Zen by Tera Cafe Review: Is the White Curry Udon and Shaved Ice Really That Good?
My friend and I were strolling around New Town Plaza in Sha Tin when hunger struck. We stumbled upon this cafe, said to be run by a French Le Cordon Bleu chef with a Zen-inspired Japanese aesthetic. It sounded classy, so we decided to give it a try! Upon entering, the light wood decor paired with soft Zen lighting created a genuinely chill vibe. Although the tables were a bit small and seating felt cramped, the overall environment was clean and tidy—perfect for those looking for a quiet meal. One minor complaint: the place felt a bit stuffy, and the phone signal was so bad it felt like being cut off from the outside world! 😂
We ordered the two-person set ($498), which started with a crab meat and roe salad and miso soup. The salad was incredibly fresh, with the crab roe offering a delightful crunch—super satisfying with every bite! The mentaiko tamagoyaki was soft and fluffy with a hint of savory flavor, making it a decent appetizer. For mains, we had the U.S. Angus beef moon egg rice bowl and the breaded pork loin white curry udon. The beef was cooked to perfection, and mixing the egg yolk into the rice was heavenly! The white curry udon was the real highlight—the artichoke cream mixed with curry was incredibly creamy, and the pork loin was thickly cut, crispy on the outside, and tender inside. However, the dishes came out so quickly that the small table felt overcrowded, making things a bit chaotic! 😅
Desserts were undoubtedly the star of the show! We got a free upgrade to the mango pomelo shaved ice, which featured mango chunks, grapefruit bits, and a sea salt milk foam topping. It was refreshingly sweet and tangy—perfect for summer! The purple sweet potato and taro mochi pancake was less impressive. While the mochi was delightfully stretchy and chewy, the pancake itself was a bit dry 😂. For drinks, we chose iced lattes and mochas, which were decent—rich and aromatic, no complaints! The staff were super friendly, so thumbs up for the service! 👍
Overall, Zen by Tera is a delightful surprise. The food quality is consistent, the ambiance is chill, and the desserts are especially eye-catching! If you're curious about Japanese-style white curry and shaved ice, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just remember to bring a fan and backup Wi-Fi! 😜
📍Zen by Tera
Shop 109, 1/F, Phase 1, New Town Plaza, 18-19 Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin