Last night since we had to spend a RM100 voucher for Shangri-la Hotel and it was my mother's birthday, we celebrated at Zipangu. Food was excellent albeit at premium prices. We were also lucky as we made it back home before the flood waters rose too high. Read that Dataran Merdeka was flooded. Not surprised as when we were driving back in the heavy rain, I spied a rising river level from the top of the highway.
Since there was three of us, we ordered food to share. First to start off with was my mother's favourite - Shake or Salmon Sashimi (RM45++). It's a must whenever we visit any Japanese restaurants. Here they give you 6 thick slices plus one smaller slice. Really good stuff as the fish literally melts in your mouth. One unusual thing I spotted about this fish was it had a slight sweet taste to it in addition to the buttery softness.
I ordered the Agedashi Tofu (RM15++) - a favourite of mine. This version came topped with shaved bonito flakes and chopped spring onions. Tastewise, the fried batter around the tofu was nice and thin while the soy sauce dip was not too salty.
We contemplated ordering something from the wagyu beef selections but decided not after seeing the exorbitant prices. Hence we settled for a portion of fried rice with wagyu beef fat (RM21++). The rice was pretty fragrant with chunks of beef which I hope is wagyu beef. Splashie Boy polished this off and was a truly happy man.
Since wagyu beef was off our budget, it was just the teriyaki beef tenderloin (RM68++). It was a pretty good substitute as the beef was cooked just right - seared on the outside with a slightly red inside. We all loved the mustard served on the side and the vegetables.
Another must order with my mother - saba shioyaki (RM30++) i.e. grilled saba fish with salt. I really love this fish as it was so fresh. One great thing about dining at Zipangu - you get to watch the chefs in action as their kitchen is open and glass covered. It always amazes me how no smells nor smoke will travel to the dining area as they have these huge exhaust fans sucking up the fumes.
Zipangu also does Sunday buffet lunch for RM88++ per pax which is extremely popular. We have tried the buffet before a few years back and I remember they had really fresh scallop sashimi available. Wasn't too impressed with the cooked food though as I remember it was all pre-cooked and left in food warmers.
Zipangu Restaurant
1st Floor, Shangri-la Hotel
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Kuala Lumpur
Tel No: 03 - 2032 2388
(Pork Free. Open daily from 12 to 2.30 pm, 6.30pm to 11pm.)
*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here is entirely based on my personal tastebuds and may vary for others. The reviewer also declares that she has not received any monetary or non-monetary compensation from the restaurant for writing this review.
Tagged with: Japanese Food + Salmon Sashimi + Saba Shioyaki
Other reviews:
I used to be a frequent visitor until we gave up our "dining card". It was like our neighbourhood japanese restaurant. hahaha.
ReplyDeletelemongrass - Yup, with a discount card, I wouldn't mind trying this every other week as the food was really good. Have a good time in Spore and shop till u drop.
ReplyDeletei think i was there...but i only reached at 845pm. i had the saba shioyaki and mary had the cod steam with sake..something, and rice sets. we also tried the chef's signature...foie gras with wintermelon. damn expensive, but with the card, it is ok. nice, but i wont orer the saba anymore, prefer to cek out their special ones.
ReplyDeletethat sake salmon looks really good :) it has a layer on top, it looks like cuttlefish skin or something on it. Could it be the reason why it was more buttery?
ReplyDeleteand the teriyaki beef looks excellent :)
ktx - wow! What a coincidence. There was quite a lot of people that nite. My mum is a traditionalist so no foie gras and etc. She loves saba shioyaki and the salmon sashimi.
ReplyDeletethe expedited writer - no layer, the white layers you see signify the belly part. Talking abt bellies, I saw the huge chunk of toro (tuna belly) they had in their sashimi corner. Must be super pricey.
jackson - yeah, with discount card will be very worth it. Time to subscribe to one?
ReplyDeleteWagyu fats? Wahh..rice must be really good. Equivalent to pork fat?
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'm tempted to try the Japanese Buffet but I wonder whether the food served during buffet will be as good as what they serve when u order ala carte. Hehe... I think I'm going to try it soon since I have the discount card =)
ReplyDeletethat saba shioyaki looks good! :) quite disappointed with their buffet's selection hence we never thought of coming here again.. maybe should come here for their ala-carte menu..
ReplyDeleteOne must be willing to pay the price for a good Japanese food. I do frequent Zipangu do like the set lunch there.
ReplyDeleteTried the buffet a few times, and I agree with boo_licious, not too impressed with the cooked food. The microwave the Unagi these days! And it always ran out!! Since they can't replenish fast enough, you see the rest of the diners, they will standby when they see it coming and empty it out at one go. Very uncool!!
As for Wagyu beef, I remember I had it last year at the GOBO Upstairs at Shang's sister hotel, Traders KL. It was reasonably priced and well prepared. Not sure if they have that again this year.
yumm i reckon the lunch set is still on the verge of being unaffordable..haha i reckon i will drop with the dinner prices..im tempted with the discount card..after all its half price we are talking about..
ReplyDeleteI ate there quite a bit too when my brother had the discount card. I only have the foie gras with wintermelon, sashimi or tofu salad. Don't really like their other stuff, especially the teppanyaki beef because they pour some strange barbecue like sauce over it. Haven't been in awhile, no more discount card :-)
ReplyDeleteHmm... I just work round the corner.
ReplyDeleteprecious pea - I guess so but someone really enjoyed it to the last rice grain.
ReplyDeletecutie - the cooked food at the buffet is not as good vs a la carte as this stuff is freshly cooked. If you have the card, you can always try the a la carte.
meiyen - yeah, the saba shioyaki is excellent, a must order for the family. Wasn't too impressed with the buffet either.
wanderlust - Yet to try lunch here but I can imagine it to be good. Was so not impressed with the cooked food in the buffet so all I ate was the sashimi. Thanks for the tip on Gobo, may go check it out.
paprika - yes the foie gras and melon sounded so tempting but I know my mum won't enjoy that hence we didn't order that.
big boys oven - time to visit?
While we are on the subject of Japanese food, does anyone know what happened to the Dontaku on Jln Bukit Bintang (across from Piccolo Gallery, next to Public Bank and Regent Hotel??) It was one of my fav but the last 2 times I tried to go was closed and I realized that they are no longer there! Moved? Went outta biz?
ReplyDeletewanderlust - I also noticed they were closed! That's sad if it has closed down as the food is good there. I know they're part of a chain of Jap places. Just can't remember if it's the Hatsuhana people who own the BSC Jap place and the noodle place at the curve or is it the Hanabi people.
ReplyDelete