En Yakiniku @ Middle Road (Bugis) - First in Singapore Sake Tengoku

En Yakiniku, nestled in the heart of Middle Road, introduces a first-of-its-kind experience in Singapore - Sake Tengoku. This unique offering involves superior broth and sake being steamed with Ebi, Hotate, and Asari over charcoal in a special steamer, adding a distinctive touch to the traditional Japanese yakiniku experience.

En Sashimi 4.2/5

Embarking on our dinner experience, we delved into a couple of appetizers, starting with the En Sashimi ($32.40). A platter of fresh and generously cut Salmon, Maguro, Hamachi, Mekajiki, and Tako.

Foie Gras with Yam 3/5

Following the exquisite sashimi is the Foie Gras with Yam ($36). The pan-seared duck liver, resting atop a slice of yam, offered a decadent experience. However, the slightly sweet sauce somewhat obscured the nuanced creaminess of the foie gras.

Sake Tengoku 4.5/5

The pièce de résistance was the newly introduced Sake Tengoku ($68). Prawns, clams, and scallops were meticulously steamed over charcoal in a special sake and superior broth-infused steamer. Arranged in three layers, each tier unveiled a seafood symphony. The Japanese congee in the final layer, infused with the essence of seafood and sake, reached perfection when paired with a serving of wagyu shabu-shabu - a bowl of comforting and hearty porridge.

Zabuton

For the quintessential Japanese yakiniku experience, a variety of beef cuts graced our table. The cut of the day, Zabuton ($38.90), showcased a rich beefy flavour and a satisfying textural bite.

Temari Gyutan

The Temari Gyutan ($14.90) was a unique offering, presented with seasoned rice balls wrapped in thinly sliced wagyu beef tongue. Grilled over charcoal, this dish offered a delightful fusion of sushi and barbecue.

Negi Gyu Tan

To fully savour the tender beef tongue, the Negi Gyu Tan ($27.90), adorned with spring onions, provided a flavorful and aromatic option.

Miyazaki A4 Wagyu Striploin

For those seeking a more premium indulgence, the Miyazaki A4 Wagyu Striploin ($54.90) showcased top-quality marbling, delivering a distinct melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Chestnut-fed Duroc Pork Belly

Non-beef enthusiasts need not fret. The Chestnut-fed Duroc Pork Belly ($15.90) and Tiger Prawn ($22) offered equally gratifying options. The grilling process released fragrant aromas, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Tiger Prawn

En Yakiniku's meticulous attention to detail and innovative offerings make it a standout destination for those seeking a Japanese BBQ experience elevated by culinary creativity and premium cuts.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


En Yakiniku
Midland House
112 Middle Road
#01-00A
Singapore 188970
Tel: +65 62555744
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line), Bras Basah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk down Victoria Street to Middle Road. Turn right onto Middle Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Queen Street to Middle Road. Cross the road and turn right onto Middle Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Province @ Joo Chiat Road - Relish in a 7-course Autumn Menu of Fusion Southeast Asian Flavours in Hidden Private Dining Restaurant

Led by Chef-owner Law Jia-Jun, Province stands as a private dining restaurant in Joo Chiat dedicated to exploring the diversity of Southeast Asian ingredients and flavour combinations. Chef finds inspiration in many sources, from his childhood memories to his travels, the people he has met, and more. A meal here is perfect if you're looking for something different yet still done brilliantly.

Locating the restaurant, nestled discreetly within 808 Eating House, is the first adventure for diners. It may be tricky initially, but head on in via the main entrance of 808 Eating House, and the staff will provide guidance.

The intimate space, accommodating only eight guests, is perfect for a date night or a cosy celebration with friends and family. The chef refreshes his menu every season, curating the finest ingredients for his creations. The 7-course prix fixe menu begins with smaller bites, progresses to larger-sized proteins, and concludes with desserts. During this visit, we had the opportunity to try the Autumn menu.

Rice ‘Toast’ with Charcoal Seared Prawns 4.8/5

We were impressed right from the first dish, the Rice 'Toast' with Charcoal Seared Prawns. Inspired by grilled onigiri, the toast here was made of rice, giving it a unique texture, topped with fresh and sweet seared prawns from Ah Hua Kelong.

Ah Ma’s Popiah 4/5

Next was a dish inspired by Chef's grandma - Ah Ma's Popiah. With a chewier skin base with a hint of butter fragrance, this elevated rendition of popiah featured cured pork belly, sweet sauce and fried beancurd.

Yakitori 4.2/5

Instead of the traditional choice of chicken, the Yakitori at Province uses local deboned frog leg. It is charcoal grilled and served with a charred calamansi for a drizzle of acidity.

Cephalopod 4.5/5

The Cephalopod highlights squid in two ways. First in a smoky grilled style and second as fried. Paired with pomelo, betel leaf, and pickled spring onions, the dish was a harmonious mix of savoury, sweet, tangy, and subtle bitterness.

Into the Brassica Garden 4.2/5

Into the Brassica Garden showcases ingredients which were all sourced from Cameron Highlands. The dish features various forms of broccoli, including a warm and creamy broccoli puree as the base, complemented by kohlrabi and mustards. The addition of calamansi vinaigrette provides a delightful brightness to the ensemble.

Golden Cap Farms 4.5/5

Mushroom lovers would surely be delighted with Chef's Golden Cap Farms. This dish combines a medley of King Blue Oyster mushrooms and fermented mushrooms topped with caramelised onions, croutons, and chives. The dish, reminiscent of a mushroom pie, impressed with its layered flavours, even though the caramelised onions stole a bit of the spotlight.

Finned 4.5/5

Finned has fork-tender local halibut served with Ah Hua Kelong's clams, garlic scapes and a lightly savoury barigoule sauce. It was a delightful take on halibut.

Feathered 4.8/5

The most surprising dish for many of us was Feathered. Despite its unassuming appearance, it delivered a remarkable depth of flavour. The chicken, meticulously prepared by removing the skin and stuffing it with various chicken parts, including liver and heart, was marinated in whisky and homemade five spices before being roasted. The succulent meat was paired with a scoop of nutty roasted yam, coriander oil, and a black vinegar reduction infused with a 10-year-old Chinese Hua Diao wine.

Fruit I 4.8/5

We thought using starfruit in Fruit I, our first dessert, was genius! It was made up of variations of starfruit with attap seeds as the icy base. I've never been a fan of attap seeds as well, but the use of them here for their sweetness and crunchy texture was excellent. It was lovely paired with a topping of tangerine gem, which provided citrusy floral notes.

Fruit II 4.8/5

Our second dessert of Fruit II was equally impressive. Here, we had a base of Indonesian vanilla chantilly between crunchy mille-feuille, sweet Berangan bananas poached in rum and spices, and a scoop of rum ice cream. It reminded us of a childhood sweet treat, but much more elevated.

While some may find the overall portion of food to lean smaller, I thoroughly enjoyed Chef Jia-Jun's innovative creations. The team provided attentive and warm service, taking the time to explain each meticulously prepared dish passionately. It was a delightful experience worth a visit!

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.


Province
(Located inside 808 Eating House)
153 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427431
Tel: +65 8075 1896
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Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Thu-Sat (Lunch)
1st Seating: 12.30pm

Tue-Sat (Dinner)
1st Seating : 6.15pm
2nd Seating : 8.30pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus 33. Alight 5 stops later. Walk across the open-air carpark. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Tanyu Exclusive 探鱼 @ Jewel Changi Airport - Newly Opened Tanyu Outlet with 8 Flavours of Grilled Fish and Self-Service Ice Jelly Bar to Enjoy Till 3am

Tanyu has been one of many diners' go-to spots for Chongqing-style grilled fish since it joined the local F&B scene in 2017. Newly introduced in Jewel Changi Airport is Tanyu Exclusive, the brand's first-ever supper concept store, open to welcome diners till 3am daily!

The new space works perfectly as a supper spot or to enjoy before you catch a flight. If you dine in later in the night between 10pm and 3pm, there are special supper exclusives and an additional 15% off. All of the staff we met were very cheery and helpful, and the curated Chinese playlist enhanced the overall vibes.

Self-service Ice Jelly Bar

The unlimited Self-service Ice Jelly Bar ($2.80/pax) is definitely the first thing that would catch your eye upon stepping in. It's fun to DIY and refreshing to have through the meal.

Pick from different types of jelly to add to the shaved ice with other toppings, including osmanthus honey, peach gum, pearls, peanuts, hawthorn bits, and more. We went back for seconds and thirds for this.

Fresh Clams in Spicy Sauce 4/5

We started with a chilled appetiser, the Fresh Clams in Spicy Sauce ($9.90). The clams were average in size but picked up the mildly spicy and numbing sauce well.

Chongqing Cold Noodles with Shredded Chicken 4/5

You can opt for regular white rice to accompany the grilled fish, but Tanyu also offers noodle dishes. For a spicy option, go for the Chongqing Cold Noodles with Shredded Chicken ($8.90). While I found the noodles a little too soft, I liked the smooth texture and the appetising sauce.

Noodles with Onion Oil 3.8/5

There is Noodles with Onion Oil ($5.80) for a non-spicy choice. Similarly, it had softer noodles here, but I found the scallion oil used, unfortunately, a little too bland.

Grilled Fish with Fresh Green Pepper, with Limbo Fish 4.8/5

The highlight of our meal was the Grilled Fish with Fresh Green Pepper, with Limbo Fish ($48.90). I always appreciate how customisable a meal at Tanyu is - you can pick your choice of fish broth and add a variety of ingredients to your liking.

I recommend adding their special beancurd ($3.90), which soaked up the broth superbly well. Other ingredients ($4.50/portion) include enoki mushrooms, konjac, bamboo shoots, potato slices and more. My only qualm here was the broth's saltiness, which made it less drinkable.

Grilled Fish with Sauerkraut, with Limbo Fish 4.5/5

We had the Grilled Fish with Sauerkraut for our second fish, with Limbo Fish ($48.90). The fish in both were tender, soft and fresh, which made it easy to separate from its bones. The saltiness here was more balanced with strong tangy notes.

Golden Mushroom with Minced Garlic 4/5

Enoki mushroom and garlic fans should try the Golden Mushroom with Minced Garlic ($5.80). It's a simple dish, but the intense garlic flavours were satisfying.

Lychee Shrimp Ball 4.2/5

We were most surprised by the Lychee Shrimp Ball ($9.80). They were served piping hot and crunchy, with a juicy shrimp filling, pairing harmoniously with the tangy chilli on the side.

Grilled Lamb, Grilled Chicken 3.8/5

While the rub of herbs and spices on the Grilled Lamb ($6.90 for 3 Pieces) and Grilled Chicken ($6.90 for 3 Pieces) were decently aromatic, we found both meats too tough.

Double Taste Rice Cake 4.5/5

The Double Taste Rice Cake ($7.80 for 5 Pieces) was a hot dessert that had praises from everyone. Each had a thin crisp exterior while remaining delightfully soft and chewy within. It was perfect to enjoy with the drizzle of black sugar syrup.

Thunder Grape Drink, Tangerine Hawthorn Drink

We had huge cups of beverages to pair, namely the Thunder Grape Drink ($5.80) and Tangerine Hawthorn Drink ($5.80). Though these came in a big portion for sharing, they were both too sweet for our liking.

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.


Tanyu Exclusive 探鱼
Jewel Changi Airport
#B2-235/236
78 Airport Boulevard
Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6513 3203
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Nearest MRT: Changi Airport MRT (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3am

Direction:
1) Alight at Changi Airport MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Racines @ Sofitel Singapore City Centre - New Menu with Focus On Sustainability Dining By Chef Isaac Henry

Sofitel Singapore City Centre has a new Director of Culinary and Beverage on board - Isaac Henry. His culinary experience spans continents, honing his skills in Michelin-starred restaurants in both Paris and Singapore. As a strong advocator of sustainable dining, it is no surprise that you might have spotted him on the host of a six-part docu-series on Channel News Asia titled 'Zero Waste Kitchen'. On the refreshed Racines's menu, other than its attention-grabbing fashion magazine-style design, new signatures are introduced that were conceptualised with the environment in mind.

Chicken & Duck Foie Gras Mousse 4.8/5

Chef Isaac would like to call the Chicken & Duck Foie Gras Mousse a marriage between Asian food and French dishes – reflecting the restaurant's signature cuisine. The chicken liver is locally sourced, aligning with our commitment to sustainability. A small portion of duck liver is blended with chicken liver, cream and egg to achieve a velvety texture. Adding sweet and tangy Chinese black wine vinegar elevates this mousse to another level brilliantly, much like how a fruit compote complements the richness and flavour of a liver pate with a delightful touch of sweet acidity. It formed a luxurious spread for the sourdough bread served on the side.

Charred Asparagus with Housemade Hollandaise 5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed the Charred Asparagus, which differentiates itself with a tantalising combination of flavours and textures brought to life by creamy housemade Hollandaise, umami Shio Kombu, and sugar-roasted Almonds ($26). The asparagus, charred on an open-fire grill, was laced with a delightful smoky nuance, adding a flavour depth to the dish. The creamy and substantial sauce lent a satisfying mouthfeel to the asparagus, with its sweetness aptly balanced by the savoury shio kombu. The almond candies provided a morish textural crunch, completing this enticing plate of asparagus.

Otak Otak 4/5

Otak Otak ($18) features a spiced Spanish Mackerel Fish cake roasted in a Banana Leaf parcel served with housemade cincalok sauce. Chef Isaac used one of his oldest recipes when craving for otak-otak abroad, and none was readily available. Using a traditional way of making otak otak, made by blending slow-cooked rempah paste for two hours, he also added fresh water chestnuts for texture. I like the lightness of this Otak Otak versus some, which are more assertive in terms of the spice content. The cincalok sauce enlivened its taste even further.

Ngoh Hiang 4/5

Ngoh Hiang features Crispy Five-Spiced Seafood Wrapped in Beancurd Skin Served with Housemade Chilli Sauce ($18). Crusted within was a juicy seafood filling made with sotong paste, prawn meat, and crabmeat. Instead of the sweet sauce, we have a punchy house-fermented chilli sauce resulting from blended spices that is left to sit for a day to ferment.

Prawn Biryani 4.5/5

Chef Isaac's Smoked Argentinian Red Prawn Biryani Served with Salted Yoghurt ($36) is a "nontraditional version", which is a cure for hangover to me. The prawns were pre-seared, effectively sealing an incredible amount of juices within the heads. You will get everything in one spoonful by layering the rice with Spiced Ghee and Cashews and masala made with prawns. Although the rice was saucier than I would have liked it to be, the presence of the well-caramelised onions and the salted yoghurt served on the side provided a great balance to the masala.

Crispy Scale Red Snapper 4.8/5

The Crispy Scale Red Snapper ($42) comprises pumpkin puree, wilted baby spinach, squid ink, and beurre blanc. Snapper is also locally sourced from a farmer who slaughters and fillets it Ikejime-style, which kills it instantly, resulting in less blood and tender flesh. It gives it a much whiter, tastier flesh. Indeed, what we had was beautiful, moist and tender with a supreme taste. What I also appreciate is how the scales were left intact and crisped with hot oil as a means to minimise wastage. As the presentation of such dishes has a typical neutral flavour profile, the accompanying wilted spinach is cooked with squid ink to add that extra savoury element to enhance the flavour profile of the fish.

Sliced Beef Hor Fun 4.2/5

Sliced Beef Hor Fun features a wok-tossed thinly sliced Argentinian Grain-fed Beef with Flat Rice Noodles and Garlic Crisp ($38). While it is tough to attain a deep wok hei flavour into the rice noodle, this is nonetheless a very decadent version with soft and tender Beef Argentinian striploin. I also enjoyed how sweet the spring onions were, which balanced the flavour of this highly flavour dish. Attention is paid to the Garlic crisps. They are coated with flour and then fried to get a long-lasting crisp. However, I preferred a broader type of flat rice noodles for a better texture.

Sautéed Clams Manila Clams 4.8/5

Sautéed Clams Manila Clams ($60) stood out with a heedy broth. Chef Isaac uses locally sourced Manila clams, which do not have many sand sediments and are sweet in flavour. Tossed in Aged Guanciale, Housemade Nduja Butter and Parsley Pistou, the broth had so much body and packed a punch of flavour. The Nduja is sourced from a Basque country (France), producing milder' nduja. Hence, the sweetness of the clams was still very much present. Parsley Pistou was sharp, accenting the broth with herbaceous nuances.

Almond & Logan 4/5

For dessert, Chef Isaac's rendition of the Almond & Logan surprised me with an aesthetically pleasing plating and an exceptionally creamy Almond jelly. The white fungus could have been more cooked through for a softer texture.

Skillet Baked Dark chocolate Cookie 4.5/5

Skillet Baked Dark chocolate Cookie Salted Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream ($23) is a comfort food that will lift your spirits. The Skillet baking creates crisp edges with a moist and gooey centre.

Textures of Meringue 3/5

Pavlova features Textures of Meringue with Passion Fruit Sorbet, Micro Basil and Strawberries ($22). I find most meringue desserts to be on the sweeter side; hence, this is my least favourite of the lot.

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.


Racines
Sofitel Singapore City Centre
Level 5
9 Wallich Street
Singapore 078885
Tel: +65 64285000
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 1030am, 12pm - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right on Peck Seah Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]