Sushi That Won't Break Your Bank

As spring is here, I decided to get some new bedlinen for the family last Sunday. After much digging around the racks, we eventually settled for some colourful quilt cover sets from Aussino, as Yassie, my girl is a real 'rainbow' fanatic. Pity couldn't find matching fitted sheets to go with. Josh was spotted with sour face coz Jusco hasn't stocked up the Japanese comics that he has been waiting for.

To sweeten him up, I led them across to the Gardens and ended up in front of this:

Yes! Sushi Zanmai. Japanese food for lunch. My two kids were dancing with joy.

This is actually a-sushi-on-conveyor-belt Japanese Restaurant. I have never been a fan of conveyor belt sushi, coz thro' my experience the two 'infamous' conveyor belt sushi chain serve inferior sushi. But, I heard many good reviews about Zanmai. that's why I decided to give it a try.

The deco is simple, as all Japanese restaurants are. Besides the sushi preparation counter by one side of the restaurant, the kitchen is the 'open view' type where the chefs bare all. Alright, you people, don't get too excited and let your imagination go wild! What I mean is 'bare all their skills'.

Those sushi on the conveyor belt didn't appeal to me at all. Ploughed through their menu. Honestly, it took me a while to do so coz it is very extensive and colourful. Difficult choices to make. Here are what I have ordered:

Kani and Sweetcorn Maki

Salmon Maki

Soft Shell Crab Maki

Sakura Chirasi Don

Katsu-Don

Ebi-Don

The Soft Shell Crab Maki, priced at RM6.00, was superb. The deep-fried crab was still warm and crispy albeit being wrapped around the cooled vinegared rice. It was so good that we ordered another portion. I went for the Sakura Chirasi Don, the assorted seafood sashimi rice, entree portion, priced at RM10.80. Resting on the rice were fresh cuts of salmon, tuna, octopus, squid, prawns, tamago and pickles. Cooool.

The unadventurous Yassie sticked to her usual Katsu-Don, rice with fried chicken cutlets topped with onions and eggs. Josh got his Ebi-Don, rice with tempura prawns topped with onions and eggs. Both come in Entree portion, priced at RM8.80. These combo rice dishes, although come in small portion, was actually quite 'big'. Really worth it. However, taste wise, not as good as San Kei at Plaza Mont' Kiara.

Surprisingly their dessert menu looks tempting. Can you believe Strawberry Parfait in a Japanese restaurant? But we were too full to give it a go. Next time, maybe.

The bill came to RM56, including the usual 10% service charge and 5% tax. Yes, you heard it right, a mere RM56 for three in a Japanese restaurant. Cheapo! Of course you don't expect Rakuzen standard. Dunno where I heard it from, Sushi Zanmai is actually part of Rakuzen. Umm... no wonder the menu looks quite similar.

Sushi Zanmai can be found in Sunway Pyramid, next to Zen Sushi, as well as in Mid Valley Gardens, next to Borders.