A clever play on the word ‘chateaubriand’—which is a prime tender cut of wagyu—Shatoburian is the most talked-about Japanese yakiniku restaurant in town now. Famed for their extensive menu of prized Hida wagyu cuts, this contemporary Japanese BBQ restaurant is a heaven for wagyu aficionados.

The restaurant sits within Palais Renaissance and is already a regular hangout spot among celebrities, socialites, wagyu connoisseurs and pretty much anyone who wants a good yakiniku meal.

Shatoburian sits on the second level of Palais Renaissance. The elusive restaurant is decked in a predominantly-dark interior with wooden partitions, and it is a cosy, intimate space for any special occasion. You may choose to enjoy your meal at the counter or sit at the tables for your own privacy.

It is wonderful to know that Shatoburian is all about sustainability. Their cattle hail from the Gifu prefecture and the restaurant adopts the nose-to-tail method of importing, hence offering all types of cuts of wagyu on its menu. The culinary team are so confident in their meat quality and flavours that they go easy on the seasoning and artificial flavourings.

You may not know where to start, and we will tell you go to for the Signature Yakiniku Don which comes in three variations—Kurobuta Pork (S$85), Japanese Wagyu Beef (S$118) and Chef’s premium selection of Japanese wagyu beef (S$188).

The Japanese Wagyu Beef Yakiniku Donburi is presented with foie gras, uni, caviar, onsen egg and topped with shaved truffles. Luxurious and indulgent, this heavenly bowl of treasures will make your day, regardless of which variation you go for. This is, hands down, one of the best wagyu donburi in Singapore.

There is this claypot rice dish that is good for sharing, and it is the Truffle Mushroom Gohan (S$98). A mix of French and Japanese mushrooms are cooked to order and topped with shaved truffles—simple but very earthy flavours with a splendid aftertaste of the fragrant truffle.

On the yakiniku menu, you can choose from thin-slice, normal-slice as well as steak cuts.

Our ultimate favourite is definitely the Shato-suki (S$80)!

100g of Sirloin is BBQ-ed over big flames only until medium-rare, leaving the slices of heaven still soft and tender, before it is served in a Japanese raw egg.

Other cuts to love are the Misuji (Oyster blade, S$52), Rib Shin (S$70) and Pork Jowl (S$28), as well as Chateaubriand (S$150)—Shatoburian’s prized cut—which is 120g of the most tender and best cut of the tenderloin.

Most of the meats are available in Shio or Tare (Barbeque sauce) and the steaks are served with Himalayan salt and condiments.

It goes without saying that a meal at Shatoburian doesn’t come cheap. But is it worth splurging on? Definitely! This is the place to head to if you are willing to pay a premium for quality wagyu yakiniku.

Shatoburian
390 Orchard Rd, #02 – 08, Singapore 238871
Tel: +65 6904 3308

The number of rice bowl shops opening up in Singapore in the last couple of months is significantly growing and among all the rice bowls out there, beef bowls are getting a lot of attention.

Beef bowl–also known as Gyudon–is a Japanese dish with thinly sliced beef on a bowl of rice, with a drizzle of light soy sauce on top. Beef bowls are really filling and appetising, and here is a list of the top 12 beef bowls that we love.

Read our newest guide on the 8 best wagyu donburi in Singapore

BOK’S KITCHEN

From the team behind The Hidden Chefs, Bok’s Kitchen is a homey cafe situated along Boon Lay Avenue that specialises in local delights. One of the star dishes at Bok’s Kitchen is the Beef Rice Bowl (S$12++), which was really juicy and flavourful. Accompanied with Italian spiced rice and sous vide egg cooked at precisely 63 degrees Celsius, this dish is absolutely perfect and appetising.

Blk 216 Boon Lay Avenue, #01-01
Singapore 640216
Tue to Fri: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Lakeside

CHALONG

Located conveniently beside Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, Chalong is a French and Thai inspired eatery that serves one of the best charcoal grilled meat bowls. Their Roast Beef Bowl (S$14) that consists of Japanese rice and onsen egg served together with garlic truffle oil is to die for. By smoking the meat with applewood enhances the flavour of the beef and the perfectly poached egg just adds a nice creamy touch to it.

Tanjong Pagar Centre B2-21
7 Wallich Street
Singapore 078884
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Fri: 11.30am – 2pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

DOCO

Located at International Plaza, DOCO –which is derived from the words ‘donburi’ and ‘coconut’– is a no-frills, quick service place that serves hearty protein-packed rice bowls and refreshing coconut soft serve. The Sh-nack Don (S$8.90) came with a generous portion of peppery beef grilled to perfection, an onsen egg and a copious sprinkling of crispy cajun-spiced fish skin that added a smoky aroma to the whole dish.

10 Anson Road
#01-16 International Plaza
Singapore 079903
Tel: +65 9049 9926
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 8pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

FAT COW

Fat Cow is one of the best steak restaurants in Singapore that serves an extensive amount of succulent and high-quality Japanese Wagyu beef from different parts of Japan. Fat Cow Premium Donburi (S$98++) is possibly the most expensive beef bowl on our list. Served on a bed of rice is a perfectly grilled slab of Wagyu steak accompanied by pan-seared chunks of creamy foie gras, uni, Ikura, caviar and an onsen egg. With so many premium ingredients in a bowl, it is definitely worth the price!

Camden Medical Centre #01-01/02,
1 Orchard Boulevard,
Singapore 248649
Tel: +65 6735 0308
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

KABUKE

Situated in the heart of Telok Ayer near Amoy Street Food Centre, Kabuke is a Japanese inspired bar that combines the art of kabuki (classical Japanese theatre) and Japanese sake. Their Gyudon (S$15) is classic and reasonably priced – with succulent beef slices topped with onsen egg and a drizzle of truffle shoyu add that tinge of saltiness that makes it so appetising.

200A Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068638
Tel: +65 8822 5525
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 11pm
Fri: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm – 10am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

MANEKO JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Maneko Japanese Restaurant is a cosy, 30-seater eatery that serves quick, fuss-free Japanese delights ranging from sashimi, donburi, and a huge selection of sides. Their Truffle Yakiniku Don (S$14.90) is definitely one of their must-try when you are there. Seared thoroughly to produce a beautiful caramelised crust whilst remaining pink in the middle, the beef was tender and tasty from start to finish.

227 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574359
Tel: +65 6909 5401
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

OYSTER CO

Although well known for their fresh oysters, Oyster Co also serves really good beef bowl as well. Their Beef Bowl (S$14++) is great for those who want to opt for something healthy that does not compromise on taste. The grilled beef was jam-packed with flavour with a subtle sweetness that went really well with the brown rice. Paired with runny sous vide egg, sautéed spinach and savoury mushrooms, this dish is great for those who are health conscious.

#01-06 Central Mall
1 Magazine Road
Singapore 059567
Tel: +65 9025 2524
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

PEPPER BOWL

Located at Amoy Street Food Centre, Pepper Bowl sells 3 different types of rice bowls with various protein cuts. You can choose from beef, pork and chicken but their signature item is the Black Pepper Beef Rice (S$5). Comes with thinly sliced beef and some greens, the black pepper beef was well seasoned and extremely tender. We recommend adding on an onsen egg (S$0.60) for the complete beef bowl experience.

7 Maxwell Rd, #02-102
Amoy Street Food Centre
Singapore 069111
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

SANTAP

From the people behind Working Title and The Mad Sailors, Santap is a Muslim-owned café in Little India that serves really affordable rice bowls. Their Beef Rice Bowl (S$15) comes with various ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, corn, poached egg and tender strips of lean beef that had a smoky flavour to it. They also replaced traditional white rice with whole grain brown rice and cauliflower florets, which means that you get a healthy meal without compromising on the taste!

16 Madras Street
The Daulat
Singapore 208413
Tel: +65 8768 0460
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 9pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Rochor

THE AUTOBUS

Located at Downtown Gallery, The Autobus is a bicycle-themed café that caters to cyclists passing through the CBD area. They serve really healthy salad and rice bowls, as well as bicycle equipment and apparel. You can customise your rice bowl to your liking and we got a base carb of quinoa, with Grilled Sirloin Steak topped with the Soy-Sesame dressing. The steak was cooked medium-rare and was incredibly tender which is perfect for steak fans.

6A Shenton Way
Downtown Gallery #01-01
Singapore 068815
Tel: +65 6909 3406
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 3pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: The Sushi Bar

THE SUSHI BAR

The Sushi Bar is a small cosy restaurant that serves really good Japanese food at an affordable price. The Wagyu Don ($34.90) was packed with high-quality beef that was very tender and well seared. The meat was grilled to perfection and the meat simply melts in your mouth! They were really generous with their portion of beef and the sprinkle of fried garlic definitely added a kick to it.

391B Orchard Road #05-34/35
Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238874
Tel: +65 8818 3535
Daily: 11.30am – 9.45pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

**Multiple outlets islandwide

WAA COW!

If you are a student from NUS, you might have heard or tried the beef donburis at Waa Cow before, and the good news is that they have now expanded to the CBD area. Their Regular Aburi Wagyu Beef consists of premium Wagyu beef, house made Wagyu beef bone sauce, pickles, and an onsen egg topped with tobiko. The meat was really tender and it glides down your throat effortlessly. Packed with so much goodness in a bowl, this dish was absolutely filling and cow-forting!

2 College Avenue West
#01-06 NUS UTown
Singapore 138607
Tel: +65 8168 8777
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm
Nearest Station: Dover

**Multiple outlets islandwide

Of all the tremendous amounts of cooking methods available to us, be it fancy or rustic, barbecue still remains one of our all-time-favourite ways to have food cooked. It’s hard not to give in to a platter of smoky, seared meat, and thanks to a slew of new openings, the barbecue trend is bigger than ever in Singapore.

Nearly every culture has their own form of barbecue, in fact, the whole concept of barbecue dates back to caveman times where food was literally cooked over an open fire on a spit (or a stick). Now, with Singapore playing host to so many varieties of cultural influences and cuisines, we get to enjoy so many varieties.

Whether it’s a sweet, marinated Korean bulgogi beef you crave, good-old Louisiana-style baby back ribs, Filipino pork lechon or even a humble mookata, here is our guide to 13  BBQ restaurants in Singapore.

SUPERSTAR K

Talk about the hottest Korean BBQ restaurants in Singapore, and we all think of Superstar K at Tanjong Pagar. The outlet specialises in using charcoal grills for its Korean BBQ, and the authentic dining experience explains its popularity among Singaporeans and tourists alike.

Side dishes are modest yet not overly ambitious, unlike many other Korean eateries. Our personal favourites to order here include the beef short rib as well as the pork belly. It is also good to note that they open until 4am daily which is great if you ever find yourself craving for Korean barbecue after a night of heavy drinking.

75 Tanjong Pagar Road,
Singapore 088496
Tel: +65 6224 0504
Daily: 12pm – 2pm, 5pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

I’M KIM JUNIOR

Located conveniently at Orchard’s *SCAPE, I’m Kim Junior is a casual Korean BBQ restaurant that is popular amongst the young crowd. Following the success of its sister restaurant—I’m Kim—at the School of the Arts (SOTA), I’m Kim Junior has a menu that features new items such as Korean Army Stew.

On the barbecue, you can look forward to a pretty insane spread from pork belly, a myriad of marinated meats, seafood as well as their bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms which is a surefire hit among the little ones.

2 Orchard Link
#03-01 *Scape
Singapore 237978
Tel: +65 6634 0420
Daily: 11.30pm – 3.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

DON DAE BAK

What we love most about Don Dae Bak Korean BBQ is that the restaurant uses charcoal grills instead of the usual gasoline grill. That sure makes a lot of difference to our meats in imparting that deep charred aroma that every good barbecue should have.

This small outlet along Kreta Ayer is just like any usual Korean BBQ place—round communal tables surrounded by kimchi and pickles that are entirely free-flow, an abundance of sauces and upbeat Korean pop songs on loop in the background.

35 Kreta Ayer Road,
Singapore 089000
Tel: +65 6226 1727
(Closed on Sundays)
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Outram Park

WANG DAE BAK KOREAN BBQ

Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant is one of the most well known Korean BBQ restaurants in Singapore for serving up high-quality BBQ dishes at affordable prices. They specialise in charcoal barbecue which sets them apart from many other Korean BBQ establishments.

Here, you can get a free-flow of fluffy egg that is poured around the side of the barbecue pan.

22 Cross Street, #01-64
China Square Central
Singapore 048421
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

EIGHT KOREAN BBQ

Korean BBQ is all about the meat, but at some barbecue joints, you end up paying lots for subpar cuts or under-marinated meats with little or no character—well, not at Eight Korean BBQ. These folks here pride themselves with their extensive knowledge of meats and they focus only on exquisite cuts from premium varieties of beef and pork.

In true Korean style, you can have your meats seared unadorned, coated in a punchy marinade, or served up in a nourishing stew. The next time your carnivorous tendencies act up, stop by Eight Korean BBQ to experience some of the best meats the world has to offer.

6 Eu Tong Sen St, 02-79/90,
Singapore 059817
Tel: +65 8692 1188
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30am – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

TENKAICHI JAPANESE BBQ RESTAURANT

An award-winning Japanese BBQ Buffet Restaurant in Singapore that specialises in Wagyu Beef BBQ, Tenkaichi Japanese BBQ Restaurant is the perfect place to visit if you are looking to satisfy your meat and barbecue cravings.

During your visit, make sure to order the Premium BBQ Menu which entitles you to free-flow tender wagyu beef, along with a variety of sashimi.

Tenkaichi Japanese BBQ Restaurant
6 Raffles Boulevard, #03-129 Marina Square,
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6250 8918
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

GYU-KAKU

For a truly authentic Japanese Yakiniku experience, Gyu-Kaku is definitely the place to go. With barbecue as their main focus, the restaurant takes pride in bringing in only the finest of ingredients. Which means you can look forward to the likes of Kagoshima Wagyu and more!

Have some refreshing appetisers to go with your barbecue feast not just because they’re mighty tasty, but because they also help to cleanse your palate, allowing you to dive right back into the meat.

81 Clemenceau Ave, 01-18/19,
Singapore 239918
Tel: +65 6733 4001
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

ABURIYA

A popular name that pops up at the mere mention of solid Japanese barbecue along the Robertson Quay area, Aburiya is one that promises exceptional quality meats and proper grilling using charcoal.

The menu offers a pretty substantial array of meaty options from beef, pork, chicken and even lamb but we recommend opting for the sets. The wagyu set, although a tad pricey, is worth every penny.

60 Robertson Quay, #01-03
Singapore 238252
Tel: +65 6735 4862
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 11.30pm
Sun: 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

888 MOOKATA

Founded by local celebrities Chew Chor Meng and Zhou Chongqing in partnership with cousins Esmond and Ronnie, 888 Mookata—at the coffee shop in Blk 212 Hougang Street 21—is a hot spot for those craving for decent Thai mookata without having to make a trip to Golden Mile Complex.

Ordering is relatively straightforward at 888 Mookata as they only have 2 options on their main menu—Platter For 2 and Platter For 4.

212 Hougang Street 21
Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 9656 2655
Mon to Thu, Sun: 5pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Kovan

AROY MAK MOOKATA

Aroy Mak Mookata prides itself on offering authentic traditional Thai Cuisine BBQ and steamboat. You can indulge in Chiang Rai style Mookata marinated pork and chicken sliced meat, non-MSG soup stock and authentic homemade Thai chilli dips.

Located along Macpherson Road, this eatery offers an all-you-can-eat buffet with no time limit! At just S$17.80 per pax from Mondays to Thursday, you get to choose between 60 dishes including pork, chicken and vegetables.

Aroy Mak Mookata
476-478 Macpherson Road
Singapore 368191
Tel: +65 9052 0555
Daily: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

LADYBOY MOO-KA-CHEESE

A fairly new addition to Geylang’s cluster of eateries is Ladyboy Moo-Ka-Cheese—a Thai mookata-forward restaurant that is quite possibly the first of its kind to boast a stunning array of tantalising, innovative cheese dips along with the traditional Thai-style barbecue.

Their buffet menu features a whole host of options from salmon, scallops to even jumbo prawns and you can expect to enjoy them with the likes of their stellar truffle cheese dip or even their rainbow cheese dip that makes for a pretty neat photo—did we mention that drinks and ice cream are all free-flow?

644 Geylang Lorong 40
Singapore 389574
Tel: +65 8138 3836
Mon to Fri: 6pm – 2am
Sat: 5pm – 2am
Sun: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

BURNT ENDS

Voted 10th in the Asia’s 50 Best and 53rd in the World’s 50 Best 2017, Burnt Ends is a modern Australian barbecue restaurant along Teck Lim Road—just off the food-laden Keong Saik Road—that offers casual dining with beef as its main star.

This humble restaurant takes pride in its custom-built four tonne, dual cavity ovens and three elevation grills of which ensure that each beefy dish is grilled to utmost perfection. As far as barbecue and meat go, these folks don’t mess around. No one ever leaves Burnt Ends disappointed. Period.

20 Teck Lim Road
Singapore 088391
Tel: +65 6224 3933
(Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Tue to Thu: 6pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 11.45am – 2pm, 6pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Photo Credit: Iskina Cebu

ISKINA CEBU

Iskina Cebu over at TImbre+ is a Cebuano-owned brand which aims to promote Cebu food culture and dining experience. Their cooking comes from the heart whether its their insanely tender pork Lechon, Spicy Belly Chon and Non-Spicy Belly Chon.

Here is where homesick Filipinos can get a taste of home and Singaporeans can treat their palates to something rustic, delicious and possibly new. Go on, try yourself a portion of their Lechon and watch it slowly change your life from its paper-thin crispy skin to its aromatic, melt-in-your-mouth flesh.

#01-27, 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent,
Timbre+
Singapore 139957
Tel: +65 9326 2920
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: One North

A celebrated stalwart in Singapore’s omakase scene, Sushi Jiro is an institution that aims to provide diners with a lavish, authentic dining experience that comes as close to the ones you can get in Japan itself.

For a multi-sensory journey that aims to let your taste buds feel things that they’ve never felt before, Sushi Jiro employs only the most premium ingredients to create their gastronomical masterpieces. From incredibly fresh seasonal seafood to the best cuts of beef that are air-flown from Japan up to 4-times a week, you can be assured that you’ll be getting the best out of the best when you dine here at Sushi Jiro.

Boasting a spacious floor space that can accommodate over 100 diners, the restaurant’s palatially designed interior mimics that of a traditional Japanese sushi eatery and provides a cosy dining environment for you to enjoy your meal. Also accompanying the welcoming interior is the breathtaking view of Keppel Bay with its sleek architecture and orderly lined-up rows of yachts.

From now until 30 August 2019, our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservations to enjoy 15% OFF Sushi Jiro’s omakase menus. The promotion may not be combined with other discounts, promotions, and vouchers. It is also not applicable for any order of alcohol drinks.

AN OMAKASE EXPERIENCE THAT’S FIT FOR A KING 

The term “omakase” translates to “to trust” in Japanese and that is exactly what you need to do during an omakase; sit back, trust the chef and allow him to showcase his culinary skills and creativity through his edible creations.

Since an omakase meal is based on seasonal produce, there is no fixed menu. This makes it a thrilling dining experience as you’ll never be able to guess what to expect next from the chef.

Few formal dining scenarios are as intimate as an omakase and one can be assured that the experience will be nothing less than elegant, exquisite and poetic. Being seated so close to the chef means that you can watch all the action live — the swift knife skills, the perfect rice-moulding and the careful plating — everything is executed with smooth precision and watching it in real-time is absolutely mesmerising.

There are 3 varying Omakase courses available at Sushi Jiro that come in 6 (S$180), 8 (S$220) and 10 (S$260) courses.

We tried the 10-course meal which includes a starter, 2 sashimi courses, Uni Ikura and Ise-Ebi, a cooked dish, Japanese Premium A5 Beef, a seasonal dish, Nigiri Sushi, soup and dessert.

Every omakase at Sushi Jiro comes with a sashimi course which includes a wide assortment of freshly sliced sashimi. Sushi Jiro takes immense pride in the quality of fish used for their sashimi and therefore, they relentlessly source across Japan for the most premium fish of the season.

The pinnacle of indulgence is best represented by uni, ikura and Ise-ebi, a dish that features a delectable mound of sweet prawns from Ise, a generous serving of uni and a copious smothering of ikura and gold flakes.

Ise-ebi is one of the most celebrated seafood in Japan and the bright red crustacean sports a plump, clear, white flesh that is very sweet, especially when eaten fresh. Combined together with the rich, creamy uni and the sweet ikura, the varying components create a decadent medley of flavours that will leave you hankering for more.

Out of the four Wagyu breeds from Japan, Miyazaki Wagyu is hands down the best of the lot and it is prided for its gorgeous marbling and out-of-this-world tenderness.

The luxurious cuts of meat here at Sushi Jiro are minimally seasoned so that you get to revel in the full impact of all those intense flavours. Every slice of beef has a palate-coating richness that is outrageously tender.

Every 10-course omakase also comes with a seasonal dish that varies across time and the dish for this season is a massive, glossy oyster. Smooth and briny with oceanic notes, the insanely plump and fresh oyster glides into one’s mouth with ease and tastes even better with a splash of zesty lemon.

What is a meal at Sushi Jiro without having a taste of their mind-blowing sushi? Every omakase here comes with a nigiri sushi platter which features a diverse selection of fastidiously assembled sushi.

Each sushi comes with a mound of sticky sushi rice that is dotted with spicy wasabi and draped with a luscious slice of fish. Despite all of them tasting absolutely phenomenal, the standout for us was the otoro (fatty tuna) nigiri which was creamy, buttery and melt-in-your-mouth tender.

PREMIUM JAPANESE WAGYU A5 BEEF DON SET 

If you’re not feeling so much for an intense omakase session, you can instead opt for one of Sushi Jiro’s luxe donburi.

The Premium Japanese Wagyu A5 Beef Don Set (S$68) features impeccably tender A5 wagyu beef slices, a runny onsen egg and shards of garlic atop a bed of fluffy, warm rice. Succulent and juicy with a gorgeous char, it is no wonder they consider the A5 wagyu beef the most premium grade of beef!

CHIRASHI-DON SET 

If you prefer raw fish, indulge in the Chirashi Don Set, where for just S$48, you can get yourself a bowl of Japanese premium rice that is blanketed in thickly cut sashimi and finished off with a dollop of creamy uni.

Each and every slice of sashimi brings its own unique element to the bowl and despite that, the smorgasbord of vibrant flavours and textures still manage to come together to create a gastronomical wonder that’ll leave a lasting impression.

From now until 30 August 2019, our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservations to enjoy 15% OFF Sushi Jiro’s omakase menus. The promotion may not be combined with other discounts, promotions, and vouchers. It is also not applicable for any order of alcohol drinks.

Sushi Jiro Keppel Bay
2 Keppel Bay Vista #02-0
Marina at Keppel Bay
Singapore 098382
Tel: +65 6252 4333
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

This post was brought to you by Sushi Jiro.

From the humble streets of Chinatown to the enclave of old Kampong Glam, PARKROYAL on Beach Road’s all-day dining buffet restaurant has long been known to deliver excellent renditions of local classics. Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s rich culinary landscape, the chefs here spare no effort in preparing a sumptuous buffet spread of mega proportions.

Their all-new weekend lunch and dinner spread—happening from now until 30 April 2019—encompasses cuisine spanning the far reaches of Southeast Asia from their Indonesian-inspired Wagyu Beef with Rendang Sauce, cult favourite, Salted Egg Yolk Crab and their all-new Claypot Rock Lobster with Fish Maw Soup that’s worthy of multiple helpings. Birthed from the hands of an experienced team of chefs, this weekend spread boasts a rustic, nostalgic appeal—one delicious mouthful at a time.

If you haven’t quite gotten over the recent Chinese new year holiday, then perhaps some proper feasting is in order. And to make your weekend dining experience even better, our readers can quote “LIC25” to enjoy a 25% discount on the weekend lunch and dinner buffet!

WAGYU BEEF WITH RENDANG SAUCE

There’s much to look forward to in the meat department and the one dish that’s worth having seconds of is their Wagyu Beef with Rendang Sauce. Tender, gorgeously pink and finished with a multi-dimensional gravy, this centrepiece stunner is one that’s worthy of multiple helpings.

The Wagyu beef, in all its tender, buttery glory is perfect on its own but what really takes it to the next level is the beautifully done rendang sauce. Much less viscous than your typical rendang gravy, do not be fooled because for what this sauce lacks in thickness, it sure as heck makes up for in flavour. A whirlwind of fresh flavours, the elements of lemongrass, ginger, garlic, turmeric and chilli do well to blanket the decadent Wagyu.

ROAST DUCK

Earning its place among the variety of premium meats over at the live carving station, do not miss your opportunity to snag a piece of their Roast Duck. We were fortunate to land ourselves the thigh portion which was tender and oozing with its own natural, flavour-packed fat.

Roasted to juicy perfection, the meat is succulent and devoid of any gaminess. During cooking, the fat of beneath the outer skin is properly rendered out, resulting in a paper-thin skin that’s crispy and delicious.

SOFT SHELL CRAB WITH WASABI MAYO

As addictive as a tub of love letters, one will find it incredibly difficult to resist going back for seconds (even thirds) for these deep-fried bad boys. Coated lightly in a flavoured batter and fried to crispy perfection, these delicious morsels taste similar to seafood tempura but better. Drizzle some wasabi mayo over it for a heightened depth of flavour.

SINGAPORE CHILLI CRAB WITH DEEP FRIED MANTOU

A staple at Ginger, their rendition of chilli crab is always a crowd pleaser. With all the foundations of the iconic dish done right—from the sweet, spicy and subtly tangy sauce to the quality of the crabs that are cooked just right—it’s hard to say that their take on it is anything but delicious.

Thickened with a beaten egg, the sauce develops thick, almost spreadable consistency that is just perfect when paired with deep-fried mantou.

SALTED EGG YOLK CRAB

Buttery, creamy but above all, savoury with a subtle zing, their rendition of the ever-popular Salted Egg Yolk Crab will have you diving in for seconds. Albeit the sauce is thick, the flavour was nicely balanced and well rounded out by the aromatic curry leaves. The crab meat was sweet and firm, serving as a worthy accompaniment for the luxurious salted egg yolk sauce.

CLAYPOT ROCK LOBSTER WITH FISH MAW SOUP

New to their arsenal of crustaceans is the Rock Lobster. To best appreciate the natural flavours of their premium Rock Lobster, we highly recommend heading over the live station to get yourself a serving of their Claypot Rock Lobster with Fish Maw Soup.

Cooked à la minute, the chef heats up 3 sizeable halves in a claypot of fish maw soup. Clear and comforting, the soup is flavoured simply with Chinese cooking wine, fresh broth and fish maw.

ROCK LOBSTER IN BLACK PEPPER SAUCE

If you’d much prefer something with a tinge of heat, definitely go for the other option which sees these sweet, fleshy crustaceans cooked in a flavourful black pepper sauce alongside aromatics such as curry leaves and garlic. Aptly peppery and fragrant without overshadowing its natural flavour, this dish was well executed, pushing the potential of the otherwise mildly flavoured lobsters and giving it an edgier appeal.

STIR-FRIED HOKKIEN PRAWN NOODLE WITH OBAR LEAVES

We set pretty high standards when it comes to Hokkien mee and we’re never slow to crucify anyone who desecrates one of our all-time favourite local dishes. Fortunately for us, no nails and crosses were required this time. On the contrary, the dish was well executed and encompassed all the right qualities of a good Hokkien mee.

The wok hei aroma and flavour was apparent and the noodles were cooked to just the right consistency—moist but not saucy. The dish boasts an intense flavour of fresh prawns and pork, and the strands of egg noodles did well to absorb all of it.

DIY KUEH PIE TEE

A hugely popular Peranakan snack, one of the things we tend to repeatedly gravitate towards is their DIY Kueh Pie Tee Station. For one, the thin and crispy tart shell (known as the kueh) is fresh and the pie tee—the sweet mixture of finely diced vegetables—is soft, sweet and flavourful.

Here’s a tip on how to achieve that perfect one-biter: fill it up about three-quarters of the way with their delicious pie tee and top it off with a smidgen of sambal, a tiny drizzle of sweet sauce and a few coriander leaves. Spicy, sweet and fresh all in one bite, it’s impossible to stop at just one.

In need of something to look forward to over the weekend? Let Ginger be your solution, and while you’re at it, don’t forget to quote “LIC25” to enjoy a 25% discount on the weekend lunch and dinner buffet!

Premium Madness Weekend Dinner Buffet (Fri to Sun)
Now until 30th April 2019
Daily: 6pm – 10.30pm
Adult: S$68++, Child: S$34++

Premium Madness Weekend Lunch Buffet (Sat & Sun)
Now until 30th April 2019
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm
Adult: S$58++, Child:

Terms & Conditions:

• Prices are subject to service charge and Goods and Services Tax (GST).
• The Management reserves the right to replace dishes without prior notice.
• All dishes are on a rotational basis.

GINGER
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199591
For reservations: +65 6505 5710 or dining.prsin@parkroyalhotels.com
Nearest Stations: Bugis / Nicole Highway

This post is brought to you by PARKROYAL on Beach Road. 

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

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

Among the many intricate and beautiful aspects of Japanese cuisine, one of the most unique is the Omakase. Omakase in Japanese fine dining is the act of leaving one’s culinary experience entirely up to the chef, transcending beyond what’s written on the menu. It is in fact, a huge compliment to the chef and is a sign that the diner has total trust in the chef’s expertise, culinary skill and recommendations. It’s a huge deal as far as Japanese food is concerned and the one place that we have total confidence in when it comes to a  luxurious, top-notch dining experience, Fat Cow’s Chef’s Table Omakase undeniably takes the cake.

A place where terrific food, culinary finesse and Japanese hospitality all come together, Fat Cow is one of those restaurants that bears timeless appeal. From their snazzy interiors, laid-back jazzy tunes to their extensive array of top-of-the-line wagyu and seafood-forward dishes, Fat Cow truly gives you a sense of exclusiveness and is quite realistically, the closest one gets to experiencing royalty.

Fat Cow’s dinner Omakase (S$250++ per pax) has always been known to be on the pricier side but for what it’s worth, diners are treated to nothing short of a pure, sensorial and blissful experience. With their newly curated lunch Omakase menu at S$80++ featuring 7 courses, lunchtime will no doubt be the best time to visit the restaurant to enjoy deluxe but wallet-friendly Omakase indulgences.

From now until 30 Sep 2018, quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservations to enjoy a further 10% discount for both lunch and dinner Omakase, as well as a complimentary glass of Fat Sour (whisky). A minimum of two persons per reservation is required.

Now, who’s up for Fat Cow’s lunch and dinner Chef’s Table Omakase? We know we are.

The man behind the restaurant’s highly celebrated Chef’s Table Omakase, Head Chef Shigeru Kasajima—a seasoned Japanese chef with many decades of French culinary skills under his belt—ensures that all dishes prepared are nothing short of perfection. He serves only the best seasonal seafood and produce—treating them delicately so as to present diners with only the purest, most pristine flavours and textures—and prides himself with serving premium ingredients of the highest grade.

Whether it is a moulded nigiri sushi or a simple soup, you can rest assured that Chef Kasajima cuts no corners—he ensures that every item is perfect before serving from seasoning to garnish.

Decked out in an intimate space of tranquil elegance and a sleek counter that sits just eight, guests are able to witness Chef Kasajima’s culinary prowess that embodies the spirit of both Japanese precision and French flair. Intimate from beginning to end, be prepared to be pampered like royalty as you entrust your evening to the chef himself. Dining at Fat Cow promises heightened dining experience unlike any other—one filled with a myriad of delicate tastes and unforgettable moments of sensorial bliss.

AMUSE BOUCHE

Both the lunch and dinner Omakase kicks off with the Amuse Bouche, which is essentially a wagyu beef carpaccio served with a marinated egg yolk and shiitake mushrooms.

Straightforward and visually stunning, we were blown away by how each individual component stood out without outshining one another, flavour-wise. The marinated egg was creamy and decadent while the shiitake was surprisingly sweet with a hint of umami. The seared wagyu, on the other hand, provided a nice buttery texture which completed the dish.

SEA BREAM SOUP

With the introduction of rich flavours at only the first course, it made complete sense to have the Sea Bream Soup with Lime Sudachi as our second. A hearty palate cleanser with notes of citrus, the light yet flavourful fish soup was hot, savoury and just what we needed to prep ourselves for the heavier courses ahead.

TOMATO UNI

Served in a martini glass, the Tomato with Sea Urchin and Tosazu Jelly—available only in the dinner Omakase menu—comprises a chilled Japanese tomato, sweet and savoury jelly (Tosazu Jelly), sea urchin (uni) served in a light, refreshing sauce.

A delightful appetiser, every mouthful was a combination of rich flavours that were nicely underscored by savoury and umami notes.

WAGYU TARTARE W BLACK TRUFFLE & QUAIL EGG YOLK (LUNCH & DINNER)

Another appetiser to look forward to is the Wagyu Tartare with Black Truffle and Quail Egg Yolk in Yuzu Ponzu. A true spectacle to behold, everything about this dish from the way Chef Kasajima prepares it to its final assembly is a display of Japanese precision and discipline at its best.

The dish first begins with a carefully formed layer of wagyu beef mince followed by shiitake mushrooms that he carefully places on top. Finally, black truffle is shaven over the top and a yuzu ponzu sauce is drizzled over.

Chef Kasajima’s advice is to first take a bite of the dish as it is to appreciate the raw flavours of each component and subsequently to drizzle in the quail egg yolk and mix everything together.

YUZU MISO FLOUNDER (LUNCH & DINNER)

Sliced thin and seasoned with a few drops of their house-made yuzu miso, the first thing you taste is the salty kick from the miso followed by the citrus notes from the yuzu. The raw flounder was relatively neutral tasting, which perfectly brought out the dominant flavours in the dressing.

5-PIECE NIGIRI (LUNCH)

The Chef’s Table Omakase lunch comes with five pieces of nigiri sushi. The sushi selection encompasses a smorgasbord of fresh ingredients that were carefully executed so as to not overshadow one other.

For lunch, guests can tuck into the likes of Alfonsino, Bluefin Tuna, Striped Jack, Signature Surf and Turf and Conger Eel. Some are dipped in shoyu, torched or simply served as it is to allow the original flavours of the fish to shine through with every bite.

The sushi is also served with a side of Pickled Chrysanthemum (Japan’s national flower and a snack that was enjoyed by royalty), instead of the traditional ginger, setting a more modern take on the Omakase experience.

Do note, however, that the ingredients used may vary depending on seasonality.

8-PIECE NIGIRI (DINNER)

For dinner, indulgence truly knows no bounds with the addition of three sensational nigiri sushi items on top of the ones mentioned above. They are the sea urchin (uni), marinated foie gras and baby leeks with bonito flakes.

The uni (sea urchin) sushi was phenomenal and a true luxury for the palate—from the brininess that hits you when it first touches your tongue to the subtly sweet taste that lingers.

WAGYU SUMIBIYAKI

Dining at Fat Cow would not be complete without savouring some of their prime wagyu beef and the Wagyu Sumibiyaki is a dish specially designed for the Omakase dinner to showcase just how exemplary the quality of their beef is.

With a meat so fine in quality and marbling, only the simplest treatment is needed. Lightly seared to achieve a caramelised exterior but just enough so that it still retains its buttery interior, the wagyu is delicate, soft yet extremely flavourful.

The quality of the beef is simply divine and as if having it on its own wasn’t good enough, served on the side is Chef Kasajima’s house-made koji miso that further accentuates the tender beef, giving it a nice salty kick.

If you find yourself drooling in envy now and hankering for a taste of all these decadent goodness, just know that there is still much more to expect from Fat Cow’s respective Omakase menus—we’ve barely scratched the surface.

Fat Cow’s Chef’s Table Omakase Dinner (S$250++ per pax) comes with amuse bouche, soup, five appetisers, three seasonal sashimi, six pieces of nigiri sushi, wagyu sumibiyaki, akadashi miso soup, Japanese rolled omelette and Japanese fruits.

If you are new to Omakase, you can choose to try the Chef’s Table Omakase Lunch (S$80++ per pax) first which consists of amuse bouche, soup, two starters, appetisers, five pieces of nigiri sushi, akadashi miso soup, Japanese rolled omelette and ice cream.

Do note that the aforementioned courses may not be available during selected days/ seasons and the chef will replace them with seasonal specials that are of similar value.

From now until 30 Sep 2018, quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservations to enjoy a further 10% discount for both lunch and dinner Omakase, as well as a complimentary glass of Fat Sour (whisky). A minimum of two persons per reservation is required.

Fat Cow
Camden Medical Centre #01-01/02,
1 Orchard Boulevard,
Singapore 248649
Tel: +65 6735 0308
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post was brought to you by Fat Cow.

The concept of omakase revolves around allowing the sushi chef to decide on the choice of dishes to serve his or her customers and will typically consist of a series of plates, beginning with the lightest fare and subsequently proceeding on to the heavier dishes.

There’s so much to love about this culinary style—from the trust that diners give the chef to the chef’s expertise in featuring a menu that encompasses only the freshest produce of the season. An omakase meal often starts off with an assortment of sushi, sashimi, cooked dishes and seasonal vegetables with common mainstays such as otoro (fatty tuna belly) and sometimes even premium ingredients with the likes of uni.

What makes omakase intriguing is the fact that you never know what to expect. No one really knows what the chef might serve because the dishes vary according to the season. Make no mistake that meals such as these do not necessarily come cheap, but if you’re hankering for a taste of Japanese omakase dining at its finest, here is our list of 10 best Japanese restaurants for omakase in Singapore.

SUSHI JIRO

Those who are looking for an authentic experience that is similar to what you will find in Japan can look no further than to Sushi Jiro at Marina Mandarin Singapore. The reputable Japanese restaurant serves fresh fish and seafood that are air-flown from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo four times a week.

Whether it is otoro (fatty tuna belly), uni (sea urchin), Wagyu beef or even something a little more unusual such as monkfish liver, rest assured that every dish served here—by the experienced hands of Chef Kenji—is guaranteed to take you on a sensorial journey.

Omakase Pricing

6 Course – S$180++
8 Course – S$220++
10 Course – S$260++

6 Raffles Boulevard
#04-600 Marina Mandarin Singapore
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6445 3055
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

FAT COW

Fat Cow is truly an icon when it comes to all things beef or steak related but steaks aside, Chef Shigeru Kasajima—a seasoned Japanese chef with many decades of French culinary skills under his belt—impresses more with his Chef’s Table Omakase.

Every item on the Omakase menu is specially curated and designed by Chef Kasajima himself. From delicate and bright tasting starters to a stellar line-up of sashimi and sushi options, what you can expect is an array of alluring flavours that will have you drooling between courses.

From now until 30 Sep 2018, quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservations to enjoy a further 10% discount for both lunch and dinner Omakase, as well as a complimentary glass of Fat Sour (whisky). A minimum of two persons per reservation is required.

Omakase Pricing
Akatsuki – S$80++
Nagoyaka – S$250++

Camden Medical Centre #01-01/02,
1 Orchard Boulevard,
Singapore 248649
Tel: +65 6735 0308
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: Hakumai Sushi

HAKUMAI SUSHI

At Hakumai Sushi & Omakase, each dish is treated with respect and only the best of each ingredient is sourced, from their premium Koshihikari rice that is imported directly from Niigata Prefecture to a whole slew of seasonal seafood from Tsukiji Market.

Dining here is always a no-frills experience as you entrust everything to the chef. With over two decades of experience under his belt, you can bet that you will be in good hands. Omakase prices are also reasonably affordable here too, making it a hot spot among locals.

Omakase Pricing
Standard Hakumai Omakase Course – S$168++
Exquisite Hakumai Omakase Course – S$218++

#01-50A, 10 Anson Road,
International Plaza,
Singapore 079903
Tel: +65 6224 4790
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: Hashida Sushi

HASHIDA SUSHI

Upscale from its swanky interiors to its unbelievable food, Hashida Sushi is the Singapore outpost of the original restaurant back in Kachidoki, Tokyo.

The focus here lies primarily on seasonal produce, of which their sashimi and sushi comprise, and the food is served during dinner in omakase-style. Prices here are by no means affordable but for the amount you pay, you can expect to tuck into their signature house-smoked chutoro (medium fatty tuna) or buttery uni served in various ways.

Omakase Pricing
Chef’s Lunch Omakase – From S$300++
Chef’s Dinner Omakase – S$300++ to S$500++

333A Orchard Road, #04-16 Mandarin Gallery,
Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 6733 2114
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue: 12.30pm – 3pm, 7pm – 10pm
Wed to Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 7pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: Ki-Sho

KI-SHO

From the seasonally inspired ingredients right down to the silverware and serving plates of which the restaurant’s gorgeous creations are presented in, Ki-Sho reflects a certain value that is both visually stunning and sensorial from taste to texture.

A native of Kyoto, Chef Hamamoto brings to the table modern kaiseki-style cuisine through a series of seasonally inspired omakase dishes that he executes with utmost precision and flair. Some dishes that will no doubt have you reminiscing for days include the Hokkaido Uni with Caviar and Seasonal Vegetables as well as the Aburi Hida Beef Sushi.

Omakase Pricing
Chef’s Omakase – S$450++

29 Scotts Road,
Singapore 228224
Tel: +65 6733 5251
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Newton

Photo Credit: Shinzo Japanese Cuisine

SHINZO JAPANESE CUISINE

Exuding a resounding warmth reminiscent of cosy eateries in Japan, Shinzo Japanese Cuisine is where you can find authentic Japanese cuisine that stays true to its roots from the choice of ingredients to the traditional techniques used.

Dining here is always a joy because you never know what to expect and prices are reasonably affordable as well considering that many of the dishes include premium and seasonally sourced ingredients that are air-flown all the way from Japan.

Omakase Pricing
Shinzo Omakase Course – S$188++
Jonetsu Omakase Course – S$220++

17 Carpenter Street,
Singapore 059906
Tel: +65 6438 2921
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: Shoukouwa

SHOUKOUWA

Opened back in March 2016 as one of Emmanuel Stroobant Group’s first forays into Japanese dining comes Shoukouwa, an intimate sushi restaurant that managed to beat other sushi establishments to land itself two Michelin stars.

What makes this eight-seater fine dining restaurant stand out from the rest is its commitment to keeping things as authentic as possible, meaning that their omakase menu only features ingredients from Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. Dining here is sure to leave a lifelong impression from its humble appetisers right down to its premium seafood.

Omakase Pricing
Miyabi – S$320++
Hana – S$480++

1 Fullerton Road, #02-02A One Fullerton,
Singapore 049213
Tel: +65 6423 9939
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sun: 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

SUSHI MURASAKI

Sushi Murasaki’s omakase dining concept constantly pushes culinary boundaries by combining numerous cooking techniques to better bring out the natural textures and flavours of each ingredient—which are all flown in directly from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo.

If you love the ice cream of the ocean (also known as uni) then the Kumo Omakase Set is what you should definitely opt for. What you get is a glorious (and generous) portion of buttery smooth uni atop sushi rice and wrapped with seaweed—a true joy to devour.

Omakase Pricing (Dinner)
Kumo – S$180++
Murasaki – S$250++

9 Raffles Boulevard, #02-08,
Millenia Walk,
Singapore 039569
Tel: +65 6341 9668
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

Photo Credit: Ryo Sushi

RYO SUSHI

Highly popular for being one of the more affordable Japanese omakase restaurants in town (with no GST and service charge), getting a seat at Ryo Sushi is often a challenge.

The restaurant specialises mainly in sushi omakase and their seasonal menus can be priced as low as S$18 for a 10-course omakase set to S$98 for an 18-course omakase set that will have you wobbling out the door with a satisfied tummy.

Omakase Pricing
10-Course Menu – S$18
18-Course Sea Urchin Menu – S$98

1 Tras Link, #01-06
Orchid Hotel
Singapore 078867
Tel: +65 6443 3463
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11.45am – 2.45pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

SHINJI BY KANESAKA

Boasting an exquisite selection of fine sake, food and impeccable service, Michelin-starred Shinji By Kanesaka over at Carlton Hotel Singapore promises a dining experience like no other.

An extension of 1 Michelin star Chef Shinji Kanesaka’s Edo-style sushi restaurant in Tokyo’s exclusive Ginza district, the restaurant promises nothing but the finest Japanese cuisine around.

Omakase Pricing
Lunch
Omakase Special – S$250++
Chef’s Omakase Special – S$300++

Dinner
Omakase Wa – S$300++
Chef’s Omakase Special – S$500++

76 Bras Basah Road
Carlton Hotel Singapore
Singapore 189558
Tel: +65 6338 6131
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah / City Hall

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.

Izakaya bars are all the rage now, especially among the office crowd and En Dining (previously known as En Sakaba) under the Izakaya Japanese Dining Group (which manages En Japanese Dining at Mohd Sultan, En Japanese Dining Bar at Bukit Timah and Z’en Japanese Cuisine) is not a name unheard of.

Now with a total of 4 new outlets—each boasting different concepts—this izakaya slash Japanese restaurant group is a true haven for those in search of tantalising Japanese fare, a chic yet cosy spot to relax at and a solid tipple.

Introducing its new flagship restaurant and the group’s fourth outlet, En Dining at Capital Tower is set to enthrall with their stellar shabu shabu offering, visually stunning à la carte items as well as a selection of curated Japanese whiskies and sake for your after-work tippling pleasure.

For a limited period and exclusive only at Capital Tower, En Dining is having a hot pot buffet dinner that comes with a selection of appetisers, 3 kinds sashimi platter, wagyu sushi, prawn and vegetables tempura, Häagen-Dazs ice cream as well as a monumental shabu shabu that sees unlimited servings of Japan’s No. 1 of Miyazaki wagyu beef, premium zuwai kani queen crab, ibérico kurobuta pork, assorted vegetables, udon and Japanese porridge—all at only S$78++ per pax (U.P. S$108++ per pax).

We kid you not, from the sweet flesh of the queen crab to the perfectly marbled, melt-in-your-mouth Miyazaki Wagyu, this is a shabu shabu feast that you must try and you’d be a fool if you missed it.

If your idea of a Japanese izakaya is a shabby, small and dimly lit hut then En Dining’s flagship will change that perception. The interior is decked out in beautiful furnishings that screams chic and cosy.

We especially adore the bar counter that allows diners to peek into the open kitchen, as well as the wide selection of premium Japanese spirits and sakes on display.

APPETISER, SASHIMI, TEMPURA 

The buffet commences with an assortment of 3 different appetisers, each with different textures and flavours, yet sharing an element of freshness that no doubt will help to ease diners into the heavier courses.

Their sashimi platter comes with 3 varieties of seasonal fish and seafood, cut thick and gorgeously presented while the tempura platter consists of ebi (prawn) and a variety of vegetables—all deep-fried to crispy and golden perfection.

Considering that the buffet commences with these 3 stellar items, what follows may prove a tad too hard to resist. Period.

JAPAN’S NO.1 MIYAZAKI WAGYU SUSHI

To fully experience the natural taste of Wagyu, the buffet comes with a serving of Wagyu Sushi. Served raw atop sushi rice and garnished with freshly diced scallions, each mouthful promises a delicious flavour punch of pure beefy goodness that runs off your tongue almost like butter.

JAPAN’S NO.1 MIYAZAKI WAGYU (UNLIMITED SERVINGS)

Nobody leaves En Dining without having some A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef and this was love at first sight for us. From top-notch farms in Japan to the waiting mouths of hungry patrons, En Dining’s elite offering—premium Miyazaki Wagyu beef—is one that promises sheer, melt-in-your-mouth decadence in every bite.

An order of their prized Miyazaki Wagyu sees a platter of elegantly laid out slices of perfectly marbled beef, pleasing not only to the tongue but also to the mind and eye. Whether you deem yourself a wagyu connoisseur or not, a sight like this is the pinnacle of gourmet.

Our suggestion is to not overcook it. Simply simmer your beef for a few seconds and bring it to a pinkish-brown shade, remove it, and dip it generously in ponzu to bring out the best of the fatty beef.

A good point to note about the restaurant’s prized Miyazaki Wagyu is that it has won various prestigious industry awards, including the most honoured ‘Prime Minister Award’ by the Wagyu Registry Association in Japan for its outstanding meat quality.

Given to the best cattle once every five years, this award has been won by Miyazaki Wagyu for 3 consecutive contests, meaning it has held the reigns for 15 years and has been labelled ‘Japan’s Number One Beef’ ever since!

In terms of marbling, firmness, texture and sheer lustre of the fat within the wagyu, this is easily one of the best things you can ever put into your mouth.

IBÉRICO KUROBUTA PORK (UNLIMITED SERVINGS)

The Miyazaki Wagyu may be a showstopper in its own right but following close behind is the Ibérico Kurobuta Pork. Also available in unlimited portions, this gorgeous pork variety boasts a delicate, nutty flavour with melt-in-your-mouth marbling.

ZUWAI QUEEN CRAB (UNLIMITED SERVINGS)

Yet another highlight of this shabu shabu buffet is the unlimited servings of premium Zuwai Kani Queen Crab.

Sweeter in comparison to its male counterpart, the Zuwai Queen Crab is deemed by the chefs here a better choice for Japanese shabu shabu as it adds a heightened sweetness to the overall soup broth. The delicate flesh of the crab is insanely sweet and produces a lovely aroma when allowed to cook gently in the Bonito broth.

MIYAZAKI WAGYU SPECIALITIES

Besides shabu shabu, En Dining also prepares their highly prized Miyazaki wagyu in a number of ways (and in various cuts too) to allow diners to fully appreciate the premium quality beef at its best—namely in the form of sushi, sashimi, carpaccio and more!

A dish that beautifully enhances the wagyu and brings out the most of its beefy potential is the Wagyu With Quail Egg. Sliced into thin strips and topped with a quail egg yolk, what you get is a simple cold dish that fully allows you to savour every morsel of flavour.

Serving sizes may be a tad small but believe us when we say, you probably wouldn’t be able to stomach more than one serving of this given how rich the components are.

These Wagyu Specialties are available at all 4 restaurants—Capital Tower, JEM, Orchard Central and Clarke Quay.

SASHIMI PLATTER

As if all that unlimited servings of decadence are not enough, you will be spoilt with a deluxe platter of sashimi as part of the buffet.

PRAWN AND VEGETABLES TEMPURA

Also included in the buffet is this plate of tempura that comes with prawns and an assortment of vegetables such as eggplant, sweet potato and pumpkin. Each one is coated with a light batter mix and deep-fried to a golden colour and served with a bowl of Tentsuyu dipping sauce.

DESSERT

After all that feasting, you might think of turning down dessert but we all know deep down, there is always room for dessert. End your meal on a sweet note with a creamy and robust matcha ice cream from Häagen-Dazs, topped with whipped cream and a dollop of azuki paste.

With such an exciting line-up, En Dining’s Japan No. 1 Miyazaki Wagyu and Premium Queen Crab Hotpot Buffet is one you cannot miss out on. For a limited period only, indulge in 90 minutes of unlimited servings of premium meats and seasonal delicacies at only S$78++ (usual price S$108) per pax.

For dining reservations and enquiries, please call +65 6423 0110 or RSVP at http://www.ensakaba.com.sg/buffet-promotion/.

*This offer is only available at En Dining Capital Towers outlet from Monday to Friday after 5pm and Saturday.

*Valid with a minimum order for 2 pax.

*The menu may change without prior notice.

*Price is subjected to 10% service charge and 7% prevailing GST.

*Management reserves the rights to change terms and conditions without prior notice.

*Valid for dine-in and duration is a maximum of 90 minutes only.

A LA CARTE DISHES

Aside from their premium buffet, En Dining’s menu also boasts a range of delectable a la carte dishes such as Wagyu Sushi, Wagyu Tobanyaki, Wagyu Sukiyaki and Wagyu Yukke.

One of our favourites is the Japanese porridge where diners get to enjoy Japanese pearl rice that is stirred into the flavourful dashi broth and allowed to simmer until soft. It is then finished off with the addition of raw eggs which acts as a thickener as well as provides the porridge with a secondary layer of richness and depth.

En Dining Capital Tower

168 Robinson Road #01-10
Capital Tower
Singapore 068912
Tel: +65 6423 0110
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

This post is brought to you by En Dining.

With its extensive array of succulent and high-quality Japanese Wagyu beef that is specially curated from different regions of Japan, Fat Cow is one of the best steak restaurants in Singapore and our go-to place whenever our carnivorous urges kick in.

Presenting the new Chef’s Table Omakase headed by Chef Shigeru Kasajima—a seasoned Japanese chef with many decades of French culinary skills under his belt—allow your senses to take flight as Fat Cow takes you on an edible trip like you have never experienced before.

Every item on the Omakase menu is specially curated and designed by Chef Kasajima himself. From delicate and bright tasting starters to a stellar line-up of sashimi and sushi options, what you can expect from this dinner situation is an array of alluring flavours that will have you drooling between courses.

For foodies looking for a lavish and elevated gastronomic experience, Fat Cow’s Chef’s Table Omakase is available at S$120++ per pax during lunch and S$280++ per pax during dinner. Only eight counter slots are available per session so you better snag those seats quick—especially since that from now until 31 March 2018, you can quote “ladyironchef” upon making your reservations to enjoy a 10% discount off Fat Cow’s omakase menus.

High ceilings and a heavy emphasis on wooden elements and bright amber lights give this space a rather warm and cosy vibe.

Helmed by Chef Shigeru Kasajima, the Omakase dining room offers an exclusive and intimate dining experience for discerning guests. With a sleek counter that sits just eight, guests are able to witness his culinary prowess that embodies the very best of Japanese precision and French flair.

With the opportunity to interact directly with the chef, each guest gets to enjoy a highly personalised dining experience and the calming ambience also allows diners to marvel at Chef Kasajima’s intricate preparations with minimal disturbance.

FAT COW’S CHEF’S TABLE OMAKASE DINNER

We had the Chef’s Table Omakase Dinner (S$280++ per pax) and our sensorial gastronomic trip commenced with four different starter items—each boasting delicate yet refreshing flavours that helped ease us into the heavier courses.

The first tasting platter that greeted our eyes consisted of three different components, of which the stand-out was undoubtedly the marinated egg yolk. For a better idea of how it tastes, think tasty and luscious ramen egg without the egg white.

Served in a martini glass, the Japanese Fruit Tomato Cocktail comprises a chilled Japanese tomato, sweet and sour jelly (Tosazu Jelly), white fish, uni and Oba leaf pesto sauce. Every mouthful was a combination of bright flavours that were nicely underscored by savoury and umami notes.

The Yude Kani (crab) features sweet flakes of handpicked crabmeat mixed with earthy Kani miso. The crabmeat is complemented with Chef’s Kasajima’s special sanbaizu sauce and a tiny dollop of yuzu foam that sits neatly above it. The citrusy qualities helped to balance out the robust flavour of the crabmeat nicely, resulting in a surprisingly refreshing starter.

The tai fish head soup was a much-needed soul booster—hot, comforting and a great palate cleanser.

The sashimi offering is a line-up of Shima-aji (Striped Jack) sashimi with Himalayan pink salt freshly grated over top, Tsubugai (whelk) sashimi and Kinmedai (snapper) Sashimi. Each sashimi item was fresh and we also appreciated the chef’s use of freshly grated wasabi instead of the conventional powdered version.

Depending on the day’s catch, look forward to the delightfully succulent Botan Ebi. Large, clear water prawns come served with a ponzu dipping sauce infused with umami-packed truffle oil. Before you lower the prawn into your mouth, you are first hit with the robust aroma of truffle, followed by the salty, citrusy profiles of the ponzu sauce.

This was easily the best item of the omakase dinner menu.

Lightly-grilled Grade 4 Ohmi Wagyu ribeye comes served with Chef’s “secret recipe” ponzu sauce and a creamy goma dare sauce. The dish comes with three slices of beef, allowing you to savour the experience with each dipping sauce or simply on its own to soak in the natural beefy flavours of the Wagyu.

The Chef’s Table Omakase dinner comes with 10 pieces of nigiri sushi. The sushi selection encompassed a smorgasbord of fresh ingredients that were each carefully executed so as to not overplay one another.

The sushi line-up featured Aburi Otoro sushi, grilled foie gras sushi, baby leeks, sour plum paste and bonito flakes sushi, Maguro Zuke (marinated tuna) sushi, Anago (fresh water eel) sushi as well as the astonishingly refreshing Hotategai (sea scallop) with yuzu foam and grated lime zest.

The uni (sea urchin) sushi was phenomenal and a true luxury to behold. Generous spoonfuls of uni are neatly placed over sushi rice and upon that first mouthful, flavours of the ocean come bursting through.

One of the highlights was the Chef Kasajima’s insanely decadent signature ‘Surf & Turf’ sushi that heaved Wagyu beef tartare, uni, amaebi and ikura. While it seemed at first like a flavour overkill, we were surprised at the different textures present—from the light popping of the ikura to the chewy amaebi, every component could be felt (and tasted) prominently.

The omakase dinner ends off with a hot, hearty bowl of miso soup, a sweet tamago egg (branded with the initials ‘FC’) as well as sliced Japanese pears.

FAT COW’S A LA CARTE MENU ITEMS

At S$98++, the Fat Cow Premium Donburi is possibly the most decadent Japanese rice bowl out there. Served on a bed of rice is a perfectly grilled slab of Wagyu steak accompanied by pan-seared chunks of creamy foie gras, uni, Ikura, caviar and an onsen egg.

This extravagant dish seduced us with its heady aroma of truffle, smoke and vibrant colours. The Wagyu stood up well against the fresh uni, caviar and ikura and although this rice bowl is by no means affordable, it certainly lives up to its price point with each component being executed perfectly. On the contrary, if you think about it, it is actually very value-for-money for all that premium ingredients you get in one bowl!

If you love cod, then the Gindara Saikyo Yaki (S$48++) is sure to get you reminiscing about it for days. Miso-licked black cod is grilled and served alongside pickled ginger root. The miso added a sweet and savoury quality to the fish and its charred exterior provided a secondary depth of flavour.

Fat Cow’s Chef’s Table Omakase Dinner at Fat Cow (S$280++ per pax) comes with starter, appetiser, fish soup, crab, wagyu, seasonal sashimi, 10 pieces of nigiri sushi, Akadashi Miso Soup, Japanese omelette and Japanese fruits; what you will be paying for is fresh and seasonal produce of the highest quality.

Otherwise, you can also go for the Chef’s Table Omakase Lunch (S$120++ per pax) which consists of a starter, appetiser, 8 pieces of nigiri sushi, Akadashi Miso Soup, Japanese omelette and dessert.

From now till 31 March 2018, reember to quote “ladyironchef” upon making your reservations to enjoy a 10% discount off Fat Cow’s omakase menus.

Fat Cow
Camden Medical Centre #01-01/02,
1 Orchard Boulevard,
Singapore 248649
Tel: +65 6735 0308
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by Fat Cow.

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/11/fat-cow-omakase/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/10/kabuke-singapore/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/10/kabuke-singapore/#comments Wed, 11 Oct 2017 03:00:10 +0000 Editorial http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=147485 Continue reading →]]>

Kabuke is a new Japanese sake bar and restaurant hidden on the second level of a shophouse in Telok Ayer.

The name ‘Kabuke’ is a combination of two words—kabuki and sake. ‘Kabuki’ is a Japanese word which refers to classical Japanese theatre and this is reflected in the cartoon performers that are painted on the walls.

Sake connoisseurs will be pleased to know that Kabuke has a well-stocked bar with a collection of Sake from over 20 prefectures! As for those who are looking for some grub, they also offer contemporary Japanese dishes.

For the beginners, Kabuke has sorted out their sake into three main categories, which are mainly A (90ml – S$8/300ml – S$24), B (90ml – S$12/ 300ml – S$36) and C (90ml – S$18/ 300ml – S$54). Besides that, they are also offering sake flight (S$24) for those who are keen to sample on three different sake varieties.

Some of the sake options they have now include Mukansa Honjozo Super Dry that comes with a pleasant bitterness, Junmai Ginjo with its fruity accents and Junmai Daiginjo 50 which has a light and clean taste on your palate.

Lunch is an excellent time to visit; their beef bowls start from S$15 and you can choose from Gyudon, Wagyu Suki or Wagyu Striploin Bowls. Alternatively, they also have daily rice bowl specials such as the Salted Egg Chicken Katsu Don (S$15).

It is worth mentioning that Kabuke’s food menu is seasonal to keep things exciting.

Photos Credit: Kabuke

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.

Kabuke
200A Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068638
Tel: +65 8822 5525
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2pm, 5pm – 11pm
Fri: 11.30am – 2pm, 5pm – 12 Midnight
Sat: 5pm – 12 Midnight
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

It is time to feast again at Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore’s 10 at Claymore. The hotel’s star restaurant always surprises us with their thematic buffet spreads. Brace yourselves, beef and seafood lovers.

For the next line-up, tuck into a lavish spread of international cuisine and savour the robust flavours of Australian beef Wagyu Tomahawk, fresh Boston lobster and three varieties of oyster.

This fit-for-a-king lineup is aptly named ‘Beef and Reef’ which beautifully encompasses the best of both land and sea, and prices start from S$68++.

But you know what? You are going to enjoy a special price because you are learning about the buffet from us. From 01 July 2017 to 30 September 2017, quote “ladyironchef-two-for-$98-beef-and-reef” upon making reservations to indulge in endless helpings of Wagyu beef, lobsters and oysters at only S$98++ for two pax!

AUSTRALIAN BEEF WAGYU TOMAHAWK

The new addition to the award-winning 10 at Claymore’s buffet menu is the tender and flavourful Australian beef Wagyu Tomahawk. Incredibly tender, the grain-fed Australian beef derives its buttery texture and superior taste from its four to five percent marbling.

For the uninitiated, the Tomahawk steak refers to a cut of beef ribeye that has five or more inches of extra rib bone jutting out of it. More for presentation purposes, it is called a ‘tomahawk’ cut because the steak with the long bone intact resembles a single-handed axe known as the tomahawk.

The meat is slowly roasted and marvellously seared to obtain a caramelised crust while retaining the succulent juiciness of the Wagyu. The rich and intense flavours of the thickly sliced meat are sure to please the most discerning of diners.

With the Wagyu beef cooked bone-in, you can expect a more flavourful piece of meat. During cooking, the flavourful and complex marrow in the middle of the bone melts and runs out onto the meat itself, further infusing it with more intense, beefy flavours.

Incredibly moist, flavourful and melt-in-your mouth tender, the wagyu tomahawk is indeed a stellar dish of the buffet line-up.

BOSTON LOBSTER

This season’s promotion also sees unlimited servings of Boston lobsters on ice. The sweet lobster meat is best appreciated when dipped in clarified butter or with a dash of Tabasco sauce.

For something heartier, you can also request to have it cooked with garlic and clarified butter. This simple preparation method does well to not overpower the natural sweetness of the lobster but instead, enhances the flavour. It was so addictive and our hearts were won instantly.

THREE KINDS OF OYSTERS

Oyster lovers will get very excited. Featuring a tantalising trio of oysters from France, Ireland and the USA respectively, fans of the delectable mollusks are in for a treat—as you always would because 10 at Claymore has already made a name for themselves with their quality oyster offerings.

Plump, juicy and super fresh, it really doesn’t get any better than this.

For first timers, this would serve as an opportunity for you to try different varieties so you can finally decide on the kinds you like.

We recommend you start with the plump and smooth American Oysters from Washington Bay as they are milder in flavours and definitely not overwhelming.

For more robust flavours, dive straight for the Irish Premium Oysters which are loved for being creamy and luscious. Those with a fondness for oysters that are less fleshy but equally juicy can opt for the French Fine de Claire Oysters.

Try too, the hearty and robust flavours that come with oysters from Australia. They are simply delightful with a hit of fresh lemon.

Nothing upsets us more than watching oysters pre-shucked and left out in the open for hours. At 10 at Claymore, you will see no such thing. Get your oysters shucked to order by resident chefs, or even skilfully transformed into the much-loved crispy Oyster Omelette.

‘Beef and Reef’ also includes a selection of 10 at Claymore’s signature Penang favourites, Asian delights and international dishes as well.

Try to keep your bellies for the sweet stuff too! Their house-made desserts, pastries and crepes with evergreen toppings from durian to sweet corn are to die for!

Diners are invited to enjoy the gastronomical promotion when the season opens from 01 July 2017 to 30 September 2017 for dinner from 6pm to 10.30pm. Judging by the overwhelming success of their previous Oyster and Lobster Occasions Buffet, our advice is to make your reservations early.

Remember to quote “ladyironchef-two-for-$98-beef-and-reef” to enjoy the ‘Beef and Reef’ promotion at S$98++ for two pax. The buffet is available for dinner only from Monday to Sunday.

For dining enquiries and reservations, please call +65 6831 6686 or email dining.ppsgo@panpacific.com.

UPDATE: 10 at Claymore’s Beef & Reef Buffet has been fully booked on all Saturdays and Sundays in August.

**Not valid on any special occasions, eve of public holidays or on public holidays. Blackout and closed-out dates do apply.

**Not valid with any credit card discounts and promotions or any on-going promotions.
**Reservations are required.
**The hotel reserves the right to amend the promotional details without prior notice.
**Price stated is subject to service charge and Goods and Services Tax (GST).

10 at Claymore
Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore
10 Claymore Road
Tel: +65 6831 6686
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore.

The Dragon Chamber is the first speakeasy restaurant in Singapore. A new dining concept by TungLok Group, The Dragon Chamber is hidden within Lokkee at Plaza Singapura.

For the uninitiated, a speakeasy usually refers to a bar which is hidden from plain sight; with that, part of the fun is in digging out its whereabouts. Go through a secret entrance in Lokkee and enter a different world. The Dragon Chamber is effortlessly hip and cool without trying too hard.

Do be warned that this new concept is not a space for political correctness. Only individuals aged 16 and above are permitted to enter. Contrasting Lokkee’s familiar, lovable Chinese-American recipes, The Dragon Chamber pushes boundaries by adopting experimental techniques and working with unconventional animal parts—think grilled pig’s tail and crocodile foot—to create a myriad of exotic dishes.

Whoever said dining in Singapore is getting boring most definitely need to know about The Dragon Chamber. Now, we promise you an experience unlike any other.

A KINKY INTERIOR

If you have been wondering about the story behind The Dragon Chamber, it is actually inspired by secret hideouts and gambling dens where Chinese gangsters used to hang out at. Let your hair down and be free from any social limitations!

The short journey from Lokkee to The Dragon’s Chamber is intriguing in itself. Entering through a random red door located in the middle of Lokkee, you will find yourself stumbling through a tunnel filled with mirrors and red fluorescent lighting. After which, you will move past a set of curtains which will eventually reveal a totally different space.

Upon entering and soaking up the atmosphere of the place, we finally understood what being in an underground Chinese triad den felt like. It was rather daunting at first, we won’t deny. The lights were dimly lit (there is only a total of 14 filament bulbs lighting up the entire place), giving the speakeasy restaurant a dark and dingy feel.

‘BAKKWA’ BACON SALAD

Making a grand entrance with an amazing fog effect, we were blown away by the beauty of the ‘Bakkwa’ Bacon Salad (S$32++). It is indeed a feast for both your eyes and taste buds.

What you get is succulent bacon strips grilled “bakkwa style”, giving it a lovely caramel coloured sheen and has a sweet and smokey flavour. Accompanied by fresh, oriental green salad, do not miss out on the lotus root croutons.

‘GUO TIE’ POTSTICKERS WITH DANCING CRAB® SIGNATURE SAUCE AND BAKED CHEESE

A collaboration with Dancing Crab®, those who are a fan of the Louisana seafood restaurant will recognise its signature cajun sauce which has been incorporated into grilled potsticker dumplings (S$18++). It is then topped with cheese before baking in the oven.

It was subtly spicy, giving it a good kick and the tartness from the sauce helped to cut through the intense meatiness of the potstickers really well.

CRISPY CORN ROLLS

Any corn lovers out there? You get to create your very own Crispy Corn Roll (S$14++) at The Dragon Chamber with stir-fried sweet corn and mini Sakura shrimp stuffed in tortilla cones.

JOSPER GRILLED PIG’S TAIL

Do not be put off by its name because the Josper Grilled Pig’s Tail (S$28++) is nothing too gross. In fact, it is very flavourful and much effort has been taken to prepare it. Grilled in a Josper oven, this method of cooking results in juicy and tender meat encased in delicate, crispy skin.

The staff will pull the meat apart. You have the option of enjoying it on its own, or wrapped up in lettuce leaves along with fresh cilantro and basil leaves to offset the intense porky flavours. To give it an additional kick, drip in a few drops of chili padi-infused fish sauce and enjoy!

‘MALA’ IRISH DUCK

This is not your typical mala dish. What we love about their ‘Mala’ Irish Duck (S$60++ for whole; S$36++ for half) is the in-house special mala sauce drenched over beautifully roasted Irish duck—it has a rich mala flavour without being overly spicy that it stings your tongue. A must-try for all duck lovers!

DRAGON’S CLAW

We wouldn’t blame you if you are wondering what Dragon’s Claw (S$60++) is because of its ambiguous name. It is essentially a crocodile’s foot! Yes, not one for the faint-hearted but nobody goes to The Dragon Chamber without trying this.

A Singapore farmed crocodile foot is braised in a herbal sauce and served atop a bed of kale. The melt-in-the-mouth texture and herbal taste resembled that of braised pig’s trotter.

Trust that The Dragon Chamber is not one to skimp on theatrics. The dish comes served surrounded by a ring of fire and once the fire dies out, that’s when you tuck in.

X.O. ‘GRUB’ CHOP SUEY

Daunting as it may look and sound, fret not because no actual grubs were used in making this dish. The X.O. ‘Grub’ Choy Suey (S$24++) features grub-like abomination that is actually a special type of artichoke.

The dish is stir-fried with mushrooms, kale and zucchini.

LOBSTER CRISPY NOODLES

The Lobster Crispy Noodles (S$25++ for regular; S$48++ for large) at The Dragon Chamber is one of our favourites. The juicy grilled lobster is as stunning to look at as it is delicious.

When the special gravy is doused over and the crispy ‘sheng mian’ absorbs the decadent sauce, enjoy it together with the scrumptious lobster and your day is sure to be made.

WAGYU TRUFFLE HOR FUN

It would be a sin to skip the Wagyu Truffle Hor Fun (S$50++). This dish left all of us speechless; it was easily the best dish on The Dragon Chamber’s menu.

Imagine medium rare A4 grade Wagyu beef atop warm hor fun. It is made all the better with crispy deep-fried hor fun strips, poached egg with a runny yolk and truffle gravy. The sheer explosive flavours is mind-boggling. As luxurious as hor fun can get, we will never look at hor fun the same way ever again.

SWEET MULBERRY EGG TEA

End your meal with Sweet Mulberry Egg Tea (S$7++), the house’s signature dessert that is brewed with egg, mulberry tea, dates and cane sugar.

Also known as ‘Sang Ji Sheng’, this is a delectable ancient Chinese dessert with many health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and improving blood circulation.

The Dragon Chamber
68 Orchard Road
#03-02 Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 4566
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

This post is brought to you by TungLok Group.

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

Encompassing 4 historical buildings and 2 new tower blocks within its premises, the stunning South Beach Singapore is a breathtaking architecture that is set to impress. However, most people are unaware that within the buildings is South Beach Avenue, a massive area that includes 16 dining and lifestyle concepts.

South Beach Avenue is easily accessible as it sits right on top of Esplanade MRT, right in Central Singapore. A multitude of trendy bars, photogenic cafes and gorgeous restaurants awaits to be discovered and there are endless reasons why South Beach Avenue deserves a visit.

With South Beach Avenue, your search for a weekend hideout with great ambience, food and drinks can finally come to an end. Be it a weekend with the family, a romantic partner or friends, trust us when we say that South Beach Avenue is definitely the hottest dining destination right now.

Here are 12 Restaurants at South Beach Avenue you wish you knew earlier.

ALCHEMIST BEER LAB

Alchemist Beer Lab is an elegant bar that caught our attention because of their massive range of craft beer and fruit-infused beer that are made in-house. Think crazy concoctions such as the Obama (S$12/Happy Hour, S$15/regular)—stout infused with toasted marshmallows, vanilla pods and mint leaves.

Of all the fantastic and innovative Premium Infusion Taps, our favourites were the Passionista (Tap 10) and the 50 Shades of Pink (Tap 14). Both infusions were fruity and refreshing and would be a great fit for those who prefer light drinks.

Dig into bar bites after sampling the unique beers. The chef highly recommends the Ale Battered Sea Bass (S$15.90/set lunch) that features soft and flaky sea bass.

26 Beach Road, #B1-16 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6386 4365
Sun to Thu: 4pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 4pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Esplanade

ATMASTEL

Led by Andrea Tarini, an Italian chef with a 3-Michelin-star background, Atmastel is a modern Italian casual restaurant with a purist vision of Italian food in Singapore. Walk into Atmastel and be greeted by a swanky open-concept kitchen, a pizza bakery, Crudo, drinks bar and a well-stocked retail section with more than 70 varieties of artisanal cold cuts, cheeses, wines and condiments.

Chef Tarini and his team have exquisitely crafted a menu that features only the very best of artisanal ingredients. Fresh San Marzano tomatoes, San Daniele ham and mozzarella are just some of the ingredients that are air-flown weekly from Italy.

Start off your meal with the Cold Cut Platter (S$45) which is recommended for sharing. Comprising of assorted artisanal cheese, manually sliced artisanal cured meats such as San Daniele DOP Proscuitto and the Shoulder Iberico ham, candied fruit, olives, pickles and toasted homemade bread, this spread was beyond impressive.

The Zuppa di Pesce (S$68), market-fresh fish and seafood stewed in a Mediterranean sauce with toasted garlic bread, will make for a hearty main. Finish off your splendid meal with a deconstructed Tiramisu (S$14.90) or the Portuguese Egg Tart (S$4.20) topped off with cinnamon powder. One tip is to order in advance for the Portuguese Egg tart as they are a hot favourite and are usually sold out very quickly!

26 Beach Road, #B1-22 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6581 0085
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

BLACK COW

A contemporary Japanese restaurant, Black Cow has made a name for its Japanese Wagyu beef—Matsusaka & Kagoshima.

If you are looking for a reputable Japanese restaurant to dine at when in South Beach Avenue, Black Cow has a menu of Shabu Shabu & Sukiyaki.

26 Beach Road, #B1-20 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6386 6720
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

CAFFÈ VERGNANO 1882

Experience true Italian espresso at Caffè Vergnano 1882, Italy’s oldest family-owned coffee roaster dedicated to serving a good cup of coffee and hot chocolate. Coffee is brewed using Arabica beans sourced from Central America, which will give subtle hints of citrus fruit and floral notes in your brew.

This cafe bar also boasts a beautiful interior, made perfect by the rays of sunlight streaming in seamlessly through its bay windows. If you are a coffee and chocolate enthusiast, a weekend spent at the gorgeous Caffè Vergnano 1882 will be like a vacation in a chocolate and coffee wonderland.

Besides that, you must try one of Caffè Vergnano 1882′s signature drinks. The Bicerin (S$6) is a crowd favourite as it consists of 75% rich chocolate with a shot of espresso. If you prefer something cold, the 1882 Affogato is a sweeter alternative, consisting of vanilla ice cream topped with espresso for that caffeine kick.

26 Beach Road, #B1-17 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6385 5579
Mon to Fri: 7am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

FASTA

Fasta takes pride in serving up delicious pasta quickly, hence the punny name ‘Fasta’. They have a decent range of pasta choices on the menu at inexpensive prices. We like that you can even pick your choice of pasta or grains and some add-ons for a little something extra.

We dug into the Scallop Wallop (S$16), a linguine pasta with pan-seared scallops, crab meat, diced tomato and bacon bits with a rich yuzu-infused broth.  The overall flavour was delicious and the pasta was pleasantly al dente. The Siow Ba Mee (S$13) is also one of their bestselling pasta, topped with the local-favourite pork belly.

One of the highlights of Fasta is customising your own pasta, so be sure to check that out too.

26 Beach Road, #B1-23 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 9111 1245
Mon to Sat: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

FYNN’S

Fynn’s is the talk of the town now and is a popular and charming brunch spot with a botanical inspired interior that is so highly-Instagrammable. This modern Australian restaurant believes in serving up dishes with simplicity so as to draw out the true essence and flavour of the ingredients.

We went with our gut and got the Corn Fritters (S$22) with poached eggs, bacon, sautéed spinach, grilled tomato and jalepeño jama and we never looked back. The corn fritters paired with the other components is a match made in heaven.

For a lighter meal, opt for the Chia Seed Pudding, Pineapple, Granola, Gula Melaka (S$14). Be sure to pair your food with a Common Man Roasters Iced Latte (S$5.50) too.

26 Beach Road, #B1-21 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6384 1878
Tue to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

HARRY’S

Harry’s is a familiar face in Singapore’s drinking scene and many love the popular Harry’s Premium Lager, their very own brew. Though its South Beach Avenue outlet oozes elegance and style, it also has a laid-back vibe and there could be no better place to kick back and relax during the weekend.

Try the popular cocktail Harry’s 1992 (S$16), a bright vodka-based concoction.

Bar bites to try include the Soy-Glazed Beef Cubes (S$18.90)  and the Chicken Masala (S$23). Something to share is The Harry’s Seven (S$36.90).

26 Beach Road, #01-18 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6386 6306
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

LADY M® CONFECTIONS

We have yet to find someone who has not heard of Lady M® Confections since the brand opened its first outlet in Singapore a few years back. Their Mille Crêpe cakes are a favourite among Singaporeans.

Adding to their collection of cake boutiques in Singapore is the new Lady M® Confections outlet at South Beach Avenue, which will be opening very soon! Look forward to the Lady M® Earl Grey Mille Crêpes (S$9.50++/slice), a South Beach exclusive seasonal flavour which will be in stores for a limited period only.

The handmade crepe cake is layered with pastry cream that is infused with earl grey tea and garnished with earl grey tea leaves and blue corn leaves.

Of course, you can also expect to see other popular flavours on the menu such as their signature Lady M® Mille Crêpes (S$9.50++/slice), Red Velvet (S$9.50++/slice) and White Chocolate Mini Choux (S$2.50++/piece).

Lady M® Confections
26 Beach Road, #01-17 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Nearest Station: Esplanade

QUAICH BAR

Established in 2006, Quaich Bar is the first whisky bar in Singapore which houses more than 500 whiskies, of which 95% are sourced from boutique distilleries in Scotland. It is quintessentially a heaven on earth for all whisky lovers. Many of the whiskys are also exclusive to them only and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Instead of lazing the weekend away, you should gather your fellow whisky enthusiasts to further hone your appreciation and understanding of whisky at the Quaich Bar. Tutored tastings are available for a group of between 4 to 6 pax for the Flavours of Singapore Malt tasting set. Prices range from S$45 for 4 tasting portions.

We had a taste of a few exquisite single malts such as the Hazelburn Aged 12 Years, Bunnahabhain Aged 12 Years, Deanston Virgin Oak and Ledaig Aged 10 Years, each with its own unique flavour. There is also a cosy private room at Quaich Bar where you can book in advance.

Prices for whisky by the glass range from S$17 to S$416 and S$200 to S$32,000 for a bottle.

30 Beach Road, #01-16 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189763
Tel: +65 6386 5366
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Esplanade

REAL FOOD

Real Food specialises in meatless food that is good for your body. All dishes served at Real Food are free from processed ingredients, artificial preservatives and trans-fat. Nonetheless, they are still just as delicious.

We tried the Soy Curry Soup Noodles (S$12.80) and it reminded us of home. Comforting, warm and extremely tasty, despite being made with oat milk and extra virgin organic coconut oil.

An interesting concoction is the Baked Stuffed Portobello Mushroom with Soy Cheese (S$11.80). The mushroom is stuffed with minced vegetables, covered with cheddar cheese. It is almost like a recreation of a vegetable dumpling with a juicy mushroom encasing it.

26 Beach Road, #B1-19 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6384 2206
Mon to Sat: 10am – 9pm
Sun: 9.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

THE ARMOURY CRAFT BEER BAR

Situated in a rustic colonial building in the South Beach Quarter, The Armoury Craft Beer Bar is a contemporary gastro-bar and cafe by day and Craft beer and Wine bar by night. Experience traditional and sophisticated European and Asian flavours in this comfortable and cosy dining establishment, which is an ideal weekend getaway for groups and families.

The Curry Chicken Prata Taco and Pork Belly Bao (S$6 each) are great munchies to start your meal off with. And we thoroughly enjoyed the Salted Egg Chicken Burger (S$19) because of the rich and creamy sauce.

From 7pm on weekends, dig into the all-you-can-eat steak buffet for just S$29.90. It is a huge steal considering that you can pick from 4 different cuts: Ribeye, Hangar Steak, Striploin and Wagyu Patty. Choose your desired sauce and sides, and eat to your heart’s content!

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.

36 Beach Road, #01-01 South Beach Quarter,
Singapore 189766
Tel: +65 6385 3173
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri: 11.30am – 1am

Sat: 11.30am – 12am
Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

VATOS URBAN TACOS

When you think of good tacos in Singapore, Vatos Urban Tacos will come to mind. For a weekend with the lads, Vatos Urban Tacos, which originates from Seoul, is a must-visit if you fancy some Korean-Mexican fusion bar grub to go along with your drinks.

The signature “URBAN” tacos served on homemade tortillas is a must-try. The Galbi Short Rib Tacos (S$13 for 2, S$18for 3) and Baja Fish (S$12 for 2, S$17 for 3) were executed flawlessly with a touch of cilantro which highlighted the freshness of the ingredients. Otherwise, the Mango Prawn Quesadilla (S$22), Kimchi Carnitas Fries (S$18) and Honey Tequila Chicken Wings (S$18) are other interesting delights worth every calorie.

36 Beach Road, #01-03 South Beach Quarter,
Singapore 189766
Tel: +65 6385 6010
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12am – 11am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Esplanade

S$5 PARKING REBATE AT SOUTH BEACH AVENUE

When you spend a minimum of S$50 nett at participating restaurants and services at South Beach Avenue, you can receive a S$5 parking rebate (valid all-day, including weekends and Public Holidays). For more information on the restaurants and parking rebate promotion at South Beach Avenue, please go to SouthBeachAvenue.com.

This post is brought to you by South Beach Consortium Singapore.

Kinsa sushi has just introduced a special Purple Fusion menu which consists of 8 maki rolls, 1 sushi and 1 #ChirashiCupcake - all of which are prepared with purple rice.

While these creations are beautiful to look at, a good point to note is that purple rice is brimming with vast health benefits, and is definitely a healthier option as opposed to regular white rice.

The Chirashi Cupcake is a one-of-a-kind creation by Kinsa Sushi, and we are guessing it might be the next must-have photo on your Instagram feed!

Excited about these purple wonders yet? That is not all! Look forward to SG50 vouchers when you dine here from 1 to 31 August 2015.

Why is purple rice healthy? Purple rice – sometimes referred to as black rice – contains anthocyanin antioxidants found in berries, which is vital for maintaining good health. It is also a great source of iron which helps metabolise proteins and prevents anaemia.

Now, Kinsa Sushi has incorporated this healthy grain into a spanking new menu of 10 different dishes, including a very special Chirashi Cupcake. It is hard to pick just one to love, but if we really have to, it will be the Salmon Mentai (S$15.80) purple rice maki.

Salmon Mentai is a true blue favourite amongst locals, but now, imagine having it on purple rice for a healthier alternative too. If any, this dish is so visually arresting! The salmon that is topped on the maki is generously drizzled with mentaiko sauce, then torched to a nice charred finish. Topped off with tobikko, these damned Salmon Mentai maki rolls are more addictive than you think!

The Black Beauty Kurokarei (S$16.80) is a star, and a masterpiece in its own rights. The centrepiece of a perfectly cooked shishamo is wrapped around by the same purple rice, then topped off with a mountain of tobikko.

Look out for the taste of savoury aburi mentai cheesy miso sauce for a truly mouth-watering bite; fans of fish roe and mentai should consider this as their main dish of choice.

We were definitely intrigued by the name ‘Chirashi Cupcake’ (search for #ChirashiCupcake on Instagram to see more photos). So, is it sweet or savoury? Is there actual cupcake and icing in this? To clarify, this gorgeous dish is really a beautifully plated chirashi-don, using purple rice and freshly sliced sashimi.

The rice is dressed with a nice sesame ponzu sauce and sandwiched with some denbu (pink fish flakes) for an extra oomph to the dish. We loved how, in this dish, you could taste the distinct yet subtle nutty flavour of the purple rice, which reminded us of a classic local dessert, Pulut Hitam.

This is a great choice especially for lunch and it comes at an affordable price of only S$15.80 per bowl.

The Hotate Mentai (S$17.80) maki will be a hit among scallop lovers. It is not hard to love this roll that comes with a crowning glory of fresh scallop slices, complete with an aburi-ed mentai top. Mentai can go no wrong and this maki was an explosion of flavours in our mouths.

Deep-fried radish and wasabi-infused tobikko sits atop this maki to jazz up its look, and gives the maki rolls a distinct crunch.

The Mango Maki (S$14.80) is one lovely tropical treat to try out. Cushioned in the purple rice is a combination of prawn tempura, cucumber and mango. Sweet mangoes are used in the preparation of this item, and the maki roll is served with a dipping sauce of homemade mango dressing.

Ichigo lovers, hands up! The Strawberry/Ichigo Maki (S$14.80) is for you. On the side, you will also be given a serving of the special house-made strawberry dressing to dip your maki rolls into. The hardcore ichigo lovers have the liberty to drizzle the sauce all over, but if you are doing this, we recommend you eat it immediately before the rice gets overly soggy.

And back to the savoury options, and for you spice lovers here – Fiery Salmon (S$16.80) is kick-ass. Generously topped with spice-marinated salmon and crowning each individual maki roll, this maki roll is for those who do not prefer mentai and are after a spicier option instead. For an added crunch, it is also served with lotus chips and deep-fried radish strips.

Vegetarians are not forgotten because Kinsa Sushi has also come up with a Veggie Delight Yasai Maki (S$14.80), wholesomely stuffed with carrot and asparagus strips, and complete with fresh and creamy avocado slices.

Meanwhile, some other highlights from Kinsa Sushi’s regular ala carte menu include the ever-popular Anago sushi that is gorgeously plated with a huge and generous piece of sweet anago.

The yakiudon comes in a really generous portion, but what delighted us greatly was this gyuniku udon that was so flavourful and hearty, we couldn’t stop slurping!

And no one should leave Kinsa Sushi without trying their bestselling Wagyu Don (S$24.90), made using Grade A4 Kagoshima Wagyu with an onsen egg.

As part of our nation’s SG50 celebrations, Kinsa Sushi will be offering a S$5 rebate* for every S$50 spent (before service charge and GST), valid for dine in only for the month of August 2015.

* T&Cs for Kinsa Sushi’s SG50 vouchers
- Valid for dine in only
- Voucher redemptions valid for subsequent visits
- Not valid with other discounts, promotions and vouchers
- Redemption amount is based on diners’ single receipt

For the latest updates, go to kinsasushi.com, like Kinsa Sushi on Facebook, and Instagram.

Kinsa Sushi
4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
PH, Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

This post is brought to you by Kinsa Sushi.

At Hide Yamamoto, diners can enjoy four different menus – namely: sushi, robatayaki, ramen and teppanyaki. The Japanese Restaurant is located on the second floor of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino, and it is the brainchild of renowned Chef Hide Yamaamoto.

We dropped by for teppanyaki during dinner on a weekend, and it was a splendid experience.

During dinner, Hide Yamamoto has several teppanyaki sets ranging from $180 to $380. For a more affordable option, they serve a teppanyaki lunch set at $80.

We had four sets of ‘A’ course ($180), and also ordered several items from the ala carte menu to share. The ‘A’ course set dinner includes an amuse bouche, mixed green salad, chawanmushi, tiger prawn, scallop, Japanese wagyu, assorted vegetable, garlic rice, miso soup and a dessert.

First up we had a silver cod ($30) and salmon ($20). Both dishes (from the ala carte menu) were good, but nothing to shout about.

After which, the chef served us scallop ($20) and tiger prawn ($18). The scallop was plump, meaty and flavourful; while the prawn was sweet and very juicy. Also good: chawanmushi with a strong coating of truffle oil.

Next, we had the kurobuta collar ($38) from the ala carte menu, and while the meat was nicely done, it was not enough to send me into food coma. The crab leg, on the other hand, was excellent.

The highlight of our meal was the wagyu beef ($98) which was superbly prepared. Also worth mentioning are the accompanying grilled vegetables – asparagus, capsium, and mushrooms.

“Foie gras is as good asa sex,” I told my partner after taking a bite at the luscious and fat slab of goose liver. If you love foie gras ($38), you must order it when you are at Hide Yamamoto.

We were almost full after having the delicious garlic rice, but we got greedy and made a last minute order of lobster ($80) and abalone ($70/130g). What a brilliant ending to a good dinner.

There’s only one word to describe our meal, and overall experience at Hide Yamamoto: exquisite. While prices are steep, I’d recommend Hide Yamamoto restaurant at Marina Bay Sands if you like teppanyaki.

Hide Yamamoto
8 Bayfront Avenue
02-05 Casino Side Level 2, Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6688 7098
Daily: 12.00 – 15.00
Mon to Wed: 18.00 – 23.00
Thu to Sun: 18.00 – 03.00

For more recommendations, please read my list of Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore