Japanese food is not unusual to most of us as it is recognized as an
international cuisine. There are variety of Japanese food such as rice based
dishes (sushi, domburi, onigiri, kareraisu, chahan, chazuke&kayu), seafood
dishes (sashimi, yakizakana), noodle dishes (soba, udon, ramen, somen,
yakisoba), nabe dishes (oden, sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, chankonabe), meat dishes
(yakitori, tonkatsu, nikujaga), soya bean dishes (yudofu, agedashi tofu, miso
soup), yoshoku dishes (korokke, omuraisu, hayashiraisu, hamubagu) and other
dishes (tempura, okonomiyaki, monjayaki, gyoza, chawanmushi, tsukemono).
Mentioning the long list of Japanese dishes make my mouth watering and my tummy
growling while writing this article...
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| Front View - 1st fl |
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| High quality claypot for cooking (I think this pot is from Taiwan) |
Most of the local Japanese restaurants that I know in my living area
are non-vegetarian but there is one particular Japanese restaurant, Sushi Kitchen - located in Sungai Ara,
Penang, serves Japanese fusion organic vegetarian dishes in a unique ambiance.
This unique restaurant was introduced to me by a good friend who loves Japanese
food and a vegan as well.
After discovering this restaurant, I bought my family there. On one of the weekend in May, my whole family
together with my sister head for the restaurant and we soon found the place and
there were ample parking space in front of the restaurant. I contacted the restaurant to make prior
reservation... Yes, it was packed.
If you’re coming from the town via the coastal highway, drive
through the Bayan Lepas roundabout into JalanTun Dr Awang and head towards
PISA, pass two traffic light junctions and turn right into Jalan Dato Ismail
Hashim, Drive along Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim and turn right into Jalan Sungai
Ara 1, after passing Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Ara, which is on your left,
Sushi Kitchen is located behind a row of shoplot opposite the school.
The proprietor is an avid cyclist who has travelled to many
countries and helped to raise fund for charity. Besides that, he also advocates
green living lifestyle.
The restaurant is located on the 1st floor of a
two-storey shop house. The staircase leading to the restaurant is filled with
customer’s testimonials, newspaper articles, postcards and signatures of
customers.
As you reach the top, you can see various sizes of clay pots and
urns which are neatly arranged close to the wall.
Other forms of decorative items includes old refrigerators, sewing
machine stand, books, manual type writer, old F&N soft drink bottles, old
stereo, tiffin carrier, earthen ware, brassware and many old household items.
Guest have option to seat on the wooden floor (an elevated wooden
stage with table and cushion pad), as well as the conventional dining tables
and chairs which are made of hard wood.
We sit on the wooden floor and my two kids love it, as this way of
dining is new to them. My younger daughter was so excited and she started to
run and walk around creating disturbance to a young couple dining at the other
corner. My husband and sister had to look after the two kids while I was busy
taking photos.
Finally, after taking some photos, we sat down to order our food. Food we ordered includes Organic Milky Way
Spaghetti, Low Beauty Roll, Happiness Family, Golden Age, Sushi Fried Rice, Radiant
Light Porridge and Red Sea Udon – TOTALLY VEGETARIAN. As for the drinks, we ordered Nutmeg juice and
Japanese green tea.
My family is not totally vegetarian but it is certainly good to
change our way of eating by taking vegetarian food especially Japanese organic
vegetarian which is a healthy choice as well. Having taken vegetarian meals
elsewhere especially in some Chinese vegetarian restaurants, I do have some
concern over the fried vegetarian food which are often oily. However, to my
surprise the dishes at Sushi Kitchen are less oily and tasty too.
There other prime attraction is the price of the food, which is
reasonable amidst the cozy and warm ambiance. I would like to share my personal
experience savouring the Japanese organic vegetarian dishes with my family.
Organic Milky Way Spaghetti (RM 15.90)
My
daughters like it! They enjoyed the
milky sauce with herbs. The portion is
huge.
Happiness
Family (RM 26.80)
A
good variety of sushi. Good to have if
you are in a group, to taste assorted sushi.
Golden
Age (RM12.80) – 6 pcs
Everyone
has a piece and we ask for more! Very
refreshing and exotic sushi, topped with ripe mango.
Low Beauty Roll (RM 6.80)
I
personally like it! Deep-fried until
golden brown. Better to eat when is hot.
Red Sea Udon (RM 11.90)
It
tastes like creamy laksa. Must try! Again, another huge portion.
Sushi Kitchen Fried Rice (RM 6.80)
A
simple Japanese fried rice, fried until fragranced but not oily. Again, huge portion!
Radiant
Light Porridge (RM7.80)
It kept
my younger daughter sit down quietly (for a while), at least gave us some
peaceful time to dine. This creamy porridge accompanied with freshly
cut Julienne vegetables.
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| Enzyme Hand Wash |
Short
of serving staff is the only setback in Sushi Kitchen. I been there 3 times recently and served by
only ONE same staff. She greets guest,
sits guest, attends to phone call, takes order, prepares drink, places and
serves order, cashiering, clear and set table... and she is cool!
I
strongly recommend Sushi Kitchen to all, regardless of vegetarian or
non-vegetarian friends. This is a
new-age fusion environmental friendly eating place. It is not only serving and promoting vegan
food but how to live well to improve and save our environment for us and our
future generation. You should come to
explore this hidden treasure!
Please call for reservation (to avoid long waiting):
6 04
- 644 6739 (close on Tues)
Biz
Hrs: 11.30 am – 2.30 pm & 6.00 pm –
10.00 pm
