Ryo Zan Tei in Berjaya Hills

Berjaya Hills (formerly known as Bukit Tinggi Resort) is just 40 minutes' drive from Kuala Lumpur and 10km off the East-West Karak Highway. Berjaya Hills covers 16,000 acres of rugged hills and mountains crowned with lush tropical rainforests.

Stepping through a rustic gateway and a winding Japanese footpath leads you through a beautiful garden to a waterfall, over a bridge spanning a Koi pond and up to a Japanese Tea House. Further down the path, you will come across Ryo Zan Tei Japanese Restaurant. At 2,700 - 3,500 feet above sea level, the air is cool, fresh and rejuvenating. The only Japanese restaurant in Malaysia that is located in the midst of a tropical rainforest high up in the hills of the Main Range.

My last visit to Berjaya Hills was on New Years Eve and not surprisingly, the place was crowded. As we hiked along the Japanese Garden, we arrived at Ryo Zan Tei slightly early and the place was pretty quiet. But within 30 minutes, which is around lunch time .. the place was already swarmed with people.

We placed our orders and waited patiently for our food to arrive although the tummy is already growling. But sitting there in the restaurant that is surrounded by the cool jungle really makes your feel peaceful and relaxing. Sounds of chirping bird and buzzing insects adds to the natural 'feel'.

Tori Teriyaki Set (RM30.00)

Finally our food arrived, the first being the Tori Teriyaki Set which is Grill Chicken with sauce. The set comes with Miso Soup, pickles, salad and Chawan Mushi (Steamed Egg Custard). The tender pieces of chicken cooked with teriyaki sauce was pretty good since I cleaned off my plate within minutes !

Unagi Set (RM45.00)

The next item on the list is the Unagi Set. Grilled unagi is a delicacy in Japan, popular not only for its flavor but also for its stamina-giving properties. The ingredients in the sweet basting sauce are important to the final taste of the unagi, and different restaurants have their own secret recipes. As for Ryo Zan Tei, the Unagi set was favorably rich with an appetizing texture, crisp on the outside but tender on the inside. It takes an experienced chef with the right cooking process to really make the eel both crisp and tender. And of course, lightly sprinkle your unagi (or dojo) with sansho, a powdered aromatic Japanese pepper for added taste.

Saba Shioyaki Set (RM35.00)

Saba shioyaki or grilled mackerel is the most commonly ordered dish in a Japanese restaurant. Slow grilled to perfection, the flesh of the mackerel is thoroughly cooked yet retains the juiciness from the fat. The skin of the fish is intact, brown to a crisp yet not burnt. Doused it with a squeeze of lemon to cut the oiliness, a complete meal with japanese sushi rice.

Contact Details
RYO ZAN TEI Japanese Restaurant
Japanese Tea House
Berjaya Hills Resort



Ratings
OVERALL RATINGs : * * * (Good food, but weighed down by lousy service)
Environment Ratings : * * * * (High score for nature 'feel')
Food Ratings : * * * * (Surprisingly good)
Service Ratings : * (Poor fellows working in the jungle, no motivation?)
Value Ratings : * * (Quite pricey)

Operation Details
Average Price : RM30 & above
Business Hrs :
Accepted Cards: major credit cards accepted

Miscellaneous Details
Halal : Yes
Dining Method : Dine in - who would wanna go all the way to Bukit Tinggi to 'tar pau' ?
Food/Cuisine : Japanese a la carte and set
Ambience/Features : Japanese setup wannabe with nature surround
Reservations : No