Omakase @ Teppei Japanese Restaurant

This is the place to go if you want to experience Japanese dining Izakaya style. You sit in a room teeming with at least 20 other like minded diners, back touching back, perched uncomfortably on a little stool. The air is stuffy and reeks of stale oil.

But your discomfort is not in vain because the food is THAT good. In fact, this has definitely got to be the best no frills Omakase experience I have ever had.  For SGD70 (after all the +++) here's what we had.

Refreshing salad with crunchy sweet nutty notes
 
Lovely silky tofu (kind of like the Chinese fu-chok dessert) with a dollop of uni paste
.
A mossy conch with curly briny flesh which you extract out with a toothpick. Simply steamed with no accompanying condiments. Weird!

A more normal looking sea whelk which tasted rather bland.

















Squid rings with crunchy asparagus. Clean tasting and perfectly cooked.

















This dish I did not like. Cod fish in honey miso. The sauce was nice but my fish had tons of little bones, making it a chore to eat.

















A crunchy roll with some minced sashimi, tempura bits and fish eggs encased in seaweed. Very addictive!

















An assortment of very fresh sashimi ranging from otoro to salmon and scallop

 

When the cooked main courses arrived in relatively quick succession, there was no turning back. It was love at first sight when I sunk my teeth into this.

Pictured below is a chicken, wagyu and tofu dish served "yin yang" style with one half of the broth comprising clear chicken stock and the other half Japanese curry. Mix it together and you get heaven.

The most "Chinese" oriented dish of the night and one of my favorites. Dumpling and king prawn in egg drop soup. My mother would approve! The soup was super unami and the ingredients were generous and fresh.

We were given a choice of spicy fried rice, normal fried rice or sashimi rice. I opted for spicy fried rice while hubby had the sashimi one.

I thought mine would just taste like ordinary garlic fried rice, possibly jazzed up with some chili. But again, this dish surpassed my expectations. It was definitely spicy but I couldn't see any chili inside. There were also bits of yummy surprises hidden inside, including chestnut, egg and bits of crunchy vegetables. Super yum!

Hubby seemed to enjoy his dish too. Check out that huge slab of uni on the left.














Dessert was lack lustre compared to the starters and main but decent nonetheless and a sweet end to the meal. We were given a choice of different flavours of ice cream. I had maple walnut and hubby took the chocolate.

As we left, the Japanese chef (who was working his magic right in front of us the whole night) flashed us a charming grin and hollered "Thank you. See you tomorrow". It took us a little by surprise but in a good way. Yes. We will definitely be back for more and we can't wait to bring our friends too.

Thank YOU for a mindblowing meal.

Rakuzen

Rakuzen's not the kind of place you bring a date with the intention to impress. It exudes a feel-good type of comfort that straddles between the cosy-ness of sushi tei and the classy-ness of Kuriya.

Hubby and I recently sat at the sushi counter and befriended 2 of the cheena junior sushi chefs there (Ken and Danny). We enjoyed the experience so much we have been returning ever since.

What's nice about Rakuzen (and getting Ken and Danny to recommend stuff to you) is the seasonal produce. There's bound to be something new that enhances your Japanese food vocabulary.

Here's what we had in our recent visit:

Cold tofu with some sesame cream sauce generously sprinkled with bonito flakes. I was on the brink of nursing a bad cold and wanted something smooth as a starter to soothe my throat. This hit the spot nicely.

Some very delicious (and humongous) grilled broad bean pods. You pry open the pod and fiddle with the spongy interior before gingerly prying out a bean. Best eaten with a dab of salt.  Regrettably, each pod only contains a max of 4 beans. And that is IF you are lucky.

First and foremost, those pink things are my fingers- not for consumption! I am showcasing a very addictive tuna crunchy dip which you smother on pieces of seaweed and cram into your mouth. This special "tapas" creation is painstakingly prepared by Ken- not on the menu!

If there were any most photogenic award for sushi that night, I think it would go to this mentaki baked salmon with fish roe.

Some negitoro sushi prepared for hubby by Danny. Tremendous effort was taken in pouring the quails yolk into the sushi "shell" but tastewise, so-so only

Danny and Ken were raving about the freshness of the uni that day but I wasn't too impressed. Maybe I have already been spoilt by the "real thing" in Japan's Tsukiji market.

An uber flavorful eel sushi which has been torched and lightly seasoned with some soy sauce. The wasabi they gave us was specially grated- not the powdery stuff you normally get.

My main course of breaded flatfish- so fresh you don't even need to eat it with any condiments/sauces.

The piece de resistance and a signature dish of the restaurant's- torched fire mackeral seeped in its own juices and oil. Hubby swears by this dish but I wanted to puke when I took a bite- too fishy!!

Mentaiko baked king prawns. The smokey flavor and the sweetness of the prawn came through beautifully. Sometimes all u need are good ingredients and good technique.

Scorched ika (squid) sushi. Ordinary and paled in comparison to the other dishes. Hubby's love for ika has somewhat diminished ever since he came to Rakuzen.

Another "not on the menu" item prepared by Danny. A medley of assorted seafood (scallops, prawns, clams etc) tossed in garlic and drenched in a unami miso tinted sauce. Maybe I'm just imagining things but when I ate this dish, I could somehow feel the warmth and dedication Danny invested when preparing this dish.

We usually skip dessert because there's nothing fancy in the menu other than the run of the mill green tea ice cream with red bean and mochi. Here is a random scoop of yuzu flavored ice cream which tastes exactly how it looks- bittersweet and citrusy.

Rakuzen definitely surpasses Sushi Tei in terms of quality and offerings. What makes Rakuzen even more palatable is a little known fact that the sushi tei discount card also applies here- 10% off dine in (Millenia walk outlet only).


Ps: We've visited Rakuzen's other outlet in Tampines and didn't like the ambience there.

Light bites at The Sail

Stumbled upon this hole in the wall cafe on a dreary weekday afternoon. Prices of sandwiches and lunch bento sets are reasonable, starting from SGD8 for a chicken sandwich. Staff sport sunny dispositions and service is brisk. Restaurant even offers free lunch delivery service to my office.

Ordered the much raved about king crab sandwich and found it rather unappealing at first. Portion was paltry and looked like it could be consumed in 5 mouthfuls. Also took issue with the bread, which resembled something you could fish out of a gardenia sandwich bag in a supermarket.

My attitude however changed after taking the first bite. The subtle sweetness of the shredded king crab was well balanced with just the right amount of mayo. Even the use of white sandwich bread was a well thought one as its clean spongy softness mopped up the fillings nicely and did not overwhelm the delicate seafood undertones. Yummy.

As I was still feeling quite peckish after that, I ordered a california handroll. Easily one of the best versions I have eaten but not cheap at SGD5 a piece.

Didn't get to sample my kaki's pork bento set as the portion looked barely enough to feed one. She pronounced it highly tasty and commented that she would not mind ordering it again.

Overall a good place for a quick and light lunch. However, be prepared to pay more if you decide to order sashimi, drinks and dessert.

Hokkaido Sandwich and Sashimi Deli
4 Marina Boulevard
#01-33 The Sail @ Marina Bay S018986
Tel: 65090685

Royce has been dethroned!

I'm no chocolate connoisseur. However, there are days when Cadbury chocolate just doesn't make the cut. For days when I crave something more, I usually reach for a box of Royce nama chocolate.

Over the Chinese New Year celebrations, we played host to some friends. After dinner, a guest furtively shoved a packet of these into my hands and urged me to try them asap. She then proceeded to explain how she had magically chanced upon these delish creations at an obscure sweet shop tucked in Parco Bugis. After some egging from the cute Japanese boss, she bought a packet to try.

The rest is history.

I apprehensively unwrapped the packet and helped myself to a piece. Appearance wise, the cocoa dusted sphere looked small and unassuming. After popping it into my mouth and biting into the chocolate, I was impressed by its smooth finish, which left a pleasant nutty bittersweet aftertaste on my tongue. As I ventured on to make out the remaining flavors, I was surprised to discover the addition of cheese! The resulting blend of bittersweet and savory was bizarre yet so orgasmic-ally good. I couldn't resist taking a second and third helping. Soon the whole packet was empty.

And the rest is history.

I wonder why I don't get this "shiok" factor from high end ang moh chocolates like Hediard, Godiva and Laurent Bernard. Perhaps my tastebuds are still not sophisticated enough.

40 Tokyo foods we can't live without

As compiled by the good folks in CNN Go. Click here to access the article. Sure makes me feel like booking the next available flight to Japan!

Kinki

Ocha OUCH

It feels almost like an adventure getting to Kinki Restaurant at the Customs House.

Depending on which route you take, you could either end up walking through a construction site OR, if you are really fortunate, you might discover a shortcut through the "yet to be opened" Fullerton Bay Hotel.

Needless to say, I belong to the former category. (I only discovered the shortcut after trailing some street smart customers making their way back to Raffles Place after lunch).

Having done a little homework on the restaurant beforehand, I wasn't just there for the food. The restaurant sports a "Japanese with attitude" theme, complete with graffiti grazed walls, a gorgeous floor motif designed by Chris Garver from Miami Ink and manga inspired menus.

designed by Chris Garver...worth a trip to the restaurant in itself!

"manga inspired" menu

graffiti tinged walls

A rebellious streak is clearly evident in all aspects- from the restaurant's funky website to the swashbuckling attitude of its service staff (the domineering tone of the lady taking my reservation almost made me feel like a timid schoolgirl).

lights which resemble gigantic fish hooks

The restaurant's set lunch menu, though palatable, doesn't really impress. There are 12 options to choose from, ranging from sushi sets to breaded pork cutlets and grilled meats. My lunch kaki and I ordered a vegetarian tofu steak set (SGD18) and kurobuta katsu curry set (SGD22) to share. All sets come with an appetiser, miso soup and dessert.

We thoroughly enjoyed the appetizer for the day - plump juicy momotaro tomatoes lightly doused with a tasty seasoning.

a refreshing treat.. momotaro tomatoes

This was followed by a luscious tofu steak encased in a thin crispy batter which crumbled beautifully in the mouth. Although the flavors were fresh and uncomplicated, they came across slightly bland after awhile.

tofu hidden in vegetables

When the kurobuta cutlets arrived, we could barely contain our excitement/greediness and tucked in with much gusto. Unfortunately, the dish fell short of expectations and we could barely taste the purported richness of the prized pork. There were bits of mushroom in the filling and I felt like I was eating a supped-up mashed yam puff (wu-kok) from a dim sum pushcart. Thank goodness for the accompanying Japanese curry dip, which was sufficiently thick and flavorful.

"supped up" wu kok

Dessert was a pretty looking slice of green tea sponge cake. As it was served to us on the onset (together with the appetisers and mains), the cake looked decidedly dejected by the time we got to it (the cream was melting). Pity. It would have tasted so much better if eaten slightly chilled.

The shocker came when I received the bill and found out that my kaki and I had been charged SGD4 each (before service charge and tax) for our green tea. I have not paid so much for plain ol' green tea before. It was an oversight on my part (and a painful lesson) not to have checked earlier. I wonder if the restaurant also charges for plain water.

Kinki is definitely worth a visit at least once for its unique decor. If making reservations, ask for a seat directly by the window to enjoy an unobstructed view of the stunning Marina Bay waterfront.

Kinki Restaurant & Bar
70, Collyer Quay
#02-02
Customs House
Tel: 6533 3471

Cheers to Good Health

I seldom have cravings for healthy food. Unfortunately, given my burgeoning waistline, healthy food is something I have had to sneak into my meal plans every once in a blue moon.

Last week was one of such "healthy" days. At a loss what to eat, hubby and I decided to have dinner at Ministry of Food, since we hadn't visited the place in some time.

The crowd at Ministry of Food is achingly young, making us feel a tad too old for our liking. Nonetheless I was hopelessly charmed by the restaurant's whimsical decor- complete with cherry blossom ceiling paper and Victorian chairs.

Don't expect high quality Japanese food here. The menu looks extensive and the pictures are lovely but at the end of the day, the restaurant is just a well oiled franchise with standardised offerings catered to the mass market.

I was highly disappointed with the char siew ramen. The char siew pieces were dry and tough, noodles were soggy and the gravy was weak. What a disaster.

Thank goodness for the avocado salad which arrived thereafter. The dish was sight to behold with pretty cubes of avocado, tofu and cucumber neatly arranged in an elongated bowl with a sprinkling of almond flakes on the surface. Even its accompanying wasabi mayo dressing looked delectable.

It has been a long time since I have eaten something so healthy and yummy. Although this is still not something I can eat every meal, it is definitely a big step forward. In fact, I am already thinking of replicating it at home.

Cheers to good health!

MOF @ My Izakaya
3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1- 40 Suntec City Mall
Tel: 63385523

Tatsuya

I'll let you on a little secret of mine.

For the past year, everytime I develop a craving for Japanese sushi and sashimi, the first word which pops up in my head is Tatsuya's.

Tatusya's run by a pint sized Chinese guy called Ronnie. He's one of those local success stories who made it big through sheer sweat and grit. I like Ronnie's down to earth demeanor and unapologetically pocked marked face. It reminds me that life is not a bed of roses for everyone but success still awaits those who persevere.

Despite relocating his restaurant from the now defunct Crown Prince Hotel to Goodwood Park Hotel, Tatsuya has somehow managed to keep its prices affordable. Folks with shallow pockets can still savour a taste of Tatsuya magic during lunchtime where set meals start from a reasonable 25+++ onwards.

Sashimi tempura bento...

My favorite set lunch choice is the sashimi tempura bento which comprises of assorted tempura (shrimp, shitake mushroom, eggplant and okra), miso soup, chawanmushi, slices of sashimi and ume spiked Japanese rice dotted with seaweed and cubes of tamago. How the restaurant manages to squeeze so much value into a SGD28+++ meal is a mystery in itself.

Every item in the meal is of utmost quality and freshness. The plump slices of sashimi bear nary a hint of fishy-ness and are firm to the bite with an unmistakably sweet aftertaste.

Easily one of the best chawanmushi I have eaten....

Even the chawanmushi is perfectly steamed and dusted with lemon zest prior to serving, emitting a pleasurable bittersweet dimension to every bite. Of special mention too are the tempura prawns which are delightful to the last crumb and not overly oily.

If you have yet to try Tatsuya's set lunch, you are undoubtedly missing out on one of Singapore's best kept secrets.

Prior reservations are strongly recommended, especially during lunchtime.