Lunch Date at Suki-Ya: Is the Long Queue Really Worth It for Hotpot?

Suki-Ya. I feel like everyone in Malaysia knows this place. You say the name, and people go, “Oh, the hotpot spot with the crazy queue?” Yeah, that one.

I never had the urge to try it. I mean, the idea of standing in a ridiculously long line just for hotpot? Hard pass. Then, last week, my best friend texted me out of nowhere:

“I’m seriously craving Suki-Ya. Come with me, please?”

I sighed.

But I tried to be positive. Maybe—just maybe—if we arrived early, we could beat the crowd.

So she picked me up at 10:45 a.m., and by 11:45, we reached MyTOWN Mall and went straight to the restaurant. But of course, a queue had already formed. I could feel my face starting to twist in annoyance. My friend looked nervous, but being the supportive (and slightly dramatic) friend that I am, I said,

“It’s fine—but if we wait more than 15 minutes, I’m out. This is ridiculous.”

So we stood in line, chatting to kill time. Before we realized it… the line moved. And after about 40 minutes, we were in. Yep. I did it. I finally stepped into Suki-Ya. A place I never thought I’d say yes to. 😂

✅ So… What’s Suki-Ya All About?

If you’ve never been (or if you’ve only stared at the queue like I did for years), let me break it down for you.

Suki-Ya is a Japanese-style hotpot buffet restaurant, and it’s one of the most popular hotpot spots in Malaysia—especially among those who enjoy clean, healthy, low-fat food in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Plus, the unlimited meat refills are a big draw. It’s also halal-certified, which makes it a favourite among Muslim diners looking for a wholesome, all-you-can-eat experience.

Here’s how it works: You pick two soup bases for your table and also two types of meat—either sliced beef, chicken, or lamb. Everything at the buffet bar is free-flow, so you can refill as much as you want within the dining time limit (which is usually 120 minutes). The meat is served fresh, the cuts are decently thick (not those sad, paper-thin shabu ones you get at some cheaper places), and yes, you get to dip and cook them yourself in the bubbling hotpot right in front of you.

📍 Location & Vibe

We went to the MyTOWN outlet in Cheras. The vibe there was lively, fast-paced, and super efficient. The moment you walk in, you get that cosy Japanese-style ambiance—minimalist wooden decor, warm lighting, and a clean, calming layout that somehow still buzzes with energy. The staff moved like clockwork, constantly refilling broths, clearing plates, and wiping tables without even waiting for you to ask. It was actually impressive how quickly they noticed when something needed to be done.

The restaurant was packed with diners, but the flow was well-managed. One staff member stood near the entrance just to manage the queue, and despite the crowd, everything moved smoothly. Once we were seated, I quickly noticed how attentive the team was—they quietly checked on every table to make sure everyone had what they needed. For example, if your broth looked a bit low, they’d come over and top it up immediately. If your table started to get crowded, they’d clear away used bowls and trays to free up space.

The tables were fairly close together, but not so much that you could overhear other people’s conversations. You still had your own little space to talk and enjoy the meal. Some tables were arranged for larger groups, while others seated just two diners—especially the ones near the glass wall facing the queue outside. That part felt a bit uncomfortable, honestly. Having people watch us eat while they waited for their turn made us feel slightly rushed… even though we’d waited just like them.

✅ The Menu and What We Ordered

Suki-Ya lets you choose from four soup bases. Each one gives off a different kind of vibe depending on what you’re in the mood for:

Shabu-Shabu: The lightest option. It’s a clear broth, very low in calories and mild in flavour. It’s perfect if you like your hotpot clean and simple.
Sukiyaki: Cooked in a sweetened soy sauce broth. This one’s a crowd favourite, especially if you like your soup with a bit more personality.
Miso: Made from fermented soybeans, full of antioxidants like vitamin E, as well as protective fatty acids.
Kimuchi: Not to be confused with your average tomyum. This is a mildly spicy broth made from an authentic kimchi base, spicy miso, and various vegetable bases.

Since each table gets to pick two soup bases, we went with Sukiyaki and Kimuchi—a combo of sweet and spicy.

*My friend asked the staff which broth was closest to tomyum, and he immediately recommended Kimuchi. It didn’t hit as hard as tomyum in terms of spice, but it had a warm, gentle kick.

✨ Meat Selection & Refills

The meat selection is simple: chicken, lamb, or beef. We chose chicken and beef. Both meats were juicy, tender, and sliced just right. Perfect for a quick dip into the broth.

The best part? It’s eat-all-you-can. If you’re a meat lover, this place will definitely make you happy. You can request refills as many times as you want during your dining session—no judgment, just keep the meat coming!

✨ Veggies, Sides & Drinks

There’s a well-stocked vegetable and tofu bar where you can grab fresh ingredients for your hotpot. Expect a mix of leafy greens, mushrooms, corn, radish slices, premium pasteurised eggs, tofu in various textures, and noodles. They even throw in a few meatballs for good measure. It’s simple but more than enough to customise your bowl the way you like it.

For drinks, I went with orange juice, and they also offer green tea. Nothing fancy, but it’s refreshing, free-flow and does the job—so no complaints here.

✨ Dipping Sauce

One thing I always look forward to at a hotpot place is the sauce bar. Suki-Ya provides three base sauces:

Gomatare (Sesame sauce)
Ponzu (Shoyu with vinegar)
Misotare (Bean paste sauce)

After picking your base sauces, you can spice things up however you like with a selection of garlic, bird’s eye chili, coriander, spring onion, ginger, Sichuan, and wasabi.

I went with:
Gomatare + garlic + bird’s eye chilli + Sichuan + coriander. Creamy, spicy, herby, and just the right amount of kick to bring my meal to life

✨ Ready-To-Eat Extras

They also serve sushi rolls and fried rice at the buffet bar, which is great if you’re already hungry while waiting for your broth to boil. The sushi is simple but nice to snack on, and the fried rice has a good garlic flavour. It’s simple but satisfying.

It’s not a huge variety, but it’s enough to keep your stomach happy while the hotpot gets ready.

✨ The Dessert

Now let’s talk about the ice cream station—because this deserves a moment. There were four flavours: French salt, matcha, chocolate, and vanilla. I mixed all four. Then I topped it off with crushed peanuts and chocolate rice with passion fruit syrup, like I was building my dream bowl.

It was creamy, not too sweet, and honestly better than I expected from a buffet spot. If you’re the kind of person who needs dessert to seal the deal, this ice cream will hit the spot.

Oh, and if you’re feeling a little healthier, they also serve fresh watermelon slices.

✅ How Much Does It Cost?

Since we went on a weekend, the price was RM50.80 per person. It’s pretty standard for an all-you-can-eat hotpot place, though I’ve definitely seen cheaper spots—some even include a grill too! So yeah, Suki-Ya leans toward the pricier side, but for what you get, I’d say it’s still worth it. If you’re thinking of going, weekday prices are lower, so that might be the better time to visit if you want to save a bit.

Final Thoughts

Will I come again? Maybe… but probably not. 😅

The food overall was satisfying—I really liked the unlimited refills and the generous amount of meat. But frankly, the broths were just average. Nothing bad, but also nothing that made me go “wow.” Suki-Ya seems to focus more on clean, mild flavours, which is great for some—but if you’re someone who loves bold, punchy flavours, it might feel a little underwhelming.

The hotpot ingredients were mostly vegetable-focused, which is perfect if that’s what you’re into. Personally, I was hoping for more variety—like fish balls, crab sticks, or even some seafood. There were a few options, but not enough to get excited about.

The dipping sauces were alright. I had fun mixing mine, but it was not memorable enough to crave again. So yeah, if you’ve been curious about the Suki-Ya hype, it’s still worth trying at least once. But as someone who had been side-eyeing that queue for years and finally gave it a shot, I still don’t fully get why people are willing to wait that long. 😂

Was it worth going? Hmmm… Kinda. Not bad, not great either—just somewhere in between.

Not my ultimate hotpot, but at least now I can say I’ve tried it. Would I line up again, though??