Japanese Restaurant Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur

Japanese Restaurant Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Zipangu

Words: Jen Villano
Photos: Monica Tindall

Zipangu by Nadaman, the Japanese restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, has a new chef in town. Japanese Head Chef Kazuo Takizawa recently launched the restaurant’s new menu, bringing fine kaiseki-style dining to the table. Chef Takizawa blends traditional dishes with a modern approach that promises a feast for your eyes and palate.  

As an avid Shangri-La patron, I knew I was in for a great time from the moment I entered the restaurant on the first floor. I quickly calmed to a state of Zen with waterfall sounds and natural wooden furniture giving a peaceful ambience. I felt embraced by nature, yet we were in the middle of the city. The servers welcomed us warmly, offering green tea while we looked through the menu. In Shangri-La five-star style, the servers regularly checked in on our table, ensuring we had everything we needed. 

Zipangu’s New Menu 

Zipangu by Nadaman is well known for its kaiseki-style cuisine, a traditional multi-course Japanese menu. Chef Takizawa’s new line-up at the Japanese restaurant in Shangri-La Lumpur highlights this exquisite dining experience through recipes that blend tradition and contemporary panache. 

Bento Boxes 

Shangri-La’s Japanese restaurant, Zipangu, offers different kinds of bento boxes at varying prices, fit for a business lunch or a hungry traveller. Chef’s Special Shokado Bento Box (RM 280) came with intensely flavoured red miso soup and dessert. The sushi and sashimi tray offered a superbly fresh assortment of cuts from the sea and a cup of chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) that melted in our mouths, leaving a hint of truffle in the finish.  

Warm dishes were nestled in a beautiful bento box with four compartments. The first was the amuse with simmered prawn, eggplant with miso sauce, herring fish rolled with kombu kelp, and deep-fried lotus root and prawn dumpling. The meat section held pan-fried wagyu beef with kohmi and mixed salad, cucumber, and tomato. The fish nook was filled with grilled marinated gindara with saikyo miso, Japanese omelette, and vinegared lotus root. And finally, the simmered dish featured daikon radish, kanjac egg, fish cake, and carrot.  

Just the right amount of sweetness was provided in the conclusion with the Red Bean and Cream Cheese Monaka. It is a Japanese-style ice cream sandwich with matcha ice cream, sweet red bean filling, and cream cheese. All the flavours and textures were blended into one delectable dessert.

Japanese Restaurant Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur Zipangu Menu

While the bento boxes make for quick and easy decision-making, Shangri-La’s Japanese restaurant, Zipangu, also has an impressive ala carte menu to order from. 

Appetisers 

Japanese Style Hors d’Oeuvre (RM 75) were five kinds of appetisers that awakened our palates to different flavour profiles and textures. Smoked salmon with scallop millefeuille had layers of flavour, the conger eel sushi roll was charred to perfection, the boiled spinach was crunchy, the cold pumpkin soup was sweet and had bits of pomegranate seeds at the bottom, and the salmon roe and radish was tangy with the roe popping in our mouths. 

Although listed as a hot appetiser, Zipangu’s signature Australian Wagyu Beef “Sukiyaki” Style Hot Pot (RM 186) could easily make a meal by itself. We’d even dare to say two lighter eaters could be satisfied by this nourishing bowl. The broth had layers of umami, and we could taste the richness of the fat from the beef. Noodles, mushrooms and leaves bulked the bowl, making it highly satisfying.

Sushi 

Assorted Sushi (RM 140, 8 pieces), expertly sliced, came in an array of colours atop perfectly cooked and seasoned short-grain rice. Only the freshest catch and seasonal ingredients are used, so the selection may vary. However, expect to find favourites such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, prawn, octopus, squid, and uni.

Don’t miss ordering the Dragon Roll (RM 67) for its eye-catching presentation and irresistible combination of plump tempura prawns and creamy avocado. A drop of soy sauce and a slice of pickled ginger in between pieces capped off the flavours deliciously.

Sashimi 

The colours of the Assorted Sashimi (RM 248, 5 pieces) would entice any seafood lover. Salmon, tuna, striped jack, and mackerel were hearty pieces, yet sliced with such skill that each disappeared in our mouths with the mere movement of our tongues, no chews needed. 

Grilled Dishes 

The Grilled Marinated Black Cod with House-made Saikyo Miso Paste (RM 138) was succulent and flaky. The mild sweetness of the miso from Kyoto complemented the oily fish, bringing out the gentle flavours of the sea.

Tempura 

The Japanese restaurant at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur has long held a reputation for incredibly light and crispy tempura. The Assorted Tempura (RM 78) platter showcased this cooking technique with little batter bundles filled with prawns, fish, and vegetables. Each bite was tasty on its own, but the accompanying dipping sauce of mirin, soy sauce and kombu truly elevated the flavours.

Dessert 

After such a sumptuous meal, the Matcha Mochi “Anmitsu” (RM 26) is a flawless, mildly sweet and chilled conclusion. Mochi and red beans drizzled with sugar syrup provide a texture contrast to the creamy matcha ice cream.

Zipangu New Menu Review 

Chef Takizawa’s artistry and culinary expertise have found the perfect home in Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s Japanese restaurant, Zipangu. The peaceful natural setting and gracious service are the ultimate complement to the kitchen’s kaiseki cuisine. Whether for a convenient bento box or a full ala carte meal, Japanese food lovers are sure to find something to please their tastebuds and satiate their stomachs. 

Reasons to visit Zipangu, the Japanese restaurant in Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur: peaceful, natural setting; high-quality Japanese cuisine; bento boxes are a great way to try a little of everything in one order; don’t miss the signature Wagyu Beef “Sukiyaki” Style Hot Pot.

*Various credit cards entitle diners to up to 50% off their food bill when dining as two! Different banks have different agreements, so it’s best to call ahead to see what deal you can score. 

Zipangu Japanese Restaurant
Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
11 Jalan Sultan Ismail
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur
+6 (03) 2074 3560 or +6 (03) 2074 3900
[email protected]

Find more Japanese restaurants in KL here and stay up-to-date with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations for Malaysia here and here.