WE had two good reasons to go to Hayazushi at Jaya One in Petaling Jaya – the garlic fried rice and the prawn tempura.

It was excellent garlic fried rice (RM6) in a hot stone bowl, the well seasoned rice sticking together yet separate, with the aroma of fried garlic wafting up.

It had been finished with melted butter, making it more delicious. In between the grains were bits of egg and on top, a sprinkling of chopped spring onions.

It was a simple, satisfying dish done well. Even better was the crackling at the bottom of the stone bowl.

We had a basket of tempura prawns (RM23.50) each. We crunched through the light crispy batter into sweet fresh prawns.

The only thing we missed was the grated daikon in the dipping sauce.

I like mentai or seasoned cod roe, and I found it on the Tamago Mentai Yaki (RM11). Sliced rolled egg omelette was topped with mentai combined with mayo, and torched.

Thankfully the fluffy tamago was lightly sweet and the topping of salty mentai went well with it. Tamago Mentai Yaki is a good choice if you’re on a high-protein diet.

Hayazushi has a sushi menu where each plate of sushi is just RM2.50 each. This included the Unagi Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll that I ordered.

I was quite overwhelmed with so much rice in my sushi, although I understand it would make a filling meal for an office worker on a budget. I added to our lunch the tangy and hot Chuka Asari or kimchi seasoned clam meat (RM2.50).

Then there is the crispy roll (RM25) with avocado and kani mayo (lobster mayo). The roll is heaped with crispy deep fried potato strips.

I liked the well-fried potato crispies on the substantial seaweed roll filled with avocado and a lightly tart lobster mayo. I can imagine children liking this roll.

Chicken volcano (RM18) came bubbling in a heated stone bowl. It’s a pan-fried boneless chicken in a mildly spicy sauce with onions, red and green peppers, cherry tomatoes and rosemary.

It’s sweet and sour, with a little heat from the chilli. It’s a chicken stew to eat with rice.

This casual Japanese restaurant is pork-free. Other items to note on the menu include Gyu Don (RM17.50) with tender beef slices on rice, Katsu curry rice of deep-fried chicken with freshly made curry sauce (RM18), or with Australian sirloin beef (RM23), Saba Shio (salt grilled mackerel, RM16), Onsen Tamago with smoked duck (RM18.50) and crispy salad of deep-fried soft-shelled crab, salmon skin and vegetables (RM23). 

We had two takeaway portions of garlic fried rice, and it tasted just as good a day later, reheated on a metal plate in the oven toaster.

Hayazushi is at 1.001 First Floor, The School in Jaya One, Petaling Jaya. Contact 03-7625 5271. – December 18, 2021.

* Eu Hooi-Khaw has been writing about food for the longest time, covering all aspects, from restaurant reviews to cooking and recipes, as well as the healthy side of it. She has written for major newspapers and magazines, published the cookbook Fresh Ingredients, and also writes for her website hooikhawandsu.com.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.