(Update: This outlet is permanently closed)

It was the pop’s birthday recently and he wanted Japanese food for dinner. We’ve practically tried every Japanese restaurant in Puchong so the only place I could think of was this new place in Bandar Puteri, called ZenS Sushi. Like Sushi Mentai, the cheapest plates start from only RM1.80, and they serve value set meals as well – a good place to get your Japanese food fix if you’re on a tight budget!

The setting is very similar to Sushi Mentai.

I read an article about how design plays a big role in a restaurant’s turnover, like how ‘cosy’ cafes have this problem of people sitting there for hours ordering just one cup of coffee (like myself lol. guilty as charged). If so, then Sushi ZenS is definitely made for fast, casual dining. The interior is almost canteen-like, with simple plastic chairs and tables placed closed together. As an introvert who likes her personal space, this makes me NOT want to stick around for long. That, and the long queues staring daggers into your back willing you to leave as soon as you drain the last dregs of your green tea.

There wasn’t much of a selection on the conveyor belt, but you can order from the menu if something there catches your eye, and they’ll bring it to your table. Expect the usual varieties like fried ebi (shrimp), salmon, inari (sweet tofu), tamago (sweet egg), salmon roe and tuna.

The salmon cuts were slightly thinner but that is to be expected for the price. Rice was well shaped and didn’t have rogue bits falling all over the place. It was topped with sweet Japanese pink mayo sauce.

Side of soft shell crab temaki.

Both moo and pops had the saba (grilled mackerel) set. Fish was done well, and the meal came with rice, tofu, chawan mushi and miso soup.

I had the ebi tempura soba, which came served with two fried pieces of lightly battered shrimp, seaweed topped cold buckwheat noodles and a light shoyu broth for dipping. The food was tasty enough although unremarkable. The noodle/rice meals were all below RM20.

Verdict: The variety is limited, but if you’re looking for a cheap, quick Jap food fix, Sushi ZenS is just one of the options you can go for in Puchong, aside from Sushi Mentai.

SUSHI ZENS