Feast your way through Asia at Tao Authentic Asian Cuisine

Growing up in this part of the world has honed our taste buds to be receptive to the local flavors and basics of rice, spices, varieties/styles of preparation; all bundled in that colorful package known as the Asian cuisine.
While it may be perceived as exotic and even adventurous by some, it is this array of multi-ethnic and cross cultural favorites which makes the cuisine so unique with its very own proud identity; loved and admired by many all over the world. Asia is truly a melting pot of cultures and the blending of the different tastes inherited from the long history dating to centuries ago led to the birth of an interesting yet diversified collection of flavors; influenced by the intermingling of the cultures yet distinctive to their origins.
It will take an entire dictionary to describe all about Asian cuisine, and one could also experience the different types of cuisines as one travels across each Asian country in this large continent.

Tao Authentic Asian Cuisine attempts to bring most, if not all, of the heterogenous tastes from these countries; mainly Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese under its elaborate menu in a typical order-to-serve buffet style.

The restaurant embarked on this bold and ambitious journey to fulfill the cravings of the food lovers stuck in that dilemma of their choice of cuisine for a meal by bringing them all together for their patrons to enjoy the flavors of their favorite Asian food just with the flip of the menu page.

Focusing on the quality of the food rather than the price, Tao Authentic Asian Cuisine strives with that notion to bring the best to their customers in a comfortable and exclusive environment.


The interior and exterior design of the upscale restaurant is inspired by the harmonious elements in the Asian culture and exudes a rather zen-like atmosphere when one steps into the place.

How it works?
Select anything from the menu (yes, anything), and as many as you can eat/finish and the waiter will place your order to be sent to the kitchen; just like in any normal restaurant.
However, it is important to note that there should not be wastage of food; mainly for reasons of avoiding gluttony and the restaurant helps to remind you of this by imposing a charge for every 100g of food gone to waste (a standard rule applied in most buffet restaurants).

Waiting time varies based on the crowd (there's always a crowd anyway), and the restaurant took note of this by preparing a simple buffet area serving starters and appetizers; ranging from fresh salads, fruits, cold cuts, and cocktails.

Fruit Cocktail (non-alcoholic)


Cold Cuts of Abalone


Baked scallops with spicy mayonnaise (Japanese style)
Juicy scallops seared with the rich mayonnaise flavor and hints of spicy is an exciting dish to entice the taste buds for more food to come.




Grilled Unagi (eel) with Teriyaki sauce


This is one of my personal favorites; the Deep fried Tiger Prawns topped with cheese.
The succulent and fresh tastes of the medium-sized prawns were well-maintained underneath that light coat of batter which just crackles with that crisp sound when you bite into it, and the rich and creamy cheese added to the allure of the texture of this dish.
I am not a fan of cheesy things, but with a light touch of this to the dry crispy batter, it just enhanced (or literally enriched) the taste of the battered prawns.




Thai Fish Cakes was remodeled to a new level with this unique rendition from Tao; and I was surprised that these were really enjoyable to the extent that it was addictive.
Unlike the usual mash of fish paste, this was a firmer version but yet chewy and bouncy as though it was a mix of fish paste and fish ball. The addition of pounded coriander leaves hidden in the mix made it even more memorable to the taste buds. My only advice is to have it when it is served hot, or it tends to become a little firmer after a while.




Taiwanese Style Deep Fried Salt and Pepper Mantis Prawns
This was slightly more salty to my liking, and perhaps a little dry but it was still a chewy crunch and something to snack on while waiting for the rest of the dishes to be served.




Deep Fried Soft Shell Crabs


Enjoy thick slabs of salmon sashimi (raw salmon); and yes, these are slabs, not slices.


California Temaki

The list of items to try is varied and offers a variety to satisfy those with a fondness of diversity in their meals and there is just so much to try, so a huge appetite is definitely advised when visiting this restaurant.

Tao Authentic Asian Cuisine currently has 3 outlets; since the opening of its first outlet in Penang in 2006. Today, they have 2 outlets in Penang; Penang Times Square and Juru Autocity and they have also expanded to an outlet in Kota Damansara.

The buffet (lunch) costs MYR56.00++ per pax and lunch starts from 12.00noon until 3.00pm while dinner is from 6.00pm-10.00pm.

Tao Authentic Asian Cuisine has definitely introduced a concept of dining which pleases the roving taste buds of the locals and at the same time, fulfills the cravings for those who would love to have it all of Asia at the same time and from the crowds gathering at their outlets, they have definitely found their success in this bold yet refreshing concept.

They have definitely helped to save many trips to the different countries when one can just have most of the local favorites popular of each cuisine right here.

(This is not a sponsored post and all tastes are based on personal opinions of author and may differ from one to another individual).

Sakae Sushi and Teppanyaki, Juru Autocity

Japanese restaurants are commonly found in Malaysia; not due to the large population of Japanese migrants in the country though we do have a sizable group of these expatriates and retirees settling down and calling here their second home, particularly in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang, but rather, the popularity of the cuisine among the local Malaysians.
It is no secret that the Malaysians are big fans of Japanese food, which gave rise to the eatery outlets appearing all over the country centering on the theme of the cuisine from the Land of the Rising Sun.
From sushi conveyor belts in the fast food chain themed outlets to fine dining and even booth counters in supermarkets whipping out the simple street fare from Japan, there is almost something to fit everyone's appetite; not to mention the wallets too.

Sakae Sushi is one of the fastest growing chain of restaurants around here, making their way into most of the major populated areas and shopping malls. Offering a wide variety of  Japanese fare and making them affordable is one of the successful concept implemented by the chain which attracted the locals to flock to their outlets everywhere.
Furthermore, the introduction of the membership card and their monthly promotions kept them on the competitive edge with their other competing rivals in the same chain operation.



While the Sakae Sushi menu is not unfamiliar to me, they are similar across all the outlets except for this one outlet which I visited in Juru Autocity.
The addition of Teppanyaki section in the restaurant and on their menu set them apart from the other sister outlets and offered an extra appealing factor to the patrons.
Craving for teppanyaki food after watching a television show lately, this outlet of Sakae Sushi was one of the first which came to my mind that fits the bill.

Sakae Sushi and Teppanyaki in Penang's Juru Autocity is one of its kind with a separate section dedicated to the making of the teppanyaki sets and favorites, as listed in the additional part of the menu for the restaurant.
One can opt to sit at the counter to watch the chef in action, as he performs his skills in dishing out the tempting delights from the menu in a typical teppanyaki-themed restaurant, or sit by the sushi conveyor belt tables to enjoy more offerings from the belt.

As I was there for the teppanyaki, the following are the dishes which helped to satisfy some of my cravings, if not all.

The Japanese Okonomiyaki (MYR18.90) is an interesting type of Japanese styled pancake; with a mix of seafood and vegetables folded with a layer of thin egg batter, topped with katsuoboshi (bonito flakes), served with a sweet okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise.



While the ingredients could vary; from seafood to meat and vegetables, the Okonomiyaki is often compared to an omelette as well, and was also known as a Japanese Pizza.
It was a refreshing option if you want to move away from the conventional choices of Japanese food, and the generous amount of seafood (as this version is seafood-themed) just made this a satisfying fill.



My love for the salmon continues with this Grilled/Teppanyaki-styled salmon (MYR15.90); two modestly sized salmon served in plain grill.



Seafood Yaki Udon (MYR18.90)
Thick udon noodles pan fried with seafood, mix vegetables and mushrooms topped with deep fried carrot sticks and bonito flakes is a tantalizing carb fix to complete the meal




It was all a satisfying experience, and definitely all about Teppanyaki on that day.

This outlet in Juru Autocity is famed for the teppanyaki section; belting dishes at affordable prices and offering a wide variety of seafood options.

There is ample parking space in front of the restaurant and also nearby if you are early, and on weekends as the place is often crowded during the peak lunch hours on weekdays with the mass from the nearby industrial zone.