Zazen at Taman Tun Dr Ismail: Review

Zazen aims to become one of TTDI’s top choices for casual Japanese dining & drinking – we headed here to kick back on a recent week-night, & it served us well as a calm & comfortable setting for nearly three hours of chatting, snacking & sipping

Salads and Small Plates

Start with salads & small plates – edamame, sunflower seeds & yam flakes with wafu dressing (RM11) proves a harmonious medley of promising flavours & perky textures, while a squid salad with yuzu dressing (RM13) is also a well-balanced recipe. For further fibre, the aubergine with miso paste (RM5) & soft, simmered sweet potatoes (RM8) should both find sufficient fans.

Skewers

Skewers of meat, seafood & veggies comprise close to half the menu here: We especially enjoyed the succulent bacon (RM8) & savoury pork belly (RM7). The rib-eye beef (RM20 for 100 grammes) was chunky but relatively chewy, while the salmon was competently prepared but probably not the most memorable highlight (RM9). You’ll also find sticks of chicken, prawns, scallops, saba & unagi, complemented by a kushi selection of teriyaki baby corn, smoky mushrooms, green peppers & okra.

If you like fried finger food, the tori karaage (RM10) is totally worth munching on – a tasty plate of crisply battered, juicy & bone-free chicken that’ll be easily wiped clean. Pair it with a bowl of bacon fried rice that bears hints of Japanese curry flavouring (RM12), or soupy kitsune udon with tofu pouches (RM9) if you prefer a simple, not-too-guilty pleasure. Prices fit the theme of fuss-free eating, which happily leaves more cash to spend on wine, whiskey & sake. Many thanks to Zazen for having us here.