Sushi Zanmai @ The Gardens

I just celebrated my birthday last week and I would like to thank my friends and family for the presents and good food. Before we go there, last month we celebrated a friend's birthday with some salmon galore! Brenda is a sucker for anything Japanese and so, we surprised her with a trip to Sushi Zanmai.

Coincidentally, its also my first visit to the franchise and boy was it a welcome change from Sushi King. After the last disappointing RM2 Bonanza, I was getting pretty bored with Sushi King. Now, I have something better to look forward to. First of all, I must thank Suzanne for allowing me to take these wonderful pictures using her Canon EOS550D. I had a blast with it and even although I do not own a DSLR yet, these shots turned out good enough :)

This Sushi Zanmai branch at The Gardens exudes Japanese from the get go. The entrance, the welcoming staff, the lighting, wooden panels, and ambiance made me feel like I was in Japan for real.

Some sushi from the belt as a warm up; Unagi Sushi (RM6.80) is served with big slices of succulent and tasty eel goodness. Freshwater eel population is in swift decline and its only a matter of time before unagi dishes disappear entirely from Japanese restaurants. Its sad but true.

This is another sushi item from the belt. Didn't try it though, so I have no idea what it is :p As a red-plate, its also RM6.80.

Chicken Yakitori (RM6.80) is another appetizer with juicy and tender skewered chicken pieces.

Soft Shell Crab Maki (RM6.80) is a true delight with the fried crab going well with the rice and salmon roe exterior.

We had 2 orders of Sukiyaki (RM15.80) on our table of 6. A crowd favorite at Sushi Zanmai; thin slices of beef is served with a boiling mini gas-stove powered pot of miso soup, vegetables and wild mushrooms. The beef slices are so thin that they only require only 3 dips before it can be eaten. A refined and hearty Japanese dish.

I know I know. I got a bashing for ordering Chicken Katsudon (RM8.80). I wasn't sure what to eat and just felt like eating chicken and rice. I learned my lesson. Don't order chicken in a Japanese restaurant. I'm not saying the dish was bad. On the contrary. The dish was fulfilling with good portions of deep fried battered chicken served with egg and rice but the truth was, Sushi Zanmai's other dishes were so good, this pales in comparison.

If there had to be a creme de la creme for Sushi Zanmai, it has to be their Salmon Sashimi (RM13.80). This large plate serves 7 slices of the best salmon meat I have tasted in my life! A true melt in the mouth delight and exhibits Sushi Zanmai's quality for a dish that requires ultimate freshness. Since we couldn't get enough of this, we ordered another medium plate for RM10.80 :)

And just when we though nothing could top that, the Spider Roll (RM12.80) knocked us off our seats! Soft shell crab roll topped with avocado and cod roe mayonnaise, I cannot recommend anything better than this!


It was truly a wonderful Japanese experience and I'm sure even the birthday girl went back happy. Heck, she ate nearly a whole plate of salmon! If that doesn't make her happy, nothing will ;) And so again, Happy Birthday Brenda!


People mostly assume Sushi Zanmai is a pricier version of Sushi King. This could be due to Zanmai's more classy appearance but this is far from the truth. Zanmai prices are nearly similar with SK and some items are even cheaper. With SK standards dropping these days and Zanmai serving better on quality and quantity, I highly recommend Sushi Zanmai over Sushi King on any day.

Picture Roll : Kissaten @ IOI Boulevard, Puchong

Ambiance : 8/10

Food : 8/10

Value : 6/10

Kissaten Coffee & Restaurant

D-G-57 & 58, Block D, IOI Boulevard
Jalan Kenari 5, Bandar Puchong

Sushi King RM2 Bonanza @ Alamanda Putrjaya (Updated!)

As most of you should already know, this week is the Sushi King RM2 Bonanza in Peninsular Malaysia which will be followed by the same promo in Sabah and Sarawak. I'm sure a lot of you have been waiting for this period, holding back your sushi urges just to have your fill here and now ;)

As great as the promotion is, I didn't really raise my expectations too high. I've been reading scientific articles whereby freshwater eels which are used to make Unagi Nigiri (Eel Sushi) are extremely endangered and their numbers are fast depleting. The same goes for Blue-fin Tuna. Its sad that these animals and not to mention the thousands others around the world are facing extinction, mainly due to our very species.

Oh sorry, back to sushi matters :p Anyways, 4 of us decided to head to Sushi King's Alamanda branch. And true enough, Unagi Kabayaki Nigiri was a no-show. I'm referring to the rarer-grilled-skin-cuts as sliced unagi is still available albeit less tasty :) The other sushi available were your normal fare and usually nothing to complain or scream about. Oddly enough, the rice in all the sushi we ate had a hard time staying together. They were falling apart easily and making a mess of the table. Thankfully the Ebi Ten (Tempura Prawns) came out just before we left. Sadly, they were half the size of the last prawns I ate at Sushi King. Absolutely abysmal!

Sake Nigiri (Salmon Sushi) was the only one which I felt was worth the effort. I'm not sure ever its the same at every Sushi King outlet, but you could try and let me know ;) Till then, go settle your Japanese cravings while the promotion is still on!

Just came back from Sushi King's Mines outlet, and the items there were bigger and tastier! Last 4 trays of the day comprised of Unagi Nigiri and Ebi Ten :) Tomorrow is your last bonanza day!

Plus One Shabu Shabu @ 1U

Its been too long I know. I have been occupied with dance practices for an upcoming Latin ballroom dance competition. Dancing is the only activity I have tried that actually flattens my tummy! Amazing!

Anyways, back to the food scene, SS brought me to this place about a month ago. I guess we got bored of the same old Chinese steamboat that we decided to give this Japanese twist a go. Do look out for their student discount which allows you have their individual set for an affordable RM9.

Located at One Utama, Plus One Shabu Shabu serves steamboat ala individual pots of boiling soup. This way, everyone can experiment and destroy their soups at their own expense :p There are about 5 different soups to choose from; spicy beef, tom yam, and herbal being among them. Their dipping sauces takes variety to a whole new level. Provided are up to 18 dipping sauces or add ons to make your soup specially tailored to your own taste buds.

This is actually a recipe for disaster! 5 types of soup with 18 sauces and the majority of people having itchy fingers..a perfect example; I messed my soup up too! But the fun of just trying every sauce and see what happens is just too tempting ;p

As you can see above, each individual set is not bad in quantity and quality; high on non-processed sea protein coupled with vegetables, egg, and noodles.

Overall it was an average tasting with a nice ambiance experience. There are loads of other meat and seafood add ons available upon your order. For those who get a kick from having their pots served individually, no harm giving this place a try. If not, you'd still prefer your traditional steamboat affair.

 

Plus One Shabu Shabu
1 Utama Shopping Centre, 1 Lebuh Bandar Utama
47800 Petaling Jaya, Bandar Utama

03-77253322‎

33rd Bon Odori @ Shah Alam

Obon (お盆) or just Bon (盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves.


Also called the Feast of Lanterns, it has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon-Odori.


The celebration here at the Panasonic Sports Complex in Shah Alam was organised by The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur, the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur and the Japan Embassy on the 18th of July.


Drums aside, there were also the Japanese delicacies to be enjoyed. Don't ask me about Japanese cuisine, that's SS's department. I shall just be the guy that holds all the stuff while she buys them.



Lets see whats on offer shall we..


Unagi Tama Don..


Grilled Squid and Salmon Yakitori..


Sushi King.. The Star Newspaper seemed very interested to report that they brought a conveyor belt along to the place..


Japanese ice cream..


Woohoo! They had beer too! Foster's was the only brand I remember. There was another European brand and also a Japanese brand.


Fashion scenes..


Lets get back to the food before the queue peaks up..


This is what SS, her dad and sis, and myself chowed down. Do note that the prices of foods and drinks at this event are higher than its usual price.


Octopus Balls..


Surprisingly tasty and crunchy skewered chicken..


Baby Octopus..


Becca's choice of Unagi Don..


SS's choice looked way more chun. Tasted better too ;)


Salmon Yakitori.. but dry and burnt..


Refreshing and cool peach-flavored green tea.. *ignores the Nicholas Teo advert at the bottom*

Because it is a cultural event, you are bound to expect a lot of people soaked up in Japanese euphoria. Yukata, manga, and goth were the order of the day.


Take 1 : The uncle looks like the dad from American Pie.. :p


Take 2 : If he knew ninja, I'd be afraid to be his son. He looks like he's ready to kill!


Take 3 : Mamma mia! I hope shes going for that fly and not my camera!


This what happens when you have 30,000 people stampeding for food. A few hundred camera lenses would have had asthma attack after this event.


Shaved ice to round things up.. Please note that the longest queue in the entire venue was to get this! Ice! Make that 1 hour waiting time.


The Bon-Odori was broken up into 4 segments. And each time the dance began, more and more people gathered in a circle around the stage to follow the dance and movement. It was truly interesting and worthwhile to take part in the procession. Especially when I accidentally slapped my fan into a gal's face!


She happened to be walking aimlessly in a crowd of this magnitude. Not a good idea when the dance is in motion :p





A random tree in a light-filled sky outside the premises. Surprisingly similar to a tree from a Japanese winter..


Thanks to SS and family for inviting me for the event. Time to cough out the dust :)