We Tried 6 Dining Concepts At Menara Hap Seng 3's Culinary Link & Here's What Stood Out

Kuala Lumpur has no shortage of restaurants, but finding several noteworthy dining concepts gathered in one destination is a little rarer. That's exactly what The Culinary Link @ Menara Hap Seng 3 aims to offer, bringing together everything from Michelin-backed Japanese cuisine and premium yakiniku to Italian comfort food and rooftop cocktails.

During a recent tasting session, we sampled signature offerings from each concept, and while every restaurant brings something different to the table, a few dishes stood out more than others.

Sushi Masa impresses with precision & presentation

Our culinary journey began at Sushi Masa by Ishibashi, where the focus was very much on showcasing premium ingredients with minimal fuss.

The Toro Sukiyaki was rich and indulgent, featuring melt-in-your-mouth fatty tuna paired with the comforting sweetness of sukiyaki flavours. Meanwhile, the Sea Urchin with Dashi Jelly delivered a delicate balance between briny umami and refreshing lightness.

Image Credit: Hap Seng

The star of the trio, however, was arguably the Nodoguro Hand Roll, which packed plenty of flavour into every bite. It's the sort of dish that reminds you why Japanese cuisine often lets quality ingredients speak for themselves.

NIKU29 shows why premium beef matters

Next up was NIKU29, the yakiniku specialist that focuses on premium halal-certified beef sourced from Japan and Australia. The Beef Yukke immediately grabbed our attention. Rich, silky and packed with flavour, it set the tone for what followed.

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The Sour Plum & Bonito Dashi Soup offered a refreshing contrast, with its tangy and savoury notes helping cleanse the palate between bites. Then came the Tomo Sankaku, a beautifully marbled cut that delivered the kind of tenderness and flavour yakiniku lovers will appreciate.

If you're a beef enthusiast, NIKU29 makes a strong case for a return visit.

Skillet KL keeps things experimental

Instead of showcasing a single dish, Skillet KL presented an assortment of savoury and sweet canapés that highlighted the restaurant's creative approach to modern European cuisine.

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The assortment of savoury and sweet canapés offered a glimpse into Skillet KL's culinary style. Thoughtfully constructed and full of contrasting textures and flavours, the bites demonstrated the restaurant's ability to elevate simple ingredients into something memorable.

Asador V brings the heat

For something heartier, Asador V served up its Asado Fire-Kissed Beef.

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As the name suggests, the dish leaned heavily into smoky, charred flavours, with the open-flame cooking method adding depth and complexity to the meat. The result was bold, satisfying and exactly what we'd expect from a restaurant that centres itself around fire-driven cooking.

IL Forno continues to deliver

Unlike some of the other concepts, IL Forno wasn't entirely new territory for us.

Having previously visited the restaurant during our stay at Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, we already knew it was capable of serving solid Italian fare. This time around, we ended the meal with its Tiramisù, a classic dessert that struck a pleasant balance between coffee, cocoa and creamy mascarpone.

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While IL Forno isn't new to us, we're certainly not complaining about seeing it as part of The Culinary Link's lineup. Having previously enjoyed the restaurant's wood-fired pizzas and comforting Italian fare during our stay at Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, it remains an easy recommendation for those looking for a more relaxed dining experience.

Drinks with a view at @21 Rooftop Bar

No evening is complete without a nightcap, and that's where @21 Rooftop Bar comes in.

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Beyond the restaurants, @21 Rooftop Bar adds another dimension to The Culinary Link's dining offering. Overlooking Kuala Lumpur's skyline, the rooftop space provides a relaxed setting for guests to unwind after a meal, whether over cocktails, light bites or simply a view of the city lights

Our verdict

What makes The Culinary Link @ Menara Hap Seng 3 work isn't just the quality of the individual restaurants, but the variety they collectively offer.

From Sushi Masa's refined Japanese flavours and NIKU29's premium meats to Asador V's fire-kissed cooking, Skillet KL's creativity, IL Forno's dependable Italian comfort food and @21 Rooftop Bar's cocktails, there's enough here to cater to different occasions and preferences.

Rather than hopping across the city for dinner and drinks, The Culinary Link makes a compelling case for staying put and exploring everything under one roof. For foodies looking for a new dining destination in the heart of KL, it's certainly worth checking out.

Featured Image Credit: Hap Seng