It is that time of the year again; with the festive season just around the corner, we are undoubtedly reminded of decadent holiday treats and majestic wintertime roasts. Although many associate the holidays with the typical Western spread, not every meal needs to be an elaborate and extravagant affair of turkey, ham, and a copious amount of cranberry sauce. This festive season, why not treat your family to a casual yet delightful Japanese repast at Ichiban Sushi?

More than just a convenient option, Ichiban Sushi is a welcoming space perfect for families to spend some quality time together over the holidays. Instead of needing to splurge on lavish meals to be able to enjoy Japanese cuisine, the brand prides itself in offering an accessible alternative without skimping on standards.

Offering four value-for-money set meals, expect to indulge in a sumptuous meal that will leave you hankering for more. Each set is accompanied by a myriad of dishes, such as a main, rice bowl, chawanmushi and sides. They will be available from 12 November 2019 till 9 February 2020!

To add on something special, Ichiban Sushi is partnering Citi to offer diners a S$10 return voucher on every festive set ordered and paid with a Citi Card.

SPICY SHIROMI SEAFOOD WAZEN

Surely making a bold statement at your table is Ichiban Sushi’s luxurious Spicy Shiromi Seafood Wazen (S$23.90). The set is served with a delicious hotpot of Spicy Shiromi Seafood, succulent Kimchi Prawns, Seared Salmon Sashimi and Poached Egg Mini Sushi Rice bowl, Tuna Mayo Salad, and delectable sides such as Chawanmushi, Miso Soup, and fruits.

The glorious Spicy Shiromi Seafood hotpot is definitely the highlight of the set. Chock full of huge cream dory fish pieces and a medley of vegetables and mushrooms, the dish is served in a spicy, thick broth that is both fiery yet tangy. The soup base was aromatic and fragrant from the strong garlic notes, while the different capsicums added a hint of sweetness.

In line with the set’s seafood theme, Ichiban Sushi has included a seared salmon sashimi don, topped with spicy cod roe mayo and a poached egg atop a fluffy bed of sushi rice.

The sashimi was lightly seared to give it an aromatic char and crisp that added to its savouriness. Garnished with chopped chillis and coated with spicy cod roe mayo, both elements lent the dish a mild, tangy spice, making the rice bowl all the more delectable.

Though seemingly unassuming, the thick prawns are full of sweet flavour, which is further enhanced by the sweetness of the kimchi dressing.

While distinctly different in taste profiles, the kimchi flavouring is not too far removed from the peppery base of the teriyaki sauce. More importantly, it supplements the succulent freshness of the prawns versus being the highlight of the dish.

KIMCHI BEEF STEAK WAZEN

Introducing their premium Kimchi Beef Steak Wazen (S$23.90) — this delectable set comes in yet another hotpot stew comprising a myriad of colourful vegetables and prime steak. Accompanying it is a platter of Breaded Crab Sticks, Bara Chirashi-Don as well as the usual sides.

There is a good reason as to why Ichiban Sushi is confident enough in labelling the kimchi sauce as a house-special here. Unlike the subtle sprinkling of spice on the prawns from the previous set, the gravy here holds within it a much more complex blend of flavours. To fully appreciate this dish, allow for the beef slices to marinate for a moment in the sauce until a light glaze forms for the best possible taste experience.

The kimchi presence here is but an enhancement to the beef; it brings forth the full-bodied tenderness of the protein against the tangy zest of the red pepper seasoning.

The same goes for the bara chirashi number – the coldness of the dish cuts through the fiery zest of the beef, giving diners a temporary reprieve from any flavour saturation from the main protein.

As yummy as diced sashimi are on their own, their flavours are muted when compared to the myriad of tastes present in the other dishes. To prevent the rice bowl from fading into the background, the inclusion of the onsen egg adds a richness to the dish, and binds the distinct fish cubes into a cohesive whole.

Tempuras are a staple to include in every traditional Japanese set meal! This time, expect a twist to your the shrimp tempuras, as you will be served breaded crab sticks instead. Well-battered with a flaky, crispy crust, the crab sticks break apart easily to reveal a soft, substantial filling of fish paste.

CHEESY CHICKEN ROLL WAZEN

Get the best of both worlds with their Cheesy Chicken Roll Wazen (S$22.90) — what more can you ask for with their finger-licking sides of seafood, beef and chicken dishes?

This set is surely our personal favourite; we got to taste one of their festive oceanic gems such as the Grilled Scallop with Spicy Sauce & Cheese, as well as feast on the toothsome Yakiniku Beef Steak Rice Bowl and Bacon and Cheese-Stuffed Rolled Chicken!

Similar to a tori katsu, the chicken roll is nicely fried to golden-brown perfection, resulting in a crispy skin that is not overly greasy. It also had a nice skin to meat ratio – the thin layer of fat beneath the skin oozes juicy, savoury flavour, while the meat is tenderised and luscious.

All the chicken cuts also encase a gooey, cheesy middle and small bacon strips that simply melts in your mouth. Remember to coat the chicken with their recommended Tonkotsu Dipping Sauce.

The Yakiniku Steak Mini Rice Bowl features savoury yakiniku beef steak on Hitomebore premium rice.

Instead of drowning the beef in heavy sauces, the juices from the beef slices naturally accentuate the aroma of the rice base, making this simple dish a more subtle, but no less appetising end to an otherwise playful meal set.

The Grilled Scallop with Spicy Sauce & Cheese comes with a spicy dressing which is reminiscent of mentaiko sauce. The cheese is also lightly torched, adding a subtle, mouthwatering char.

HOT AND SOUR PORK NABE WAZEN

Truly boasting a grand aesthetic is the Hot and Sour Pork Nabe Wazen (S$22.90). This set is bound to leave you gobsmacked with its huge portions, fully-cooked sides and hearty rice bowl. Stealing the spotlight is none other than their Hot and Sour Pork Hotpot!

It comes with a multitude of ingredients including pork slices, mushrooms, tofu and corns. Topped with chilli slices, it adds an extra piquancy to the already sweet and sour broth.

The perfect accompaniment to the hotpot is none other than their udon. Served in a small portion, this tiny bowl of noodles is meant to be poured into the broth while you slowly slurp it up. Slowly let the chewy noodles simmer in the hot and sour base while it absorbs the spicy, tangy soup.

This is Ichiban Sushi’s Assorted Mushrooms with Scrambled Egg Mini Sushi Rice Bowl! Appearance-wise, it looks like an “Oyako Don”, except it consists of only mushrooms and eggs served with premium Hitomebore Rice.

We loved how there were two different types of shrooms, such as the shitake and enoki mushrooms, which gave the dish textural contrast to the soft rice and egg base.

This set includes a Seared Salmon with Tataki Sauce platter. Following this set’s fully-cooked theme, it is lightly seared to bring out the aromatic flavours and fattiness of the flesh. The flesh was succulent and thick, while the seared exterior brought out the umami in the salmon.

SIDES

Wazen is incomplete without a variety of sides! Take a break from their heavy mains and tuck into their staple sides, which comes in tiny portions perfect to cleanse your palate with. Included in each set is a small platter of fruits, chawanmushi and tuna salad. Savour their earthy miso soup as well, which also comes in all sets with the exception of the Hot and Sour Pork Nabe Wazen.

Do note that the fruits given each day will vary.

No festive season is complete without an exchange of gifts. Ichiban Sushi, in collaboration with Citi, is bringing two great holiday treats to all its diners. Between 12 November 2019 until 9 February 2020, customers who pay using a Citi Card will receive a S$10 return voucher with every Festive Set purchased while stocks last.

You can also stand to win S$30 worth of dining vouchers here at Ichiban Sushi every week by simply following their social media at @ichibansushi.sg, snapping a picture with their quirky menu and hashtagging them at #ichibansushisg.

Ichiban Sushi
53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
#02-01 AMK Hub
Singapore 569933
Tel: +65 6555 1617
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio
** Multiple outlets islandwide

This post was brought to you by Ichiban Sushi Singapore. 

If you are a soba fanatic, or simply just in love with anything Japanese, you will definitely be familiar with mazesoba: a dry noodle dish steeped in flavourful sauce, topped with a myriad of luscious ingredients and completed with a raw egg yolk in the middle.

For the uninitiated, Mazesoba or fondly described by some locals as the Japanese Bak Chor Mee, is literally translated as mixed noodles and is a type of ramen that has no broth – in other words, it’s dry ramen. As there is no hot soup involved, it is no wonder this dish is particularly popular during the hot summer months in Japan and Korea.

With several outlets in South Korea and Japan, Kanda Soba has finally arrived on our local shores, rolling out their famed mazesoba bowls, sushi platters and HULK Power drinks! Ramen lovers be warned: this restaurant will overthrow your love for ramen and turn you into a mazesoba convert.

Kanda Soba is now offering a set lunch promotion at affordable prices! For only S$12, you get to have their Original Mazesoba, two pieces of yummy sushi, and a beef soup. So, make a beeline for their eatery and see what the hype about them back in South Korea and Japan is all about!

The noodle bar has taken residence in Clarke Quay’s Don Don Donki dine-in food court alongside other Japanese eateries, serving a specialised menu of mazesoba dishes, each created with an array of 62 Korean ingredients. Some of their popular hits include the Original Mazesoba and Cream Mazesoba!

ORIGINAL MAZESOBA WITH CHASHU

Though it is said to contain 62 ingredients in one bowl, one of the key ingredients in the Original Maze Soba (S$12) is its noodles. Kanda Soba focuses on the chewiness and firm texture of the noodle that they use.

To ensure each bowl comes out perfectly, the noodles are boiled for exactly 8 to 9 minutes before it is mixed around in a strainer to enhance the springiness of each noodle.

A good tip to have when enjoying the maze soba is to first mix the ingredients (spring onions, chives, seaweed, ground pepper, raw egg and meat sauce) in to taste the original maze soba. After, add a little bit of the pickled chili vinegar and mix it again. In this way, you’ll get to not only enjoy one but two different types of flavours in one dish!

We love how Kanda Soba’s mazesoba bowls are customisable, ranging from the meat sauce to toppings and sides. You can be your own chef and opt for the ingredients you prefer! We will recommend going for the Original Beef Sauce, which is a unique combination of both beef and pork. We also added the Chashu, which came in two chunky slices.

CREAM MAZESOBA

When we heard that this dish had won over the hearts of many Korean girls, we knew we had to try their Cream Mazesoba. Made from homemade coconut and potato cream, this is one unique mazesoba creation we had never seen before.

To our surprise, the noodles tasted just like carbonara — except much lighter and airier. It wasn’t heavy on our palates either. The generous topping of cream coated every strand of the noodles, giving it a very fluffy texture. It also had a tangy and slightly peppery aftertaste from the sprinkled spices.

The chashu was fork tender and tore apart easily. It was well-torched, and we could taste the hints of char on it, adding on to its savoury flavour. We also appreciated how the chashu had more meat to fat ratio, as compared to the other overly fatty ones in our local Japanese cuisine-inspired restaurants.

Paired with the noodles, the meat had a solid bite and was a nice contrast to the soft, chewy soba. After all, chashu is a one true pairing with Japanese noodles.

SPICY MAZESOBA

Their Spicy Mazesoba is not for the fainthearted. If you’re craving for something that will tingle your tastebuds, this is the dish to try. Just like the Original Mazesoba, it is garnished with a dollop of mixed meats of beef and pork, seaweed, veggies and a raw egg yolk, except with a subtle, unnoticeable twist: a pinch of special chilli sauce.

On the outside, the chilli sauce does not look like much, but mix it together with the noodles and ingredients and you get an everlasting, fiery kick of spice.

MEAT SUSHI PLATTER

Keeping in line with their Japanese cuisine offerings, Kanda Soba also has six varieties of meat sushi—Basil Pesto, Cream Cheese, Mentaiko, Mushroom, Spicy and Original (Herb Salt)—available for you to order alongside your bowl of noodles. The sushi are freshly made with a choice of beef or pork topping. Each piece of meat is torched until it is perfectly caramelized before it is topped on to the moulded sushi rice with your desired topping.

Diners will need to order a minimum of two sushi pieces, but trust us, you will definitely keep going back for more. If you decide to order a mazesoba together with a minimum of two meat sushis, the beef-based sushi will only cost S$1.70, while the pork-based sushi will be S$1.50.

We recommend the Mentaiko with a pork base! The Mentaiko sushi was bursting with sweet and salty notes, while the savoury meat contrasted with the soft, sweet rice.

ORIGINAL MAZESOBA LUNCH SET

When it comes to lunch time, we are always looking for a meal that is not only tasty, but substantial enough to last us through the day. Introducing the dish that brought Kanda Soba to fame: Original Mazesoba.

We had their set lunch promotion, which runs from 11am to 3pm. It came with two standard pieces of sushi, which was their Cream Cheese Meat Sushi and Mentaiko Sushi. We thought the small side of sushi was a nice touch to a simple meal.

During preparation, the Korea-imported noodles are constantly stirred to ensure its springiness, which results in a soft and Q finish. Though the Original Mazesoba looks unassuming, it is actually chock full of ingredients that are full of piquant flavour. Mix all the ingredients together, and you get a burst of flavours in your mouth.

HULK POWER DRINK

An interesting beverage to try at Kanda Soba is their HULK Power Drink (S$4.50), which is also coincidentally a much-loved drink amongst the chefs who hydrates with this drink whenever they are feeling thirsty in the Korean Summer.

This unique thirst-quencher is concocted with the mix of a blue energy drink and a popular Korean Vitamin C drink to give it a bright green colour that’s reminiscent of the well-known Avengers team member, the Hulk.

Kanda Soba
Don Don Donki
B1-11 Clarke Quay Central
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
Singapore 059817
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 3pm – 5pm (break), 5pm – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

This post was brought to you by Kanda Soba.