Look To The EAST, for Cheap Japanese Food in Ipoh
March 22, 2010 | 18,058 viewsSome of you might be wondering about the reason(s) behind the serious lack of Ipoh’s Japanese food posts on my blog. Last I wrote something of such trait was way back when I discovered A Lai I for the first time, after that same Japanese restaurant has been running for a good 3-4 years prior to my virginal visit.
Pathetic huh? In reality, I actually love Japanese food to bits, especially those promising the freshest of ingredients, the most authentic of dishes (aside from the usual California rolls, bento sets and xxx-Dons, which by the way, are exactly what Sushi King is heavily promoting now), and preferably, a reasonably-priced feast.
But of course, Japanese food don’t come cheap, nor do they come in abundance. The good ones, at least. I have visited almost all of the Japanese restaurants in Ipoh, save for Kizuna One at Royal Perak Golf Club, for they charge exorbitantly more, for the same fares one can get at Kizuna, the new Wasabi Japanese Buffet at 1Casuarina which is WAY over-rated for the price one pays, and some random ones sprouting all over Greentown, or Ipoh Garden East.
But of course, one of the oldest, and I have to admit, also a very famous joint happens to be Sushi East in Ipoh Garden East, on the same row as Yeolde English (which has been serving Western food for ages now). I have been here ONCE, when I have yet to start blogging. Probably 4-5 years back. By the way, Sushi East opened its doors back in 2004, a good 6 years now of history (legacy?).
But of course, the quality of the food was none-too-commendable, and I completely shut this place out of my to-blog list until now. But don’t get me wrong, for I have nothing against the restaurant itself, the proprietors, nor the staff running the place.
Which in contrast, were all very attentive and pleasant, almost remarkable for a restaurant of this stature. You even get to meet the lady boss (I assumed) face to face, for she goes from table to table, even pouring drinks and serving the customers.
Now THIS is something Mixed Cuisine can emulate to good effect.
However, the food at Sushi East is still below par, in my personal opinion. Cheap? Yes. Filling? Definitely, for they don’t skimp on the portions. But the cuts of raw fishes were not as stellar as I hoped they would be. But given the fact that most rolls are priced at an average of RM15/USD4.30 or so, and even the sashimi servings are so cheap, I almost ordered recklessly, had it not been the lack of table-space.
Yes, most tables seat ONLY up to 4 pax, and the 5 of us were busy finishing off one plate after another to accommodate the subsequent dishes. Not a very clever ploy eh?
The soft-shelled crab was surprisingly good at first bite, with added crunch from the breaded batter, topped generously with the tangy mayo-variant sauce. And that piece of crab exceeded our expectations, for usually at Japanese restaurants, they would serve you with the most tiny of pieces. The cooked items fared much better than their sushi, especially the (you-guessed-it!) generous cut of salmon cooked with teriyaki sauce; a surefire hit with my grandma no matter where she dines at.
The Damage :
Salmon Teriyaki Bento Set – RM19.00/USD5.40
Chicken Teriyaki Bento Set – RM17.00/USD4.80
Una Don (Unagi/Eel with Rice) – RM13.00/USD3.70
Yaki Soba (Fried Japanese Noodles with Vegetables) – RM9.00/USD2.60
Rainbow Roll (Salmon/Tuna) – RM14.00/USD4.00
??? Roll (Mango/Prawns) – RM10.00/USD2.80
Soft-shelled Crabs – RM9.00/USD2.60
Agedashi Tofu – RM5.00/USD1.40
Seriously, that meal for 5 cost us less than RM100, including free-flow of green tea for everyone. Economical eh? Comparable even to that darn blood-sucker of a Japanese fast food restaurant, Sushi King. Wait, I think this may even be cheaper.
Not a brilliant choice if you’re bringing your Japanese friend for a meal in Ipoh, but if you’re seeking for a fuss-free and cheap Japanese meal, this place may just hit the spot.
Address & Contact Number :
SUSHI EAST
58-60, Jalan Medan Ipoh 4,
Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh,
31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone : 605-545 6238/6012-592 6238.
Business hours : 12pm until 11pm daily.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to Sushi East
Read what the others have to say : My Yummy Cruise, Sumiglib, ahben life
Sushi East Japanese Food @ Ipoh | Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog…
Cheap Japanese food in Ipoh, but don’t get your hopes high up in the air for this one….
A meal for 5 for less than RM100? Economical is about right! I’ve been in the mood for Japanese food of late, so this right up my alley… 🙂
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J2Kfm Reply:
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Cheap eh? Sadly not as delicious, authentic nor fresh as the ones you can easily find in KL.
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Oh i remember eating at this restaurant many years ago, when I was still in uni! Surprised that it’s still around 😛
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J2Kfm Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Yeah, seriously it’s been YEARS since my last visit, and they’ve even expanded to next door.
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sometimes there really isn’t anything better than a quick and simple japanese meal that doesnt hurt your pocket! 🙂
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J2Kfm Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
True, true. Got cravings satisfied, but still … mediocre food sometimes just do not cut it.
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where to get some good but cheap jap fix in KL?! arghh, seriously craving for it now
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Nice Jap spread; and at such a reasonable (if not cheap) pricing is a first. Jap meals can be really so taxing on our purses:p
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I have to admit… the prices for your dishes were darn cheap. I had visited quite many under the Sushi King chain of restaurants and most of what you had listed had an additional RM10 added in, excluding the 5%+10% taxes. I guessed I have to try out this one next. 🙂
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J2Kfm Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Before you jump to any conclusion, do take note that you DO get what you paid for, at Sushi East. So don’t set your expectations sky high, and you’re good to go.
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oh unagi!!!=p i want unagi don!!!! my host mother can cook nice unagi don!!! hohohoo miss her…. wish i can visit here in the future 🙂
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Reading ur japanese food blog… suddenly had the craving urge for an ikura & uni don……., too bad none of the japanese restaurant in ipoh have this on their menu
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J2Kfm Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Yeah, so where do you usually get your fix eh?
Hey, was thinking, why don’t we meet up someday for a feast or something?
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D-Tourist Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
usually go for kizuna / akamomiji when feeling like splurging….. or sushi king for quick fix.. 🙂
feasting…sure… perhaps.. u can organise a motormouth blog reader feasting session.. 😀
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J2Kfm Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Motormouth Blog Readers Session?!!! Hahahah … what if you’re the only one who turn up?
Better tapau and eat then.
D-Tourist Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Hahaha!!! that bad meh.. need to tapau somemore… 🙂
I want some. Wow…just look at the bento boxes. :p
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We had a very unpleasant dining experience at sushi east.
The waitress was very rude, we took a little more time to order, she became very impatient, kept rolling her eyes, and rush to make decision FOR us.
When we finished our food and ordered for the second round — 2 plates of sushi — she cleaned our table without asking, she was so quick, almost like a tornado swept over the table. If we didn’t stop her, our teas and chopstick would be gone i a flash of lights.
It was Saturday night and the place started to get crowded. Our sushi took like forever to serve. The situation was really awkward, we still sitting on an empty table and people are queuing outside. We asked the waitress — the other waitress several times, but apparently no one was free to take care of our order.
When the owner asked us to move to the smoking area, in a very polite manner I must say, we decided to cancel our second order.
That was the last time I visit sushi east.
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 8th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Thanks for sharing this, san.
But as far as I remembered, the lady owner was very friendly and accomodative when we were there, especially when we brought along my grandma who was not walking so well.
The other staff notwithstanding though. Maybe she was having her bad day? Or maybe a part-timer waiting to be … sacked?
Anyway, I despise bad service, especially impatient waiters. Spoil the meal without having to lift your cutlery yet.
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sin Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
I agree with what san say, actually i palanning to go eat sushi east yesterday and I have book early one day before I go to eat. The time I reach there, I wait about 15 min, in this 15 min no body serve me, but I have ask the staff saying that I have booking aiready. Wait until 15min, I just direct go to the cashier counter then have one staff ask me how she can help me, then I say the situation. I very angry what she answer me in a such bad manner. I tell her that I have booking and I ask the other staff and no body serve. She say you need to ask the local staff and not the foreigner staff. I not working at the restaurant, how I know who should I ask. Then I ask her whether she have table for me and she say no then I ask her back if no table for us when we reach why they have reaervation service. She just complaint me saying that I want to quarrel with her. I don’t want quarrel with her I just want to know whether they have table for me, if no I hust change to eat others foods. This is what I have facing for the restaurant and this is the first time I go and I will never go there anymore.
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is it halal?
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I agree that Sushi King is pricey and food portion is hardly generous. I ordered a set of unagi with rice that comes with soup, cant even fill half my stomach. That was my last trip to Sushi King.
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Can’t exactly remember how long has it been since a Sushi King visit …. maybe more than a year?
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the Saba Sashimi here is the BEST in ipoh!!!!!!
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