Sawara Original Steamboat — Restaurant in George Town

Sawara Restaurant presents itself as a Chinese steamboat restaurant, as introduced by the attentive waiter during our visit. The concept is fairly straightforward — classic hotpot offerings with a selection of sides and cooked dishes. One of the recommended items was the fried beehoon topped with fried grouper fish. While the noodles were enjoyable, springy, and nicely seasoned, the fish pieces unfortunately detracted from the dish. They carried a strong, pungent odor, hinting at a lack of freshness. Because of this, we couldn’t finish the meal, which was quite disappointing.

As for the main attraction — the steamboat — the soup base was fairly average. It included standard ingredients like tofu and vegetables, but it leaned heavily on the peppery side and lacked the natural sweetness that typically enhances a good hotpot experience. The broth felt flat after a while, and we found ourselves craving a richer, more balanced flavor. We also tried their homemade balls, which are usually a highlight at steamboat places. However, they were underwhelming in taste and texture, lacking the bounce and savoriness expected of freshly made fish or meatballs.

Overall, our impression of Sawara was underwhelming. While the service was decent and the dining setup was comfortable, the quality of the ingredients, particularly the fish, left much to be desired. For a restaurant that emphasizes seafood in a steamboat setting, the freshness of the fish should be a top priority. With improvements in this area, Sawara could offer a much better dining experience, living up to...

This place doesn’t even deserve a star.. staffs are rude, calling customers “oi”. ordered fried fish bee hoon and was served 2 out of 4 pieces of bone.. when we feedback to them, they said they serve a mixture of bones and meat, so it’s too bad I got served 50/50. The shocking thing is the “boss” who came out to explain that they serve bones to customers too, so if u receive it out of luck then it’s “too bad it’s random”. Quoting his exact words.. not my first time getting served bones though. Evrytime it’s 1/4 piece bone, today, 50/50 bones.. maybe jus my poor luck or do you think bones shouldn’t be served to customers. Thank you Mr Heng for your awesome service. I think any customer deserve better. “ If u can’t afford don’t eat was his reply”. Come only if you all can...

This legendary fish head soup restaurant has truly maintained its gold standard, having been in business for over 2 decades and holding its own well amidst the ultra competitive food scene in Penang. Dropped by for a simple 3 pax lunch and had their signature classic fried fish head cooked in claypot-style (electric wok). So pleased to find the taste as heavenly as ever, as delicious as it was from previous visits in past years. If you're a foodie looking for a value-for-money place to enjoy a fine heirloom recipe fish head broth (equally good to eat with noodles or steamed white rice), then you really should swing by this establishment. No frills, clean, bright and perfect for single diners or family/friends in groups. Excellent and attentive table and...