“Have you tried the most exclusive Japanese Food in Penang?”. This is the most common question asked when I discussed about Japanese food with my friends. My answer to them is always “NO” as I can’t afford it. However this answer was changed recently as there was a special occasion which allowed me to dine there.
The exact location of Krishima Restaurant is located inside Cititel Hotel in Penang Road. The restaurant is just a few steps away on your left when you enter the main lobby of the hotel. As for the Chinese Restaurant Zhong Hua, they are at the end of the walkway.
Kirishima in Japanese means an Island with thick haze. However, there is also a Japanese wine with the name of Kirishima. Therefore, when you enter this place you will see there are hundreds of Kirishima wine bottles arranged nicely on the racks.
There are few types of dining area. For those who enjoy sitting with the crowd, you can always dine at the common area.
For those who prefer some privacy, you can always request for partitioned area. There are even private rooms available for those who have private functions.
As usual for most of the Japanese Restaurants, before the dinner starts there will be hot steamed towel and cutleries served.
On the main Kirishima menu it is written as “The Japanese Style Casual Restaurant”, which I don’t feel it is that casual.
My advice is, if you are an impatient person please do not dine there over the weekend. The waiting for the food to be served is around 20 – 40 minutes. Suggestion to those that have patience, please bring some magazines or equipped your phone with games to fill your waiting time.
Salmon Sushi x 4 – RM24.00, the price for 4 pieces of salmon sushi is very pricey. People who are used to the price of other sushi outlets will be shocked to find out the price here. However, this is a truly handmade sushi made from high quality ingredients and also by well-known chef. The sushi looked similar to the machine-made sushi, we were not there to witness the process therefore we were unsure if it is handmade or machine-made. The only difference is they used salmon belly which had a very smooth and melt-in-the-mouth texture.
Unagi Dinner Set – RM45.00. Besidse the sushi the unagi set is also very expensive. The set is complete with Japanese style salad, pickled veggie, miso soup, chawan mushi and fruits.
The unagi was well-grilled and the fragrant of the sweet sauce was very nice. The texture was very smooth and mixed well with the Japanese rice. The only drawback the rice served was not sprinkled with some sour plum powder.
Japanese style salad which was very appetizing.
Fresh and delicious chawan mushi and miso soup.
Wagyu Ishiyaki – RM65, stone-grilled Japanese wagyu beef with vegetables. Wagyu beef is one of the best breeds of beef in Japan. Although Wagyu beef is not as great as Kobe beef, the texture of meat is still excellent.
While the beef was being grilled on top of the sizzling pot, the meat was still medium rare. The beef should not be too cooked as the tenderness of the meat will become harder and will lose the melt-in-the-mouth texture.
Overall, the taste of the food here is great and there are plentiful of car park available at the hotel and also the surrounding of this place. However, the price of dining here is higher than usual and also the waiting time for the food is very long. Suggestion to those who haven’t been there before, please bring some magazines or games while waiting, and remember to make a reservation to secure a table.
Editor’s Review (5 Stars Rank):
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Quick Facts:
| Family Friendly |  |
| Parking | |
| Pork Free |  |
| Alcohol | |
| Credit Card | |
| Smoking | |
| Reservation | |
| Private Room | |
| WIFI Available | |
Operation hours: 11:00am – 2:30pm; 6:00pm – 10.30pm (7 days a week)Contact: 04-370 0108
Address:66, Penang Road, 10000 Pulau Pinang
GPS: 5° 25′ 15.61″ N, 100° 19′ 59.87″ E
The Unagi set looks yummy though. For that kind of casual setting, seems quite expensive.
But compared to KL prices.. hmm… I think it’s ok.
zmm, for people from KL is ok. However, people from Penang is a cut throat.
the wagyu @ rm65 seems like a bargain… 🙂 is it nice? been wanting to try wagyu/kobe but dunno which restaurant is good in preparing them… it’ll be a waste if the chef spoils the expensive delicacy 🙂
Hi D-tourist, the price is ok… but the portion is too little. It doesn’t even stuck my teeth hole 🙂
dont find them good anymore… 🙁
the food is not as good as before… too bad!
Hey Steven,
When were you there? I was just there with my friends last Tuesday!! We had a lot of food and a lot of chatting that I forgot to take photos. 🙁
Our must have is the baked oysters with mayo which I really enjoy. It may not be on the menu, just need to tell the waiters. We also had maguro toro (fatty tuna) which was RM180 for 4 slices! But they are frozen so cannot compare to the ones in Japan. I have to agree with NKOTB that their standard sudah jatuh but I guess in Penang, they are still one of the best as evident by the throngs of Japanese customers they have on weekdays.
Jean, I was there last 2 week. I feel that the food is acceptable but because i haven’t got any chance to compare from previously. However, I find the price is on the high side if we compare to the food around in Penang.