Wa Zen Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Malacca

Dined here on a busy Friday night. We arrived around 8 and the place was quite busy. Seated quickly but it took forever to get some service. Two of the things we wanted were sold out for the evening. No problem. Two of the things we ordered never made it to our table.

Of everything we ordered, the soft shell crab salad, agedashi tofu, partially cooked salmon belly sushi, zen maki, and the gindara shioyaki were the winners. Delicious, fresher, and of good quality. The disappointments were in the freshness of the toro and the hamachi sashimi. The smell and taste were quite fishy, with the hamachi unbearably fishy for our taste.

The ocha was constantly topped up. The speed at which the dishes initially arrived at our table was impressive but then it slowed down for the nigiri.

When the bill was brought over, the waiter asked for our comments on what we liked or what improvements could be made. Thinking nothing of it, we shared our appreciation and our displeasure. To our surprise, a woman arrived at our table. She kindly and professionally informed us that she had heard the staff talking at the front desk and wanted to apologize for a less than completely satisfactory meal due to the two large events they had going on. Her approach saved a three-star review and made all the difference. If you’re reading this, thank you so much. Your gesture made a profound difference in our overall experience and made us feel valued as customers.

Highly recommend checking this place out. The price-point is a dream (minus the price and quality of the toro and...

Having heard and read of Wa Zen’s reputation, I came with high expectations. Visited at 6.00 pm on a Tuesday. The restaurant seemed packed even on a weekday evening. Fortunately, I’d made a reservation for one person and was quickly shown to a small cubicle-style seat. The lighting in restaurant was too dark. I had to use the torchlight function of my mobile phone to read the menu. Wa Zen’s menu does not list down the type of fish used in the sashimi so I had to call a waitress to clarify. There was a button on my table to press for service. Even though there was ample staff on duty, I had to press the button a few times before someone came. Her English was frustratingly poor. I had to request to speak with someone with better English proficiency.

The sashimi was okay but Ichi Zen’s version (although costing MYR13 more) was more sumptuous and had far better presentation.

Overall, I felt short-changed of the premium Japanese restaurant experience due to: (a) lack of English proficiency of some staff members; (b) the rowdy “fish market” atmosphere; (c) service not being attentive and personalized enough; and (d) the washroom not being clean enough.

Ichi Zen gives a better experience in terms of food quality and...

First time trying this shop, a friend recommended. Those planning to go in groups, best to call and make booking.

There are many choices on the menu, maybe headache to those not sure what to eat. ;) Price a little on higher side. Those we ordered, they are fresh and sauce are not “overly” done. Not like other jap restaurant that simply pour in the sauce that is too sweet and too strong, here just blend in well.

We ordered the Wagyu Don. The wagyu was superb. Meat was tenderly soft even though outer part looks very cooked. When chew on it, feels like chicken tender soft, unlike other place where the meat just felt like meaty when chewing.

Karei Udon. The curry taste different from other place. Not too sweet and don’t feel cooked from premix powder or cube. Seems to have added spice on top of simply curry.

Son liked the chawan mushi, ended he ate 2 bowls.

Pork Sausage was the only one we find tastes kind of blend. Maybe because it was not fried or grilled, likely steamed or smoked. Thus making it taste a little blend but not oily at all.

Overall rating, i would come again and recommend to...