Chouchuo’s interiors juxtapose polished wood, chic steel features and a moody neon glow (All photos: Quincy Tan/ The Edge)
Located just around the corner from RexKL, Chouchou’s neon illumination and reflective steel door, coupled with the flirtatious invitation of cocktails, wines and desserts written across its window, make for an enticing façade that fits effortlessly into the energy of Petaling Street. The establishment opened its doors last October, helmed by the same minds behind Pickle Dining just upstairs, and has been popping up on the radar of cocktail connoisseurs looking for a more low-key spot to spend an evening.
The venue forgoes punny titles or referential monikers in favour of basic numerical designations: cocktails are labelled #1 to #10, followed by their components. Each item is also charted on a Cartesian diagram of light to strong and bitter-sweet to sweet-sour, making for a succinct display that takes the guesswork out of ordering based on some nebulous names.
Although the menu may look straightforward, Chouchou’s creative concoctions, all priced at RM45, are anything but. In fact, they are easily among the more out-of-the-box tipples we have enjoyed in recent months. At the staff’s recommendation, we open with one of the bar’s crowd favourites — #8 — which for all intents and purposes is a reworked espresso martini. Upon a chilled clear base of vodka, milk-wash clarified coffee, coconut oil and cacao liqueur sits a decadent head of toasted coconut foam (best enjoyed while warm, advises the bartender, though we cannot help but pause for photos).
Dense tops that blend into a thinner body are an increasingly common sight in the realm of mixology — alcoholic or otherwise — likely as it capitalises on the textural contrast and morphing effect that occurs over time. Despite the growing novelty of this format, we are glad to find Chouchou’s take more intriguing than gimmicky. The buttery, slightly salty cream is the perfect thickness to allow the fragrant fluid beneath to slip through the lips. Though it lacks the bitter depth one might expect from real espresso, the top note of coffee is more of a perfume giving refinement to what is essentially a mature dessert drink. As the layers meld, the chocolatey essence of the concoction is brought to the forefront, promising a delightful denouement.
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One finds a lighter and brighter option in #2, a miniature sunflower-garnished coupe that exudes a profile of gentle spices and citrus on the nose, before leading into a remarkably refreshing potion on the palate. While most lower alcohol-by-volume (ABV) options tend to resort to one-note sweetness, the locale refuses to compromise on complexity: the yuzu’s pepperiness adds dimension to the saffron liqueur and pineapple, while the unorthodox element of snakefruit-vanilla pickle juice outlines an overarching tropicality and brings a touch of salinity to tame the composition.
For a glass of something truly unexpected, though, we have to venture to the depths of the axis where the more heavy-hitting tinctures dwell. At the southernmost point, one encounters #10. Even though it bears the shortest list of components out of all the libations on offer, do not mistake that for simplicity — dark amber fluid in a rocks glass almost always packs a punch, especially since this item features Calvados and bitters partnered with ingredients you would more typically find in a stir-fry.
The rising scent of warm dates and toasted peanuts precedes a deeply savoury first sip, which embodies a fascinating fusion of salty umami and cooked fruit from the sweet soy sauce and apple brandy. The addition of sesame oil coats the tongue in a gentle, aromatic greasiness, smoothing out the alcohol content with its silky mouthfeel. That said, it is certainly not for everyone (the jury is still out on whether we liked it). If suggestions of olive brine, miso or chicken fat in liquor tend to catch your interest, you might have an easier time with it than we did!
Teetotallers, designated drivers and those just not interested in imbibing need not miss out on the fun either as three of Chouchou’s 10 cocktails are also available as non-ABV versions for RM28 each. #3, typically a mix of gin, Frangelico, cucumber, almond and macadamia, combines milky hints of vanilla, mild nuttiness, vegetal undertones and iced slushie texture to form a deliciously refreshing beverage that thrives even without the alcoholic bite and botanicals.
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Should the chillers of dry-ageing fish and pallets of fresh veggies start to get you peckish, and the bar’s own mini-selection of bites are not quite speaking to you, feel free to call for a plate off the snack menu. The Truffle Potato Dauphine (RM35) are deep-fried pillows of velvety mash in a delicate crust topped with fried sage for an elegant and satisfying side. In the event you fail to find anything that strikes your fancy in Chouchou’s queue, never forget that a fine dining outpost lives directly above. Just ask the waiters for the extended cut from Pickle’s more robust list and you will surely find a dish to sate your appetite.
Since the bar prides itself on being a “late night dessert room”, we would have been remiss to leave without ending our evening on a sugary note. The Coffee and Tonka Bean Mille Feuille (RM35) comprises wonderfully crisp tiers of flaky pastry with luscious but not cloying coffee and tonka bean cream for an unfussy yet pleasant treat. A drizzle of olive oil introduces a touch of freshness alongside the toothsome bits of walnuts interspersed within.
The establishment’s counter seats grant a direct view of the mixologists shaking up a storm under stylish metallic lights, but we elected to park ourselves further down near the sofas, where the red glow of the refrigerators made for an oddly sultry ambience. It is admittedly a more intimate space, where one can see it getting a little tight during a full house (particularly given the small stools situated right behind the bar chairs — we pity any poor souls who might find themselves ushered there on a packed night). Nonetheless, on a relatively calm Thursday evening, the vibe is chic and romantic — helped, no doubt, by the cherub logo and tasteful pink-green-and-teal theming. Whether you are planning a snazzy get-together or just wish to lounge and sip, be assured there is something to fall in love with here.
Chouchou, 23, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Kuala Lumpur. Thursday to Monday, 5pm to 1am.
This article first appeared on May 5, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
