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Sushi Zanmai was established in Malaysia back in 2007 and it strives to provide its customers with fresh and delicious produce at affordable prices, through its 30 years of experience in direct procurement. With 36 outlets spanning across Malaysia, we had the honour of visiting their first outlet at Raffles Holland V Mall.
Perched on the 3rd storey, the restaurant features floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering splendid views of the charming Holland Village. These windows also flood the place with abundant natural light, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
While affordable joints often compromise on quality, at Sushi Zanmai, you can anticipate nothing but the best— their tuna cuts hail from Toyosu Market in Tokyo, the scallops are sourced from Hokkaido, and the Kanpachi (amberjack) comes all the way from Kagoshima.
Sign up for a free Sushi Zanmai membership, and receive a S$5 welcome e-voucher for instant savings. What’s more, you can earn 2x points on your birthday month and receive a S$10 birthday e-voucher.
What I tried at Sushi Zanmai
We met the friendly Chef Cheong, who was preparing our first dish— the Oki Sashimi Moriawase (2 pcs each) (S$29.80). We observed as he expertly sliced each variety of fish with precision, using a razor-sharp knife, and even gave our scallops the perfect aburi treatment.
The picture-perfect Oki Sashimi Moriawase had 2 slices of each variety: salmon belly, tuna Otoro, Ika (squid), Kanpachi and seared scallops.
The artful presentation was dressed with Ohba leaves to distinguish each type, accompanied by lemon and Japanese cucumber slices, grated ginger, all resting on a bed of crushed ice.
The Kensaki Ika delivered a tender texture, accompanied by faint notes of sweetness. As anticipated, the tuna Otoro lived up to its reputation— richly fatty and it melted in my mouth like semi-thawed butter. The scallop, flame-torched to perfection, offered a subtly smokey flavour that complemented the fresh and firm meat within.
The cucumber slices acted like palate cleansers, preparing my taste buds for the next variety. I also added a small dollop of grated ginger to the sashimi, which added interesting touches of spice.
We then moved on to the Mentai Spider Roll (S$12.80). Crispy soft-shell crab was encased in a sushi roll and topped with thinly-sliced avocados, mentaiko and tobikko.
A double dose of creaminess took me by surprise, coming from the unctuous avocado slices and the mentaiko that coated each individual grain of sushi rice when I chewed everything together. It ended with the satisfying crunch of the soft-shell crab within.
Nabe or hotpot dishes are popular in Japanese restaurants. Sushi Zanmai has a range of spicy versions such as Spicy Seafood Nabe, Spicy Angus Striploin Nabe and Salmon Spicy Nabe, all priced at S$14.80 each.
We chose the Spicy Japanese Pork Belly Nabe and dunked our pork belly slices into the boiling broth. The meat was soft and had the perfect fat-to-meat ratio.
The chef informed us that the nabe broth incorporated Sichuan elements, creating a fusion of Japanese and Chinese flavours. The broth, thick and reminiscent of Korean soybean paste soup, carried a subtle spiciness and the slightly-numbing characteristics of Sichuan pepper.
The broth also had a chock full of ingredients: pieces of tofu, enoki mushrooms, vermicelli, mushrooms, carrots, leek and onions.
We totally loved this one and because of this, Sushi Zanmai has an exclusive sweet deal just for you! Simply flash this article to their staff before 31 Jan 2024 and get S$2 off the Spicy Japanese Pork Belly Nabe.
I was salivating when we were served the Wagyu Teriyaki Steak 60g (S$19.80). Grade A4 wagyu sirloin is thinly sliced, then a luscious teriyaki glaze is spooned over. The dish is served with a medley of stir-fried vegetables and crispy garlic flakes.
The wagyu sirloin slices were an absolute treat, each bite bursting with creamy and delicious fats. The slightly sweet teriyaki sauce proved to be the perfect accompaniment, enhancing the overall flavour experience. The stir-fried vegetables were crunchy and lightly-seasoned, giving my taste buds a break from the richness of the beef.
The Hamaguri Sakamushi (S$9.80) was a no-frills bowl of clams cooked in a broth that contained dashi, cooking sake and a little clam essence. The clear soup was heartwarming and briny while the clams were firm and fresh.
We also tried an assortment of Nigiri Sushi. Sushi Zanmai has about 37 varieties and single pieces are available too, with the cheapest going for S$0.80 each.
Final thoughts
With an extensive menu of over 280 items, Sushi Zanmai stands as the ideal destination for those in search of a high-quality and delicious meal without the worry of breaking the bank.
Head on down to Raffles Holland V Mall today and pay them a visit!
Expected damage: S$10 â S$22 per pax
* This post was brought to you in partnership with Sushi Zanmai.
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