J-Garden

Special thanks to J-Garden for extending this food review invitation.

Formerly operating near Queensbay Mall, J-Garden has moved to Bellisa Row at Pulau Tikus. The restaurant occupies an end unit right next to the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

The 2-floor premises presents a cozy atmosphere for both business and casual meals. The eatery is also sufficiently large for holding private events.

J-Garden specializes in yōshoku (洋食), or Western cuisine with a Japanese spin. Since its reopening, the restaurant has introduced several new dishes like the Fresh Avocado Salad (アボカドサラダ).

Meat lovers can go for the Mixed Hamburger Steak Beef & Pork (合挽ハンバーグステーキ, RM30.00). The patty goes well with ponzu sauce, a tangy mixture of vinegar and yuzu. Most dishes can be served as part of a set meal (rice, side dish and miso soup) for RM6.00 more.

Salmon Cream Croquette Curry (鮭クリームコロッケカレー, RM25.00) is another popular dish here. The croquette is served with rice and Japanese curry. The latter is aromatic and delectable to the last morsel.

Melted Cheese Doria (昭和レトロドリア, RM24.00) is a classic dish from the Shōwa era of Japan. The gratinéed rice has a rich taste thanks to the infusion of chicken stock, tomatoes and béchamel sauce.

Flavorful Citrus Saba Spaghetti (スパゲッティー．ゆず鯖, RM29.00) is sautéed with olive oil and yuzu sauce. The latter has an acidic taste that stimulates the palate. Al dente pasta is topped with mackerel slices, which are marinated and fried to golden perfection.

Melted Cheese Katsu (とろーりチーズカツ, RM33.00) is yet another signature dish at J-Garden. The cutlet is made of Spanish pork tenderloin stuffed with melted cheddar cheese. This dish is typically enjoyed with tonkatsu sauce.

Originating in Kyūshū, Tender Chicken Nanban (ぷりぷりチキン南蛮, RM25.00) is now widely enjoyed across Japan. The boneless chicken thigh is seasoned with Nanban sauce, a special blend of vinegar and tartar sauce.

As for dessert, Rich Dark Chocolate Fondant (濃厚チョコレートフォンダン, RM13.00) is a recommended choice. Liquid chocolate oozes out the cake as soon as it is punctured. The aromatic scent of dark cocoa is simply irresistible. This dessert comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

J-Garden's beverage menu covers coffee, English tea, Japanese tea and beer. As for juices, J-Garden serves refreshing ones like Fresh Avocado Juice (アボカドジュース, RM14.00) and Fresh Mixed Juice (ミックスジュース, RM9.00). In addition, the restaurant has a small collection of wines too!

Nearly all dishes on J-Garden's menu are available for take-away and delivery. The restaurant provides free delivery within Pulau Tikus with minimum spending of RM60.00.

J-Garden is frequented by Japanese expatriates, a feat which speaks volumes about the authenticity of the yōshoku cuisine here!

Name: J-Garden
Address: 368-1-1, Bellisa Row, Jalan Burma, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-446-2230
Business hours: 11:30am-10:00pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/JGardenRestaurant
Coordinates: 5.43280 N, 100.30957 E
Directions: J-Garden is located at Bellisa Row at Pulau Tikus, George Town. The restaurant covers 1 hour of private parking with minimum spending of RM80.00.

Ichiban Boshi

Ichiban Boshi (いちばんぼし) is a chain of Japanese restaurants from Singapore. For today's dinner, we visited the outlet at Publika Shopping Gallery. The restaurant is located one level above The Bee.

The first dish that we ordered is Unagi Yanagawa (うなぎ柳川, RM35.80), where savory unagi fillets are served with scrambled eggs. Somehow, I feel that the unagi is not so compatible with eggs. We upgraded the meal to include garlic fried rice, miso soup (味噌汁) and fruit for an additional RM6.30.

The next dish is Saba Don & Udon With Satsumaimo Tempura Set (RM33.90). It comprises of a bowl of rice topped with grilled mackerel, a bowl of udon soup, and a serving of sweet potato tempura. The meal also includes chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し), miso soup and cut fruit. Unfortunately, the tempura is not as crumbly as it ought to be.

This is followed by Aburi Salmon Mentai Don (炙りサーモン明太丼, RM26.80). This rice dish is topped with salmon, egg, roe and mayonnaise. The salmon slices are briefly torched before serving. While the overall taste is acceptable, the amount of toppings is too little in proportion to rice.

Saba Yaki (さば焼き, RM19.80) or grilled mackerel comes with a choice of either teriyaki (照り焼き) or shioyaki (塩焼き). For the former, the mackerel is glazed with a sweet sauce made from soy sauce, mirin and sugar. I think the seasoning is substantially saltier than necessary.

Overall, the food at Ichiban Boshi falls short of satisfaction. There is much room for improvement when it comes to seasoning. I also feel that the service crew is grossly understaffed.

Address: C5-G3-24, Publika Shopping Gallery, Jalan Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03-6203-2271
Business hours: 11:30am-10:00pm
Taste

Presentation

Ambience

Hospitality

Value

J-Garden

Special thanks to J-Garden for extending this food review invitation.

J-Garden is a Japanese eatery near Queensbay Mall. The restaurant specializes in yoshoku (洋食), which is Western-style Japanese cuisine. While relatively common in Japan, Penang's yoshoku restaurants are few and far between.

J-Garden adopts a minimalist approach in its decor. Sleek modern wooden surfaces give the dining area a homely feeling. Overall, J-Garden has a casual ambience for dining with friends and family.

Omurice (オムライス) is a classic example of yoshoku. It is a dish of fried rice wrapped in omelette, and usually topped with ketchup. J-Garden's Omu Nanban (オム南蛮, RM20.00+) is also served with spaghetti napolitana, fried chicken (チキン南蛮) and tartar sauce.

Customers who order from the special lunch menu can get soup, salad, dessert and drink for only RM6.00+ more. Today's dessert is orange panna cotta. The pudding has a delightful consistency between jelly and fluid.

J-Garden is known for preparing barbecued pork (チャーシュー) from scratch in the kitchen. The restaurant uses premium pork imported from Spain. One way to appreciate this delicacy is through Char Siew Salad (チャーシューサラダ, RM16.00+).

Tsukemen (つけ麺, RM27.00+), also known as "dipping noodles", is a dish where cold ramen (ラーメン) is dipped in a hot bowl of soup called dashi (出汁). Other ingredients are barbecued pork, onsen tamago (温泉卵) and cabbage. Sesame seeds can be ground using a mortar and pestle.

Next, Char Siew Don (チャーシュー丼, RM22.00+) consists of barbecued pork, onsen tamago and shredded cabbage served over rice. Horseradish sauce enhances the succulent pork slices by giving a pungent taste similar to wasabi. The meal includes miso soup too.

Meanwhile, Melted Cheese Doria (昭和レトロドリア, RM24.00+) is a rice casserole cooked with stock and onions. The dish is baked with béchamel sauce and cheese. The browned layer keeps the rice moist and enhances its savoriness. Salad is served on the side.

As for something crispy, Thick & Crispy Tonkatsu (肉厚サクサク豚カツ, RM30.00+) the ideal choice. The pork cutlet is coated with bread crumbs (パン粉) and fried to golden perfection. Compared to Western breading, tonkatsu has a lighter crisp because the breading does not absorb as much oil. The cutlet is typically enjoyed with a brown sauce called tonkatsu sauce.

J-Garden has an exclusive parking area for its customers. There is enough space to fit around 6 cars. In addition, the restaurant has an outdoor section in case customers prefer al fresco dining. Furthermore, J-Garden is a suitable venue for corporate functions and private parties. The air-conditioned section can easily accommodate up to 50 people.

Name: J-Garden
Address: 64-G, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-637-1139
Business hours: 11:30am-2:30pm, 6:00pm-10:00pm, closed on Mondays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/JGardenRestaurant
Coordinates: 5.33650 N, 100.30706 E
Directions: J-Garden is located in Bayan Indah near Queensbay Mall. The restaurant is the corner unit of a row of shops between Eastin Hotel and Shanghai Ding. There are parking spaces at the side of the restaurant.

Umi

Special thanks to Lexis Suites Penang for extending this food review invitation.

Umi Japanese Restaurant (海) is one of two full service restaurants in Lexis Suites Penang; the other is Roselle Coffee House. "Umi" means "sea" in Japanese, reflecting the fact that the restaurant places great emphasis on fresh seafood.

Umi presents a family-friendly dining atmosphere with a charming touch of wood. The spacious dining hall can accommodate up to 100 diners at full capacity.

As for patrons who prefer some privacy, Umi has several quaint tatami rooms. Each room can fit around 6 or 7 people. Customers are asked to remove their shoes before entering.

Sakura Set Dinner (RM48.00) is a teishoku- (定食) style meal where diners can choose the main dish: teriyaki chicken or grilled mackerel. The meal also includes tempura, chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し), miso soup (味噌汁), edamame (枝豆) and steamed rice. Sakura Set Dinner is available daily from 6:30pm to 10:00pm.

The teriyaki chicken (照り焼きチキン) is exquisite indeed. The cutlet is grilled with a glaze of soy sauce and mirin (味醂), culminating in savory and sweet flavors. Seasoned scallops (中華ホタテ) and omelette (玉子焼き) are served on the side.

Tempura (天麩羅) comprises of prawns and vegetables coated in light batter. The food items are deep-fried to a scrumptious crisp. Tentsuyu (天つゆ) is the dipping sauce for tempura.

Sashimi Moriawase (刺身盛り合わせ, RM160.00) is meant for sharing among 3 or 4 diners. The chilled platter includes the chef's selection of marine delicacies. Sashimi is customarily eaten with wasabi (山葵).

Today's Sashimi Moriawase consists of salmon (鮭), tuna (鮪), mackerel (鯖), octopus (蛸), oysters (牡蠣), scallops (帆立), surf clams (北寄貝) and salmon roe (イクラ). To give customers the freshest seafood available, the actual seafood items may vary from day to day.

Moving on, Unadon (鰻丼, RM40.00) features a large piece of unagi (freshwater eel) grilled in kabayaki (蒲焼) style. The fillet is served with short-grain Japanese rice, omelette and miso soup.

Green tea (お茶) is served from a traditional Japanese teapot. The teapot is kept warm on a portable stove.

Japanese cuisine places utmost importance in seafood freshness, in which Umi Japanese Restaurant passes with flying colors. The restaurant also excels in taste and presentation.

On weekdays, Umi offers Japanese Semi Buffet Lunch (RM80.00) from 12:00pm to 2:30pm. Customers may select from a list of main dishes, and enjoy free flow of salad, cold cuts and desserts. Come with a partner as the restaurant is offering "Buy 1 Free 1" for this promotion.

As for people who want to enjoy a quality weekend with family and friends, Umi Japanese Restaurant also serves Sunday Buffet Lunch. Prior reservation is highly recommended.

Name: Umi Japanese Restaurant (海)
Address: 28, Jalan Teluk Kumbar, 11920 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-628-2888
Business hours: 12:00pm-2:30pm, 6:30pm-11:00pm
Website: https://www.lexissuitespenang.com/dining/umi-japanese-restaurant
Coordinates: 5.28709 N, 100.23254 E
Directions: From Bayan Lepas, drive along Jalan Teluk Kumbar towards the intersection with Jalan Gertak Sanggul. Lexis Suites Penang is the tall building on the left just before the intersection. Umi Japanese Restaurant is located on the Ground Floor, just next to the lobby atrium. There are parking spaces inside the hotel.

Bincho By Sango

Special thanks to Bincho By Sango for extending this food review invitation.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

Bincho By Sango is the latest addition to the Sango Group of Restaurants. The group's flagship restaurant is Sango Japanese Restaurant (珊瑚日本料理), which is located inside Crystal Crown Hotel in Petaling Jaya. Meanwhile, this outlet at Sentral Jaya is the group's izakaya spin-off.

An izakaya (居酒屋) is the Japanese equivalent of a pub. In Japan, such drinking establishments are frequented by office workers after work. Besides alcoholic beverages, an izakaya typically serves light meals too. Bincho takes a step further by offering japas, a fusion of Spanish tapas and Japanese cuisine.

The bar near the entrance is where alcoholic beverages like beer, wine and liquor are prepared. Most drinks are served by the bottle, but certain types are also poured by the glass. As a Japanese drinking establishment, Bincho also carries several popular sake (酒, Japanese rice wine) and shochu (焼酎, Japanese liquor) brands.

Sake can be served chilled (冷酒), at room temperature (常温) or heated (熱燗). Hot sake is customarily consumed during winter. Although some flavors may be lost, the wine's aroma plays a more prominent role. Sake is poured into a ceramic flask called tokkuri (徳利), where it is heated by hot water. This 300 ml bottle of Kacho Fugetsu (花鳥風月, RM68.00) contains approximately 14% alcohol by volume.

In addition, Bincho offers several brands of draft beer like Guinness, Heineken and Tiger. Our choice this evening is Kirin Ichiban (一番搾り, RM12.00), one of the most popular beers in Japan. With a frothy head, the beer tastes remarkably fresh and smooth. It is served in a frosty glass to keep the drink chilled as long as possible.

Alcoholic beverages go particularly well with kushiyaki (串焼き). Sango Signature Platter (RM49.00) allows diners to savor multiple crowd favorites at a time. The platter consists of tsukune (つくね, chicken meatballs), chicken wings, wagyu cubes, salmon cubes and sweet potatoes. Sweet-savory tare sauce and quail egg are provided too.

Creamy Baked Oysters (RM25.00) are presented over a bed of coarse salt crystals. They are each gratinéed with mentaiko (明太子, spicy roe) and mayonnaise. Like most izakaya food items, the oysters are heavily seasoned in order to complement alcoholic beverages. Their creamy texture is satisfying indeed.

The next dish is Bonded Unagi & Foie Gras (RM35.00). This japas cleverly combines the unique flavors and textures of foie gras, unagi (うなぎ, freshwater eel) and fried egg. Flavored with tare sauce, each bite-size piece is elegantly presented on a ceramic spoon. I am particularly fond of the buttery texture of foie gras as it melts in my mouth.

Seared Blue Fin Tuna With Foie Gras (RM36.00) is another similar dish. In this case, foie gras is served over bluefin tuna, unagi and apple chutney. Tare sauce is added for extra flavor. The dish is garnished with thin slices of fried lotus, whose crispiness really enhances the overall texture. I am quite impressed with this delicacy.

For something more filling, Hot Stone Bowl Rice (RM35.00) is topped with seafood ingredients like unagi, scallops, shrimps, tobiko (とびこ, fish roe) and seaweed (ワカメ). It also comes with onsen tamago (温泉玉子, hot spring egg), minced chicken and tare sauce. Mix the ingredients thoroughly before consuming. Be extra careful with the stone bowl because it is scorching hot.

Truffled Wagyu Donburi (RM35.00) is my favorite dish this evening. This gratifying delicacy contains succulent slices of wagyu beef. Beef is cooked medium rare in order to allow diners to appreciate its premium quality. Besides onsen tamago and tare sauce, truffle oil is also added to elevate aroma to a whole new level. Last but not least, fried garlic serves as icing on the cake.

Tobanyaki (陶板焼き, RM65.00) features a serving of premium wagyu beef with fine marbling. The thin slices of beef are to be grilled on a hot ceramic plate, which is heated by burning charcoal below. This exquisite delicacy also comes with shiitake mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms, bean sprouts and asparagus. Spicy garlic sauce is provided.

Thanks to dim lighting and light music in the background, Bincho presents a relaxing yet lively ambience for casual drinking. In case the main dining area is fully occupied, the izakaya establishment has extra dining tables upstairs. In addition, Bincho provides two private rooms that can accommodate up to 10 people each.

Name: Bincho By Sango
Address: 29, Jalan Sentral Jaya, Pusat Perniagaan Sentral Jaya, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-502-4920
Business hours: 12:00pm-1:00am
Website: https://www.facebook.com/binchosangojuru
Coordinates: 5.34132 N, 100.43508 E
Directions: From the North-South Expressway, take the Bukit Mertajam exit and head east. Make a U-turn at the next traffic lights. Turn left into Sentral Jaya. Bincho is near the center of the row of shops. There are parking spaces in front and the back of the restaurant.