bite-sized pieces. You can order the maki roll a la carte (from RM18) or as a set (from RM21.50), which comes with a drink and coleslaw.
The shop’s self-service ordering system is just as hassle-free as their fast-food sushi concept, functioning like the queue ticket system at a bank.
Simply place your order, collect a numbered ticket, and wait for your turn when your number shows up on the machine at the pick-up counter.
Here’s our verdict
We started with Kuala Lumpur (RM19), which teems with fried chicken, tonkatsu sauce, and honey lemon mayo. It was savoury with a bit of mayo-tanginess, but mostly sweet. A lighter hand with the tonkatsu sauce would have given the maki roll a more well-balanced flavour.
But overall, it was still a tasty pick.
Our next destination was Tokyo (RM20). Embodying a classic Japanese flair, the maki roll has salmon and mentaiko, dressed with teriyaki sauce and avocado mayo. Amidst the flavours of the sea, there was a subtle yet pleasant smokiness. The added crunch from the fried shallots and black sesame seeds was equally enjoyable.
We tried dipping the maki in wasabi and found ourselves loving the extra spiciness even more. The wasabi kicked things up a notch in the best way.
Moving on, we arrived in Hong Kong (RM20), which is a new item on the menu. It features white fish, truffle oil, and mayo.
We thought the maki would puff billows of truffle at us, but the distinct aroma simply didn’t come through. While the fish tasted fresh and paired well with mayo, we were missing the truffle to drive this flavour home.
Melbourne (RM18) was our final stop. The meatless maki is made with butter mushroom, avocado mayo, and truffle oil.
Once again, we couldn’t taste the truffle, but the butter mushroom was undoubtedly the highlight of the show. It was nicely sautéed, imparting a rich and savoury taste that complemented the mayo very well.
First fast-food maki store in Malaysia
Makii Makii sets itself apart with the unique concept of fast-food maki rolls, cleverly speaking to the working crowd in TRX. But what matters is still the taste of the food – and the shop has done it just as great.
In short, if you are looking for a quick meal and happen to be in the vicinity, this sushi shop is worth a visit.
Address: Lot C.58, Level Concourse, The Exchange TRX, Persiaran TRX, Imbi, 55188 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Makii Makii’s Instagram
Makii Makii is not a halal-certified eatery.
Also watch our video feature here:
Beyond sushi, the Exchange TRX is also home to delicious chocolate cookies from England and the famous Korean bakery cafe.
Photography by: xinyeegoh
Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local Malaysia