[Hong Kong Cuisine] Tai Hang. Zanzo: A modern Japanese izakaya with a semi-open-air setting

Last night, during Happy Hour, I was invited to the opening party of Zanzo Izakaya, a new venue in the Tai Hang neighbourhood. Zanzo is a contemporary izakaya under the Miramar Group, situated in the small neighbourhood of ‘Tai Hang’ near Tin Hau. With its semi-open-plan design, it offers a sense of space rarely found in izakayas in the Tai Hang area.
Zanzo specialises in sake and snacks of surprisingly high quality, I particularly enjoy their grilled dishes—such as the salt-grilled chicken wings and soy-glazed pork belly—as well as several signature snacks, such as the fresh sea bream sashimi served with a mixture of lemon juice and grated daikon, and the Korean-style spicy squid. Upon enquiring later, I learnt that one of the chefs had previously worked at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, where his culinary skills were highly regarded. Another chef specialises in Japanese kaiseki cuisine—no wonder the standard of all the dishes is so high.
Zanzo specialises in Japanese sake and offers its own brand of sake brewed from ‘Comet’, a sake rice variety grown in Hokkaido. The menu also features other renowned daiginjo sakes, as well as the nigori sakes that have gained popularity in recent years. Red and white wines and beer are also available.

Nest Beer, a Japanese speciality beer, XH

Nest Beer’s distinctive floral aroma makes you want to keep coming back for more

Salt-baked chicken wings

Korean-style Spicy Braised Pork Belly

Chicken Skewers in Soy Sauce Glaze

Fried Prawns with Wasabi, served with Mexican Mango Juice

Squid Ink Vegetable Tempura $45

Roasted Japanese Sweet Potatoes

Wagyu Sirloin Salad with Secret South American Sauce $70

Chicken with Truffle Miso

Korean-style spicy squid