Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant (味暖簾) @ Prima Tanjung, Penang

Thanks to the recommendation of Penang famous blogger, CK Lam, I brought baby to Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant to celebrate our 3rd Anniversary. Baby is a devotee for Japanese food and since it's a celebration of love so I had to bring her to somewhere she has never been before. Thankfully, now Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant became our number one Best Japanese Restaurant in Penang! 

Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant

Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant located at ground floor shop lot of Prima Tanjung, the building right opposite of Island Plaza. It's a bit hard to notice as their shop sign board is in Japanese wording, but just look out for the Noren (暖簾) or in Chinese is called 門簾 (门帘), a traditional Japanese curtain. 

Two types of seating available, the Japanese style Zashiki, with Zabuton (thin mattresses) and the normal Western style table. But be sure that you called for booking in advance and indicate which type of seating you prefer as Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant is usually full. Zashiki seating might not be suitable for for the elders too.  

Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant is considered as a long narrow shop with quite limited seating in their air-cond area, so if you don't mind, there is a sheltered area for non-aircond area too right behind the shop. The open area is much wider but probably suitable for those who smokes. 

We started off with our starter, Tonpeiyaki (RM18.80), which is omelette filled with cheese, cabbage and slices of pork. To be honest, we did not know what to expect as it is our first try, but the thinly sliced of pork, the juicy cabbage and the melting cheese, covered with a blanket of omelette and drizzled with Japanese Mayo, the combination makes it taste heavenly! Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant made it so great that it got us wanting for more and too excited for our main course. 

For our main course, baby ordered Tonkotsu (豚骨, pork bone) Ramen Set (RM31.80) that comes with Gyoza, salad, pickles and fruit. A good Ramen must be accompanied with a nicely done rich, milky-white broth that has been boiled for hours, after breaking down all the collagen, bone marrow and fat. Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant done that well except for the boiled egg, which we thought it would be tantalizing if is a Ajitsuke Tamago (soft boiled egg). 

We love the Gyoza (Japanese Pan-Fried Dumpling) that comes along with the Dinner Set as well. Unlike the typical Chinese Dumpling (Jiaozi, Guotie or potsticker), Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant made the gyoza with much thinner wrapper, filled with ground pork, green onion and probably some grated ginger to tenderize the meat and remove any pungent smell of pork. The crispy bottom of Gyoza gives the extra texture in every bite too.   

For me, I got myself the Unadon (RM30). Unagi is always our favorite but since it's our Anniversary so we just ordered it despite of the price. The glazed-grilled eel covered on top of the steamed white rice and topped with Nori (dried seaweed) strips. The glistering sweet caramel-like Unagi combined with the warm steamed rice is simply the best.  

Besides the common green tea, we tried the Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant Homemade Chuhai too. Basically Chuhai is an alcoholic drink originating from Japan, which is usually made from Shochu (焼酎) and flavored carbonated drink. We ordered the yogurt one which we find it really special. Next time can try to mix ourselves at home too!  

Overall, we had a great dining experience in Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant, we certainly looking forward to come back again in the near future. Probably for the upcoming Valentine's Day! :p Okay, maybe not, since I will need to source for another new place for baby. So if you have any recommendation on the Best Japanese Restaurant in Penang, please let me know in the comment below! Thanks in advance!

Aji Noren Japanese Restaurant

98-G-35, Prima Tanjung, 

Jalan Fettes, Kampung Belachan, 

11200 Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Call for Reservation: +60 4-899 4720

Opening Hour:

12pm-2pm & 6pm-10pm Daily

Closed on Monday

Happy food hunting!
Till then. ;)