Hana Dining + Sake Bar is now our best bet for Japanese gastronomy in Sunway Pyramid: This Malaysian spin-off of Taipei’s respected A-Plus Japanese eatery offers a surprisingly imaginative selection that’s satisfyingly executed & fun to experience.

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A Choice of Distinct Settings

Customers have a choice of distinct settings: A main dining hall with a lovely cherry blossom tree centrepiece, an izakaya-inspired bar area that’s perfect for casual eating & drinking, as well as comfortable private rooms for intimate group events.

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Start with the Sushi

Start with the sushi: Hana serves intriguingly unique creations, immaculately crafted; our favourites include the creamy sea urchin sushi on a crispy bed of lightly battered shiso leaves (RM23 each) & spicy tuna sushi on whitebait (RM8 each), which both supply memorable contrasts of flavours & textures. Strong points for presentation & solid marks for freshness as well.

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We also loved the roasted hirame sushi (RM10), bountifully crowned with succulent flounder flesh known as engawa, which represents the prized fatty portions near the fish’s fin; eat it immediately when served, as the flounder is warm. The mentaiko avocado hand rolls (RM12 each) are enjoyable too – a successfully playful partnership for two of our favourite ingredients.

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Hana’s rice-free salmon makis are well worthwhile too, with good-quality fish served in one-of-a-kind recipes. The recommended stand-outs: Salmon & Japanese yam, cubed & stuffed in fried seaweed strips (RM32), & salmon belly rolled with tempura prawn, avocado, cucumber & flying fish roe (RM33). The salmon proves smooth, luscious & fulfilling in flavour.

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Hana’s eye-catching goose liver roll is torched by the table for a smoky flavour boost. This is another unexpected pairing – the roll is topped with foie gras & stuffed with crab stick filaments; both components complement each other harmoniously. RM45.

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More Foie?

Need more foie? Try the tantalising hors d’ouevres of tender pumpkin coated with turkey ham & blanketed with goose liver (RM32) for a beautiful medley of sweet-savoury dimensions. Also alluring: Spoonfuls of spinach-wrapped bamboo shoots topped with pleasurably chewy chunks of octopus (RM20). These would be top-notch treats to peddle at a cocktail party.

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Other experiments turn out triumphantly: The ‘Olic Tuna’ features albacore tuna marinated with olive oil, garlic & herbs for nuances that might evoke the taste of ‘char siu’ (RM25), while the Unagi Caesar Salad is an eel-egant reinterpretation of a familiar classic (RM33). These are all part of Hana’s current Autumn menu; the restaurant’s repertoire evolves each season according to what’s fresh (hirame, for example, is best from October to January) & what tickles the chef’s inventiveness.

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We wrapped up this feast with protein-powered concoctions: A sterling donburi of vinegared rice draped with glistening slices of otoro, the most mouth-watering section of a tuna’s belly (RM68), Aussie beef tataki with a thick citrus dipping sauce (RM30) & lamb curry with crispy tofu (RM45). And this is all merely the tip of the iceberg for Hana’s menu – there’s much, much more to still sample here, from pasta tossed with seaweed & boletus mushrooms to a roll of crispy chicken stuffed with sweet potatoes to an omelette stuffed with crab meat to a platter of grilled duck breast topped with cucumbers & mustard.

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Beverages

Hana’s beverage collection is equally impressive: You’ll find sake & shochu cocktails – try the Taste of Shochu, priced at only RM33 for a carafe that can be shared, blending sake with red wine & apple sour liquor for a reinvigorating drink that’s reminiscent of sangria; it’s ideal to sip while savouring Hana’s excellent tofu cheesecake. Alternatively, try the Jozen sparkling sake, which floods the palate with lightly fruity flourishes, or The Widzard Of Oz (RM25), a compelling Japanese cocktail that combines shochu & plum wine with triple sec liquor, kiwi fruit, sour mix & rose syrup. Hana bills itself as a ‘sa-key’ bar, so be sure to check out both the seductive sakes & the sensual whiskies. Service is sparkling; thanks to Hana for having us here.

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Location and Contact Details

Hana Dining + Sake Bar

OB2.G.U1, Oasis Boulevard, Ground Floor, Sunway Pyramid (Opposite Kim Gary)

Tel: +603-5624-0888

Open 1130am-11pm, Sun-Thurs; 1130am-1am, Fri-Sat

Find: Contact details and map for Hana Dining + Sake Bar