Author: Alex Chua
There are 2 very famous (or Insta-famous) pancake shops in Osaka, Japan, and Gram Café & Pancake is one of them. This pancake has made its rounds in social media, and I am always reeking with insatiable pangs of hunger whenever I see my friends jiggle the fluffy towers on Instagram story. Why I didn’t make that pilgrimage when I was there 2 years ago? Finally, my dream has come true. This famous soufflé pancakes specialist has opened its doors in VivoCity, the very first in Singapore, on 16 June 2019.
Easily the world most recognizable pancake, the signature Premium Pancakes ($17.90) consists of three lofty 4cm thick wobbly pancakes stacked together. Soft, airy and oh-so-fluffy pancakes, coupled with the melt-in Gram original butter, whipped cream and a drizzle of sweet maple syrup only makes the united combo sinfully luxurious and scrumptious.
What’s so special about the pancakes at Gram Café & Pancakes is that these fluffy discs are slow-cooked on low heat and whipped full of air, resulting in a fluffy texture similar to a cloud or cotton candy. Everything – the butter, sauces and cream toppings – are made in-house, so that only the best, controlled ingredients are paired with the pancakes for maximum enjoyment on the taste buds.
The Premium pancakes are prepared upon receipt of order, and sales are limited to 3 times a day, with 30 servings each time at 11am, 3pm and 6pm.
Besides the premium dish, other noteworthy items include the Rich Tiramisu Pancakes ($15.90). Inspired by the traditional Japanese dorayaki (doraemon food-love), the chewy texture is very much akin to a dorayaki. The espresso-soaked pancake is layered with rich mascarpone tiramisu cream with dust of cocoa powder on top. Personally I like my pancake light and fluffy, but the chewy variation still tastes pleasant on my palate.
If you want a pancake as a meal and not just dessert, try the savory Chilli Bean Pancakes ($18.90). Chilli bean sauce and cheddar cheese is served on pancakes with sausages, potatoes and salad. To some they say the chilli is quite potent, but for me it’s pretty mild. I like the light meatiness of the sausage, not overpowering the already soft pancake base.
Finally, for something non-pancake type is the French Toast of Chocolate Banana ($12.90). The classic Danish French Toast is topped with fresh cream and maple syrup, with creamy vanilla ice cream, fresh bananas and rich chocolate sauce. I like the slight crunchy texture of the toast, but if you are in Gram Café & Pancake, you shouldn’t even think of skipping the pancakes selection.
Gram Café & Pancakes
VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk #02-110 Singapore 098585
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (last order 9pm)
Contact: 86666277
singapore
Dine and Prosper at Ho Fook Hei, the New Cantonese Eatery @ Great World City
Author: Alex Chua
While you might not think much when you pass by Ho Fook Hei Soy Sauce Chicken 好福气豉油鸡, think again. Located at Great World City, this unassuming eatery serves a medley of authentic Cantonese specialties prepared with time-honoured recipes passed down from generations.
If you’re wondering what does ‘ho fook hei means’, it means prosperity and good fortune in Cantonese, and that’s what you can expect when you order the Specialty Rose Wine Soy Sauce Chicken 招牌玫瑰露酱油鸡. Juicy and tender, the chicken has that distinct floral fragrance imparted from the rose wine. Understand that two batches of chickens are prepared daily to ensure freshness. To elevate the braising liquid flavour, the same pot of braising liquid is kept and topped up each day, and the chef will taste the liquid each time to make necessary adjustments. Such attention to detail is admirable, and the soy sauce chicken gains the depth of flavour over time.
If you want just a simple yet utterly satisfying one dish meal, there’s the Specialty Rose Wine Soy Sauce Chicken Noodles 酱油鸡面. The springy Hong Kong-style egg noodles and the moreish homemade Crunchy Chilli Sauce paired perfectly well with the shimmery chicken.
My personal favourite dish is the robust Honey-Glazed Black Barbeque Pork Belly 吊烧黑金叉烧. Not discounting the fatty portion of the meat, it renders the luscious meat with a perfect balance of sweet and savoury flavour in each bite.
The Deep-Fried Prawn Rolls (Hei Chor) are crispy, flavoursome and not too oily. Generous with the fillings you can see the chunks of prawn meat inside each piece.
The hand-wrapped Shrimp Dumpling is HUGE in this bowl. Again, pretty generous with the filling, and the prawn is plump and juicy. With the soup its quite a comfort dish for a rainy day.
The Cod with Old Ginger Sauce has that comforting and familiar flavour, and the fish is steamed to perfection, rendering the flesh pretty much melt-in-the-mouth.
This Sea Bass with signature Nonya Assam sauce is so delicious, it is wiped out at our table very quickly. Fresh and sweet, the fish paired well with the very appetising sweet-sour-spicy Nonya Assam sauce.
Ho Fook Hei
1 Kim Seng Promenade, #01-141 Great World City, Singapore 237994
Tel: 6219 2262
Kazbar Hosts Food & Beer Pairing with Lebanese ‘Diamond’ Beer Almaza
Author: Alex Chua
Kazbar, known to serve authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in Singapore over the last 16 years, has recently launched the Lebanese beer Almaza along with a food and beer pairing event. Stands for ‘Diamond’ in Arabic, Almaza is born in 1933 and still remains as Lebanon’s leading beer till date. This is a match-make in heaven, since Kazbar patrons can enjoy the full Lebanese cultural experience with the incorporation of their national beer.
‘With Almaza, we want our customers to be able to enjoy a wholesome experience, from the spices, the food and drinks to the ambience and the attentive service’ said Angeles, owner of Kazbar.
During the launch event on 9 May 2019, beer sommelier Charles GuErrier showcased how some of the crowd favourites from Kazabar can be paired with Almaza beer to bring out the flavours of the dishes. He also gave a little background of its history, the brand’s DNA (Almaza is a beer for people who take fun seriously!), and a lesson of how to correctly taste beer.
Our first dish is a light Middle Eastern appetizer served fashionably on a cocktail glass. The Cold Mezze is a fine ground chickpeas (hummus) with tahini sauce, garlic and lemon juice, accompanied with a stem of sliced vegetables as dips. The pairing of the light and crisp Almaza helps compliments the subtle flavours of the hummus without dominating it.
Our last dish is a crowd pleaser, the Grilled Meat platter, featuring 1 lamb chop, 1 lamb kofta and grilled minced lamb flavoured with middle eastern spices. The umami is strong in this hot main, not to mention the oiliness. This is where the Almaza beer helps to cuts through the oils of the dish, and cleanses the pallet so that you don’t feel the heaviness. I personally fine this beer quite suitable for meal with many courses, as it helps reset the pallet without the lingering taste of other beer.
All in all, it was a pretty gratifying experience and a learning opportunity from a IBD Certified Beer Sommelier who had over 20 year experience in the food and beverage industry. Moreover, I had found a perfect spot if I had a sudden craving for Middle Eastern food in CBD area.
Kazbar
25 Church St, Singapore 049482
Phone: 6438 2975
OLLELLA X Ah Ma Homemade Cake launches Artisanal, Traditional Kuehs and Cakes
Author: Alexis Chua
Indonesian kueh specialist OLLELLA and Ah Mah Homemade Cake, the purveyor of castella cakes, joins hands for the first time to bring their delicious traditional offerings under 1 roof. The products in this new concept store are handmade and prepared daily on-site, ensuring the products are fresh and in its best quality. For me, who am not a fan of kueh, I am pleasantly surprised that I took more than my fair share of kuehs and cakes. In fact, I had these kuehs for dinner and am not complaining!
The new partnership wrought OLLELLA to introduce 4 new products, the D24 Durian Dadar, Kueh Bugis, Kueh Salat and Kueh Wajik. We absolutely adore the D24 Durian Dadar ($2.50). Made with pure D24 durian flesh and freshly grated coconut, the filling is flavourful and rich while not overpoweringly so. One thing to note – the pandan crepe is prepared fresh on the spot and pairs with the filling very well.
Shaped like a fruit, the Kueh Bugis ($1.50) has a chewy texture; its moist coconut gula Melaka filling is aromatic and tasty. While the Kueh Salat ($1.50) features a kaya custard layer with a glutinous rice base infused with freshly extracted blue pea flower water and santan, giving the kueh a green, blue and white hue. It’s good for breakfast. Last is the Kueh Wajik ($1.50), which uses premium gula Melaka and rich santan glutinous rice, possesses that ultra-chewy texture.
Ah Ma Homemade Cake created the Pandan Brown Cake ($11) so the castella-cake lovers can enjoy the best of both pandan and gula Melaka worlds. The interplay of the pandan leaves aroma and sweetness of the gula Melaka, coupled with its soft texture and slightly crunchy surface (sprinkle of crushed gula Melaka and shredded coconut on top), you can be sure that I will be queuing for it next time.
Other than the new items above, the new concept stores also offers popular kuehs such as Rempah Udang, Rempah Ayam and Kueh Dadar, and a medley of castella cakes (from chocolate to pandan and marble). Among the 3 kuehs, Rempah Ayam ($2) is my personal favourite. Featuring shredded chicken braised in herbs and a medley of spices, the Rempah Ayam tastes akin to Lo Mai Gai – satisfying and filling at the same time.
OLLELLA X Ah Ma Homemade Cake
Outlet 1: VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, #B2-K7 Vivocity, Singapore 098585
Outlet 2: Tiong Bahru Plaza, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, #B1-K4 Tiong Bahru Plaza, Singapore 168732
Strangers’ Reunion: Redefining Café Dining with Quality and Upcycled Ingredients
Author: Alex Chua
Home-grown cafe Strangers’ Reunion, located at Kampong Bahru Road just 5 minutes’ walk from Outram Park MRT, is set to redefine and elevate café dining experience with a new all-day brunch menu.
Best-known for serving some of the best coffee and all-day brunches in town, this time the new brunch menu features inventive cooking method with a conscience. Using fresh, seasonal and upcycled ingredients and sauces homemade from scratch, the resulting dishes reveals a level of sophistication more often associated with fine dining establishments. Now that’s more than a cuppa in a café scene.
Take the Salmon Skin Chips ($11.90) for instance. This moreish appetiser utilises salmon offcuts and trimmings from the café’s homemade coffee smoked salmon and deep-fried it to become a dish by itself. Studded with goma, avocado coulis and coffee-smoked salmon puree, it presents a juxtaposition of nutty, salty, sweet and sour flavours without being too overwhelming or oily.
The Snapper Ceviche ($13.90) contain a combination of snapper chunks cured in lime juice, avocado, cilantro and red onions. Light and refreshing, it is the perfect starter dish for a brunch date.
For the vegans and cauliflower fans, the Roasted Cauliflower Salad ($14.50) is the choice pick. It comes in 2 ways – charred to yield caramelised florets with deep hazelnut notes, and pickled in rice wine vinegar infused with black pepper and bay leaves. We had the caramelised ones and it is crunchy and irresistible. It’s just so good I am almost a vegan-convert by this dish.
Coming to the mains, the hearty Pork and Broccoli ($21.90) satisfies me thoroughly. Taking a leaf from the upcycling philosophy, the tender roasted meat uses the under-utilized pork collar ends and broccoli stems as accompanying greens. Complemented with 3 sauces – broccoli puree, coffee shoyu and burnt onion jus to give an extra depth of flavour. Simple, straightforward and in your face delicious.
Here’s the savoury protein – Pan Roasted Chicken Breast ($21.90). Chicken breast cloaked in a house-made jerk sauce and accompanying succotash of greens. I like how the sauce compliments and further accentuates the succulent meat.
Here’s a dish common in the café scene, Strangers’ Coffee Smoked Salmon on Toast ($18.90). Well, not quite so. The house-cured salmon is cold-smoked with spent coffee grounds and hickory wood to give the aromatic coffee-smoked salmon, while an espresso-infused crème fraiche is slathered on toasted sourdough bread. Sounds too caffeinated? It is not, the coffee is used just to give that light coffee aroma.
Undoubtedly one of THE go-to cafes for its quality coffee, now the café – in its cool tones of greys, whites and wood – can include inventiveness and upcycling to its name with the introduction of the all-day brunch menu.
Strangers’ Reunion
33/35 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169355
Operating Hours: 9am – 6pm daily
Feast on Thai Food at The Great Baan Ying Brunch
Author: Alex Chua
Now I don’t have to travel all the way to Bangkok just to indulge Baan Ying.
Launched on 26 Jan 2019, the Thai specialty restaurant opens its first ever Singapore outlet in Royal Square, conveniently located near Novena mrt. In conjunction with its opening is the introduction of The Great Baan Ying Brunch (#TGBYB) – a weekend semi-buffet consisting of 1 main course along with a buffet spread of 12 to 15 delectable appetisers, sides and desserts on rotation every week.
Affordably priced at $38.80++ per adult and $19.40++ per child (four to ten years old; kids under three dine free; child price includes complimentary fruit juice), this is enough to draw me in, being a big fan of Baan Ying’s ala carte omelette rice and fried fish dishes. As for semi-buffet, this is something new for me.
The main brunch attractions, the 6 mains are the Bone-in Iberico Pork Chop, Angus Beef Steak, Grilled Large River Prawns, Pan-fried Salmon Steak, Junior Omelette Fried Rice and Junior Omelette Fried Noodles. Me and my friend tried the Iberico Pork Chop and Grilled Salmon, both were well-proportioned and plating wise rather straight forward. The moist and tender salmon is served with homemade Thai seafood sauce to give it an umami edge, while the juicy pork chop is perfectly marinated with Aunty Ying’s secret blend of Thai spices. Do note that you have to top up an additional $9.80 for the pork chop, but its definately worth it.
The Great Baan Ying Brunch features a plethora spread of Thai-riffic appetisers, sides and desserts. To keep up with the healthy, I started my meal at the DIY Thai Salad station, mixing and matching ingredients like peanuts, dried shrimp, cherry tomatoes, long beans and either tangy green papaya or green mango. The end result is a refreshing and colourful salad. Nothing beats some physical DIY activity, especially when it comes to buffet.
A traditional house-made rice cracker with a rich and luscious coconut, pork and shrimp dip, the Kao Tung Na Tung (Crispy Rice with Pork and Shrimp Dip) is easily one of my favourites. The crunchiness of the crackers and the savoury, meaty dip goes very well with beer.
Not to forget the Mini Larb Moo Tod (Deep Fried Spicy Meat Balls mixed with toasted ground rice). Can’t go any closer as these succulent balls are just too easy to down.
For desserts there are Rainbow Ruby, Sweet Potato in Coconut Milk and Coconut Jelly. Shaped like a delicate flower petal, the Coconut Jelly are just so refreshing and delightful to pop into the mouth.
My verdict? The Great Baan Ying Brunch is value-for-money with lots of quality, tasty buffet spread and a mains to boot.
Baan Ying
103 Irrawaddy Road, Royal Square @ Novena, $02-07 S329566
beGIN: Chic New Bar at Boat Quay for an Innovative Gin Fix
Author: Alex Chua
beGin takes a typical gin – usually drank in a traditional English-style habitat with upholstered furnishing – and gives it a chic new spin. Situated upstairs Singapore’s oldest traditional English Pub – The Penny Black, beGin is the only speakeasy bar that houses over 50 gins from different countries. Gin lovers can sample the vast selection in different ways (neat, with tonic or in fashionable cocktail) and pair it with savoury British-Indian small plates. Expect colours, delicious bites and upbeat music with friendly bartenders tucked inside this rustic, moodily-lit speakeasy.
Starting off the course is the Royal Chatanee (S$4), which consists a medley of mild to punchy dips – Tomato, Chilli & Ginger Chutney, Asian Salsa and aromatic Spiced Cilantro Mint & Coconut dip. This grazing platter with refreshing dips is good to awaken the palate for subsequent courses.
Popping into the Crab bomb-a ($13 for 5 pieces) has that savoury oomph of seafood satisfaction. The curry sauce, hidden within the light hollow crisp, is made with beGin’s in-house spice mix for that unique kick. Very addictive and easy to pop in a few.
Appearance can be quite deceiving. BeGIN’s bestseller the Samboo-sa Pasties ($11 for 3 pieces) is a modern interpretation of the humble curry puffs. The chicken has that fiery tandoori masala taste, encased in a fluffy crisp choux pastry for that lovely crunch.
A definite crowd-favourite, the nacho del goa ($15 for 5 pieces) is a twist to the classic butter chicken. Sitting atop nacho-shaped papadums, the prawns are coated with buttery northern Indian Sauce and onion yogurt. It’s not enough to pop in just one of these tasties.
The Cheeky Nigiri is perhaps my personal favourite among the delectable bar bites, partly due to its tender meatiness. Made of beef cheeks, yellow sushi rice and vindaloo sauce, this can simply be a meal of itself.
Enough with the food. Now for the drinks. LAVENDER ($25) is inspired by HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s luscious lavender garden. A dome once lifted releases smoke that unveils the dignified, feminine cocktail. Taste of floral and, with its opal pink, slightly girly drink, but I love it still. No judge.
For those who are into adventurous drinks, the Jagmohan ($25) is a curry and clove spiced tequila mix. Essentially Northern India in a drink, this unassuming cocktail is exotic and tastes of spices, completes with the tomato, chili and ginger chutney on the side with fried crisps.
KOKO ($23) is that decadently well-balanced cocoa-infused rum die-hard chocolate fans would find irresistible. Performed with a ‘fire’ show – igniting the dehydrated orange atop the rum – this fiery concoction is creamy, mellow-sweet cocoa and tastes just like a dessert by itself, which I simply adore!
beGin
27a Boat Quay, The Penny Black Upstairs, Singapore 049817
Operating Hours: Mondays to Saturdays: 5pm – 1am
Shopping for necessities at Guardian Singapore
Where do you usually shop for your beauty necessities?
For me, I try to shop for them at places near home because I tend to stock up a few bottles of each product at one go. Thankfully, Guardian can be found almost anywhere!
Here are some products that I got from Guardian which I am currently using on top of the usuals that you have already seen on my Instagram!
1) Facial Masks
If you watch my Instagram stories, you will notice that I mask very frequently. Almost once every 2 days. I literally buy masks everywhere and Guardian carries a lot of brands with one of my top favourite being Dr. Morita!
I have to admit that I stock the mask up even more when they have 30% off during Guardian Beauty Days 😛
2) Aprilskin Perfect Magic Cover Fit Cushion
Aprilskin is exclusively available in Guardian Singapore stores only. I have previously tried 3-4 of their cushions and my favourite is none other than their Aprilskin Perfect Magic Cover Fit Cushion because of the dewy finish. They are currently available in a limited edition pastel pink packaging (usual packaging: Black)!
For just $49.90, you can get Aprilskin Perfect Magic Cover Fit Cushion, Perfect Water Fit Make-Up Refresh Pad and Perfect Magic Kill Fit Tint. Quickly get your hands on them before they go out of stock!
The cushion is also suitable for people with dry skin as it has a moisture serum base. Skincare in a make up product. What’s not to love?
Instead of the usual mesh, the foundation is sealed with a metal plate which makes it extra hygienic as the product will not come in contact with air directly.
Base and lip colour as seen below…. are all from Aprilskin!
3) Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream
This brand is also exclusively available in Guardian only.
Antipodes is a New Zealand skincare brand that contains no nasties – safe for people with sensitive skin. The brand is also certified as organic and vegetarian. In fact, this is my very first bottle of Antipodes and I am pleasantly surprised by the results.
My skin feels very nourished and hydrated ever since I starting using the Day Cream. They have other products as well so do visit Guardian if you are keen to give them a try.
4) Pantene Micellar Water Pure & Cleanse Shampoo
We have heard of Micellar Water but shampoo? It’s a first for me! Guardian sent me 2 bottles of them and I am now a fan.
Just like the micellar water make up remover, the shampoo cleans the hair really well. It felt as though my hair was stripped off from greasy oil, hair sprays and dirts from the environment. Coupled with the treatment, it leaves my dry hair moisturised and slightly less frizzy.
5) Schwarzkopf got2b Volumaniac Bodifying Mousse
After every hair wash, I always end the day/night with hair oil or hair treatment. On most nights, I use their in-house brand Botaneco Garden Organic Chair Seed Oil & Honey on my hair. And because I love having extra volume on my hair, I will sometimes couple it with Schwarzkopf got2b Volumaniac bodifying mousse for that extra boost!
Schwarzkopf hair products smell so good on my hair that I can leave the house without perfume. They have the Seborin series which can help with hair loss problems too.
Of course, there are too many products for me to list because I shop at Guardian a lot but I hope that you will find my little reviews useful!
Guardian Singapore always have new launches that I look forward to. Visit their Facebook and Instagram at @guardiansg to keep yourself updated or you can also shop at Guardian Online at guardian.com.sg!
Filling up the loss of volume at Halley Medical Aesthetics
I was all along very concerned about the loss of volume at the cheeks and under eye areas because I always look tired and old despite having enough sleep.
Even though I mask everyday, it doesn’t really help, as the masks can never recover the volume loss. Take a look at the picture below to see what I meant.
When I finally decided to do something about it, I went to Dr. Terence Tan from Halley Medical Aesthetics as I used to visit him regularly.
I was very surprised when he recommended me to do fillers for an area that I had not thought about, which is the area towards the back of my jaw and between my cheekbone and jawline. I thought I already have a square face to begin with and adding more volume to that area will make me look fat. I also told Dr. Terence Tan that I don’t want to look as though something was done to my face.
Dr. Terence Tan explained that I have a concave or crescent moon face shape, which would require a filler augmentation technique different from people with a convex face shape. He also highlighted that I have a prominent, high sloping jawline. That feature, combined with some superficial fat near my jawline, made the hollowness between my cheekbone and jawline even more obvious. And this issue, together with the loss of volume at my cheeks, was making me look tired. The nasolabial fold (line coming down from the side of my nose) and the marionette or smile lines (from the side of my mouth) are also making matters worse.
In answer to my concern, Dr. Terence Tan assured me that he won’t be adding a lot of filler to the side of my face but “just a tiny bit to smoothen out the hollow”. He also explained that the filler in that area will help to lower the angle of jaw, making it less harsh and angled but feminine and gentle sloping.
After his professional advice, I went ahead with his recommendations. He recommended doing dermal fillers on four different areas – my cheeks, marionette lines, nasolabial line, and the hollow cheek area between my cheekbone and jawline.
He prescribed a combination of soft and firm fillers from Algeness. It is my first time hearing about the US brand and trying out Algeness fillers but Dr. Terence Tan told me that the fillers are natural and organic as it is made from purified agarose gel. The plus point is that agarose gel is biodegradable and biocompatible with our human body and their website says that the fillers are 100% natural and safe.
Dr. Terence Tan also told me that he chose the Algeness brand as it will address my other concern about fillers: that it will spread and make me look unnatural. He explained that Algeness is a cohesive filler, which reduces the chance of filler migration/spreading.
As I have pretty low pain tolerance, he also recommended injecting the fillers with his “Magic Needle” technique to reduce discomfort and bruising.
This is me before fillers. Excited and scared at the same time. Just take a close look at the hollow areas under my eyes 🙁
Prior to the treatment, Dr. Terence Tan mixed lidocaine, an anaesthesia, with the Algeness fillers so I did not really feel anything during the treatment.
Fillers were injected via a Magic Needle. Although he calls it a needle, the Magic Needle is actually a cannula which helps to distribute the filler more evenly as it is blunt and extremely pliable. You can read more about his method for the micro-cannula here: http://blog.halleymedicalaesthetics.com/the-art-of-injecting-dermal-fillers/
I think I scared myself too much because there was almost no discomfort and Dr. Terence Tan was very assuring throughout which made me feel really comfortable.
I left the clinic within 50 minutes (including consultation, numbing and treatment). I can safely say that this can be a quick lunchtime procedure! There weren’t marks or bruises on my face so I could resume work after that.
I really love the results because I don’t look tired anymore! The results are so natural and I think I just went back in time.
Take a look at the before & after photos below for comparison.
From the front, the depression on my mid cheeks are instantly lifted and the face does not look that bony anymore.
And for the side profiles, I look like I have a better jawline and my chin no longer protrudes out anymore. Even the smile lines are visibly reduced!
If you are keen to consult Dr. Terence Tan on facial enhancements, you can find out more below:
Halley Medical Aesthetics
Address: 277 Orchard Road, #03-15 Orchard Gateway, 238858
Telephone: (+65) 6737-8233
Email: info@halley.com.sg
Here are some quick links for you to check out the details for yourself:
Halley Medical Aesthetics Price List | Website | Blog | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Unagi Ichinoji: Tasty Unagi with a 125-year History
Author: Alex Chua
When you’ve got warm company and unagi what more do you need. Opened by one of Tokyo’s most well-known unagi restaurants with a stellar 125-year history, Unagi Ichinoji surely can satiates your unagi wants with ease. Located at EAT At Seven at Suntec City and Riverside Village Residences, the premise looks like an izakaya with traditional wood panelling, superb customer service and authentic Japanese vibe. It is probably the next best place to dine and unwind if you don’t have the luxury of time to fly to Japan.
One can’t say they have stepped into Unagi Ichinoji without tasting unagi – that’s what they are specialized for. The Unagi Kaisen Hitsumabushi Set (small S$25.80 and Medium $33.80) comes with a slab of freshly grilled unagi fenced by a chirashi-style array of fresh sashimi including salmon, tuna, squid and octopus, all air flown from Japan. It is absolutely a gratifying experience chopping down the luscious piece of fish. Even the fluffy rice is well taken care of. The Japanese Hokkaido rice is coated with a special in-house marinade to give off that exquisite flavour.
The Unagi Wagyu Set (S$36.80) uses A5-grade wagyu imported fr Kagoshima Japan & restaurant’s signature freshly grilled unagi. Accompanied with unagi chawamushi and Japanese pickles. Tender charcoal grilled beef & umami unagi, a bowl I would surely grab when I am feeling indulgent.
For the non-unagi lovers (is there any really?), there is the Chicken Hitsumabushi Set ($26.80). Fresh organic chicken (Sakura Chicken) is used to give it a more succulent texture. Charcoal grilled elevates the palate with a smoky note. For me, however, it would be unagi anytime.
Now, if you don’t know what is Hitsumabushi, there are actually 3 special ways of eating it to experience different flavour profiles. First, divide the bowl into four portions. Enjoy the first portion on its own and relish the depth of flavour of the eel. Then, for the second portion, add nori (seaweed), wasabi and green onions to the Hokkaido rice and eel. For the third portion, add the clear dashi to the abovementioned mix. The final portion can be enjoyed however you fancy. Personally, I very much prefer to enjoy by its original form without any condiments.
Unagi Ichinoji
Address: 01-05 Riverside Village Residences, Robertson Quay Singapore 238251
Operating Hours: daily 11.30am to 3pm; 5.30pm to 10pm