The Ginza Japanese Restaurant group has extended their business to Penang lately, occupying a few shoplots in the new Vantage Desiran Tanjung. The place is highly visible and noticeable from far due to the bright and striking signage. Ginza has a very extensive and comprehensive menu (too extensive that it took us more than 10 minutes to pick what we want to order), covering Sushi, Sashimi, Oden, Udon, Tempura, Teppanyaki, Bento Sets or even Omakase (exotic dishes like Fugu are available too). Prices are on the higher side; on the service, there are rooms for improvements. We were rather disappointed with the lackluster service from the crew, it took them more than 10 minutes before they could serve us a small scoop of Ice Cream. Some hits and misses here and there but considering the place is fairly new, it's worth a second look.
Ginza Japanese Restaurant is well-known for its quality Sushi. Thus, we set out for their Salmon Nigiri (Rm 3.80) and Tai Nigiri (Rm 3.80), both came in with a thickly sliced Fish- fresh and absolutely satisfying.
My partner in crime, a huge fan of Unagi, goes for the Unagi Kabayaki Set (Rm 39.80). The Unagi was deftly grilled with the alluring fats seeping through; however, the sauce was somewhat too sweet to his liking. The Chawan Mushi was toothsome, velvety smooth with the quintessential flavors. Not too bad but we thought they could be more generous with the Grilled Unagi.
One of their signature Bento Sets- Azabu Set (Rm 64.80) comes with many small dishes; namely Sashimi (assorted), Chashu Aburiyaki, Vegetable Tempura, Dobun Mushi (Seafood Broth served in a Tea Pot), Pickles, Salad, Rice and Ice Cream. The Sashimi was good, appropriately sliced to the right thickness- absolutely fresh and succulent. The Chashu Aburiyaki is one of their proudest creations, my experience? Decent, it was melt-in-the-mouth tender with juicy sweet bite but still, not mind-blowingly good. We were surprised of the absence of Rice or Noodles in the set; good for small eaters or otherwise for those with a bigger appetite.
An uncommon dish in Japanese Restaurants- Yaki Onigiri Chazuke (Rm 12.80), a simple Japanese dish by soaking Onigiri in Japanese Green Tea and Dashi stock. The Onigiri was lightly grilled to a tawny crisp on the outer layer and soaked in Green Tea- Dashi stock; completed with shredded Seaweed. The Green Tea flavor was there but rather pallid; the stock was over-seasoned- a tad salty to my liking. There was no filling inside the Onigiri, just rice; which I thought the dish was somewhat overpriced. Quite a disappointment.
Tempura Udon (Rm 22.80) was simple and straight-forward. The Udon was somewhat average, smooth but not the al-dente type that I was looking for; same goes to their Tempura, nothing spectacular to shout over.
Kappa Maki (Rm 5.80)
Ratings:
Taste: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good) *7.5/10 for Sushi*
Price: 6.5/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)
Service: 5.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)
Parking: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)
Ambiance: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)
Non-Halal
Service Charge: Yes 10%
Government Tax: Yes 6%
Additional Information:
Address: B-3-3A, Jalan Desiran Tanjung, 10470, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.
Business Hours: 12 pm to 3 pm; 6 pm to 10:30 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 604- 890 9918