Showing posts with label .Area: Telok Ayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label .Area: Telok Ayer. Show all posts

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Fourgather @ Telok Ayer Street - Newest Modern Thai Restaurant with Fusion Flavours in Vibrant Thai Street Food-Themed Space

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Discover Fourgather, the latest addition to Telok Ayer's dining scene, tucked away within Amoy Hotel. Upon entering, you'll be greeted by a vibrant and eclectic ambience carefully curated by its four co-owners.

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The casual restaurant is divided into two spaces adorned with stylish decor pieces imported from Thailand. Combined with lively background music, we definitely felt like we were transported to the Land of Smiles. The extensive menu features both authentic Thai dishes and creative items of fusion flavours.

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Beverages

The beverage menu offers a wide variety, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Opting for non-alcoholic choices, we selected Thai Chrysanthemum ($5.50), Pandan Thai Milk Tea ($5.50), Butterfly Pea Lemonade Soda ($7.90), and Soya Bean Milk Tea ($6.50). While slightly pricey, we appreciated that the drinks weren't overly sweet, with the fragrant Thai Chrysanthemum standing out for its lovely herbal notes.

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Fourgather Matchstick Wings 4.8/5

The Fourgather Matchstick Wings ($11.90) is a must-try! The 10 split mid-joint wings are marinated in a housemade aromatic sauce and expertly fried to perfection. They are so juicy, crunchy and addictive. Remember to enjoy them with the fragrant, crispy garlic for an extra burst of flavour.

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Roasted Rice Pork - Moo Koop Foon 4.5/5

Before this dinner, I had never tried nor heard about Roasted Rice Pork — Moo Koop Foon ($18.90). This deep-fried pork dish is coated with roasted rice and finished with chilli powder, giving it an extra texture dimension on its exterior. Much like the Matchstick Wings, the pork is fried to a perfect crunch while retaining its juiciness inside.

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Thai Style Kang Kong - Morning Glory 4/5

We opted for the Thai Style Kang Kong - Morning Glory ($12.90) as our vegetable dish. While the taste was as expected, the portion size was small for the price.

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Thai Fried Kway Teow - Pad See Ew 3.5/5

One of our favourite Thai mains is Pad See Ew ($14.90), the classic Thai Fried Kway Teow. We ordered it here as well but were disappointed to find it lacked the wok hei.

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Thai Train Fried Rice - Khao Pad Rod Fai 3.5/5

We were curious about the Thai Train Fried Rice ($13.90), which we later learned was named after a popular dish sold by vendors at train stations. It was average on its own, but it was better when paired with a side of Thai fish sauce and cut chillies.

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Green Curry Chicken with Roti 4.2/5

If you prefer less thick and creamy Thai green curries, go for the Green Curry Chicken with Roti ($15.90). The fragrant curry was loaded with assorted vegetables and chicken bites. Make sure to dip the roti pieces while it's hot for that crisp.

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Yum Salmon 4.2/5

Yum Salmon ($26.90) is one of the raw marinated seafood dishes on the menu, next to Yum Raw Prawn ($20.90) and Yum Puu Maa — Flower Crabs ($39.90). The salmon sashimi comes in thick chunks, tossed in a salivating tangy-spicy Thai sauce mix.

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Tom Yum Soup - Seafood 4/5

Between the creamy and clear Tom Yum Soup ($24.90), we went with the former. Fourgather's rendition leaned a bit more to the sweet end while staying decently fragrant with the classic tom yum herbs of lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime. Apart from Seafood, you can choose other toppings, such as Vegetable ($13.90), Chicken ($16.90) and Prawn ($19.90).

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Fisherman’s Harvest - Fried Fish Miang 4.2/5

Consider trying the fried whole fish dishes when dining here in a group. The Fisherman's Harvest - Fried Fish Miang ($44.90) was perfect for sharing and presented impressively. The fried fish chunks, conveniently boneless, boast a meaty texture with a light crispiness. Served with a whole tray of vibrant condiments and various chillies, diners are encouraged to wrap the fish chunks with vegetables and select their preferred condiments, akin to our familiar Korean BBQ wraps. It was refreshing and interactive, ideal for enjoying in a group.

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Coconut Ice Cream 4.2/5

Our desserts started with the classic Coconut Ice Cream ($8.90) served with fresh coconut meat and crushed peanuts. Although it was quite pricey, it was good, mildly sweet, and creamy.

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Freshly Made Red Ruby 3.5/5

Next was the Freshly Made Red Ruby ($9.90) served with jackfruit and coconut meat. While the red rubies were expectedly crunchy, we found the chewy tapioca flour exterior to be too thin in ratio.

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Thai Butter Toast 4/5

Seeing the Thai Butter Toast ($9.90) reminded us of Thailand's popular After You Cafe! Choose between steamed or toasted toasts, and they will be served with housemade pandan custard dip and Thai milk tea dip. The portion could definitely do with more toasts at this price tag.

Although the prices may be on the higher side, we found the overall experience and ambience at Fourgather to be enjoyable. The food was generally well-balanced in flavours - being flavourful and avoiding being too oily, overly sweet or salty. Surprisingly, the sides impressed us more than the mains.

The restaurant also serves Lunch Sets available between 11.30am to 3pm (last order at 2.30pm) at more attractive price points.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Fourgather
76 Telok Ayer Street
#01-02
Singapore 048464
Tel: +65 8071 2946
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11:30am - 11:30pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Friday, April 19, 2024

Wagyu X @ Club Street - The Rare Wagyu Crossbreed Available Chargrilled and Smoked in New Menu

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Returning to Wagyu X on Club Street, I ventured to experience the exquisite Hokkaido wagyu crossbreed, renowned for its harmonious blend of Wagyu's buttery texture and Angus beef's robust flavour. Wagyu X has elevated their offerings with a new menu featuring beef chargrilled over binchotan charcoal and infused with the subtle, fruity essence of Sakura wood smoke, imparting delightful cherry notes to the dish.

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Amuse Bouche

I began with the Amuse Bouche — a delicate ensemble of tender Wagyu slices enveloping enoki mushrooms. This prelude offered a tantalising preview of the exceptional quality and flavour awaiting me.

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Wagyu Carpaccio 4.5/5

Following suit was the Wagyu Carpaccio ($42) — a sublime creation boasting paper-thin slices of wagyu adorned with a drizzle of truffle oil and garnished with arugula and parmesan chips. Each bite was a symphony of umami flavours, celebrating the purity of Wagyu in its most pristine form.

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Chilled Truffle Somen 4/5

Introducing a refreshing starter to the menu, the Chilled Truffle Somen with Scallop ($26) presented a harmonious blend of flavours. Delicately tossed in truffle kombu sauce and garnished with ikura, this dish offered a delightful juxtaposition of textures and an irresistible burst of flavour.

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Binchotan Flame Grilled Wagyu X Sirloin 4.5/5

The pièce de résistance arrived in the form of the Binchotan Flame Grilled Wagyu X Sirloin ($180/500g, $335/1kg) and Tenderloin ($135/250g, $245/500g) — showcasing the Wagyu's exquisite flavour profile. Charred to perfection over binchotan charcoal, this dish boasted a crispy exterior, revealing a succulent and flavourful interior.

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Binchotan Flame Grilled Wagyu X Tenderloin 4.2/5

Delving into the tenderloin, I was met with bold, rich flavours and a substantial texture that left a lasting impression. However, upon savouring the striploin, I found myself drawn to its abundance of marbling, which contributed to a fuller flavour profile and a remarkably tender texture.

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Horenso Gomaae (Spinach Salad) 3.8/5

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Wagyu Fat Fries 4.5/5

Accompanying the main course were the Horenso Gomaae ($16) — a simple yet flavourful spinach salad—and the irresistible Wagyu Fat Fries, which proved to be irresistibly addictive with each crispy bite.

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Wagyu Fried Rice 3.8/5

Initially conceived as a simple staff meal, the Wagyu Fried Rice ($28) has made its way onto the menu, boasting a unique twist. Cooked with wagyu fat for an added depth of flavour, the fried rice is served atop ooba leaf foam. While the dish offers an interesting concept, I questioned the foam's contribution, as it tended to soak up the rice, detracting from its desired fluffy texture.

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Japanese Sweet Potato Croquettes 3.5/5

The Japanese Sweet Potato Croquettes ($16) is a new sides. Japanese sweet potato is used for its starchier texture. Deep fried to golden brown. Crispy on the exterior, sweet and soft inside.

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Apple Tart with Ice Cream 4.2/5

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For dessert, the Apple Tart with Ice Cream ($18) offered a delightful finale. Slices of Granny Smith apples were served alongside a housemade berry sauce — a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness to end the meal on a satisfying note.

Wagyu X continues to reign supreme as a haven for discerning diners seeking the ultimate Wagyu experience.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Wagyu X
82 Club Street
Singapore 069450
Tel: +65 8795 6664
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Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT, NE Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Continue to the end of Amoy Street. Climb the stairs beside Siang Cho Keong Temple, up Ann Siang Hill. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk down South Bridge Road towards Ann Siang Road. Turn right onto Ann Siang Road. Walk down Ann Siang Road. Turn left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 4 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Pagoda Street to South Bridge Road. Cross the road and turn right. Walk down South Bridge Road. Turn left onto Ann Siang Hill and then left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Offbeat @ Far East Square - Asian-inspired Dishes by Coq & Balls

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Offbeat, located in Far East Square, introduces the latest dining concept by Coq & Balls. The food menu showcases Asian-inspired dishes, ranging from Bites and Tapas to Mains, Grills, and Roman-style pizzas.

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Salmon Tartare 4/5

We started with the Salmon Tartare ($18.90), a delightful dish featuring marinated raw salmon tossed with avocado and baby radish, garnished with tobiko. To complement the creamy tartare, crispy black sesame rice crackers were provided for a textural contrast. The combination was mouthwatering, with occasional bursts of nuttiness from the black sesame crackers.

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Spanish Squid 4.5/5

From the Flamed Grill section, we indulged in the Spanish Squid ($22.90) dressed with salted egg beurre blanc and sweet tare. The expertly prepared grilled squid was delicious. It boasted a firm yet tender texture and a delightful smoky flavour. While the salted egg sauce added that Asian twist, it didn't quite elevate the natural flavours of the squid as expected.

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Tiger Prawn Laksa Spaghetti 3.8/5

Drop by Offbeat during lunch and enjoy their mains at a special lunchtime price, with add-ons available, such as a glass of wine for just $6. Most items are crafted with Asian flavours, such as Pulled Pork Bahn Mi and Wagyu Beef Krapao Rice Bowl. During our visit, we tried the Tiger Prawn Laksa Spaghetti ($16.90). The Laksa sauce was more complex and heady than other laksa pasta variants I've tried, slightly reminiscent of curry noodles. The prawns were succulent, pairing well with the al dente spaghetti.

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Egg Quinoa Cauliflower 'fried rice' 4.8/5

While most of the lunch specials are richly flavoured, there are also lighter options such as the Egg Quinoa Cauliflower 'fried rice' ($14.90), served with roasted butternut squash pumpkin. The 'fried rice' was flavourful and satisfying, with delightful bites of fried egg, reminiscent of a traditional fried rice dish. The large chunks of pumpkin were soft and deliciously sweet, accented with a hint of smoky flavour. I also appreciated the added freshness from the greens and slices of baby radish, which enhanced the dish's overall taste.

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Okonomiyaki Pinsa 3.8/5

Offbeat offers Pinsa, a Roman-style stretched pizza. We indulged in the Okonomiyaki Pinsa ($24.50), a hearty Asian fusion creation featuring bacon and prawns, topped with oozy mozzarella and finished off with a drizzle of mentaiko cream and a sprinkle of bonito flakes. The ciabatta pizza base was light and airy, perfectly complementing the rich pizza toppings. While it could get a tad salty after a while, it was a scrumptious dish meant for sharing.

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Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Offbeat by Coq & Balls
Far East Square
40 Pekin Street
#01-01
Singapore 048770
Tel: +65 6322 3835
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11:30am - 11pm
Fri: 11:30am - 12:30am
Sat: 5:30pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun & PH)

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Bochinche @ Club Street - Indulge In Wet-aged Argentine Steaks and In-house Dry-aged Grain-fed Cuts.

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Bochinche, located on Club Street, has always been known for its fine curation of different types of meats and cuts from Argentina, Australia, USA, and Europe. Its wet-aged Argentine steaks and in-house dry-aged Grain Fed cuts grilled using Asado techniques over the Jarrah wood-fired griller are particularly noteworthy. The Argentinian starters and sides here are exceptional as well. For a quick lunch experience, its Lunch Menu offers its signature wet-aged steaks with a choice of add-on sides or desserts at an affordable price.

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Classic Provoleta 4/5

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Canasta De Pan 4.5/5

Classic Provoleta ($24) is a traditional Argentinian melted provolone cheese, served hot from the BBQ or oven, with a variety of toppings. We had a bubbling hot provolone cheese in cast iron, served with fermented Medley Tomato and a drizzle of honey. To get the full experience of this dish, eat it hot with Canasta De Pan ($12), a board of housemade Rosemary Focaccia, and "Pan De Queso", a South American cheese roll. Both breads were delightful and airy, complementing the rich melted cheese.

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Tropical “Leche De Tigre” Ceviche 5/5

Next, we had Tropical "Leche De Tigre" Ceviche ($24) featuring red snapper, dragon fruit, mango, papaya and pineapple tossed in for a refreshing fruity zest and zing. There were kaffir lime leaves mixed in as well, adding a layer of citrusy and earthy undertone.

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Argentina Empanadas Hand Cut Beef and Grilled Organic Corn (2pc) 3.5/5

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'Black Label' Ribeye 5/5

I tried the 250g 'Black Label' Ribeye ($35) for mains, featuring a grass-fed Buenos Aires steak, 28 Days Wet-Aged. Its great taste didn't just lie with its origin and the fact that it had been wet-aged for 28 days, but also with the skilful grilling on the wood fire to achieve that desired doneness. For an additional $10, you can either add on Hand-cut Beef and Grilled Organic Corn Argentina Empanadas (2pc) or Dessert. I had the Empanadas. The Grilled Organic Corn Empanadas was mouthwatering with aromatic creamy corn filling, contrasted with a flaky empanadas pastry.

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Argentinian Doughnut 4.8/5

For desserts, Argentinian Doughnut ($19) was a joy. It is light, airy and delicious with butteriness and an eggy flavour. They were served warm with contrasting velvety vanilla ice cream and Dulce De Leche. The sprinkle of toasted hazelnut added a good nutty flavour and a textural crunch to complete the dish.

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Bochinche
27 Club Street
Singapore 069413
Tel: +65 6235 4990
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Website
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sat: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk down South Bridge Road towards Ann Siang Road. Turn right onto Ann Siang Road. Walk down Ann Siang Road. Turn left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, July 9, 2023

IKKOTEN @ Telok Ayer - Kyoto Kaiseki-style Omakase in Intimate 10-Seater Japanese Restaurant by Chef Brandon Low

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Brand new along Telok Ayer Street is IKKOTEN, a Japanese Omakase restaurant helmed by Executive Chef Brandon Low. Chef Brandon has nearly 10 years of experience in Japanese cuisine and is now venturing into offering traditional Kyoto Kaiseki-style omakase.

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IKKOTEN translates to "Paradise on Earth", and Chef Brandon hopes to bring the best quality of ingredients and flavours to his diners.

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The 10-seater intimate restaurant space was intentionally designed to be clean and minimalistic, with carefully curated Japanese elements. I particularly value how diners can focus on the food in this space.

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There is a lunch Omaksae from $88 catering to the working lunch crowd in the area. As for dinner, there is a 9-course Omakase ($198) and a 11-course Hana Dinner Omakase ($298). I had the opportunity to try the latter.

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Sakizuke (Chef’s Appetiser): Sesame Tofu with Uni & Dashi Sauce 4/5

Our first course featured Sesame Tofu with Uni & Dashi Sauce, which uses homemade goma tofu. The seasonal Hokkaido sea urchin sits atop and adds a lovely briny creaminess.

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Hassun (Seasonal Appetiser): Baby Sweet Fish Tempura 4/5

The seasonal appetiser, which featured Baby Sweet Fish Tempura, was a delight. Chef Brandon shared that he decided on this assortment of items to showcase a variety of flavours.

The sweet fish carried a slight bitterness, the summer fruit fig with egg miso and yuzu had a fun tangy sweetness, while the deep-fried broad bean stuffed with homemade fish cake and pickled vegetables topped with shredded bonito flakes had pleasing nuttiness, sharper tangy notes and savoury bites.

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Suimono (Seasonal Clear Soup): Kyoto Clear Dashi Broth 3.8/5

Before moving into the sashimi, we were served a lighter course of greenling fish cooked in Kyoto Clear Dashi Broth.

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Tsukuri (Seasonal Sashimi): Threeline Grunt Fish 4/5

Our first sashimi course was the Threeline Grunt Fish. Carefully grilled over binchotan charcoal, these slices were fresh and boasted appetising sour plum notes.

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Tsukuri (Seasonal Sashimi): Otoro with Bubble Shoyu Sauce 4.2/5

Our next sashimi course was lightly aburi-ed slices of Nagasaki Otoro topped with a jiggly bubble shoyu sauce. The fatty cut of Otoro had a lovely smokiness infused within. It was a bit saltier than I'd liked with the unique shoyu, but I enjoyed how it was bursting with umami notes.

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Chef’s Signature: Negitoro Crystal Waffle 4.2/5

Chef's Special was the Negitoro Crystal Waffle, a reimagined rendition of the classic negitoro and uni hand roll with elevated elements. It was topped with chopped bluefin tuna, Hokkaido uni and seaweed soy sauce on a piece of crunchy translucent rice cracker.

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Yakimono (Seasonal Grilled Fish): Grilled Japanese Spanish Mackerel 4/5

The highlight here in the Grilled Japanese Spanish Mackerel dish was definitely its accompanying burnt egg sauce. It was such a unique touch which complemented well. Served on the side was pickled ginger flower, which served to clean your palette.

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Takiawase (Seasonal Simmered Dish): Homemade Egg Tofu with Sea Eel 4/5

Next, we were served with the Homemade Egg Tofu with Sea Eel. This dish features in-season Anago topped on smooth egg tofu and a thickened dashi sauce made of kombu bonito. The additional touch of yuzu zest kept the savoury sauce more appealing.

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Baby Abalone with Vinegar Jelly 4.2/5

While my dining companions had their beef course: Hay Smoked Charcoal A5 Wagyu Beef with Sesame Ponzu Sauce, Chef Brandon kindly helped replace mine with the Baby Abalone with Vinegar Jelly. The tender slices of baby abalone resulted from stewing for 6 hours. I enjoyed the gentle sourness in the vinegar jelly, combined with fresh yuzu zest and sweet micro tomatoes, which made this a refreshing palate cleanser before the donabe course.

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Signature Donabe: Umami Cherry Blossom Shrimp Collagen Claypot Rice 4.5/5

The impressive Signature Donabe was one of my favourite courses. The claypot rice has Niigata rice cooked in a fish collagen dashi stock made from simmering fish bones for almost four hours. It was then plated with a spoonful of truffle caviar and a luxurious touch of 24K gold. Accompanying it was burnt miso soup and homemade pickles.

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Mizugashi: Seasonal Fruits

Desserts were the classic Japanese Seasonal Fruits - Shizuoka Crown Melon, Kyoho Grape and Muscat Grape.

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Matcha Pudding, Hojicha Tea

We also had a bittersweet Matcha Pudding and hot Hojicha Tea to complement the sweet fruits.

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Matcha

I especially appreciated how we ended our meal with a hot cup of Matcha freshly whisked right before us.

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Donabe Onigiri

Chef Brandon also carefully shaped the leftover claypot rice into Onigiri for my fellow diners and me to bring home. It was wrapped in bamboo leaves, and we were taught how to best reheat them to enjoy the next day. It was such a lovely thought!

I found their omakase's price tag steeper, but IKKOTEN is one to consider if you are looking for a traditional omakase with modern elements incorporated.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


IKKOTEN
86 Telok Ayer
Singapore 048469
Tel: +65 8666 9924
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 7pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the street and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]