Update: This business has ceased its operations.
Prima Tanjung at Tanjung Tokong has a disproportionate number of Japanese restaurants. Located above Ban Leong Pets Station, Hanae Japanese Restaurant (花笑日本料理) is one of the more hidden ones.
Prior to Hanae, another Japanese restaurant Chinmi Ramen (珍味ラーメン屋) was operating here. I suspect that the proprietor remains unchanged because the menu is almost identical. One notable difference is that set meals are available now.
Before the meal, we asked for some Green Tea (お茶) which is available hot or iced. Free flow of Green Tea is priced at RM2.00 per person.
Teppanyaki Pork Set (鉄板焼きポークセット, RM38.00) consists of teppanyaki pork, appetizer, potato salad, nimono, miso soup (味噌汁), rice and fruit.
Teppanyaki pork is essentially griddle-fried pork slices in sweet teriyaki sauce. Pork belly consists of lean and fatty portions, which provides enjoyable taste. Enoki mushrooms (榎茸) and ginger are used for added flavor. Lettuce leaves are provided to be eaten with pork.
Nimono (煮物) is stock simmered with carrot, daikon (大根) and mushroom. The subtle flavor of each ingredient blends well with others, making this vegetable stock quite enjoyable indeed.
Meanwhile, potato salad (ポテトサラダ) consists of mashed potato mixed with carrots and scallion. The salad is served cold to provide icy sensation in the mouth.
Another set meal that we ordered is Hanae Special Set (花笑スペシャルセット, RM38.00). This consists of mackerel, fried chicken nuggets, appetizer, shredded cabbage salad, nimono, miso soup, rice, edamame (枝豆) and fruit.
Mackerel (鯖) is grilled reasonably well but I do not find it particularly special. I believe it helps to leave the fish slightly less done. Minced daikon and lime wedge are provided on the side.
On the other hand, fried chicken nuggets are pretty delectable. Battered and deep-fried to golden perfection, each piece is pleasantly flavored and appealing to my palate.
We ordered a serving of Steamed Small Pau Shanghai (小籠包, RM9.00) which comes as 4 pieces. Personally, I feel that the dough skin is too thick, causing the overall mouthfeel to be dominated by dough. In addition, the soup inside the dumpling is on the saltier side of things.
An order of Pan-Fried Meat Dumplings (焼餃子, RM8.00) consists of 5 pieces of dumpling. Like the previous dish, the dough skin is also quite thick. However, this works better as the harder skin provides chewy mouthfeel when bitten into. I think more meat fillings would make this dish more appealing.
Address: 98-1-40, Prima Tanjung, Jalan Fettes, 11200 Tanjung Tokong, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 017-436-3180
Business hours: 11:30am-2:30pm, 6:00pm-10:00pm, closed on SundaysTaste