The best Japanese katsu sando in KL: Taste by Bert

What comes to mind when we say “sandwich”? Stuff between two pieces of bread? If that’s what you think, Taste by Bert is here to change your mind. Say hello to Albert, founder of Taste by Bert! Specializing in Japanese katsu sando, Taste by Bert will change the way you think about sandwiches.

From familiar Japanese flavors such as miso and wasabi to Malaysian flavors we know and love such as otak-otak, Taste by Bert is changing the sandwich game by putting plenty of thought and care into crafting each sando. Just take a look at these!

To pick the brains behind the brand, we asked Albert a few questions.

What inspired you to start the business?

In Malaysia, there are few people currently selling sando in the market. If we mention sandwiches, people think of Club Sandwiches or your usual convenience store sandwiches to be eaten daily. Usually, Japanese sandwiches can only be found in high-end restaurants, where it may be too fancy and pricey for people to enjoy them frequently. However, in Japan, sando is such a common everyday meal; it’s like a norm for the locals. Therefore, after I did my research, I decided to pursue this Japanese sando business. I wanted to bring authentic Japanese Katsu sando that is more affordable and accessible to people of all backgrounds in Malaysia to enjoy.

What makes you different from typical food you can find in Klang Valley?

In the case of Japanese sando, tamago (eggs) sando and fruit sando are the common types of sando that can be found in cafes or convenience stores. However, with Taste by Bert, I do katsu (cutlet) sando. Every inch of my sando is formulated just as how they do it in Japan. I use the same thickness of meat and bread measured by grammage. Other than that, usually, katsu is made with pork. To adapt to the culture of Malaysia as well as to expand my customer base, I use only chicken, beef, or fish katsu. Soon, I’ll also be launching a few unique katsu soon, such as squid and octopus katsu.

What do you want customers to feel when they eat your food?

The tagline of Taste by Bert is unique, unforgettable, and addictive. I want my customers to have that experience each time they eat my sando. For my customers, I am always pushing the boundaries of what it means to create a good sando. This is one of the reasons why I’m adding more fusion to my sando. I do not only utilize traditional, local ingredients but also elements from other countries’ cuisines. For example, the Orenji Mayo Kamo (Duck) Katsu Sando オレンジマヨ鴨カツサンド is inspired by the French dish known as Duck Confit de Orange.

If you could only eat one thing on your menu for the rest of your life, what would it be?

The Yuzu Aioli Ume Tori Katsu Sando 柚子マヨ梅鶏カツサント. The chicken is marinated with ume (salty plum), which makes the chicken more tender and juicy. It is then paired together with the yuzu sauce which gives you a refreshing and light taste experience. It would not be too heavy for anyone to consume every day.

Stay tuned for part 2 of Albert’s story. In the meantime, we hope your tastebuds are tingling by now because you can order from Taste by Bert by clicking on this link. In fact, delivery only costs RM4.99 wherever you are in KL or Selangor!

Still not convinced? Here is what customers have to say about Taste by Bert.