Sango Japanese Restaurant @ Crystal Crown Hotel, Petaling Jaya

When Racheal of FoodiLIFEcious invited me to lunch at Sango, a Japanese restaurant, last week, I jumped at the opportunity.

I wouldn’t say that I am crazy over Japanese cuisine but I have heard great reviews about Sango and its new Donburi lunch sets, so obviously I was eager to try them.

Sango is not a new name as it has been around since 1995, on Level 2 of Crystal Crown Hotel in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

If you love Japanese cuisine but have yet to try Sango, this is a good opportunity as the Donburi lunch sets are priced reasonably, especially when it comes with Soup of the Day and a scoop of homemade Sango ice cream.

In these photos that I am sharing today, we also had other à la carte dishes. Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t eat all of these food. I had with me five other lunch companions so it was just the right amount for us.

Cha Soba
This Cold Soba Noodles was a new experience for me. Note the raw egg on the side dish? I actually like my eggs cooked but was game to try it raw for once. Dip the noodles in a small cup of soup and then slurp the noodles down your throat as loudly as possible. LOL

Chicken Katsu Curry Don
Curry is one of my favourites and I try to sample different curry flavours wherever I am. I have to say that I haven’t been fond of Japanese curry due to its sweet taste, watery texture, or both. Sango’s curry was neither. It may not look very appealing in my photo but I am definitely going for Round 2.

Chicken Katsu Tamago Don
Almost similar to Chicken Katsu Curry Don, this is a bowl of rice topped with generous portions of egg and decorated with dried Japanese seaweed. A healthy dish that is not too heavy on the stomach, yet addresses the hunger pangs. I have a soft spot for Japanese seaweed so this was most welcome!

Fuji Bento
This is an authentic Japanese bento set, complete with super fresh sashimi. While I usually order bentos at Japanese restaurants, this was huge, compared to what I had previously. Also, did you know that the Japanese would only eat the rice last, if they are still hungry after eating all the salad, tempura, yakitori, etc.?

Gyu Don
This is a beef meal, which I did not take. However, I could see that the meat was stewed so tenderly, sizzling with juice over the rice base. Although I do not eat beef, the aroma that wafted from the bowl was very enticing!

Handmade Sushi Rolls
Sushi rolls are like an introduction to Japanese cuisine, right? It’s almost a compulsory feature in every Japanese meal. These rolls were not only delicious, they were huge as well!

Salmon Teriyaki Ju
A bowl of rice topped with deep-fried salmon and decorated with lettuce, other greens and sprinkled with sesame seed for good effect. The teriyaki sauce may be commonly used but the full flavour seriously piqued my senses.

Tempura Soba
This is the Japanese style of soup noodles. And the tempura? Think of it as the Chinese “yong liew”. Yeah, that’s how it is eaten. With so much food available, I love this light meal of noodles and the crunchy tempura. The soup was very tasty, best savoured when it is still hot.

Tempura
I love tempura. When it is so crunchy, I don’t think I am the only typical foodie who is fond of it. I can eat tempura as it is but when it goes with this traditional Japanese dipping sauce, its flavour is really indelible.

Ten Don
Ten Don is a traditional Japanese dish with teriyaki sauce spread over crispy vegetable and shrimp tempura. This is like comfort food, I must say. The portion was just right for one diner.

Unagi Tamago Don
Unagi is a popular feature at Japanese restaurants and Sango is no different. Its signature lunch set is this Unagi Tamago Don, with generous portions of finely grilled eel cubes, matched with egg slices and fresh vegetables. If you can only accommodate one lunch set, I would recommend this.

Yakitori Omakase
Yakitori is a style of Japanese skewered food, something like satay. Omakase means an assortment, so as you can tell, every skewer offers something different. My favourite? All of them, as they all bring to the palate their own distinctive taste.

Yasai Kaki Age Don
This is another rice dish topped with Kaki Age, another tempura option, where vegetables and seafood are thinly sliced and deep fried. If you love tempura as much as I do, this is one meal that is fulfilling.

My, what a lunch that was. I was taken by surprise by the level of quality in the food presentation, taste, service and overall ambience. And that says a lot for someone like me who is not easily impressed.

Will I come again? Definitely, should I be in the vicinity. If you have dined at Sango before, what was your experience?

Sango Japanese Restaurant (Level 2)
Add: Crystal Crown Hotel Petaling Jaya, Lorong Utara A, Pjs 52, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Opening hours: 12pm – 2.30pm & 6pm – 10.30pm daily
Tel: +603-7958 5228
Facebook: Sango Japanese Restaurant

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