This would be one of those times when "follow the crowd for the best food" fails to apply.  After a whole day of shopping, we decided to head over to Sushi Zanmai where there was a line-up at the entrance. We thought that since it seems so popular, the food should be good. So, we got into line as well and were finally seated after 30 minutes. 

The atmosphere was nice, staff were friendly and everything looks clean. Looking at the menu, there aren't that many options available. Nevertheless, we decided to give it the benefit of the doubt as perhaps the food may taste even better since it seems more specialized. 

It is too bad I did not think to take any pictures of the food. We had the following:

Chicken Katsudon in egg sauce (L) - RM15.80

Unadon (L) - RM28.80

Kimuchi roll (weekly special - softshell crab, cucumber, lettuce) - RM10.80

Fiery roll (fried oysters, roe, lettuce) -  RM 12.80

Green tea - RM4 per pax 

Unfortunately, the food did not meet our expectations at all. They were bland to say the least. Not only that, we found that the restaurant also mixed the sushi rice with ordinary long-grain rice (probably to reduce cost). If that was not bad enough, there was no smell or taste of the vinegar that is one of the staples in sushi/rolls. I suppose some people may like it this way but I felt as if something was not quite right about the taste. Now, I am a lover of soft shell crab. However, I have to say that I was utterly disappointed with the Kimuchi Roll as I could not taste the soft shell crab at all. Both the rolls that we ordered tasted pretty much the same - bland.

 I honestly do not feel like this place is worth all the hype. Would I go back again? I don't think so. I could find better elsewhere.

Cuisine: Japanese 
Sushi Zanmai
T-217, Third Floor, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Kuala Lumpur 59200, Malaysia. 03-22821160

Petals: 2/10

Happy New Year to everyone. May 2011 be a better year.