Hanazen Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

The quick way to judge a restaurant is to order sashimi. I went for the Sashimi Zen set lunch which consist of four types of raw items served with rice, soup, fruits and salad. I was rather impressed of the cuts of the fish. They were of substantial thickness served on a bed of shredded lettuce and wasabi. I had salmon, white tuna, scallop and something I couldn't identify. The fish didn't feel cold so I wondered if it was left sitting out for some time. I was happy with the salmon which had streaks of fat and a bit of sinew in it. As for the white tuna, it was buttery but not as firm as I would like it to be. The biggest disappointment was the scallops. It was not fresh at all and carried a certain smell on them. Even hours after consuming the scallop I had a nasty after taste. Definitely, not worth its RM33 asking price. If it wasn't fresh, why serve it? Just compensate with something else.

As mentioned earlier, it came with rice, some fruits and chawan mushi. The rice and fruits were regular stuff. The chawanmushi was small but had the traditional ingredients inside such as ginkgo seed, bits of chicken, slice of mushroom and so on. Since the scallop was nasty, I had to down the miso soup generously. It had some mushrooms, seaweed and tofu in it.Nothing noteworthy either. Perhaps I picked the wrong item off the menu. Next time I might just give it a second chance and try some yakitori or...

Food Quality and Taste The food at Hanazen delivers standard Japanese fare. While it may not stand out as extraordinary, it is consistent and satisfactory for those seeking a typical Japanese dining experience.

Pricing and Value for Money The pricing is reasonable and justifiable for a Japanese meal. Diners can expect fair value for the quality and portion sizes offered.

Ambiance and Atmosphere The atmosphere is average and doesn't leave a lasting impression. While the setting is adequate for casual dining, it lacks any distinctive features that could enhance the experience.

Service Service at Hanazen is a strong point, with attentive staff ensuring diners are well taken care of. The waiters are proactive and provide timely assistance, adding a pleasant touch to the meal.

Overall Experience Hanazen Japanese Restaurant is a good choice for casual dining, especially for those looking for a straightforward Japanese meal. While it doesn’t offer anything particularly unique, the reliable food, reasonable prices, and good service make it a...

Good food, great ambience, and some of the most attentive staff I've experienced. Regularly checking to see if your cups are empty, and advising you on the menu. An elderly couple sat down, ordered drinks and realized they had the wrong restaurant and the staff were just all smiles and happy to send them off without so much as a frown.

Portions here are generous, there is a chef's daily special set that is both affordable and just as delicious. Granted you're supposedly getting slightly less recent materials (probably leftovers from the previous days) but the food was still fresh and the taste refined. Even the green tea is always warm and the taste strong. Nothing like that diluted teabag servings some places offer.

Price is definitely on the higher side but for the quality of the cuisine and the service, not to mention the space and environment you're getting, this is definitely one restaurant I'll be returning...