Tenji Japanese Buffet - Solaris Mont Kiara

This is probably historically inaccurate, but I think Japanese buffets really started to get popular when Jogoya burst onto the scene. Not too hard to understand why, of course - what's not to love about unlimited oysters, sushi, sashimi, steamed cod, tons of varieties of cooked food, and to finish off with desserts that included Häagen Dazs ice cream?

Sadly Jogoya's food quality just went downhill, and for quite a while I haven't bothered wasting my time and money even when they have their 50% off promotions (in collaboration with SCB's credit cards).

Anyway, a couple of years ago, Tenji opened its' doors to the public, sometime in December 2008. It's had some pretty good reviews, but for whatever reason I've never gotten round to trying it - until now!


First impressions are good - the place is very nicely decorated. Food choices are decent - mostly Japanese and Asian. Could use a little extra air-conditioning, though.


There's also a dim-sum corner, for which my only advice is avoid at all costs.


Tenji also uses a similar 'clip' concept as Jogoya, where certain dishes can be ordered by placing a clip with your table number into a small dish. In theory the chefs will then start to cook your dish. In practice, several dishes ordered this way arrived cold at our table.


Too bad the fish counter had no cod, I'd have sapu'ed lots of that. But having white pomfret not bad lah, hehe.


Designer teas that sit there brewing for so long that they're concentrated as heck. Guess we learned the hard way that we should've poured half from the pots and added hot water for the other half.


There's also quite a large variety of desserts, from cakes, cookies, and Häagen Dazs and Baskin Robbins ice creams.


So now that you've seen all the delicious pictures, I have to then tell you that Tenji kinda sucks. Don't get me wrong, the food isn't bad. But it isn't good, either. The sashimi was "meh," none of the dishes were particularly memorable or outstanding, and in fact a few of them (including most of the desserts) were just awful. For a non-discounted dinner price of MYR88++, I would much much much rather top up a few ringgit and go to a top Buffet place like Le Meridien's Latest Recipe or Shangri-La's Lemon Garden.

Having said that, Tenji is having an anniversary promotion for supper (9.30pm-midnight) at $$39.90++. At this price it's worth it, if only to go and whack as many oysters and scoops of ice cream as you can.