Cureé, Imbi

Hokkaido-inspired soup curries spice up the scene at this new Imbi restaurant: Cureé's Malaysian founder adapted these recipes from traditional classics that he learned from a friend in Japan, crafting soulful meals that hit soothing harmonies.

For lunch, soup curry sets are available, centred on curry bowls in a choice of tomato-based (mildly tangy, served with carrots, pumpkin, lotus roots, eggplant, capsicum and okra) or typical Japanese (mild or spicy, with carrots, potatoes and lotus roots), completed with rice, seasonal fresh fruits and hojicha tea.

The soup curry sets can be ordered in their basic form or with add-ons - the tomato-based with avocado clocks in at RM17.50, while the typical Japanese with natto chimes in at RM16.50. Hearty, heart-warming comfort fare, with suitably potent flavours.

Soup curries are also offered for dinner, along with evening snacks.

A complete breakfast selection also intrigues, with tasty temptations like an okonomiyaki waffle, crafted in the shape and texture of a waffle but laced with okonomiyaki fillings like cabbage, made savoury with okonomi sauce and mayo drizzle (RM6.50), and a mashed avocado toast topped further with mashed potatoes, purple cabbage, Marmite and bonito flakes (RM11.50). Chocolate ice cream by local purveyor Kasi Melts is a highlight of the dessert section, while drinks include matcha lattes with green tea by Matcha Hero Kyoto as well as draft beer.

The space is artistically and architecturally striking, with enticing corners to explore.

Cureé Cafe

38, Jalan 1/77A Off Jalan Imbi, Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. Daily, 730am-3pm, 6pm-12am.