Popular modern Japanese fusion restaurant, Omoté is opening a new outlet at Raffles City in Nov 2022.

Formerly known as Sushiro, Omoté is famous for their value-for-money Bara Chirashi Don.

Stacked high, and generously with thick cubes of raw fish, there is no reason why you should give this a miss if you truly love sashimi—or Japanese food for that matter.

Photo credit: Omoté

Do not be fooled by its unbelievably affordable price tag because what you get are insanely thick cubes of fish and a generous amount of Japanese rice.

Photo credit: Omoté

Other than the signature Bara Chirashi Don, Omoté also offers a selection of modern Japanese dishes with an Asian influence and you can find items such as sushi rolls, sashimi, and donburi on the menu.

Omoté
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179103

Opened in November 2020, Maruhachi Donburi & Curry is a hawker stall which started at Edgefield Plains in Punggol which offers restaurant-quality tonkatsu at very affordable prices. It has since expanded and there are 5 outlets across in Singapore.

The chef-owner is Indonesian-born Singaporean PR August Wijaya, 38 who used to be the head chef of the now-defunct Ginza Bairin—the famous Tokyo-based tonkatsu restaurant at ION Orchard—for almost nine years. Now, you know what that means?

You must try his tonkatsu.

Most of the katsu dishes on Maruhachi’s menu are priced between S$9.80 to S$14.80. They may not be cheap by “hawker standards”, but the quality of the food is very close to what you would get at most of the tonkatsu restaurants in Singapore.

Some of the dishes on Maruhachi’s menu include:

• Pork Katsu Don (S$9.8)
• Oyako Don (S$6.8)
• Tonkatsu Set (S$11.8)
• Black Pig Katsu Set (S$14.8)
• Tonkatsu Curry (S$9.8)

Maruhachi uses premium ingredients including thick-cut tenderloin and fillets of pork from the USA and Canada, while the katsu is breaded in fresh white bread crumbs that are imported from Japan.

With such quality, one would wonder if he is even making money with that kind of prices he is charging!

The Tonkatsu set (S$11.80) comes with a pretty huge slab of tenderloin that is evenly breaded with panko and deep-fried to a beautiful golden brown. Premium Japanese rice is also used, and there is also a side of freshly-shredded cabbage.

Honestly, we have nothing to pick on this straight-forward classic Tonkatsu set. And we would go back for it again and again.

The Pork Katsu Donburi (S$9.80) is also an option to love. With a generous slab of tonkatsu sitting atop a bed of Japanese pearl rice, sweet egg and onions, this donburi is a comforting bowl of happiness that we would enjoy any day of the week.

For the price point, Maruhachi is definitely one tonkatsu place you have to try soon.

It is advisable to go earlier when they open at 11am for lunch and 5pm for dinner to avoid the long queues. The average waiting time during peak hours is at least 30-45 minutes.

Maruhachi Donburi & Curry
671 Edgefield Plains
51 Havelock Road
373 Bukit Batok
429 Jurong West
365 Sembawang Crescent

Tempura Tendon Tenya is opening in Singapore at Orchard Central on 15 October 2020.

The poster boy for cheap and good tempura, Tempura Tendon Tenya is the largest tempura chain in Japan. A basic Tendon (tempura-donburi) with ebi and vegetable is only ¥500 (S$6.4) in Japan.

Tempura Tendon Tenya Singapore will be offering its signature Tenya Tendon at S$8.50.

Tempura Tendon Tenya’s first outlet in Singapore at Orchard Central can accommodate 68 seats.

We were in disbelief when we first had the Tenya Tendon in Japan many years ago. It might not be the best tempura, but it was very decent, and surely a steal for the price.

Other items on Tempura Tendon Tenya Singapore that you can try include Seafood Tendon (S$12.9) and Mushroom Vegetables Tendon (S$7.9).

While the tendons at Tempura Tendon Tenya Singapore are not as cheap as the ones in Japan, it is still reasonably priced and you don’t have to break the bank for a good Tendon.

We are thrilled that the popular tempura chain is finally opening in Singapore. See you at Tempura Tendon Tenya Singapore on 15 Oct!

Tempura Tendon Tenya Singapore
181 Orchard Road #B1-01
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896

When Singaporeans see the word Yishun, save for the Yishun-dwellers, they normally think of the many odd occurrences that have been blown up on social media and the news often over the past few years.

However, many don’t realize that Yishun is a treasure trove of rather affordable yet delicious food options! One of them, our latest food-find, is Suparakki Ramen located in Northpoint City, serving ramen under S$10. Meaning “super lucky” in Japanese, you’ll find you and your tastebuds feeling exactly that when you taste their ramen.

First up, we tried one of Suparakki Ramen’s classic ramen bowls – the Tonkotsu Black Garlic Ramen (S$9.90). It comes with a good portion of springy ramen noodles, three slices of thinly-sliced chashu, black fungus, seaweed, spring onions and a gooey ramen egg. You can also choose to have it spicy or non-spicy!

We felt that the broth was quite substantial and had a nice richness, complemented by the slight smokiness of the black garlic oil. However, the black garlic taste faded as we continued eating.

We also ordered their Dry Truffle Ramen (S$6.90), which is one of their newest menu items. The bowl comes with pulled pork, shredded seaweed, spring onions, black fungus and a ramen egg. The ramen noodles are drizzled in a special sauce that includes fragrant truffle oil.

We were super impressed by the ramen as it had a very strong truffle flavour. Be sure to mix in all the ingredients and the egg so that you get a good mouthful of all the toppings and chewy ramen noodles. We did find the noodles a tad salty, but it was still a pretty legit bowl considering the price point!

We also think the ramen toppings deserve a quick shout because despite such affordable price points, they were still super delicious. The egg was nicely seasoned and perfectly gooey on the inside, while the chashu was fatty and tender.

Though the seating area may get a bit cramped, we definitely wouldn’t mind coming back for such affordable and delectable ramen bowls.

1 North Point Drive
Northpoint City, #B2-152
Singapore 768019
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

Kogane Yama, whose name translates to “Golden Mountain”, specialises in serving premium Japanese tendon and other traditional Japanese fares with modern twists and flavours. Known for using only the freshest ingredients and creating the most delicious dishes at a rather affordable price point, Kogane Yama is not one to disappoint.

This August, Kogane Yama has launched a new menu with 3 brand-new Japanese side dishes, 4 flavours of Chahan (garlic fried rice), 2 flavourful bowls of ramen and their National Day dishes, the Salted Egg Tori Karaage Don and Chilli Crab Tendon.

With the market still riding the strong wave of local-inspired dishes, Kogane Yama’s National Day dishes should definitely be on your must-try list. They will only be available from 1 to 31 August 2019 so savour these delectable donburis before they’re gone for good!

SIDE DISHES

Kicking off the meal were three brand new additions to Kogane Yama’s side dish menu. The selection features Idako (seasoned baby octopus), Chinmi (scallop frills) and Kurage (seasoned jellyfish). Prepared with fresh seafood and seasoned to perfection, these traditional Japanese side dishes are a great way to start your meal at Kogane Yama.

We particularly enjoyed the Kurage, seasoned simply with sesame oil, sesame seeds and Japanese chilli flakes. Simplicity at its best, the savoury taste and fresh crunch of the jellyfish definitely whet our appetites.

CHAHAN – GARLIC FRIED RICE

Next up on the table was Kogane Yama’s new myriad of Chahan—an aromatic garlic fried rice. There will be not one, but four, new renditions of this Japanese classic, featuring 4 different types of meat and seafood—Unagi (eel), Salmon, Shirasu (white bait) and Chicken.

Japanese pearl rice is fried with egg, soy sauce and golden brown garlic chips to achieve that smoky flavour known and loved by Japanese cuisine fans. It is a savoury dish that is full of flavour yet still light on the palate.

Our favourites were definitely the Unagi and Salmon Chahan. The fresh flavour and buttery texture of the salmon paired perfectly with the aromatic fried rice, giving it that extra indulgence.

The Unagi Chahan, on the other hand, had a smoky and strong savoury taste, bringing an added depth of flavour to the lightly-flavoured rice. The smoky unagi paired immaculately with the crispy garlic and pearl rice such that we could not help but go for seconds!

HOKKAIDO-STYLE MISO-TONKOTSU RAMEN

Kogane Yama has also released two new ramen dishes with an enriched pork-bone miso broth and springy Hokkaido-style ramen noodles. It comes with two different toppings—Seafood Miso Ramen and Pork Belly Miso Ramen.

The Pork Belly Miso Ramen contains thinly-sliced pork belly strips, fried cabbage and a perfectly runny Hanjuku egg. Simple yet full of flavour, this umami-bomb bowl of ramen will tingle and tantalise your tastebuds.

The Seafood Miso Ramen, on the other hand, comes with juicy prawns, scallops, squid slices and a Hanjuku egg—perfect for seafood lovers. The seafood adds a hint of sweetness to the rich miso-tonkotsu broth, making it even more indulgent and delicious.

You can complete your meal, making it a set that comes with a mini salad or chawanmushi (steamed egg) and a cup of green tea.

CHILLI CRAB TENDON

Kogane Yama is well-loved for their generous portions and delicious Tendon bowls. This National Day, Kogane Yama has created one for Singaporeans and tourists alike to enjoy, featuring a nation-wide favourite flavour—Chilli Crab.

Thick, rich and with a kick of spice, the Chilli Crab gravy is drizzled over a generous array of deep-fried golden-brown ingredients including crispy soft shell crab, sweet potato and long beans. The perfectly-fried savoury toppings complement the sweet and spicy sauce and fluffy Japanese pearl rice.

This Tendon is definitely the show-stopper of Kogane Yama’s upcoming menu.

SALTED EGG TORI KARAAGE DON

If you’re following the cult-favourite Salted Egg trend that has been going strong in Singapore for the past few years, you will be absolutely delighted with this National Day launch from Kogane Yama.

Their Salted Egg Tori Karaage Don features crispy yet juicy fried chicken chunks, stir-fried with a thick salted egg gravy such that every single piece is coated. The salted egg sauce is not overly cloying, having a slight sweetness and a hint of spice from chopped chillis.

Topped with an onsen egg, the dish will be your most indulgent guilty pleasure this August. The Chilli Crab Tendon and Salted Egg Tori Karaage Don will only be available from 1 August to 31 August 2019 so catch these National Day specials before they are gone forever!

YUZU YOGURT JAPANESE SODA

Of course, something to quench your thirst while having such rich and indulgent flavours is necessary. Give Kogane Yama’s Japanese Sodas a try. They come in big pitchers and are great for sharing with friends.

The tanginess and tartness of the yuzu combined the mild sweetness of the yogurt make for a refreshing palate cleanser. It’s perfect in-between dishes or just as a way to wrap up a good meal with your pals!

200 Victoria Street
#02-50 Bugis Junction
Singapore 188021
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

50 Jurong Gateway Road
#01-16, JEM
Singapore 608549
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

This post is brought to you by Kogane Yama.

We often crave for Japanese food, but some days, we do have a budget that limits our choices.

We’ve stumbled upon Yamaya – a hidden gem stowed away in Fortune Centre—serving up delicious and filling set meals at a fraction of the price of the average Japanese restaurant. Check out what we ordered and our thoughts on this hidden gem!

We first ordered a Ten-Don Set (S$12.80) and we were pleasantly surprised by the generous portion of tempura-fried toppings. The set also comes with a side of Oden, pickled radish and sour plums.

The fried ingredients consisted of two juicy ebi prawns, two long beans, slices of eggplant, sweet potato, perilla-wrapped fish and pumpkin. A sweet ten-don sauce was drizzled atop the fried items and fluffy Japanese rice, completing the dish.

Next up on the table was the Shabu Don Set (S$9.80). A bed of Japanese pearl rice was topped with thinly-sliced beef with a sweet-and-savoury sauce and onions.

The set came with a Sesame Salad, an onsen egg, Oden, pickled radish and sour plums.

The best part was the gooey yolk that when burst, coated the beef, onions and rice oh so deliciously!

Yamaya is located on the first floor of Fortune Centre, and lunch hour sees hungry executives flocking there for cheap lunch sets. It dons a traditional wooden interior, making it look like it came straight out of a street in Japan.

Yamaya
190 Middle Road
Fortune Centre, #01-33
Singapore 188979
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
(Closed on Sundays)

Japan’s renowned Kushikatsu chain with over 160 outlets, Kushikatsu Tanaka, is now in Singapore. Located right smack in the middle of bustling Clarke Quay, this less-than-a-year-old eatery is famous for its Kushikatsu (fried cutlet skewers) and signature dipping sauce.

Kushikatsu is a Japanese delicacy comprising an assortment of lightly breaded and deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables. In Japanese, kushi translates to skewers while katsu refers to a deep-fried meat cutlet.

A step into Kushikatsu Tanaka will transport you to a traditional izakaya in Japan, with its dim-hued interior and a rustic decor that sets does well to mimic a similar mood. Offering a range of wallet-friendly Japanese bar grub and alcohol, this is definitely the go-to spot for some after-work drinks and gathering.

First up on our table was the lightly steamed and perfectly salted appetiser, Edamame (S$5++). These protein-rich soybeans are fresh and sweet, making for a good pre-meal snack.

Moving on to something that required a little elbow grease, was the DIY Potato Salad Mentaiko ($10++)!

It came with a generous portion of potatoes, an ajitsuke tamago (Japanese marinated soft-boiled egg) and crunchy bacon bits seasoned with black pepper and mayonnaise, topped with a decent portion of savoury mentaiko chunks—all of which required grinding and mixing using a pastel. 

By grinding everything together yourself, you can adjust the texture of the salad to suit your taste. We liked ours to be slightly chunky so that we can taste a bit of everything.

The star of the night was definitely the legendary Kushikatsu (Assorted Skewers). We got ourselves the Recommended 5 (S$8.20++), which came with Asparagus, Lotus Root, Beef, Pork and Onion.

Coated in Panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried till golden brown, the skewers were insanely crispy without being greasy at all. What made this dish even better was the special dipping sauce that was tangy and extremely addictive.

Kushikatsu Tanaka
3A River Valley Road, Merchant Court
Clarke Quay Block A #01-01B
Singapore 179020
Tel: +65 6258 3789
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5pm – 12am
Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

There have been more and more halal eateries popping up all around Singapore in recent months, which is great because that means more places to eat out with our Muslim friends!

A relatively new addition to that list, a must-try if you’re a fan of beef and Japanese food, is Gyunion. This humble hole-in-the-wall Japanese eatery sells authentic, Halal-Certified Japanese cuisine with ingredients that are directly sourced from Japan. So, if you’re looking for somewhere new to feast on some hearty Japanese food, this is definitely a place to consider.

Gyunion is the brainchild of 3 good friends who wanted to provide Halal Japanese food for the Muslim community.

This tiny restaurant was almost impossible to spot given its small size and there are literally only a few seats available, making it not the most ideal for big groups.

The first thing that we tried was their Gyu-men (S$8.90), which featured thinly sliced beef and onions with thin noodles soaked in a warm beef broth. We absolutely love the beef here! The beef slices were nice and thin, which helped it to soak up all the sauce as well as made it easier to chew. 

We were also advised to dress up the noodles with condiments such as shoyu sauce and Japanese chilli flakes according to our taste preference. Upon first taste, we understood why we were asked to do so because the noodles were a tad bit bland. 

We also tried their Gyu-don (S$7.90), which is a beef rice bowl. The portions were generous and we loved how the onsen egg gave the don a much creamier consistency.

For lunch, you can also pay $9.90 for a meal that comes with a drink as well as an onsen egg.

Gyunion is definitely a must-try recommendation from us if you’re looking for a no-frills, minimalistic place that serves up solid, authentic Japanese food. They are however only available on weekdays, so don’t go down on a weekend to avoid disappointment!

Gyunion
91 Bencoolen Street, #01-23
Bencoolen Plaza
Singapore 189652
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon – Fri: 12pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bencoolen

Hardly do we ever hear the words ‘affordable’ and ‘beef’ in the same sentence—especially in Singapore, to chance upon pocket-friendly beef that doesn’t skimp on quality is uncommon.

Brought to you by the same folks behind sake gastrobar Kabuke, Tokidon is a relatively new concept that recently opened in Hong Leong Building. Priding themselves as the ‘Purveyor of Gourmet Wagyu Bowls’, their menu focuses on a selective but tantalizing range of beef bowls—all at a price that will not burn a hole in your wallet.

With prices starting from just S$11.90, Tokidon is where all beef-lovers should keep their eyes peeled for.

Hidden in the corner of the basement in Hong Leong Building, this 80′s Disco-inspired Japanese eatery is hard to miss—decked out in quirky multi-coloured neon lights, this 20-seater eatery in the heart of Raffles Place may just be the next hit amongst those working in the area.

We opted for a serving of Tokidon’s most basic bowl—the Gyudon (S$11.90 nett). Fluffy white Japanese rice is topped with furikake and a light garlic soy dressing, as well as slices of striploin and an onsen egg—the hallmark of a classic Japanese beef bowl.

Served medium rare, we found some inconsistency in the doneness of the striploin but nonetheless, each piece impressed us. While it wasn’t melt-in-your-mouth tender, the striploin was extremely well-seasoned and paired well with the fried garlic chips and oozy onsen egg which gave the dish an added dimension of flavours.

Considering its price, this was one pretty darn good bowl of gyudon we’d see ourselves returning for.

Should you find yourself hankering for something fancier that encompasses an added oomph of flavours, the Truffle Wagyu Don (S$23.90 nett) would go highly recommended.

As one of Tokidon’s signature items, what you can expect is a sizeable portion of wagyu striploin with a dash of their house-blend truffle soy sauce drizzled over it.

Served medium-rare with a pink centre in the middle, barely any effort is needed to chew into the tender and juicy wagyu striploin slices. Although we thought that the meat itself was already good on its own, the truffle soy sauce—though extremely light on the palates—only served to bring out the best flavours of the beef bowl.

Other options include Truffle Tenderloin Don (S$15.90), Wagyu Sukiyaki Don (S$17.90) and Wagyu Misozuke Don (S$23.90).

16 Raffles Quay
Hong Leong Building #B1-33
Singapore 048581
Tel: +65 9151 9572
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place