Sushi Zento Japanese Restaurant 膳户

When this piece of land was covered up and constructing, which is now named Precinct 10 in Tanjong Tokong, hubby and I think that this is gonna be another talk of the town place in Penang. True enough, we could see many eating outlet down there. Sushi Zento is one of them… and so far, the only Japanese restaurant that serves pork meat.

Seriously it’s hard to find Japanese food that is serving pork. And not many people aware that Japanese pork is different from the local type and even the Spanish type (Parma Ham). Anyway, I was even told this is actually owned by Azuma’s management too.

I personally do not visit any new restaurant when they newly open, first of all, it is absolutely chaos when comes to serving and even the food lining up for the kitchen. Since I’ve encountered many times of disappointment, I rather wait till the operation is fully mature enough before I step foot into it.

Sushi Zento is located at that eye catching area, big sign board, huge dining place, full glass panel that is over looking the car park area and the surrounding. Honestly, that’s a pretty good design. Inside the restaurant, as usual, the sushi area is full of those chefs that are preparing their food, a conveyer belt that is conveying the food for customers, just like any other fast food chain like Sakae Sushi or even Sushi King.

Because of this was highly recommended by a colleague of mine, and it was a spontaneous dining out kind of thing, thus, this place was just came to our mind just like that. Well, it didn’t disappoint me much, perhaps it gives me more opportunity to visit them more.

 

Komitama To Bacon Salada (Fresh salad, flavoured soft boiled egg and crispy bacon with Wafu dressing, RM18). I can even find some pork lard in the salad, it was absolutely yummy!!

 

Buta Amiyaka (Grilled slice pork with Amiyaki Sauce, RM19)

 

Nininku Chahan (Garlic Fried Rice, RM5), absolutely fragrant!

 

Charsu Chahan (Roasted pork belly Fried Rice, RM10), this is our Chinese “Siu Yok” Fried Rice.

 

I was tempted to try their Torikawa (Chicken Skin, RM6) Grill, but then I know if I order this… am sure my better half will surely lecture me. Anyway, ended up we have Shitake (Mushroom, RM4).

 

And, Negima (Chicken & Leek, RM8).

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Address & Contact Number

Sushi Zento Japanese Restaurant 膳户

10-A-11 & 1s, Precinct 10

Jalan Tanjung Tokong

Tanjung Tokong

10470 Penang

Tel: +604-899 1725

Business Hour:

Monday to Thursday

11.30am to 3pm (Lunch)

6pm to 10.30pm (Dinner)

11.30am to 10.30pm (Friday to Sunday and Public Holidays)

Matsu Japanese Restaurant

  

I have not come across any Japanese food that cooked in Fusion ways and it has its one of its kind of taste. Well, I would say it is creative in respective dishes presentation and innovative in its dishes designs, thus an article from The Star in April 2011 was featured this new restaurant.

   

Matsu means Pine in Japanese. The entire place decorated in a modern design and tables were keeping a distance to save guard individual customers’ dining privacy. It’s located at the mezzanine floor and it’s above of BatuBar. BatuBar is a place where you can relax and listen to their deep soul, R&B music, apart from that, they also serve Japanese Tapas. Do look out for their menu on your visit.

  

Each customer’s will be given a different type of appetizer. Ours was a steamed sweet potato cut into small cubes and mashed banana on top of it. Isn’t the Chef having a wild idea to impress his customers?

   

Rainbow Carpaccio (RM35) is the New Type of Sashimi that the staff had recommended to me. It’s 2 slices of each Salmon, Tuna and White Tuna that rolled like a ball to cover the thin slices of lettuce; and it sits on top of the dressing that is made of Basil Mint Oil and Ponzu Sauce. It’s a bit too salty for me, but it does have its tangy taste, and create one’s appetite.

  

Wasabi Egg Fried Rice (RM10) is something that caught my attention when I read thru the menu. Instead of getting 1 Garlic Fried Rice which we can get anywhere, might as well, let’s have something that I can’t find it in any other ordinary Japanese Restaurant. True enough, this fried rice gave me a surprise and the way they presented it was absolutely impressive. It’s like serving in a mortar than an ordinary bowl. Isn’t that creative?

 

Char Grill Teriyaki Cod Fish (RM32) is something that you couldn’t find this in any places, but here in Matsu. The fish is definitely fresh and to many people may find it a bit wasteful if you grill it and not eaten it raw. But, the skill of grilling it does needs lots of patient and knowledge too. I personally appreciate and value the chef’s experience that brings out the fish’s freshness.

  

Italy Udon (RM25), do you find this a bit too weird? This is another dish that is recommended by the staff. Udon is Japanese noodle but it stirs fry in Italy ways, with tomato, smoked duck, onions and green beans.  It was unique and it is like crossing boundaries as an ordinary Japanese food.

If one thinks that driving up to Batu Feringghi is a hassle, well think it as a slow drive enjoying the sunset along the way that could easily build up your appetite before you reach Matsu! Do make your reservation soon!

Address & Contact Number

Matsu Japanese Restaurant

Lone Pine Hotel

97 Batu Ferringhi

11100 Penang

Tel: +604-886 8555

Fax: +604-886 8666

Business Hours:

Daily 5pm to 11pm

Zipangu

On our recent trip to KL, we had a pleasant lunch with our friend, and the place that they brought us to was Zipangu. Zipangu would not be any stranger to many KL folks, probably for Penangite, they would wonder where is this place. This is a fine dining Japanese restaurant located in Shangri-la Hotel in KL. Been to this restaurant once, this is our second visit. The atmosphere and the environment still the same; it gives people a tranquilizing feel when you dine though the price is rather hefty down here. I bet people are paying for the environment and the food quality.

Anyway, since our friend is a Japanese food lover, best for him to make the order and we enjoy the food, and I could take this opportunity to snap as much photos as possible.

Neither are we having any bento or set lunch for the day, hence, we have a la carte. 1st we have a mini cawanmushi for a start. The egg custard is simply smooth and fragrant. You couldn’t spot any steam hole in it, it was called it steam to perfection.

Assorted tempura that consists of prawns, fishes, vegetables were served next. Prawns were fresh and tender even is covered with flour batter, but when you bite on it, you could taste the juicy out of it. It’s absolutely thumb up for this.

After such a satisfying plate of tempura here comes our favourite – assorted sashimi. The slices of raw fish that is lining up nicely on the platter with dry ice decorated, honestly it gives us an eye opener. Well at least I don’t see Penang Japanese restaurant have such creative idea, don’t they? By looking at the thickness of these raw fishes, I believe the freshness need not to doubt.

Grilled fish… with a squeeze of lemon that makes the fish refreshing, and of course delicious too.

Grilled Cod Fish, though the outlook doesn’t look appetizing, but trust me, it’s real good.

Teriyaki Chicken that come next to Grilled Cod Fish, this was pan fried till tender and juicy; it’s definitely no doubt of its way of cooking it. Hubby always finds that, this is best to eat with Japanese Garlic Fried Rice. Hence, he’s been requesting the waiter to serve his garlic fried rice as soon as possible.

By the time the Garlic Fried Rice served, a mouth full bite on the Grilled Cod Fish was filled with satisfaction.

Soft Shell Crab Makizushi was another delicacy food. I got to know that it is not a separate species of crab but a crab that has moulted as part of the growing process.

Apart from Soft Shell Crab Makizushi, we were having another Makizushi. But this is using raw fish instead; this type of raw fish is high in Omega 3. With Salmon eggs as topping, honestly I could feel the luxury of it.

Dessert is always the best that end the entire meal, with 2 couples on the table, the gentlemen op for Green Tea Ice Cream with Red Bean Paste and we the ladies went for Black Sesame Ice Cream with Red Bean Paste. In fact, this is one of the best Japanese Ice Cream that I ever tried before.

To have a quiet fine dine Japanese food in a busy city, this isn’t any bad idea to indulge yourself, though price is on the hefty side, once in awhile, do pamper yourself with such exclusive meal, it helps to distress yourself from the day to day working stress.



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A Whiff of Lemongrass (1st Visit)
A Whiff of Lemongrass (Revisit)
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Jules Eating Guide
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Address & Contact Number
Zipangu
Shangri-la Hotel
Jalan Sultan Ismail
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2032 2388 / Restaurant Reservation : 1800 88 7881