Our tasting menu at Genki Sushi

 

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.

 

Facade of the new Genki Sushi outlet
at AEON Mall Tebrau City, Johor Bahru 

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.

 

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.

 

A serving of Trio Sashimi with packets of wasabi

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.

 

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.

 

There were two conveyor belts with the one
above that moved trays at super high speeds!

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. 

 

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.

 

Look at that Salmon Xtra Long
piece of sushi!

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. 

 

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.

 

A serving of Trio Salmon [Left] and
Aburi Garlic Butter Aka Ebi [Right]

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.

 

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.

 

Chicken Patty Sushi [Foreground] with
Spicy Ebi Tempura Maki [Background Left]

Another prawn item that we thoroughly enjoyed was a serving of three pieces of crispy, Spicy Ebi Tempura Maki on one plate.

 

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.

 

Half a portion of Yaki Black Pepper Beef 
Udon [Left] and tumbler of Chawanmushi

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.

 

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.

 

A serving of Salmon Head Miso Soup

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.

 

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.

 

The menu [Left] and promo poster [Right]

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.

 

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.