Eating out can be all fun and games but there are just those days when our legs just don’t feel like cooperating. All we want to do is just sprawl across our bed and cosy up with our favourite Netflix show.

Well, thank God for food delivery services. Whether you’re getting emotional over Crash Landing On You or at the edge of your seat watching Money Heist, you can always get grub served to you at your doorstep in minutes.

We’ve put together a list of 6 comfort foods to accompany your binge-watching sessions and where you can get them from. Take your pick from chewy Korean noodles to Japanese rice bowls!

#1 BAK KUT TEH

On those rainy days when you just want to snuggle up on the couch and get cosy with a hot bowl of soup, you can’t go wrong with bak kut teh. This comforting dish hits all the right spots with its rich herbal broth and fall-off-the-bone pork ribs.

Plus, delivering this dish to your house allows the ribs to stew a little longer, enriching the broth and tenderising the meat just a tad more.

If you’re craving this heartwarming dish, Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh has got your back. This Johor-based bak kut teh claypot restaurant cooks their soups over a charcoal flame, promising full-bodied herbal flavours.

Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh is available for delivery on Deliveroo, Foodpanda and Grabfood.

Kota Zheng Zong Bak Kut Teh
15A Lor Liput
Singapore 277730
Mon – Fri: 11am – 3.30pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#2 CUSTOMISABLE CHIRASHI BOWLS

Maybe you’re watching Jiro Dreams of Sushi and it’s triggering some Japanese food cravings. Whether it’s buttery cubes of sashimi or juicy beef, you’re itching for some Japanese fare. Well, grab your phone and navigate straight to Sora Boru.

This halal-certified restaurant serves up casual yet thoughtful Japanese eats, from customisable chirashi bowls to Japanese curries. And thanks to speedy delivery services, the food served at your doorstep will be as good as if you dined in there.

Sora Boru’s rice bowls are available for delivery on Deliveroo, Foodpanda and Grabfood.

Sora Boru
313 Orchard Rd, 313@Somerset, #B3-19/20
Singapore 238895
Sun – Thurs: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri – Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#3 FRIED CHICKEN

Crispy, golden and greasy — fried chicken is quite simply, magical. Taking a bite into a crackling, juicy drumstick after a long tiring day is the culinary equivalent of taking a shower on a sweltering afternoon. The best part about having fried chicken at home? You can eat as messily as you want without worrying about looking like a caveman in public.

For a satisfying fried chicken indulgence, look no further than Chir Chir. This chain restaurant does some seriously good Korean fried chicken, with quirky flavours such as mala and cream onion.

Chir Chir’s fried chicken is available for delivery on Deliveroo, Foodpanda and Grabfood.

313 Orchard Rd, #B3-04/05/06, 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel +65 6509 8364
Sun – Thurs: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri – Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#4 GALBI-JJIM

If you’ve never had galbi-jjim before, you’re missing out. This Korean dish sees fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs braised in a rich, savoury sauce. Pairing perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice, this homely dish makes for a wholesome, fuss-free dinner.

And don’t worry, having this as a takeaway will only enhance its flavour as the meat sits longer in the delicious gravy. You can get this Korean classic from Masizzim or Hanok by Masizzim.

Both concepts are centred around delicious, authentic Korean cuisine — think bubbling cauldrons of rich stews and charred, crisp pancakes.

Masizzim’s galbi-jjim is available for delivery on Deliveroo, Foodpanda and Grabfood.

313 Orchard Rd, #B3-02, 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel +65 6509 5808
Sun – Thurs: 11am – 10pm
Fri – Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#5 JJAMPONG & PIZZA

Playing like a soupy variation of Samyang noodles, jjampong is a type of Korean spicy noodle soup typically loaded with seafood and vegetables. Slurp up some chewy noodles while demolishing episodes of Running Man for the ultimate Friday night activity.

Nipong Naepong is ready to stuff you silly with their modern takes on jjampong and fusion pizza. Their menu sees a harmonious blend of Korean and Italian flavours, featuring dishes with the likes of creamy jjampong and kimchi risotto.

Nipong Naepong’s jjampong and pizza are available for delivery on Deliveroo, Foodpanda and Grabfood.

313 Orchard Road, #B3-03, 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel +65 6509 8364
Sun – Thurs: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri – Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#6 TENDON DONBURI

If the Japanese were to share their longevity secrets with us, eating tendon donburi would probably not make it to the list. Anyhow, this sinful treat is to die for. ASMR-crispy tempura on a bed of perfectly cooked rice? We’re down. And, trust us, it isn’t going to get soggy on its way to your house.

Hit up Kogane Yama to get a fix of some scrumptious tendon donburi bowls. If you’re not craving fried foods, they also offer garlic fried rice and salmon salads.

Kogane Yama’s tendon donburi bowls are available for delivery on Deliveroo, Foodpanda and Grabfood.

200 Victoria St, #02-50, Bugis Junction
Singapore 188021
Sun – Thurs: 11am – 10pm
Fri – Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

The delivery menus for all the six restaurants offer majority of the dine-in dishes, with the exception of those that are not recommended for transport.

From the uncountable Japanese restaurant options we have in Singapore, one thing is for sure—Singaporeans can never get enough of Japanese cuisine. From sashimi to sushi and donburi, there is surely no lack of decent ones to be found in Singapore and the only concern is the price tag that comes along with it.

While many people would assume that Japanese cuisine in Singapore is generally heavy on the wallet, there are actually some dining establishments that aim to offer reasonably-priced Japanese dishes for the mass market.

Although the furnishings are simpler and there is no top-notch service to speak of at these places, you can expect value-for-money when it comes to these 17 no-frills Japanese eateries in Singapore.

Photo Credit: Char Sticks & Grill

CHAR STICKS & GRILL

As a kushiyaki bar concept, Char Sticks & Grill is a hangout spot for the young who are able to indulge in Japanese skewered meats that are grilled over an open charcoal fire.

Their impressive menu comprises no less than 50 items to choose from—poultry, seafood and vegetables included—you name it, they have it! For the hardcore carnivores, the Japanese eatery also offers a range of ribs so you leave with a satisfied tummy.

2 Jalan Lokam #01-54
Kensington square,
Singapore 537846
Tel: +65 8188 2902
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 3.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bartley

DISTRICT SUSHI

District Sushi is a Japanese joint that serves up delicious Japanese fare at wallet-friendly prices. Their stellar Bara Chirashi Don, which is priced affordably sans GST and service charge, is stacked high with generous cubes of fresh marinated fish and is one of their most frequently ordered items.

Besides that, the casual eatery also has a range of sashimi, nigiri sushi and a la carte sides that are mostly below S$15.

91 Bencoolen Street
#01-15, Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
(Closed on Sundays)
Daily: 11.30pm – 2pm, 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Bencoolen

DONYA JAPANESE CUISINE

Donya is known for their super affordable Salmon Mentai Don (S$8.80) that comes with generous portions of mentaiko sauce. Located within a HDB coffeeshop in Toa Payoh, this stall also offers other pocket-friendly donburi and sushi rolls available there.

126 Lor 1 Toa Payoh
Singapore 310126
Daily: 11am – 2:30pm, 5pm – 8:30pm
Nearest Station: Braddell

Photo Credit: En Sushi

EN SUSHI

Named after the Japanese character for gratitude, En Sushi pays homage to the treasures of the ocean in the form of sashimi and sushi. They craft each and every dish with Japanese perfectionism in their work and authentic ‘omotenashi’ hospitality to each customer they serve.

With their new relocation to Middle Road, co-founders Mr Kenneth Koh and ex-Nogawa chef, Mr Kenneth Tan hope to bring an elevated Japanese cuisine and experience at reasonable prices to every diner.

112 Middle Road, #01-00B
Midland House,
Singapore 188970
Tel: +65 6259 8548
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

ICHI-TEI

This low-key Japanese eatery is where one can find affordable Japanese food in town. If you are on a budget, Ichi Tei serves simple and flavourful meals below S$14. We thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken Teriyaki Rice Set which comes with a small portion of potato salad and miso soup.

Otherwise, Ichi Tei also has other options such as Curry Rice, Udon, Udon Curry and some of the basic side dishes.

91 Bencoolen Street
#01-52 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9139 1746
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

Photo Credit: Maki Alcarde

IDATEN UDON

Idaten Udon is a budget-friendly option for some slurp-worthy, customisable udon! From just S$5.80, you can enjoy their Zaru Udon or Kake Udon with various sides available at the counter. For S$1 more, you can upgrade your udon to their special flavours such as Matcha, Yuzu, Tomato and Carrot for a colourful bowl of noodles.

Aside from soup and dry udon, you can also opt for their Curry Udon (S$6.90) that comes with chunks of carrots and potatoes. Idaten Udon also serves rice bowls, such as the Beef Curry Rice (S$9) and Beef Sukiyaki Rice (S$9), for those who are not feeling udon.

1 Raffles Link
#B1-21 CityLink Mall
Singapore 039393
Tel: +65 6238 7490
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Esplanade

IZAKAYA NIJUMARU

Izakaya Nijumaru is one hidden gem in Cuppage Plaza.

It is tucked at a corner on the second level of Cuppage Plaza and the nondescript outlet features a comprehensive menu that comes at reasonable prices. Its traditional setting—complete with dim lights, counter seats, seasonal menu handwritten in Japanese will have you reminiscing your times in Japan.

5 Koek Road
#02-10/12 Cuppage Plaza
Singapore 228796
Tel: +65 6235 6693
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

JAPANESE EXPRESS CURRY

Situated within Fortune Centre, Japanese Curry Express is one of our favourite places to get affordable Japanese fare. They do mentai dishes well, with a balance of savouriness and creaminess; Their signature Salmon Mentai Don (S$11 Small, S$14 Large) is a hit amongst the crowd!

We recommend you guys to get their sushi rolls as well, especially the Ebi Mango Maki and Spider Maki, that costs below S$10 each. This eatery gets extremely packed during lunch time, so be sure to drop by early.

190 Middle Rd
#03-04 Fortune Centre
Singapore 188979
Tel: +65 9689 6314
Mon to Sat: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 8:30pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Bugis/Rochor

KAZOKU JAPANESE CUISINE

Kazoku Japanese Cuisine is a humble family Japanese eatery that serves up quality Japanese fare at affordable prices.

Kazoku Japanese Cusine’s Salmon Don met all expectations. A whopping 10 pieces of fresh, thinly-sliced salmon sashimi sits atop a bed of rice and is topped off with a spoonful of wasabi and fish roe.

1 Goldhill Plaza #01-05
Singapore 308899
Tel: +65 9687 3782
Mon, Wed to Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Tue: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

OMOTÉ

Now re-branded as Omoté, this humble donburi-speciality restaurant serves up awesome value-for-money Bara Chirashi Don. But 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.

No doubt the queues might be off-putting, but we assure you that it is definitely worth the wait!

#03-24A, , 301 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574408
Tel: +65 9450 1020
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Mon to Sun: 11.45am – 2.15pm, 5.45pm – 9.15pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

SORA BORU

Conveniently located in 313@Somerset, you can find affordable donburis at Sora Boru. From meat to seafood options, there’s a plethora of dishes to choose from. Their signature Flaming Beef Don (S$11.90) is stacked with slices of mountainous-looking flame-grilled beef then drizzled with their made-in-house spicy gochujang sauce.

They offer customisable chirashi dons ranging from S$6.50 to S$16.90, depending on the size chosen. For Japanese curry lovers, you can indulge in a rich and robust bowl of curry don at Sora Boru as well.

313 Orchard Road
#B3-19/20 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9:30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SUPARAKKI RAMEN

Ramen is our guilty-pleasure, even more so on rainy days. Suparakki’s Dry Truffle Ramen (S$6.90) is deeply-infused with truffle oil and topped with a concoction of pulled pork, hanjuku egg and other condiments. An absolute treat for the fungi-loving people. The Spicy Original Tonkotsu Ramen (S$7.90) was soaked in a rich pork broth with springy noodles, and was well-complemented with the melt-in-your-mouth chashu.

1 NorthPoint Dr
#B2-154 Northpoint City
Singapore 768098
Daily: 10:30am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

TACHINOMIYA

Tachinomiya is a quaint Japanese bar that serves up Japanese street food and a variety of Japanese sakes and beers. From yakitori to sashimi, you will be surprised at how much this little hole in the wall can conjure up.

Tachinomiya opens until late on most days which is always great for an evening tipple.

211 Hougang Street 21
#01-285
Tel: +65 6286 0738
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 12am
Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 1am
Sat: 11.30am – 2am
Sun: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Kovan

TAKAGI RAMEN

Who would think that it is possible to get a lip smacking bowl of authentic Japanese ramen at  for less than S$10? From their first outlet in 2015 at Ang Mo Kio, they have now expanded with three other outlets in Pasir Ris, Jurong West and NUS.

You can savour quality ramen such as their popular Karata-men (S$7.50) that is, a spicy tonkotsu soup topped with tender sliced chashu and handmade thin ramen. There are donburis and dry ramen options available too!

51 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
#01-01C 51@AMK
Singapore 569922
Tel: +65 9138 8017
Daily: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

THE SUSHI BAR

Originally a small sushi place at Far East Plaza, The Sushi Bar has seen tremendous success amongst Singaporeans and currently has two outlets, with the other one located at Ngee Ann City.

They serve the standard dishes like sushi, sashimi, and donburi bowls, but if you only have room for one dish, you must try the famous Salmon Aburi Sushi.

14 Scotts Road
#04-28 Far East Plaza
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 9653 6464 (SMS reservation only)
Daily: 11.30am – 9.45pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

WASABI TEI

Nestled within Far East Plaza, Wasabi Tei is a humble Japanese eatery that offers affordable Japanese cuisine. There is nothing fancy about its interior and diners huddle around a counter that comes with limited seats. The standards have dropped over the years and we will not go to Far East Plaza just to have a meal. But if you happen to be in the area, go for their lunch sets (S$12 onwards) which include as Teriyaki Chicken Set, Unagi Kabayaki Set and Salmon Chirashi Set.

14 Scotts Road
#05-68/70, Far East Plaza
Singapore 228213
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 4pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

YAKINIKU LIKE

This Yakiniku chain in PLQ Mall attracted queues that never seem to end ever since their opening in Feb 2020. Aside from being an affordable choice, this is also a place perfect for solo diners who are seeking to enjoy yakiniku without feeling awkward.

You can get a Karubi Set for just S$8.80! This is probably one of the cheapest yakiniku set you can ever find in a restaurant setting, or in Singapore even. If you’re feeling more premium, opt for the Wagyu Steak Set at just S$19.80 for 120g. All sets come with rice, soup and kimchi or salad, it’s definitely gonna fill you up.

10 Paya Lebar Road
#B1-28 Paya Lebar Quarter
Singapore 409057
Daily: 11am – 10m
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

A brand new addition to PasarBella’s last standing outlet in Suntec City is Japanese donburi specialist, Wan Niu Wan. They mainly focus on meat-based dishes using top-quality stuff such as Iberico pork jowl, Karubi short ribs and of course, the luxe Wagyu.

An easy, quick and surprisingly wallet-friendly option in the heart of town, donburi is a great option to consider but what sets these folks apart is their clear attention to detail and the way that they treat their meat pre and post cooking, resulting in a rice bowl that’s well balanced.

Their menu is straightforward in its approach, just rice bowls featuring a variety of meat options from the high-end Wagyu to the affordable teriyaki chicken.

Boasting a heady aroma of fresh truffle and toasted sesame seeds, the Wagyu Bowl (S$25) is truly one of the most well-prepared ones we’ve tried over the years. For one, we appreciated that everything was properly seasoned and it was also great that every component of the dish was skilfully prepared.

The Wagyu, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, revealed specks of buttery fat running through the meat, indicating that it was indeed beef of exceptional quality, which, doesn’t leave much to the imagination with regards to how utterly orgasmic it tasted.

Great news though, as part of their opening promotion, this particular rice bowl is only going at S$19.90!

We also had the Karubi Rice (S$16.50), a donburi featuring a tender short rib, coated with a fruity yakitori, garlic-sesame sauce atop Japanese rice. No regrets getting this because it was literally mind-blowing.

The moment you take a bite, a number of sensations are simultaneously felt. You get the buttery, slightly sweetish soft beef that melts on the tongue followed by the fruity sauce that livens up the entire dish. This does not come with an onsen egg although we highly recommend adding it on for S$2.

Wan Niu Wan
3 Temasek Boulevard, #01-455
Singapore 038988
PasarBella Suntec City Mall
Tel: +65 8309 3212
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

Few things in life are as mind-blowing as Wagyu beef. Better yet, thick juicy slices of perfectly seared, smoky and tender Wagyu on a bed of sauced up Japanese rice, a healthy amount of pickles and an onsen egg for good measure—yes, we’re talking about Wagyu donburi.

Beef bowls are a mainstay at many Japanese restaurants, but what goes into a bowl and how every component is treated varies across the board. We particularly enjoyed the version at Waa Cow! due to its simplicity and its emphasis on flame-torching their Wagyu prior to plating.

If you’re ever planning on indulging on something as rich and luxurious as a Wagyu bowl, we urge you not to waste your calories (and money), head on down to Waa Cow! for one heck of a memorable meal.

You can’t go wrong with their Mentaiko Wagyu Beef Bowl (S$21.90) that comprises a bed of Akitakomachi rice that is topped with 24-hour sous vide Wagyu beef smeared with creamy mentaiko and a tender onsen egg.

Every component was spot on from the beef right down to the pickles served at the side. To say the least, this was easily one of the best beef bowls we’ve ever had.

At its price, the Yuzu Foie Gras Wagyu Beef Bowl (S$25.90) is a far better bargain than many that we have tried before that either cost more than double the price or just tasted underwhelming overall.

Comfortably nestled atop a bowl of fluffy Japanese rice sits a generous layer of charred, smoky slices of succulent beef, a sizeable portion of foie gras and of course, the obligatory runny onsen egg to bind it all together and to give it an additional layer of richness. The light sprinkling of yuzu peel over the foie gras does well to provide a citrusy appeal and nicely cuts through the intense fattiness.

Seafood lovers are sure to enjoy the Mentaiko Salmon Don (S$18.90), a delicious plate made with sashimi-grade salmon that is cooked medium-rare and topped with mentaiko, shoyu and a heaping mound of tobiko (flying fish roe).

Waa Cow!
5 Straits View, #01-09 Marina One
The Heart West Tower,
Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 9851 1552
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

Many hold Tanuki Raw in high regard not only because of their enticing happy hours and their affordable oysters, but mainly because these folks know how to guarantee a fun time through their remarkably innovative grub and tipples.

These are the same folks who inspired and more importantly popularised the low-cost Yakiniku Donburi—a heady bowl of sushi rice topped with strips of Angus short rib, doused in a truffle sauce and topped with a wobbly onsen egg.

Photo Credit: Tanuki Raw

Don’t think for a minute that this is some ordinary sushi and sashimi eatery because it’s not—just don’t forget to take advantage of their signature daily raw bar—their original claim to fame—that features top of the line oysters, freshly shucked for enjoyment.

The restaurant sees two open concept areas where chefs and bartenders alike can be seen expertly doing their thing from shucking oysters by the boxes to flame torching an assortment of rice bowls and even shaking some magnificent tipples.

Loyal patrons would tell you that Tanuki Raw is best for their impeccable range of donburi which—unsurprisingly—also happens to be their bestsellers. If you are having trouble deciding which to pick, then you cannot go wrong with the Truffle Yakiniku (S$18++), Salted Duck Egg Char Siew (S$18++) and Tanuki Kaisen Chirashi (S$24.90++).

Save your stomach for more because Tanuki Raw’s decadent sushi rolls are perfect for sharing as well. Some options to consider include Tanuki Aburi Maki (S$14.90++), Superstar Roll (S$12.90++) and The California Roll (S$8.90++).

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Tanuki Raw
181 Orchard Road
04-01, Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6636 5949
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Located in Oxley Bizhub—just a short walk from Tai Seng MRT Station—Yamato Izakaya is a melting pot of three Japanese dining concepts under one roof! Featuring the likes of famous unagi restaurant, Man Man, Ramen Hitoyoshi and Tora Tora, this restaurant is on its way to becoming a stalwart for local Japanese dining in Singapore.

Beloved for their fresh and modern renditions (and generous portions) of grilled Japanese eel, Man Man’s unagi dishes is a definite must-try. But be sure to save room for Ramen Hitoyoshi’s signature ramen as well as the vast array of sushi and donburi options courtesy of Tora Tora.

Yamato Izakaya is no doubt one spot to visit should you find yourself hankering for authentic, rock-solid Japanese food. On Saturdays, parking on site is free so that’s another plus point if you’re thinking of paying this restaurant a visit for a hearty family lunch.

It’s pretty difficult to miss this restaurant because whether you are driving past, in or around Oxley Bizhub, chances are you’ll catch a glimpse of their massive signboard out front.

The restaurant itself can easily accommodate more than a hundred patrons given its huge space and the 3 kitchens all take on an open concept, meaning that you get to see the chefs at work while you wait for your food.

Man Man offers its famous unagi in three portions—Unatama (S$20.50++), medium (S$28.40++) and large (S$36.10++)

The Unatama (S$20.50++) is substantial enough to allow one to savour their prized dish without getting sick of it as well as to leave room to try the other offerings from Ramen Hitoyoshi and Tora Tora.

Tastewise, it was probably one of the best unagi dishes we have ever had in Singapore. Sweet, oily with a deeply charred flavour and texturally one of the most delicate pieces of fish around, take our word for it and order a bigger portion of this.

The rice bowl comes with 2 thick slices of tamago which do well to bolster the richness of the unagi as well.

Hitoyoshi Ramen delights diners with their wide array of ramen dishes that are all customisable depending on how distinct your palate is. We opted for the most basic, Tonkotsu Ramen (S$10.90) which came with a generous portion of ramen noodles, slices of pork and a beautifully seasoned egg.

The Tonkotsu broth was rich in flavour and brimming with porky goodness. The infusion of the black fungus really does give it a heightened umami taste and we particularly loved just how thick and concentrated the broth was.

If you’re ever unsure of what to order, especially given Tora Tora’s extensive range donburi offerings, consider their Futago Don which essentially is a pair of dons in one!

We got the Kaisen Don (S$7) along with the Ikura Don (S$7) which comprised a generous serving of diced up salmon, tuna, scallops, geoduck and a huge dollop of ikura over top. Salty, fresh and jam-packed with umami goodness, this is definitely something to opt for if you’re a sashimi fanatic.

Yamato Izakaya
65 Ubi Road 1, #01-92 Oxley Bizhub,
Singapore 408729
Tel: +65 6385 5273
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Armed with culinary skills gleaned from his 2-decades-long experience preparing sushi and cooking Japanese food, Chef Kenji Nakagawa—a master in the art of Edomae sushi—astounds yet again with his stellar line-up of sensational donburi options available during lunch.

From now until 14 June 2018 (except 12 and 13 May 2018), our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy Sushi Jiro’s donburi lunch sets (which comes with a serving of chawanmushi and miso soup) at the following prices: luxurious Wagyu Don at S$50++ (U.P. S$68++), Una Don at S$48++ (U.P. S$58++), Chirashi Don at S$48++ and new to their donburi line-up, Tendon at S$20++.

Additionally, there is also a 20% discount on all Japanese sake and wine across lunch and dinner—this applies every day of the week so you have no reason to not drink up.

As far as Japanese fine dining goes, Sushi Jiro still remains one of our top few picks for the very simple reason that top quality ingredients remain at the heart of their food and coupled with Chef Kenji’s culinary mastery, our taste buds are always taken on a sensational trip.

UNA DON

Unagi-focused restaurants are common in Japan, but become rare treasures once you leave the country’s shores. Thankfully, there are no shortages of places to get these flavourful bad boys in Singapore.

Sushi Jiro’s Una Don (S$48++, U.P. S$58++) does not disappoint and we particularly liked the way that Chef Kenji prepares his rendition of the traditional Edo-period dish. He coats it with just enough tare to give the unagi a glorious sheen as well as a sweet and savoury finish but not overdoing it such that it totally drowns out the taste of the freshwater eel.

The shredded egg crepe that forms the bed is a nice touch as well. Providing a nice eggy flavour, it—along with the Japanese pickles on the side—really takes the edge off savoury, slightly fishy eel.

WAGYU DON

If like us, you’re a sucker for premium quality beef or more specifically wagyu beef, then their Wagyu Don (S$50++, U.P. S$68++) is definitely something to go for.

Otherwise known as ‘gyudon’ at many Japanese establishments, this stellar beef rice bowl boasts a generous serving of thickly cut, buttery wagyu that brims with intense beefy flavour. The real showstopper here is undoubtedly the beef but more so, the rendered beef fat that just finds its way in and around the bowl, coating the individual rice grains as it goes along.

The onsen egg provides a secondary layer of richness which, when eaten together with the wagyu and rice, creates one heck of luxurious flavour explosion.

TENDON

New to their donburi lineup is the Tendon (S$20++). Featuring a variety of ingredients deep-fried to golden perfection, each individual component boasts a crispy exterior and a soft, tender interior.

The ebi (prawn), in particular, was a standout. Lightly battered, the ebi tempura was neither too overly doughy nor oily. The crunch was delightful and coupled with the naturally sweet prawn and the savoury-sweet sauce drizzled over top, made for a totally enjoyable experience.

CHIRASHI DON

As much as we tend to harp on the restaurant relying on fresh ingredients and treating them delicately so as to retain as much as of its natural flavour as possible, none perfectly epitomises this notion better than their Chirashi Don (S$48++).

Featuring a mixture of fresh, thickly cut fish including the likes of the oh-so-luxurious otoro (fatty tuna), uni (sea urchin) and more, you’ll undoubtedly be yearning for it for days. The variety of fish in this single bowl also gives diners the opportunity to sample different seasonal catches of varying tastes and textures—a huge bonus considering that a medley of premium fish like this would be much more expensive elsewhere.

WINE & SAKE PROMOTION

Now, the only thing left to do to complete your dining experience is to pair your Japanese food with Japanese sake and wine!

Sushi Jiro is currently running a 20% promotion off all sake and wine on their expansive drinks menu so there really is no reason why you should be skipping alcohol for your next meal there.

And if you have always wanted to try premium Japanese alcohol (man, the Japanese make really good alcohol beverages!), this is your chance because it is not every day that you get a 20% discount off something so premium, yes?

From now until 14 June 2018 (except 12 and 13 May 2018), our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy Sushi Jiro’s donburi lunch sets (which comes with a serving of chawanmushi and miso soup) at the following prices: luxurious Wagyu Don at S$50++ (U.P. S$68++), Una Don at S$48++ (U.P. S$58++), Chirashi Don at S$48++ and new to their donburi line-up, Tendon at S$20++.

This promotion is not valid in conjunction with others promotions and discount.

Sushi Jiro Singapore
6 Raffles Boulevard
#04-600 Marina Mandarin Singapore
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6445 3055
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade
reservation email : sushi.jiro@sushijiro.sg

This post is brought to you by Sushi Jiro Singapore.

A yakitori restaurant is not something that you would typically imagine popping up around neighbourhood areas let alone in the middle of a park, but ToriYard is perhaps the first exception.

Taking over the premise of the now-defunct The Cornerstone in Bishan Park, this newly-opened yakitori joint by actress-turned-business owner Jazreel Low is where your best pals, a round of wind-down drinks and an array of masterfully grilled meat skewers go hand-in-hand.

The restaurant’s overall aesthetic is kept fairly minimalistic but with an industrial edge. The bar area showcases their wide range of sakes, wines and spirits, while the sauce bar displays several types of condiments that you can pair with your meal.

The menu is curated and designed by Tokyo native, Chef Hasegawa Isao, who has had close to 40 years of culinary experience in Japan, France and Malaysia. For lunch choose from a wide array of chicken-focused yakitori skewers, side dishes as well as donburi and teisyoko (set lunches).

A greater variety of yakitori options are available in their dinner menu with more meats such as pork and beef.

The Shake Don (S$17)—essentially a donburi filled with thick chunks of salmon, ikura, avocado and tamago—is a great option to get if you’re a salmon lover. The bowl comes with sides comprising miso soup, salad and pickles that all do well to complement the fat-filled dish as well as to bulk up your lunch.

For lunch, there are a total of 10 chicken-focused yakitori options to choose from. We got a variety of 5 different skewers namely the Chicken Skin (S$4), Chicken Fillet (S$4), Chicken Tail (S$4), Chicken Soft Bone (S$4) and lastly the Chicken Wing (S$4).

Grilled to perfection over a special charcoal that the restaurant imports directly from Japan, the Chicken Wing (S$4) boasts an irresistibly crispy skin adorned with a few charred edges.

Despite having very little seasoning, we were surprised by how tasty the chicken was by itself. The outside was crispy with mild smoky notes from the charcoal and the meat in the centre was succulent and tender.

While many might shun the chicken’s backside, we urge you to order up their Chicken Tail (S$4). Grilled to a golden hue and licked with their house-made teriyaki sauce, each bite promises a refreshing hit of tender, smoky chicken, with a touch of umami and sweetness.

The various yakitori offerings might hold their own wonderfully well but should you desire some additional kick, proceed further past the kitchen counter to the condiment station where you can feel free to indulge in as much or as little condiments as you like.

After everything that’s been said, done and devoured, we can’t help but admit that we loved everything about ToriYard from its non-pretentious yakitori options, its serene ambience and exceptional service. What else can we say? If you love grilled meat skewers and good vibes then ToriYard is a joint that you should seriously hit up.

ToriYard
1380 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Singapore 569930
Tel: +65 9296 5988
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio / Bishan

The Bettership, a sashimi-centric eatery, has recently opened up on the ground floor of The Cathay. This humble Japanese eatery serves up boats—yes, boats—of fresh restaurant-standard sashimi as well as show-stopping donburi.

Priced decently at no more than S$20 for a sizeable donburi, this makes it a rather affordable option as opposed to many restaurants. And if you happen to be in the area during noon time, take advantage of their set lunch promotion. Available from 12pm to 6pm on weekdays, their Chirashi Don goes for only S$15.90 with the addition of a bowl of miso soup and green tea.

If you happen to be looking for a bite either before or after a movie or simply just an affordable alternative to satisfy your sashimi cravings, The Bettership is a great spot to check out.

The Bettership adopts a rather simple hole-in-the-wall concept with an open kitchen where diners can watch as their food gets prepared. Sticking true to its name, you will also notice that the shape of the dining counter is shaped like the front of a ship.

Their menu is pretty straightforward, either you pick from their wide selection of donburi potions or simply go for their variety of sashimi options that can be served in the form of a Basic Don, Premium Don, or in the classic Sashimi Setting.

Served in a tiny wooden ship-like bowl, the Chirashi Don (S$17.90) comprises diced salmon, tuna, tamago, cucumber and a variety of other fishes—all of which were laid out neatly atop a bed of tasty Japanese rice.

As with any good chirashi don, the ingredients were fresh, chunky and plentiful, allowing the unique flavour and textural qualities of each individual item to shine through. The addition of nori, although intended as more of a garnish, provided a lovely umami note to the dish which bolded well with the robust fishy flavours.

An alternative to consider should you wish to enjoy sashimi at its textural best is the Kaisen Don (S$17.90) which is served in a sashimi boat. This dish features thick slices of salmon, maguro (tuna), hamachi (yellowtail), swordfish, scallop and is accompanied by tamago, radish, jellyfish, inari (beancurd) skin, and ginger slices.

Overall, we were very impressed by the quality of food here and the sheer hospitality of the staff also helped make our lunch a very pleasant one.

The Bettership
2 Handy Road #01-03,
The Cathay
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 6835 9006
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

Located at International Plaza, DOCO—short for ‘Donburi Coconut’—is the new kid on the CBD circuit where you can now look to for hearty protein-packed rice bowls and refreshing coconut soft serve.

This speciality food kiosk was set up as part of a joint venture between brands, Soi Coco and Fish Sh-nack, of which are known for their coconut and fried fish skin products respectively. Being relatively new, their only offerings thus far comprise two speciality donburi rice bowls next to the vegan-friendly and dairy-free Coconut Shake and Coconut Soft Serve.

For all of you health nuts who are ‘in love with the coco’, this is perhaps one of the most promising health-centric eateries along the bustling Tanjong Pagar area. From now till the end of the year, lunch sets—which consists of one rice bowl and one coconut dessert—are going at S$11.90 instead of the usual S$13.90.

style=”display:block; text-align:center;”
data-ad-layout=”in-article”
data-ad-format=”fluid”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-1199323522078805″
data-ad-slot=”3885138539″>
//

The interior itself is pretty small. It includes the main kitchen area, a small order counter and bar seats at the side.

With lunchtime in the CBD often being a chaotic affair, the good folks at DOCO keep it simple. Simply, choose one of the two available donburi options, decide if you would like any add-ons and lastly, choose between either the coconut shake or the coconut soft serve.

style=”display:block; text-align:center;”
data-ad-layout=”in-article”
data-ad-format=”fluid”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-1199323522078805″
data-ad-slot=”3885138539″>
//

The Sh-nack Don (S$8.90—essentially a beef rice bowl—came with a generous portion of peppery beef, an onsen egg and a copious sprinkling of crispy cajun-spiced fish skin.

The grilled beef was jam-packed with flavour with a subtle sweetness that went excellently well with the Japanese rice. The onsen egg provided an added richness but the real money-maker was the cajun-spiced fish skin.

Crumbled nicely over the rice, it gave the modest rich bowl a wonderful smoky aroma as well as a much-needed hit of umami.

style=”display:block; text-align:center;”
data-ad-layout=”in-article”
data-ad-format=”fluid”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-1199323522078805″
data-ad-slot=”3885138539″>
//

The other alternative donburi option is the Sh-ken Don (S$8.90) which comprises honey miso chicken instead of beef. It, too, comes with an onsen egg as well as a generous ‘sh-prinkling’ of that glorious cajun-spiced fish skin.

Compared to the beef option, the chicken was tasty but a tad too dry for our liking. Be sure to pair it with the Coconut Shake, which is made purely from fresh blended Thai coconut water and coconut flesh.

A refreshing treat to have is their decadent Coconut Soft Serve (S$4.90) that comes as part of your main meal. This dairy and nut-free dessert is drizzled with gula melaka sauce and powdered gula melaka for that extra sweetness and oomph.

style=”display:block; text-align:center;”
data-ad-layout=”in-article”
data-ad-format=”fluid”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-1199323522078805″
data-ad-slot=”3885138539″>
//

The subtle roasted flavours of the gula melaka really elevate the rich and creamy coconut flavour making it pretty similar tasting to chendol (minus the little green slug-like jellies).

Overall, the soft serve is refreshing and light, and we would recommend trying it whether or not you decide to have your lunch there.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

DOCO
10 Anson Road
#01-16 International Plaza
Singapore 079903
Tel: +65 9049 9926
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Thu: 11am – 8pm
Fri: 11am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

For those who work in the CBD, are you on a constant lookout for cheap places to dine at during lunch? It is true that prices of food in the CBD are usually fixed slightly higher than elsewhere, but this does not mean that there aren’t hidden gems where you can enjoy delicious food without breaking the bank.

Let us introduce you to Gochi-So Shokudo, an under-the-radar eatery located at the corner of the basement of One Raffles Place that brings to you top-quality Iberico Pork all the way from Spain at affordable prices. Their Iberico Pork Belly Don will cost you just S$10; isn’t that a steal?

One of Gochi-So Shokudo’s most value-for-money menu options is the Iberico Pork Belly Don (S$10). If you are feeling slightly hungrier, you can upgrade your meal with side sets such as Set C (S$4) which will give you a plate of Iberico Belly Enoki and Iberico Miso Soup.

The Iberico Pork Belly Don (S$10) comes with a generous portion of thinly-sliced Iberico pork belly, an onsen egg, a handful of seaweed strips and spoonful of sliced spring onion atop a bowl of hot, fluffy rice.

If you were to glance at the store front, you would notice that the Iberico pork belly will be grilled over a charcoal fire prior to service. The wonderful char-grilled taste was evident in every slice of meat and it further enhanced the taste of the pork belly. Elsewise, our onsen egg was executed perfectly and when broken, the egg yolk added a velvety texture over the whole don that was just so enjoyable.

The Iberico Loin Katsu (S$15.80) comes with a deep-fried Iberico pork loin cutlet, fluffy bowl of rice, sesame seeds and their special dipping sauce. Admittedly, we were hoping for something more when we compared the price point of the Iberico Loin Katsu (S$15.80)  to the Iberico Pork Belly Don (S$10).

Although the skin of the Iberico pork loin cutlet was a lovely golden-brown, we found the meat of the cutlet slightly dry and lacking flavour.

Gochi-So Shokudo
1 Raffles Place, #B1-30 One Raffles Place,
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6536 6447
Mon to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Situated right next to Coronation Plaza, KARA Cafe & Dessert Bar is a new cafe and dessert bar by the team behind Sogurt. It takes over the former space of Sogurt and this is where you can enjoy a splendid array of delicious food in a warm and welcoming environment.

To top it off, you will be dining in a beautiful space decorated by tropical foliage and imaginary creatures with art by Mark Wee. 

When it comes to dessert and good food, it will always be a love-hate relationship. Well #sorrynotsorry because after today, you will be adding on one more cafe on your list of cafes to visit in Singapore.

We decided to begin our meal with the Classic Grilled Cheese (S$10.50). A signature Kara cheese blend and zesty sweet pickle relish are sandwiched in sourdough, and this spectacular combination is toasted to caramelised perfection prior to serving.

Remember all those cheese-pull videos? Well, now you can achieve that in real life and this dish sure left us with a cheesy grin.

The Pork Belly Miso (S$16) was an interesting creation that we had to try. Consisting of extremely tender kakuni braised pork belly, soft egg, cucumber edamame salad, miso cream and nori atop well-cooked rice, we particularly enjoyed the topping of ramen crisps as it added a nice, crunchy texture to the dish.

But for the price point, we did feel that the portion served was not very substantial and this is perhaps something that could be improved for a better dining experience.

We ended our meal with the Matcha Berry Homemade Mochi Waffles with Salted Speculoos Ice Cream (S$12.50).

This was indeed a heavenly pairing and we were very pleased with the elegant presentation of the dish. Furthermore, the dish was oh so tasty and satisfying, which only justified any weight gain.

KARA Cafe & Dessert Bar
671 Bukit Timah Road,
Singapore 269718
Tel: +65 6468 8940
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10.30pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 10.30am – 11pm
Sun: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tan Kah Kee

Sumo Bar Happy is the latest project from the team behind Standing Sushi Bar, Tanuki Raw, Shinkansen and The Secret Mermaid. Helmed by the team behind a handful of successful dining establishments, we naturally have very high expectations for this place.

The one-day-old ramen, tapas and sake bar is a delightful addition to Waterloo Street, which is just a stone’s throw away from Bras Basah MRT Station. Eat your way through a selection of Japanese ramen bowls, donburis or have some homemade tapas accompanied with their signature one cup sake.

If you are looking for a casual dining place which does not compromise on service or quality of food, Sumo Bar Happy is the place to check out.

Taking up half the floor space, you will definitely notice the sake bar when you first walk into the restaurant. That is where you can watch the bartender in action as he whips up your drink for you. As Sumo Bar Happy is a small restaurant, we would recommend you to head there early to beat the crowd.

What makes the ramen bowls there better than average is its collagen-rich tonkotsu ramen broth which can only be achieved through 48 hours of simmer. Every bowl of ramen comes with bean sprouts, toasted seaweed, black fungus and free-flow soft-boiled eggs.

The Sumo Ramen (S$23++) is a beef lover’s idea of perfection—featuring slow-roast oxtail, braised beef tendon, 8-hour-slow-roasted red wine boneless short rib and sauteed sliced US beef. Hearty eaters will enjoy its generous portions of meat.

We particularly liked how the sliced beef was tender and extremely flavourful.

Another more affordable ramen option is the Char Siew Ramen (S$17++). While it was also good and came with thick slices of roasted slow-braised Nagano pork char siew, we felt that it pales in comparison against the Sumo Ramen.

Not in the mood for ramen? There is also donburi on the menu as well. We really enjoyed their Mini Loco Moco Don (S$18) which was well executed. On top of warm Koshihikari rice is pan-seared foie gras, succulent house-made luncheon from Nagano pork and fried quail egg.

Guests also have alternatives such as Oxtail Ramen (S$21++), Mini Chirashi Don (S$18++) and a range of sides including Beef Tayaki Sliders (S$15++) and Pork Trotter Korokke (S$12++).

Sumo Bar Happy
261 Waterloo Street
01-24 Waterloo Centre
Singapore 180261
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 12 Midnight
Sun: 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

FIVE-TEN is the latest addition to the developing restaurant scene located along South Bridge Road. If there is any way to describe their food, it is total comfort inspired by the dynamic street food scene of Taipei.

During lunchtime, they offer a spectacular array of innovative dishes such as their take on the popular Taiwanese street food, Lu Rou Fan, and at night, the humble and seemingly innocent establishment transforms into a bar where you can enjoy a tipple.

At FIVE-TEN, you can expect quality Taiwanese-style comfort food at super affordable prices.

The interior is dark yet sophisticated, similar to the kind you would expect to find at a speakeasy bar. The brick wall by the bar adds to the ambiance by giving this eatery a rustic feel.

FIVE-TEN has an array innovative tipples like gaoliang slushies as well as a curated selection of beers, wines, and spirits—priced between $5++ and $10++—to cater to the after-work drinking crowd and late night revelers.

For starters, we ordered a sharing plate of their Fried Chicken (S$5++). A mixture of chicken thigh and breast meat are thinly coated with flour and are deep fried till crispy. The dish comes with a seaweed mayonnaise which the chef makes in-house.

The fried chicken pieces were super crisp and surprisingly juicy on the inside. The seaweed mayonnaise added a refreshing umami touch to the dish, creating a new dimension of savouriness which worked exceptionally well with the crispy chicken.

Fans of Taiwanese food fare will be impressed with their version of the iconic Lu Rou Fan
(S$10++).

A bowl filled with a generous scoop of Japanese short-grain rice doused in a sweet and savoury sauce is topped with thick cuts of braised pork belly, boiled kai lan and a sous-vide egg.

Each individual element was executed perfectly; the braised pork belly was tender, juicy and beautifully infused with the braising liquid, while the kai lan added a nice crunch to the dish. The runny egg yolk provided an added richness to the dish which we felt was what made the whole dish such a joy to eat.

One of their popular mains at FIVE-TEN is the Steak, Rice, and Egg (S$10++). As its name suggests, it is essentially a rice bowl with seared sirloin steak topped with a sous-vide egg.

A generous portion of beautifully cooked steak is neatly displayed to showcase its glorious pink shade. It was tender and the few sprinkles of sea salt really helped to bring out the beefy flavours.

The dish comes with pickled Chinese cabbage on the side. We felt that the tartness added a whole new flavour dimension. It really helped to cut through the richness of the steak and the egg.

If tasty innovative Taiwanese-style eats at affordable prices are what you are after, then you need to make a trip down to FIVE-TEN today!

Five Ten
237 South Bridge Road
Tel: +65 6924 7352
(Closed on Mondays)
Tues to Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 2.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

A slew of eateries—including Lunar Coffee Brewers, 6 Oz Espresso, Venue by Sebastian—has opened at the new Downtown Gallery in the Central Business District.

The newest addition is The Autobus—a bicycle-themed cafe that serves up healthy salad bowls as well as good coffee and tea. This is undoubtedly every bicycle enthusiast’s dream because not only do they sell food here, they also carry a huge range of bicycle equipment and apparel.

//

This newly-established cafe adopts a DIY food menu in that customers are required to fill up an order form. The current menu only includes rice bowls ranging from S$12 to S$16 with additional charges for premium ingredients. The weekend brunch menu has more options such as Full Breakfast (S$18), Eggs Ben (S$11) and Wagyu Burger (S$24).

//

We got ourselves two standard S$12 bowls which include, 1 protein, 1 carb, 3 sides and a dressing of choice.

For the first bowl, we got a base carb of quinoa, with the protein being the Grilled Sirloin Steak (+S$2) and topped with the Soy Sesame dressing. Sides consisted of Broccoli, Sweet Corn, and the Spa Egg.

//

The Grilled Sirloin Steak was cooked medium-rare and was incredibly tender which is perfect for steak fans.

For our second bowl, we went for Penne pasta for our base carb and the BBQ Pulled Pork as the protein. Sides included Bell Peppers, Button Mushrooms, and the Spa Egg, which were all completed with fresh and fragrant Basil Pesto.

The pasta was cooked al dente and the BBQ Pulled Pork was moist and flavourful. We also liked that the peppers were cooked till soft—something which many salad joints tend to neglect.

We must say that we were really impressed by the Chai Latte here. Unlike many other cafes that source their Chai spice mix externally (and in bulk), the baristas at The Autobus actually make it in-house daily!

//

Each individual Chai spice is toasted in a pan separately to bring out a much deeper aroma. After which, they are all steeped in a pot filled with Ceylon tea and brought to a simmer. The flavours are then allowed to mingle and intensify overnight, only to be served the following day.

Their hot Chai Latte (S$5) is the epitome of a perfect beverage on a rainy day. Spicy, comforting and incredibly aromatic. This is something we definitely recommend.

Overall, we really enjoyed in this huge and cosy space. A conducive working environment with free wi-fi, coupled with the beautiful aromas of freshly heated spices make for a pretty decent work-week afternoon.

The Autobus
6A Shenton Way
Downtown Gallery #01-01
Mon to Fri: 7am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 7am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Fancy slurping down cold, freshly shucked oysters for only S$1.99 at any time of the day? Yes, you can actually get a plate full of Canadian oysters without burning a hole in your pocket at this American bar in Clarke Quay—Oyster Co.

Situated opposite popular Central Perk Cafe (and managed by the same team), Oyster Co is the first bar in Asia to serve Budweiser on tap. Drink to your heart’s content while you indulge in affordable S$10 Western set lunches and light bites.

Being oyster lovers, we could hardly contain our excitement when the grade 3 Canadian oysters (S$1.99/piece) were served to us. Freshly shucked upon order, the moderately salty and robust flavours won our hearts.

While we were given Canadian oysters, the owner also sources oysters from other regions such as Ireland and France as well.

//

We recommend heading over during lunch time as Oyster Co has a decent menu featuring S$10 set lunches. The Fish & Chips (S$10++) came with batter-fried mackerel fish, Belgium straight cut fries and Hainanese Chilli.

Deep-fried till golden brown, the crispy skin encased tender and moist fish meat which we enjoyed with the spicy chilli. We particularly liked how they chose to pair the dish with Asian chilli instead.

Those who are health conscious may want to consider the Beef Bowl instead (S$10++). The moist brown rice was paired with runny sous vide egg, sauteed spinach and savoury mushrooms.

This is a great dish for those who want to opt for something healthy that does not compromise on taste.

//

Do not miss out on their tapas if you are there for a drink with your colleagues or friends. Prices range from S$8 to S$12.

Some noteworthy finger food that we tried include the Cauliflower 3 Ways (S$10++) which allows you to enjoy roast, puree and tempura cauliflower with burnt butter quinoa and Squid Ink Paella (S$10++).

Oyster Co
#01-06 Central Mall
1 Magazine Road
Singapore 059567
Tel: +65 9423 2895
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Katsudon Hanakatsu at Suntec City is the newest Katsu Don restaurant in Singapore. Opened by the same team behind the popular Tendon Kohaku, Katsudon Hanakatsu specialises in Katsu Don and you can choose between the spicy and non-spicy alternatives.

If you are rushing for time and do not want to join the long queue at Tendon Kohaku, Katsudon Hanakatsu is a decent alternative.

The seating is rather limited so it is best to reach before the lunch or dinner crowd.

The original HA-NA Katsudon (S$13.50++) features a generous portion of two types of meat—pork and chicken. Diners get well-marinated meat with a subtle taste of shoyu on top of warm Japanese rice.

While there is nothing spectacular to shout about, we liked how the breaded deep-fried meat went well with tender meat. On top of that, the katsudon also came with the usual savoury egg and sliced onions.

Those who prefer your dish with a spicy kick can opt for the HA-NA Katsudon Spicy Flavour (S$13.50++) instead. The taste is similar to the original HA-NA Katsudon but came with chilli flakes for extra spice.

Do be warned that the level of spice is not for everyone; those who prefer something not too extreme should get the original flavour and add in the amount of chilli they are comfortable with.

Visitors get to choose between Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice (16 multi-grains) or Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice for their katsudon at no extra charge. Top up an extra S$1.50 for Tonjiru (S$1.50++), which is miso soup with pork chunks and vegetables.

If you are thinking of hanging out with some drinks, Katsudon Hanakatsu also offers a small selection of alcoholic beverages as well.

Katsudon Hanakatsu
#03-10 Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6333 4386
Daily: 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade / Esplanade

The newest cafe to open in the Central Business District is Lunar Coffee Brewers—opened by the same team behind Atlas Coffeehouse and the now-defunct Assembly Coffee.

Situated in Downtown Gallery, the cafe seeks to provide a space where you can escape from the pressures of everyday life with comfort food and specialty coffee.

Fill your tummy with hearty home-cooked rice bowls and even signature dishes that originated from Atlas Coffeehouse. The coffee selection is aplenty too; beans are sourced and roasted by Two Degrees North Coffee Co.

As an added bonus, visitors do not have to pay for GST and service charge as well. So if you are looking for a new lunch spot in the CBD area, Lunar Coffee Brewers is where you should be headed to next.

The sleek, clean lines of Lunar Coffee Brewers called out to the inner minimalists in us. We love how the interior is kept sophisticated and chic with marble tables in both white and black. The cafe reminded us of this old saying that sometimes, less is more.

The Lu Rou Belly Don (S$14.50) features bean sprouts, pickles, ginger, onsen egg and generous chunks of juicy pork belly lying atop a bed of warm fluffy rice. While it is not mind blowing, it is still worth a try.

We paired our lunch with a cup of Hot Cappuccino (S$4.50), just one of the many caffeine choices you have at the cafe. Coffee addicts would definitely enjoy the creamy milk and strong espresso which packs a punch. If there is one reason why we would patronise Lunar Coffee Brewers again, that would be their aromatic coffee.

Do not leave the cafe without trying their Milky Way Soft Serve (S$5.90). It is a white cold brew coffee soft serve ice cream made better with homemade shortbread crumble.

Lunar Coffee Brewers
#01-49 Downtown Gallery
6 Shenton Way
Singapore 068815
Tel: +65 6224 4500
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 9am – 3pm
Closed: Sun
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/06/lunar-coffee-brewers/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/05/niku-katsumata-singapore/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/05/niku-katsumata-singapore/#comments Thu, 18 May 2017 03:17:55 +0000 Julee Ooi http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=133080 Continue reading →]]>

Niku Katsumata in Ebisu Japan is exclusive for members only but the grilled meat restaurant has since expanded to Singapore shores at Duxton Road. Their menu features yakiniku (grilled meat) and they are best known for their Kagoshima wagyu beef.

Known for offering reasonable prices without compromising on quality, diners at this Japanese restaurant can expect premium beef cuts in their A4 Wagyu Beef Set (S$38++) and A4 Wagyu Donburi (S$25++). What a steal!

Drop by the restaurant after work for a delectable dinner and a range of alcoholic beverages.

For the uninitiated, wagyu is classified into five different grades (from 1 to 5) to rate its meat quality based on various factors with a rating of five being the best. With that being said, you should know that Niku Katsumata’s A4 Wagyu Beef is of a pretty high standard.

Before we begin, the friendly server shared with us about the various cuts of the beef we were going to try. We had our wagyu beef grilled to medium rare doneness on the crystal plate and the tender meat melted in our mouths—it was so good! You cannot leave the place without trying this.

Another affordable option is the A4 Wagyu Donburi (S$25++) which is moist Japanese rice wrapped with Tataki Wagyu and topped with Ikura. Try the wagyu on its own first before pouring in the soup that is given to complement the rice.

There are also condiments at the side to enhance the taste of the wagyu but we think that it is great on its own.

For S$38++, our A4 Wagyu Beef Set came with six pieces of Wagyu beef, rice with beef curry, salad and pickles.

Choose a topping of your choice for the A4 Wagyu Donburi including Caviar, Foie Gras, Ikura and Urchin.

Niku Katsumata
47 Duxton Road
Singapore 089511
Tel: +65 9162 7502
Daily: 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Kazoku Japanese Cuisine is a humble family Japanese eatery that serves up quality Japanese fare at affordable prices. For a fuss-free place with good yet cheap Japanese food, Kazoku Japanese Cuisine is the place to visit. For instance, their hearty Salmon Don only costs a mere S$8.90; what a steal!

At a price of S$8.90, Kazoku Japanese Cusine’s Salmon Don met all expectations. A whopping 10 pieces of fresh, thinly-sliced salmon sashimi sits atop of a bed of rice and is topped off with a spoonful of wasabi and fish roe.

However, our Salmon Don would have been tastier if the rice was slightly less soggy and had a tinge more flavour. The Salmon Don was served together with a bowl of miso soup.

Other donburi worth your attention include the Kazoku Don (S$11.90), Maguro Don (S$8.90) and Mixed Fry Don (S$9.90). If not, noodle sets such as the Udon & Katsu (S$8.90) and Chasoba & Mixed Fry (S$9.90) are available for your picking.

For a simple and well-executed Japanese meal, check out Kazoku Japanese Cuisine at Goldhill Plaza.

Kazoku Japanese Cuisine
1 Goldhill Plaza #01-05
Singapore 308899
Tel: +65 9687 3782
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

About the writer:
A member of the team at ladyironchef, Claire’s mission is to lead a life without regrets – to explore the world and its treasures boldly. When she isn’t pursuing her interests in writing, academia, and music, Claire spends her free time with family and her pets. She also hopes to run her own animal shelter in the future.