[First Overseas Expansion] Authentic Hakata Yakitori Goes Global! "HAKATA YAKITORI YOKAYOKADO" to Grand Open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 1, 2026!

Overview

YARUKI MALAYSIA SDN BHD (Japanese Group: Yaruki Company Inc.) will make its group's first overseas foray with the grand opening of "HAKATA YAKITORI YOKAYOKADO," a specialty restaurant serving authentic Hakata-style yakitori, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 1, 2026.

This restaurant will offer the genuine Japanese food culture and hospitality of Hakata, featuring yakitori prepared with the same quality standards as in Japan, along with Hakata specialties like chicken skin skewers, our signature mizutaki (hot pot), and earthenware pot rice made with Niigata-grown Koshihikari rice.

Background and Vision for Overseas Expansion

An Authentic Japanese Dining Experience in Kuala Lumpur

Our group had been envisioning overseas expansion even before the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting inspections in various countries and cities.

Upon our first visit to Kuala Lumpur in August 2025, we were greatly encouraged by the city's vibrancy and the high interest in Japanese cuisine, which led us to decide on opening a store there. We established our local subsidiary, YARUKI MALAYSIA SDN BHD, in September of the same year, acquired the property in October, and have been rapidly advancing the project from conception to opening.

Driven by our desire to deliver the yakitori techniques and food culture cultivated in Japan "as they are," we decided to open "HAKATA YAKITORI YOKAYOKADO" as our first overseas branch. We aim to be a place where Japanese visitors can "relax with peace of mind in Kuala Lumpur," while simultaneously offering locals "the authentic taste of Hakata."

Concept

Authentic Hakata Yakitori, Unchanged in Taste

Delicious food, served deliciously. We will deliver authentic Hakata yakitori and Japanese hospitality to the local market without compromise, offering "the same taste as in Japan" from the outset. This is a specialty restaurant where customers can wholeheartedly enjoy Japanese food culture through our authentic yakitori, grilled one skewer at a time over charcoal.

[Three Commitments]

1. Authenticity: Served with the same recipes and quality as in Japan

2. Hakata Specialties: Featuring Hakata-exclusive dishes such as chicken skin skewers, mizutaki, and Hakata gyoza

3. Ingredient Focus: Japanese ingredients and quality, including Niigata-grown Koshihikari rice, Hokkaido scallops, and Kuroge Wagyu beef

Menu (Excerpts)

Our Prized Ingredients

We will recreate the authentic taste of Hakata using Japanese ingredients and quality, including Niigata-grown Koshihikari rice, Hokkaido scallops, and Kuroge Wagyu beef. For our chicken skin skewers, we source soy sauce from a Kumamoto soy sauce maker, choosing a soy sauce that perfectly complements the dish. For our mizutaki, we use freshly slaughtered chicken and a meticulously prepared soup simmered for 15 hours.

Signature! Hakata Chicken Skin Skewers

A Hakata specialty, grilled to a crispy, fragrant perfection. This signature item can be enjoyed even when ordered in larger quantities.

Our Pride! Mizutaki

A hot pot dish that slowly draws out the chicken's umami, served in an earthenware pot. You can enjoy it to the very end with additional zosui (rice porridge) or ramen.

Yakitori

Negima (Tare sauce) - Sasami (Salt) - Tsukune (Tare sauce) - Liver - Bonjiri - Hatsu - Dakimi (Chicken thigh wrapped in chicken skin), etc.

Pork Skewers & Pork Wraps

Hokkaido scallop wrapped in pork belly - Cheese wrapped in pork - Asparagus wrapped in pork - Enoki mushroom wrapped in pork - Lettuce/Tomato wrapped in pork, etc.

Hakata Gyoza

Hakata Boiled Gyoza - Hakata Grilled Gyoza

Halal-Certified Kuroge Wagyu Beef Steak

Kuroge Wagyu Beef Steak - Kuroge Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki

Vegetable Wrapped Skewers

These healthy and popular skewers are grilled over charcoal, offering the sweetness of vegetables and the umami of meat in a single bite.

Interior and Ambiance

A Calm, Wafuu-Modern Space

While incorporating Japanese aesthetics, the interior has been designed in a Wafuu-modern style that balances warmth and sophistication, tailored to the Kuala Lumpur setting. The central grill creates a live atmosphere, and the space is designed for customers to enjoy the aroma of charcoal, the sounds of grilling, and the movements of the chefs with all five senses.

Future Development: Message from the Representative

Our group views "YOKAYOKADO" as the first step in our overseas expansion. We are planning a second store (Yakiniku concept) utilizing adjacent property, followed by a third store (food service concept). Starting from Kuala Lumpur, we aim to deliver Japanese food culture in multiple facets, including yakitori, yakiniku, and other dining experiences.

Store Outline

HAKATA YAKITORI YOKAYOKADO

Location: Ground & Mezzanine Floor, The Row, No.44–48, Jalan Doraisamy, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Opening Date: July 1, 2026

Seating Capacity: 58 seats

Business Hours: 17:00 - 23:00

Access: Located within The Row KL (Chow Kit), near Azumi Boutique Hotel, along Jalan Doraisamy. Approximately a 7-minute walk from Chow Kit Station.

URL: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yVLWC7Z48HzqH15Y7?g_st=ic

Operating Company

Company Name (Local): YARUKI MALAYSIA SDN BHD

Japanese Group: Yaruki Company Inc.

Representative: Takashi Yamamoto, Representative Director

Established: June 1, 2016 (Japan)

Business Activities: Restaurant management, store development, production, and consulting

Company HP: https://yaruki-co.jp/

Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Contact: Takashi Yamamoto / Mail: yamamoto@yaruki-co.jp

Inquiry Form: https://yaruki-co.jp/contact/