If you’ve watched food shows or documentaries about Japan seafood in the past, you’ll most probably be familiar with the scene where the hosts will take a boat out to sea, get excited over freshly caught uni (sea urchin), hear the crack as the sea urchin is pried open and then…be overwhelmed with exclamations on how amazing the sea urchin is, along with comments that it tastes like the sea 大海的味道.
Needless to say, I’ve always been intrigued by uni (sea urchin). Hence, I decided to try it at Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market. Can’t get any fresher than that right. But that 1st bite left a bad taste in my mouth and it has been years since I declared no more uni. Until now.
We’ve been to Sushi Zento countless times, as you would have gathered from the multiple Sushi Zento reviews. And the answer to Hokkaido Don D10 (Sushi Rice Topped with Sea Urchin, Scallop, Crab Meat, Salmon & Salmon Roe Served with Nameko Miso Soup) @ RM75 is almost always not available. We had to ask why after the repeated rejections.
The reason is because Sushi Zento uses uni that’s freshly imported from Japan. And it’s usually sold-out within 2 days.
Determined to stop the rejection streak, we decided to place an advance order for Sushi Zento’s Hokkaido Don and here it is! With that glorious Uni tucked neatly in the middle of the dish 👍
Since it’s available, we also ordered Uni Sushi F32 (Sea Urchin) @ RM35 to experience the sea 👍 My opinion of Uni changed. Well, I may not crave for it. But it’s not as horrid as my 1st bite in Tokyo.
I also enjoyed Sushi Zento’s Inari Chizu Bacon Sushi F25 (Sweet Beancurd Stuffed with Cheese & Bacon) @ RM5 👍 Finally I found a version of Sweet Beancurd sushi that I like!
While Uni is the highlight of the day. Sushi Zento’s Truffle French Fries I05 (Deep Fried French Fries with Truffle) @ RM14 👍 wowed everyone too.
Though I enjoyed Sushi Zento’s Tempura Moriawase during our last visit, the portion was simply too big. So, I decided to order their Kinoko Tempura J02 (Deep-fried Assorted Mushroon in Batter) @ RM18 👍 thinking it’ll be smaller in portion. Nope, still a lot! 😂
And it’s a lot only because I decided to try Sushi Zento’s Mentai Yaki Soba U12 (Stir-fried Noodles, Assorted Seafood, Slice Pork, Vegetables with Cod Roe Mayo) @ RM28 👍 It’s really good and filling. Just that having this single dish will leave me so full, that I can’t have anything else without feeling stuffed. Definitely a yummy dish great for sharing.
Gindara No Kimuchi Chige S01 (Cod Fish & Assorted Vegetables with Kimchi Soup in Hot Pot) @ RM79 (Requested to change to white soup) is decent. Genki Sushi’s Salmon Miso Soup is still the best!
Continuing to track the (in)consistency of Sushi Zento’s Shake Toto Teriyaki T03 (Pan-fried Salmon Belly with Teriyaki Sauce) @ RM32 😅👍
While I wished every dish is good, there is just that 1 bad sheep: Shishamo P02 (Grilled Capelin Fish) @ RM15 👎
And sadly, this is the last time we’ll get to enjoy Sushi Zento’s RM1 member promotion. It was removed in Sep 2024, replaced by a birthday promotion. Luckily, we had 2: Salmon Mentai Island Roll MF06 @ RM1 and Kaki Mentai Cheese Yaki MF07 @ RM1.
Member’s free ice-cream is still available though! LOVE their matcha ice cream ❤
Sushi Zento 膳户 Japanese Restaurant (Mount Austin)
No. 1, 3 & 5 Jalan Austin Height 8/4
Taman Mount Austin
81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Reservation: 016-326 0788
Mon to Thu 11:30AM – 2:15PM & 6PM – 9:45PM
Fri to Sun 11:30AM – 10PM
