Chuka Zanmai is related to the Sushi Zanmai and Pasta Zanmai chain of restaurants if you are wondering. Chuka is Japanese food cooked chinese style so you can expect many familiar looking items on the menu. This actually makes a good introduction to Japanese food, if someone you know has the impression that Japanese food is all about raw fish.
The only Chuka Zanmai restaurant for now is at Hartamas Shopping Centre. It is accessible both from inside the mall (2nd Floor) as well as from the Plaza Damas courtyard area.
When seated and our orders were placed, we were served with a complimentary starter of cold marinated chicken and bean sprouts. I loved it! It was very refreshing and tasty and I only wish there was more of it!
We had a hot stone bowl (ishiyaki) of 8 types of seafood and rice.
The rice was a fried rice but the raw egg was mixed into the hot stone bowl of rice in front of you, and the seafood placed on top of the rice just before serving. The seafood portion was quite generous with prawns, scallops, squid, 2 types of mushrooms and 2 types of vegetables. I find that in general the food portions at the Supersushi chain of restaurants generous which makes it value for money.
The rice was served with a bowl of miso soup that had generous helpings of clams in it!
The last time I had miso soup with clams was at an upmarket Japanese restaurant so I was very surprised but pleased to be served this at a chain restaurant.
I had a Dan Dan Mian Spicy Ramen which was only moderately spicy.
The soup was deliciously spicy with a hint of sweetness that I found rather unusual. The noodles were handmade ramen and it was served with some minced meat, vegetables and half a boiled egg. I loved the egg. It was hard on the outside but the yolk was still a little bit runny. Absolutely delicious.
To share, we also had a deep fried soft shell crab with spicy sauce.
I personally did not quite enjoy this. The crabs were well fried but were quite oily. Also, the spicy sauce was a sweet-sour thai style chilli sauce that I found cloying after a while. I can’t quite fault the portion size, which as usual was generous. But you might want to order this one only if you have more people eating.
No pork is served at Chuka Zanmai but I do not recall seeing a Halal sign for those who might be concerned.
CHUKA ZANMAI (758027-D)
Lot P-2C, Plaza Ground Floor,
Hartamas Shopping Centre,
60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,
Sri Hartamas,
50480 KL.
TEL 03 – 6201 1610
Pink Parisian [rating:4/5] for taste
Pink Parisian [rating:4/5] for price
Popularity: 10% [?]
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
How about the price? The food looks fancy too me. I expect they’ll be expensive too.
@hyperX: Oops! I forgot the prices but no its not expensive. Everything came up to about RM40 or thereabouts.
wow….this is the first time we’ve heard of chuka zanmai! We still find it hard though, to try other zanmai outlets other than our comfort food in sushi zanmai.. MUST try to break free..! Haha.. :p
@twosuperheroes: It was the first time I’d seen it too! Must branch out although Sushi Zanmai remains a firm fave
yeah first time i heard of chuka zanmai, looks so goood!
Ooh looks interesting…how about Pasta Zanmai, their other chain-have you tried it? Am curious…
@xin: Its actually pretty yummy
@Monstro: Incidentally, a review is coming right up!
It all looks very good. Each dish more lovely and mouth-watering than the last. Thanks for sharing!