Manzen Ishiya Japanese Restaurant was a surprising find at Sunshine Central in Ayer Itam.
If you’re craving hearty and authentic Japanese food that won’t break the bank, run—don’t walk—to this cozy new spot.
We stumbled upon it by chance and decided to give it a try, and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
Their set lunches are priced from RM19 to RM28, making them pretty affordable compared to a café meal in George Town, which could easily set you back RM60 per person.
The moment we stepped inside, the ambiance felt welcoming and warm.
Just the right vibe for a casual meal with friends or a relaxed family gathering.
One of the highlights was when the manager kindly allowed us to swap the udon in the set lunch for ramen—such a thoughtful gesture!
The restaurant offers plenty of long tables, making it perfect for group gatherings.
The service, though initially a bit jittery since most of the servers were interns, was overall attentive and polite.
They refilled our tea, cleared our plates, and were generally pleasant and accommodating.
It was clear that the team genuinely cared about providing a good dining experience.
Manzen Ishiya Japanese Restaurant Food
Now let’s talk food. We ordered two set lunches.
Shake Sashimi, Tori Karaage & Ishiyaki Udon Set
(RM28)
The salmon sashimi was thick-cut and fresh, and the chicken karaage was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Saba Shioyaki & Ishiyaki Udon Set
(RM24)
After enjoying salt-grilled saba at Kaiden Japas, I was keen to try it here—and it did not disappoint.
The saba was fresh, flavorful, and deboned (well, except for one or two bones near the stomach area).
Both sets came with udon, but we swapped it for ramen to avoid too much carb.
The sides included a dumpling, pickled cucumber, and a large serving of Chawanmushi (Japanese Steamed Egg Custard).
Everything was delicious and well-prepared.
We also had Sencha hot tea at RM3.90 each (total RM7.80), and the subtotal for the meal came to RM59.80. After the 6% SST (RM3.59) and 10% service charge (RM5.98), our total was RM69.35 after rounding.
Everything we tried was fresh, flavor-packed, and served in generous portions that left us happily full.
We’re already planning our next visit to Manzen Ishiya to try more of their dishes, like the Truffle Tonkotsu Tsukemen, Don (rice bowls), Japanese Curry, and, of course, the Japanese Hojicha ice cream!
If you’re grocery shopping at Sunshine Central or simply looking for a cozy place to unwind with delicious Japanese food—Manzen Ishiya hits all the right notes: top-quality food, excellent service, and surprisingly affordable prices.
Address:L2-26 & 30, Sunshine Mall @ Sunshine Central
Jalan Thean Tek, Bandar Baru, Ayer Itam, Penang
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ambience: Cozy, modern, and spacious
Final Verdict: A must-visit for Japanese cuisine lovers in Penang. Bring your appetite—you’ll need it!
