Over
the years, my media friends and I have been invited to countless food-tasting
events by merchants and restaurants located in and around the city.
From
humble kopitiam, casual cafes, fine-dine restaurants to renowned branded hotel
restaurants, I have had the privilege to savour cuisine, both local and foreign,
to share my review experiences with readers.
Facade of the new Genki Sushi outlet
at AEON Mall Tebrau City, Johor Bahru
I
am deeply humbled that readers value my comments about the food, beverage and
service in these establishments and were encouraged to visit these destinations
for their own dining experiences.
For
this reason, I always remind merchants to serve me items listed on their menu
and not “special” dishes with extras because I should share with readers, what
was on the menu so that readers have an authentic view of what to expect when
they visited that restaurant or café.
For
the food-tasting at the recently opened Halal certified Genki Sushi outlet in
AEON Mall Tebrau City, we were served a set menu that featured a range of items
like sashimi, sushi, maki, tempura, udon noodles, chawanmushi and miso soup, a
fair combination of items for a tasting menu.
A serving of Trio Sashimi with packets of wasabi
While
the staff served us Japanese green tea in hot or cold choices, my media friends
and I looked forward with eager anticipation to a fun dining experience that
would be served from the brand’s famous conveyor belt.
It
turned out that there were, in fact, two conveyor belts – one above the other –
where the one above was the tracks for a high-speed tray, reminiscent of
Japan’s super-fast bullet trains. 
There were two conveyor belts with the one
above that moved trays at super high speeds!
We
read the words on a sticker posted on the side of the top conveyor belt that warned,
“CAUTION: Remove plates only after Express Train completely stops; Keep hands
away from rail track except when removing plates.”
This
was fair warning for diners to be mindful of the modern technology involved for
a safe and enjoyable dining experience here.
Then
speedy trays on the upper conveyor loaded with two, three or four of the same
items whizzed pass our table to promptly stop at the appointed table (further
down) where two, three or four diners were seated. 
Look at that Salmon Xtra Long
piece of sushi!
It
was impressive to observe how technology was employed to swiftly serve items to
the appropriate tables. And once diners removed the items from the tray, the
tray sensors would signal the tray to withdraw to the kitchen with a similar
speedy zip.
On
the table, there was a stack of small sauce plates for diners to help
themselves to the shoyu or soya sauce and small packets of wasabi. There was
also a square box of tissue paper for the diners’ convenience.
The
first item to arrive by the speed tray was a Trio of Sashimi that comprised
slivers of raw salmon, raw tuna and raw whole prawns to savour, dipped in a
mixture of wasabi and shoyu.
Once
again, it was good to dine with friends because we could exchange food items
among us so that we can “help” each other do justice to the items we least
preferred.
A serving of Trio Salmon [Left] and
Aburi Garlic Butter Aka Ebi [Right]
When
the Salmon Xtra Long Sushi was served, that extra long piece of salmon was such
a treat because it clearly extended more than double the length of the sushi
rice!
Fans
of prawns (like me!) were delighted to savour items like the Ebi Tempura with a
side of dip sauce and the Aburi Garlic Butter Aka Ebi, or sushi topped with a split
prawn drizzled in garlic butter.
Another
prawn item that we thoroughly enjoyed was a serving of three pieces of crispy, Spicy
Ebi Tempura Maki on one plate.
Chicken Patty Sushi [Foreground] with
Spicy Ebi Tempura Maki [Background Left]
Genki
Sushi lived up to its reputation as a sushi place when we were served a platter
each of three pieces of sushi with three types of toppings in a Trio of Salmon.
To
showcase that Genki Sushi also served non-seafood sushi, we had the opportunity
to taste their Chicken Patty Sushi, that was presented on a small nori sheet.
In
addition to sushi, the menu at Genki also serves noodles like Yaki Black Pepper
Beef Udon which was served in half a portion each, for our taste experience.
Half a portion of Yaki Black Pepper Beef
Udon [Left] and tumbler of Chawanmushi
As
the meal progressed, attentive staff were helping to remove empty plates and
bowls. Then I asked for a copy of their menu and was pleased to see that the
items in our tasting menu were identical with the items listed in their menu.
Our
tasting experience continued with small tumblers of chawanmushi, smooth and savory
steamed egg pudding filled with slivers of fishcake, crabstick and mushroom.
The
final item on the tasting menu was Salmon Head Miso Soup served in a bowl
filled with chunks of deep-fried salmon and slices of daikon radish in a rich
broth.
A serving of Salmon Head Miso Soup
Oh…
Did I mention that all the items in the tasting menu were served in individual
portions to each one of us?
It
was left to us to share the portions among ourselves so that we did in fact,
taste and experience each item featured in what we deemed as a well-planned,
food-tasting review experience.
The
serving staff came to inform us that they had completed serving the day’s menu
so I took the opportunity to thank them and commend the team for serving a
generous menu with items that were from the menu for an experience of the “real
thing” to share with readers.
I
am determined to share an authentic experience with readers and it was
important that merchants know that the entire experience, not only about the food
and service but also the ambience and even parking facilities, was essential
for a recommended dining destination. 
The menu [Left] and promo poster [Right]
As
we were preparing to leave, the serving staff reminded us to download the Genki
Sushi app and register our membership to enjoy best deals and special
promotions.
Then
I recalled seeing a poster for an opening promotion that announced, Buy One
Free One of Salmon Mentai Nigiri from now till end November 2025, and made a
mental note to go online to check for any other on-going promotions.
Genki
Sushi [Halal certified] is located in the Food Hall, Lot G132 on Level G of
AEON Mall Tebrau City, Jalan Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru. Open daily from
1oam to 10pm.
