Tsuru Tsuru in Damansara Uptown, PJ
It took us a moment to figure out the meaning behind Tsuru Tsuru – it mimics the sound of slurping noodles. Now you won’t have to guess. But you should know that this new cafe in Petaling Jaya puts a unique, delicious spin on udon and soba dishes, all under RM20.
There is nothing bizarre like chocolate and boba udon. Instead, they incorporate Malaysian flavours – mala and tom yam – for a tasty twist.
Ambience at Tsuru Tsuru
Tsuru Tsuru is a cosy 30-seater cafe located on the first floor of the shop lot in Damansara Uptown.
It brings a splash of colour to the area – along with some cats. The furry felines belong to the cafe’s owners and treated us like old pals, casually roaming around the space. It definitely felt like we were in their territory.
Food at Tsuru Tsuru
The cafe serves udon and soba dishes from RM10, with cold, dry, and soupy options. Beyond noodles, their menu features equally long lists of small plates like tempuras (from RM1) and chicken karaage (RM15), as well as desserts (from RM7) and drinks (from RM8).
Tom Yam Soba
The Tom Yam Soba (RM11) broth tasted like a fusion of tom yam and laksa. There are tomatoes, cili padi, kaffir lime leaves, and a squeeze of lime. The soba was perfect for the thick and flavourful broth, soaking it all in without losing its springy texture.
If you order this, you should be able to handle some spice because the cili padi heat was prominent even for spice lovers like us. That being said, we couldn’t stop drinking up the soup.
Zha Jiang Udon
Zha Jiang Udon (RM11) is dressed with an in-house zha jiang sauce, served alongside shredded cucumbers and carrots, spring onions, and crushed peanuts. The udon gave a satisfying bite, being firm and not mushy, while the spice level was super mild. What really grabbed our attention was the satisfyingly sweet-nutty taste of the sauce.
Mushroom Minced Chicken Udon
Mushroom Minced Chicken Udon (RM15) was hands down our favourite.
The ingredients that go into their “secret brown sauce” remain hush-hush, but it nailed that nostalgic, homely Chinese taste, with minced chicken, shitake mushroom, and edamame in the mix. Even with the richness, it didn’t give us a greasy mouthfeel.
Mentai Tamago
Mentai Tamago (RM11) would have been a simple side dish – tamago topped with mentaiko sauce and seaweed – if not for the extra blowtorch touch. That sexy hint of smoky, almost carbon-like note, was the finishing touch that made it irresistible – we couldn’t stop going back for more.
Houjicha Soy Pudding
We ended our meal with the Houjicha Soy Pudding (RM8), which had a dense yet jiggly texture.
The soy pudding itself was nearly sugar-free, offering just the right amount of tea flavour. It paired so well with the Biscoff crumbs underneath.
Slurp up affordable udon & soba in PJ
Simple ingredients are brought together deliciously at Tsuru Tsuru. From the portion to the taste, everything felt just right. It is the kind of place your mind turns to when you’re unsure what to eat. We call it our new safety net.
Address: 67-M, Jalan SS 21/1A, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 11am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 010-656 1368 | Tsuru Tsuru Instagram
Also watch our video feature here:
For more food recommendations, read:
- Minamo Ramen, Michelin-approved ramen spot in KL
- Pizzaland, build-your-own pizzas in PJ
- Grumpy Bagels, satay and mochi red bean bagels in KL
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by xinyeegoh.