Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Japan In The Heart of Malaysia

I LOVE Japan and I also love Malaysia. When you cannot afford a trip to Japan, the best cheat code is to travel to Malaysia and find small Japanese bits and pieces and call it a trip. Malaysia is filled with many multicultural influences. Whether it be dramas, food or fashion, Japanese culture can always be found everywhere around the world. Especially in Malaysia.

There are many Japanese restaurants found in Malaysia.

Pepperlunch is an extremely popular Japanese food chain restaurant all around the world. It is popular for food served on a hot sizzling plate and cooks while its on it. This popular foodchain can be found in Malaysia's MidValley's food court or in Pavillion. For just RM9.90 (about roughly AUD3.30) you can eat pepperlunch served along with Miso soup.


One of my favourite Japanese restaurant in Malaysia is Pasta Zanmai. It also has a sister restaurant called Sushi Zanmai. Pasta Zanmai offers many different dishes ranging from pasta to rice. It seems to have a touch of a modern taste with its traditional food, example the pasta with salmon.


Pasta with Salmon 


Don 


WAGYU! (if i remember correctly >_<;;)


Like many counties with a Chinatown, there is a specific place in Malaysia where you can find a touch of Tokyo. As you walk up to the toppest level of Pavilion in Jalan Bukit Bintang, a big red lantern greets you with the word "Tokyo". This place brings you to a whole new place as it is different from the rest of the shopping centre.


They have their own "Tokyo Street". 


The interior design in this area of the shopping centre replicates stores from Japan. One of my favourite stores in Tokyo Street is where they sell milk tea. In a store like this, you can even find Okinawa milk tea with pearls!!



Not only is Malaysia filled with many Japanese restaurants and beverage stores, big Japanese companies are also dominant. There are many big Japanese supermarkets and retail chain stores like Isetan, Jusco and Daiso opened in Malaysia. Isetan and Jusco also offer many fresh sushi in their supermarkets. And the most popular dollar shop, Daiso sells all items for just RM5 storewide. They offer high quality Japanese products at a very cheap price. Sometimes I just go in the store and look around. Its so tempting to not buy anything before leaving the store!! I always feel like I always need to end up something. haha impulsive shopping perhaps ?


Japanese anime is very popular. There are shops they sell collective figurines. 



Sakae Sushi offers Genmaicha. 


Japanese Harajuku crepes are popular. In 1Utama near the cinemas there is a crepe store called Shimino. I guess this as close as it gets to Japan right ? 


I love how they present their food at Sakae Sushi. Especially placing the noodles on a wooden bucket sort of thing. It really gives you a glimpse of what traditional Japanese food is like. I ordered cha soba noodles. (Green tea noodles) You dip it in the sauce given as you eat it.


Towards the end of my trip in Malaysia, I have almost tried most of the big Japanese food chain stores. May I dare to say, this is probably my 8th - 11th time eating sushi ?!?! Actually I wasn't dining in a sushi train store but at Shogun - Saisaki Japanese Buffet Restaurant. This place offered really good customer service and the sushi area is always constantly replaced with new ones! This buffet offered from tempura to sashimi to soup and to a few noodle dishes.


Interior design. Lanterns, lanterns and more lanterns.


Towards the last few days of my trip, we went out to eat Japanese food again. Of course in Malaysia, we tried as much Malaysian and Chinese cuisine as we did as Japanese. As a Japanese food lover, it is just so hard to resist not trying the Japanese food because back in Sydney it would be so rare to find Cha Soba! Of course, with Australian money conversion, it is so cheap to dine in and eat! As we were pleased with Pasta Zanmai, we tried Sushi Zanmai this time.

Cha Soba


Yakisoba


Udon


And of course, Sushi!!!


Dining in Malaysia is so convenient. There are an infinity range of restaurants to try. With many different cultures influencing fans and young teens of Malaysia, it is amazing to see how much Malaysia has to offer. Although the food may not taste as authentic, having a glimpse to taste and experience Japanese culture in Malaysia is amazing as it has so much to offer. 

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