KAZE Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in George Town

Dining at Kaze Japanese Restaurant for the first time was exciting and there were plenty to choose from its comprehensive menu. All the usual suspects were present including kushiyaki (skewered and grilled items), nabemono (hot pot dishes) and teishoku (Japanese set meals).

My wife began her meal with two offerings of sushi – one topped with seared salmon and cod roe while the other was topped with a slice of raw salmon. Both were delicious parcels.

She also opted for the Black Dragon Rolls – two sushi rolls encasing crispy deep-fried tiger prawns and fresh cucumber, topped with grilled eel and almond flakes. They were drizzled over with cream cheese, mustard and teriyaki sauces. She enjoyed this dish very much.

Next was a serving of four deep-fried, breaded oysters served with a thick tonkatsu sauce as well as mustard. The crispy golden units, crunchy on the outside and velvety on the inside, complemented brilliantly with the sauces. I highly recommend this dish.

That evening I decided to go with the Teishoku meal which provided me the opportunity to sample a wide spectrum of offerings across the board. It had a serving of salad, chawanmushi, sashimi with three cuts of raw fish, crispy tempura prawns and vegetables, grilled unagi on vinegared rice, miso soup and cut fruits.

The fresh sashimi cuts – salmon, white tuna and red snapper – were truly scrumptious, a testament to good quality! It has been too long since I had sashimi this good. The last time I had exceptional sashimi was in Kyoto, more than a decade ago. I will definitely return to indulge in this further.

The freshly cooked tempura arrived at the table piping hot. Plump and juicy prawns, as well as vegetables and sweet potato slices, were all coated with super crispy batter. On the side, along with grated daikon (to help refresh one's palate), tentsuyu dipping sauce were served. The delicate sauce had the right balance of sweet and savoury flavours needed to accentuate the enjoyment of the golden pieces.

The set meal also included glazed barbecued unagi (Japanese freshwater eel) that matched perfectly with the vinegared rice. With the chawanmushi and miso soup, I had by then eaten way too much. Satisfied and contented with the quality of the servings, I was glad we decided to dine at this fine establishment.

We concluded the evening with a scoop of homemade ice cream with raisins plus a generous hit of sochu (Japanese liquor). I miss rum and raisin ice cream, a rarity nowadays in Penang although it was once commonly available in the good old days. This single scoop of ice cream made me ponder how quickly things have changed in Malaysia.

My wife and I had such a memorable evening. I have to give five stars for both food and service that day at Kaze...

KAZE Japanese Restaurant delivers an exceptional dining experience that blends authentic Japanese flavors with modern presentation. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance is serene and welcoming, with minimalist decor and warm lighting that set the perfect tone for a relaxing meal.

The menu offers a diverse selection—from fresh sashimi and sushi rolls to hearty donburi and grilled dishes. Each plate is beautifully presented and prepared with care. The sashimi is notably fresh and melts in your mouth, while the signature rolls offer creative combinations that balance taste and texture perfectly.

The tempura is light and crispy, and the ramen broth is rich and flavorful, showing dedication to traditional preparation. For dessert, the matcha ice cream and mochi provide a sweet finish to the meal.

All the set meals are worth it, offering good portions and well-balanced combinations. However, it’s a pity that the sashimi set is only available during lunch and not for dinner.

Service is attentive and polite throughout the meal. Prices are reasonable given the quality of the ingredients and the overall experience.

Whether you're a Japanese cuisine enthusiast or a casual diner looking for a satisfying meal, KAZE stands out as...

Had lunch there to celebrate my colleague's birthday. The food is great and serving time is fast as well. We had 3 set meals and ordered an additional sushi set which is the 50% off bonanza promotion. The food portion is big and we are 3 females unable to finish our sushi. Not to waste food we had requested the waiter to assist in taking away the leftover's sushi. There's a staff name Debbie came to our table and with the inpatient attitude she told us promotion items NOT ALLOW to take away. We tried to explain to her that we do not want to waste food and we don't mind paying extra on the take away food container. She ended up allowing us to pay extra for the takeaway container. The container was delivered by another foreign worker. He just put the container without saying any words or offering to help us take away. We ended left with disappointment.

I written the feedback direct to Kaze email and hope they would acknowledge my email and improve on their services. Again disappointed, 1 week still no one border to reply or acknowledge.

Food definitely yes, services...