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

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