Serving authentic Japanese attractions with air-flown seafood, Hana Tei has become a beloved neighbourhood restaurant for fans of sashimi, sushi and other genres of Japanese gastronomy in Kajang and Cheras Traders Square.
Every Tuesday and Friday, fresh arrivals of imported fish, oysters and other seafood take centre stage in Hana Tei, including popular produce such as Japanese sea urchin, perfectly paired with the restaurant's range of Japanese sake by the bottle.
We visited Hana Tei's location in Kajang, cheerful and colourful with captivating murals that illustrate the classic essence of Japanese nature.
Hana Tei's elegant private rooms in Kajang are ideal for intimate celebrations, catering to groups of between 4 to 16 guests.
Start with alluring appetisers: The 3 Types of Chinmi aka 3 Types of Delicacies (RM26) comprises chilled creations of Seasonal Hotate Scallops with wasabi, Chuka Idako, and Sazae Wasabi turban shells to awaken the apart with their smooth succulence.
Oyster enthusiasts, bookmark Hana Tei for Ponzu Jelly Kaki (RM18 each) - oysters topped with ponzu-flavoured gelatin, bringing together oceanic lusciousness with citrusy jelly-like morsels of pleasure.
Hamachi Carpaccio (RM38) is a crowd-pleaser of Japanese amberjack, with clean, natural flavours that burst beautifully in every full-bodied bite.
The Magnificent Seven: Hana Tei's 7 Types of Sashimi Moriawase (RM188) is a boat's bounty, flowing with mouthwateringly fresh salmon, salmon belly, ikura, akami (lean tuna), hamachi (amberjack), ama ebi, and hotate scallops, thick-cut for the ultimate raw temptation.
For sumptuous sushi, start with the Engawa Aburi Sushi (RM18), rich and remarkably buttery grilled flounder fin draped over seasoned rice for memorable taste and texture.
Hana Tei also makes maki marvels, spectacular for sushi roll lovers.
The Aburi Cheese Maki (RM38 for a full portion; RM21 for half-portion) is lip-smacking, combining crunchy soft-shell crab with juicy grilled eel and soft, savoury cheese, balanced with revitalising vegetables.
Spider Unagi Fried Maki (RM33) is a striking duet of deep-fried soft shell crab as well as unagi with mentai sauce, serving up two distinctively delicious styles on one board, one crisp and crabby, the other sweet and briny.
The Ebi Unagi Sushi in Tacos (RM35) is a creative concoction - wrap the sushi in seaweed strips for a taco-like experience, munching on the layers of prawn and eel with furikake for an addictive smash hit.
Finally, the Isebi Maki (RM38 for full portion; RM21 for half) is irresistible with salmon and lobster, crowned with crispy tanuki crunchy tempura bits and ebiko for extra enjoyment.
Hana Tei is also confidently capable in other forms of Japanese cooking - the Ebi Teppanyaki (RM38) offers crustacean comfort in plump, fleshy prawns with a gentle teppanyaki sauce.
Beef buffs, bookmark the Gyu Teriyaki (RM48), a fairly priced 120-gram slab of grilled premium Australian striploin, sizzling on the hot plate, poured over with a soy-based teriyaki sauce that complements the tender beef without overpowering it,
Tempura Moriawase (RM26) is crackly with an addictive assortment of prawns and vegetables in beautiful batter, potently partnered with the traditional salty-sweet tempura dipping sauce.
For steamy satisfaction on rainy days, the Salmon Head Miso Soup (RM35) brims with grilled salmon head that brings a hearty splash to this broth with mixed mushrooms and vegetables.
The Shake Aburi Onsen Tamago Don (RM32) is a massive one-plate meal of sliced seared salmon with soft-boiled egg, cushioned with rice, coated with Japanese mayo, ebikko and seaweed, scrumptious for salmon cravings.
For the ultimate balanced feast, order the Saikoro Steak & Seafood Dobin Mushi Gozen (RM75) - a medley of Japanese dishes in a multi-compartment box, showcasing a soulful Japanese seafood broth with Australian striploin teppanyaki in butter soy sauce, salmon salad, assorted sashimi, agedashi tofu, garlic fried rice, chawanmushi and various fruits of the day.
Hana Tei Kajang
21 & 22, Jalan KP 1/2, Taman Kajang Prima
Tel: 03-8741-8880 or 017-371-3453
Hana Tei Cheras Traders Square
9-G, Jalan Dataran Cheras 1, Cheras Traders Square
Tel: 03-9082-1168 or 012-350-8781
Business hours
Monday to Friday, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9:45pm
Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-10pm
