Zipangu @ Shangri-la, Kuala Lumpur

This is going to be one of those rare occasion where I write up a new review when the food from the restaurant I'm writing about is still digesting in my stomach. When you're bored on a Friday night, I guess this is what you do.

Anyway, Zipangu @ Shangri-la is probably one of the best Japanese Restaurant in KL. For those interested in buffet, Zipangu serves buffet lunch (RM96 nett) on weekends only. Personally, I rather have a la carte (the French word for according to the menu). Most restaurants tend to save the best stuff and nice cuts for a la carte anyway. I have this mentality where I rather sit down, order what I like to eat and not gorge myself with food in a buffet. In the end, the cost would probably be similar (a la carte is usually slightly higher).

Although someone mentioned that most of the chefs in Zipangu aren't Japanese (this is KL man), everything still has to go through the big man (head chef) who is Japanese. And when you come to such a place, you know that the food quality won't disappoint.

Off to the food.

Salmon Sashimi

The salmon sashimi (RM60) was one of the best I've tasted. The fish was cut into fat thick slices, and was extremely fresh.

Soft Shell Crab Maki

The Soft Shell Crab roll (RM40) came one whole crab rolled up with flying fish roe, cucumber and Japanese mayonnaise. The roll done just right (as in the rice wasn't too tight nor was it loose). Each bite had a good amount of soft-shell crab in it.

Tofu Salad

The salad (RM28) consisted of nice big pieces of tofu, a few type of seaweeds, the usual salad vegetables and a few chunks of century egg. It came accompanied by 3 types of sauce (salty, slightly spicy and sour). Mix and match the sauce anyway you fancy. This salad was so good that I am willing to bet a non vegetable lover would eat it.

Pan-seared Foie Gras and Unagi on a Winter Melon Broth

Priced at RM40, the foie gras was seared to perfection (slightly crunchy on the outside but had that nice melt in your mouth sensation on the inside). The winter melon broth was pleasant as well. The only think I dislike was the Unagi (eel). I think the dish would have fared better without the eel (its RM10 cheaper without the eel). The eel was a little chewy.

Seafood Kimchee Soup

Yes, I know this is a Japanese Restaurant. The waiter claimed that this soup (RM70) was very good (better than the Sukiyaki), so we opted for it instead. It wasn't exceptional, but it didn't disappoint either. It came with a good deal of seafood. It consisted of clams, prawns and a few types of fish.

Assorted Tempura

The tempura (RM60) wasn't anything spectacular. It was crunchy on the outside. It was alright I guess. To me, a tempura can only be either bad or normal. So yea, I'm not saying Zipangu didn't do a good job at it.

Tenderloin Tepanyaki

The beef (RM90) was overcooked. I requested for medium but it came well done. Since I'm always nice, I decided not to complain. Although overcooked, it wasn't tough.

Seafood Fried Rice

The fried rice (RM18) didn't taste exceptional in anyway. The picture above was only 1/2 of the actual portion as I requested them to split it into two bowls instead.

Daifuku Chocolate

This is actually ice cream wrapped with rice cake (some pancake made of rice flour I presume) and topped with some red beans. I actually wanted black sesame ice-cream but they didn't have it today. Just my luck. This dessert was RM18.

Macha Tiramisu

This Green Tea Tiramisu (RM15) better resembled a green tea cake. It was too milky and slightly too rich for my liking. We left half of it behind. The name tiramisu certainly deceived me. I felt cheated. ROAR!!

All in all, I quite happy with the food. When one comes to places like this, the food has to be good. For the price you're paying, it better be. Service today was good as well. The waiters knew their stuff and could describe each dish well. On top of that, they could even recommend dishes to try. One word of advice though, get the Shang Prestige Card or your dinner might cost quite a bit. I still can't decide whether Iketeru is better. It has been a while since I was last there.


*Opinions expressed are solely based on my personal experience

No Pork

Dresscode: Smart Casual

Pricing: About RM100+ per person

Map to Zipangu @ Shangri-la KL

Address:
Zipangu
Level 1, Shangri-La Hotel,
11, Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Contact:
Telephone number: 03 2074 390
Fax number: 03 2070 1514
Website: click (here)

Opening hours:
Lunch : 12noon - 2.30pm (Monday - Friday)
Lunch: 11.30am - 2.30pm (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays)
Dinner : 6.30pm - 10.30pm (daily)


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