WE couldn’t believe a long queue had formed at 5.30pm at Shin Zushi in SS2, Petaling Jaya when the opening time for dinner was stated as 6pm.  

Luckily, we got a place in the first batch of diners going in. Looking at the wide-ranging menu and its reasonable prices, we could understand why. 

I was also happy that this did not impact the size of the serving, nor the freshness of the food.  

We had Take Nigiri, a long sushi platter that offered 9 pieces of sushi – maguro, salmon, salmon belly, hamachi, squid, grilled eel, octopus, tamago, and shrimp. The fish was of average thickness, the eel was of a generous portion, and all for RM25. 

I can never resist mentaiko, which is cured Alaskan pollock or cod roe. So, it was the Tamago Mentaiko (RM9) for us, with the creamy mentaiko piped across slices of soft rolled egg omelette and torched.  

A drizzle of teriyaki sauce and some seaweed completed the dish. I liked how the saltish mentaiko harmonised with the sweet tamago. 

Hamachi Sushi, Mentai Eel and Eel with Beef Sauce, Maguro Negi Gunkan, and tuna salad inari were our other sushi choices. The hamachi was nice and fresh, with a firm texture.  

I liked the mentai eel but not the one with beef sauce. Maguro Negi Gunkan was chopped raw tuna with spring onions—it would have been wonderful if this was tuna belly! The tuna salad inari (sushi in a tofu pocket) was too sweet. 

Overall, it was a good dinner that met our expectations, with a bill that was kind on the pocket.  

I came back five months later with a friend for lunch, and yes, there was still a queue. Basically, if you arrive there 20 to 30 minutes before opening time, there is no problem getting in. 

We were focused on the lunch sets this time and again for me the word “mentai” drew my attention. I decided on the Santen Mentai Yaki Zen (RM24.50), while my friend who does not eat anything raw settled for the Buta Shogayaki Teishoku (RM21). 

There were two pieces each of torched salmon, tamago, and eel with a generous streak of mentaiko on top in the Santen Mentai Yaki Zen.  

On the set too was deep-fried chicken, salad with sesame dressing, miso soup and fruit. Green tea is complimentary with the lunch. The torched salmon tasted wonderful with the mentaiko, as did the eel and tamago.  

The chicken was crispy and juicy but I passed most of it to my friend. It was a well put-together, satisfying lunch.  

The Buta Shogayaki Teishoku set comes with chawan mushi, miso soup, salad, rice, and fruit. It was a big serving of sliced pork in ginger sauce with lots of onions.   

The flavours were balanced: not sweet and just what you would like to eat with rice. 

There is lots more to explore at Shin Zushi such as the different uramaki like Dragon Maki and Volcano Spider Maki, other set meals like the Unagi No Sashimi Teishoku, grilled dishes, udon, and ramen. 

Shin Zushi is at 4, Jalan SS2/66, Petaling Jaya. Tel: 03-7866 0183. It’s also in Bukit Jalil, at No 11, Jalan Jalil Link, Bukit Jalil Kuala Lumpur, No. 12G Jalan Persiaran Puteri 1, Bandar Puteri, Puchong and at 9-G Jalan USJ 10/1, Taipan USJ, Subang Jaya. – November 5, 2022.  

* 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.