Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
When most of us think of Japanese sandos, the mental picture tends to be soft shokupan stuffed with clouds of whipped cream and jumbo slices of strawberry. That was certainly my idea — until Sando-Icchi came along to prove that the sando universe is far more diverse, and far more indulgent, than I ever imagined. If you’re just as uncultured as me in this field, get ready to get your whole world rocked.
Tucked inside Publika, they quickly captured the attention of sandwich lovers online right after the opening in July 2025. Their star attraction is the much-talked-about steak sando, a hefty creation that reportedly sells out long before closing time. Naturally, I wasn’t about to miss out on the hype (#FOMO), so I made my way over for a taste.
What I tried at Sando-Icchi
The menu here is compact, almost minimalistic, but that’s what makes it intriguing. It doesn’t try to overwhelm you with choices. I let the staff steer me to their bestsellers, trusting they knew best how to introduce a first-timer to the world of sandos beyond strawberries and cream.
The Felix Big-Size Steak Sandwich (RM28.80 to RM30.80) was the headliner, and when it arrived, it immediately commanded the table. The aroma of freshly toasted bread and the smoky char of seared beef hit first. Then, came the pearl-clutching sight of cloud-like slices of bread attempting, and failing, to politely contain the mountain of steak nestled inside.
The beef, cooked to a textbook medium rare, glistened under the light, each piece chopped into bite-sized chunks as if to reassure you it was manageable, though I assure you it wasn’t. Taking that first bite required a small act of determination that nearly dislocated my jaw. My advice to the girls: skip the lip gloss, and be prepared for a slightly messy love affair.
The first mouthful was pure indulgence. Tender beef yielding easily under each chew, framed by the pillowy bread and punctuated with the sharpness of black pepper sauce. It was rich, bold, and sinfully carnivorous. Yet as delicious as it was, by the third bite the flavours began to feel heavy, bordering on one-note.
A layer of raw sweet onion or even a tangy pickle might have given it a brighter edge, something to balance the decadence. Without it, the steak sando became less of a marathon and more of a sprint. You enjoy the thrill, but it wears you out fast.
The Fried Shrimp Sandwich (RM22.80) took the stage next, and to my surprise, this was where Sando-Icchi truly shone. The tempura batter gave off a faint crackling sound on the first bite, light and crisp. Inside, plump shrimp sat snugly between thin cucumber slices and a modest layer of a thinner kind of tartar sauce.
It wasn’t flashy, but it didn’t need to be. Every element played its part, and the result was balanced, refreshing, and deeply addictive. Even as I write this, it’s the one I find myself craving again.
Finally, we met the California Double Beef Cheese Sandwich (RM26.80). It looked every bit the heavyweight contender, stacked tall with twin patties and gooey cheese sauce oozing from the sides. It smelled hearty and nostalgic, the kind of aroma that could pull you back to college dorm kitchens and late-night Ramly burger runs.
And yet, the first bite revealed its flaw. The patties were fine — cooked decently, seasoned modestly — but they lacked the juicy depth of the steak I’d just wrestled with. The cheese sauce, meanwhile, leaned too far into the familiar kind, tasting like the bottled variety you might drizzle over nachos during movie night.
It wasn’t bad, but it lacked that spark that made the shrimp sandwich sing or the steak sandwich command attention. Instead, it felt safe, like the menu’s attempt to please those who might shy away from the more adventurous sandos. For me, it was the least exciting of the trio.
Final thoughts
Most people flock to Sando-Icchi for the steak, but my heart belongs to the Fried Shrimp Sandwich. While the Felix Steak undoubtedly got the crown in terms of the visual, it became heavy after a few bites, and the Double Beef Cheese felt like filler. Each sando was decent on its own terms, yet all seemed to be missing that extra spark to push them into greatness.
Still, there’s something delightful about a spot daring to give Japanese sandwiches this kind of spotlight in Kuala Lumpur. If you’re curious about sandos beyond strawberries and cream (or mushy eggs!), Sando-Icchi is worth a visit!
People also read:
