Kei Kaisendon @ Marina Square - Quality And Affordable Japanese Rice Bowls For The Sashimi Lovers

The kaisendon is a traditional Japanese donburi dish consisting of a rice bowl loaded up with a variety of fresh sashimi. If you love Kaisendon, Kei Kaisendon is a place not to be missed for quality seafood dons without the hefty price tags.

You'd usually find the standard Kaisen don in most Japanese restaurants elsewhere, but this Kaisendon speciality restaurant gives diners plenty of options with its variety of kaisendons - from the mentaiyaki, to hotate and unagi kaisendon. You can also choose from their add-on selection, and make it a set with a soup and salad (+$3) for a more fulfilling meal.

Mentaiyaki Tamago Kaisendon 4.2/5

The Mentaiyaki Tamago Kaisendon ($18.90) arrived in an impressive array of cubed sashimi and mentaiko tamago pieces. I liked how the piquant flavour and slight saltiness of the mentaiyaki balance out the light sweetness of the tamago. While the sashimi cubes are fresh and silky, the mentaiko-laden tomago blow-torched to perfection adds a lovely umami flavour to the don.

Hotate Kaisendon 4/5

The Hotate Kaisendon ($19.90) features a subtly sweet, almost creamy-like hotate on a bed of fresh sashimi cubes. The hotate was no less fresh, with a melt-in-the-mouth texture. The kaisendons are also filled with cucumber cubes which adds a crunch to the dish. Together with mouthfuls of Japanese rice and fresh seafood, it is just pure indulgence.

Gyoza 4/5

We chose the Unagi ($3.90) and Gyoza ($6.90) for our add-ons. Glazed with a soy-based sauce before being torched, the unagi slices are richly flavoured and has an incredibly soft and tender texture. The Gyoza ($6.90) features savoury ground pork fillings wrapped in silky smooth dumpling skin. These little parcels of goodness go perfectly well with the light soya sauce provided to add a nice touch of flavour to the dish.

Kei Kaisendon at Marina Square has recently participated in the Food Masters Singapore 2019 competition hosted by Singapore Press Holdings. Vote for them by SMS-ing C11 to 91188980. Just flash the message of your voting to the staff for a 10% off total bill during your next visit. *Only at Marina Square outlet.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Kei Kaisendon
Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard
#02-266A/B
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 62528311
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Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take exit B. Walk to Marina Square via Marina Square Link. Walk to the destination. Journey time about 8 mins. [Map]

So Ramen @ Novena Square - Shiok Tonkotsu + Bonito Broth

Singaporean loves Japanese food, and there are indeed quite a number of ramen shops in Singapore. One of the lesser-known brands is So Ramen a local brand by the breadtalk group. It offers three types of noodles (Hosomen, Chijiremen and Futomen) and 5 types of broths (shoyu, miso, tonkotsu, uobushi tonkotsu, and spicy tonkotsu).

Grand Tonkotsu 4/5

The Grand Tonkotsu ($13.90) consists of Toroniku (braised pork cheek), Cha Shu and Buta Kakuni (braised pork belly in special sauce), Ni Tamago and Menma (bamboo shoot). It is quite a luxury in a bowl considering the pricing. Black onion sauce is added to the rich and hearty broth, enhancing the flavour. While the pork belly is huge, I find it on the tough side.

Toroniku Uobushi Tonkotsu Ramen 4.2/5

The soup for the Toroniku Uobushi Tonkotsu Ramen ($13.90) is double-boiled comprising tonkotsu and premium bonito. The result is more intense and richer, which really pack a punch. Not only that, it comes with tender pieces of Toroniku (braised pork cheek, Ni tamago, menma and seaweed.

Yaki Gyoza 3.5/5

I also ordered Yaki Gyoza ($4 for 6pc) to go along with the ramen. The parcel comes with marinated premium pork wrapped in translucent dumpling skin, then pan-seared to crispy perfection

Butariki Ishinabe 4/5

Besides ramen, the restaurant also offers rice item on the menu. We tried the Butariki Ishinabe ($12.90) that is served in a hot stone-pot. One can find pan-fried and barbecued pork, seaweed, raw egg, caramelised onion and sesame in it. Mix everything up to coat the pearly Koshihikari rice with the sauce and get a mouthful of different flavours and textures.


So Ramen
Novena Square
238 Thomson Road
#01-05
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 62536066
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Website
Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

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

Ninja Bowl @ Duxton Road - Turns Two With A Whole New Slew Of Hearty Dishes

Ninja Bowl at Duxton Road celebrates its 2nd anniversary with a refreshed menu. In addition to the whole new slew of hearty dishes, it has for the first time introduce a range of pasta dishes too.

Tamago Sandwich 4.2/5

For our lunch, we started with the Tamago Sandwich ($16). The soft and fluffy tamogo is coated with a layer of melted gouda cheese for that extra oomph and sandwiched in between a croissant. Besides that, it is further accompanied with a side of Japanese curry minced beef and an onsen egg. You can even use the croissant to wipe the plate clean.

Hokkaido 4/5

For the seafood lover, there is Hokkaido ($16) which comes with tempura-battered fish fillet and soft shell crab. The tendon rice bowl is pretty substantial. Instead of the usual tendon sauce, homemade chilli crab sauce is used for a local twist.

Harajuku 4.5/5

It is probably hard to tell from the picture but on the plate is a whole roasted cauliflower. The Harajuku ($18) is a roasted cauliflower steak topped with tempura bits and pine nuts. Accompanying the dish is yaki unagi that has been glazed with kebayaki sauce and creamy mac & cheese. The combination may sounds a weird but surprisingly it works.

Ohayo 4/5

Last but not least we had the Ohayo ($20). The savoury-sweet combination can either be a brunch item or dessert. Two fluffy French toast is paired with maple-glazed pork belly, pomegranate. rocket, momo tomatoes and burrata. I feel the milky and buttery burrata cheese plays an important role in harmonizing the whole dish.

The new menu at Ninja Bowl has definitely delivered new excitement to the table, giving more reasons for guest to return. It once again has impressed me with their new creations.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ninja Bowl
15 Duxton Road
Singapore 089481
Tel: +65 62228055
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 930am - 930pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 6pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. At Orchid Hotel turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road to the opposite side of Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk along Tanjong Pagar Road to Duxton Hill. Turn left onto Duxton Hill and then turn right on Duxton Road. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]

Nadai Fujisoba Ni-Hachi @ 100AM Mall - Handmade Soba From Japan Tokyo Shibuya Since 1966

Nadai Fujisoba Ni-Hachi is a soba specialist restaurant within the Japanese precinct of 100AM mall. Tucked at a corner, its quiet demeanour seems to have obscured its reputation as Japan’s number one soba restaurant. Noodles are freshly made daily using buckwheat flour specially imported from a well-established milling factory in Japan in 2:8 ratio͟ - the perceived golden combination of wheat flour (20%) and buckwheat flour (80%) and hence the name Ni-Hachi. You can enjoy four types of soba: warm soba; cold soba; maze (mixed) soba; and mori (dipping) soba.

Mori Soba

Thick ribbons of noodles are used for the Mori Soba which comes with grated wasabi as well as chopped leeks that can be added to the cold dipping sauce. This is simplest way to enjoy the original taste of a good soba.

Special Truffles Dashi ki Tamago 2.5/5

We had two appetizers which are created specially to entice the locals - Special Truffles Dashi ki Tamago ($15) with club Japanese sauce and Sauteed Sobagaki and Foie Gras ($17) with kaeshi sauce. The two key ingredients which you might have spotted, are truffles and foie gras.

Sauteed Sobagaki and Foie Gras 2.8/5

The tamago itself was decent, soft and fluffy. The truffles part for me is rather redundant as I couldn't taste or smell it at all. Like most extremely truffle dishes, perhaps a dash of the truffle potion may help to wire my tastebuds to taste the truffle. As for the Sobagaki, I probably won't see it anywhere else. Traditionally served on its own, an extravagant piece of foie gras is piled on it. I was really surprised to see buckwheat being served like mashed potato and I do like the taste of the buckwheat. Adding foie gras to it will certainly attract locals to order this dish, which may otherwise be too rustic for some.

Hot Sukiyaki Soba 4.2/5

Hot Sukiyaki Soba ($18) is one of my favourites. The warm soba’s tsuyu (noodle soup base) comes from the dried bonito flakes and kaeshi (concentrated soup base). This warm soba uses a black kaeshi, which is made with a special recipe of the restaurant. The soup is a balance of sweet and savoury, with the onsen egg to give it abit of creaminess. The beef was tender and soft, and everything comes together like a comforting hotpot.

Crispy Sakura Ebi Tempura & Soba 3.8/5

Crispy Sakura Ebi Tempura & Soba ($19.50) drizzled with truffle oil was beautiful with reddish tempura prawns which inherited their colour from crushed Sakura Ebi. The Shrimp soup base is enhanced with truffle oil, which exudes an appetising aroma. Both are prawns and chicken slices were well done, prawns being plump and succulent while the latter was tender.

Dry Kamo Maze Soba 4.5/5

Two brand-new soba dishes have been introduced - Dry Kamo Maze Soba ($16) and Deep-fried Soba with Savoury Spicy Seafood Sauce ($18.50). The dry version which is a duck noodle-inspired soba, is brilliantly executed with its handmade duck meatballs and smoked duck. The duck meatballs were juicy and flavourful while the smoked duck was fatty, rich but not gamey or salty. The braised sauce coated the soba neatly with the help of the onsen egg. I'm rather impressed with the presentation and the execution of the dish. I wouldn't see this as a soba dish but an extremely delicious Japanese duck noodles.

Deep-fried Soba with Savoury Spicy Seafood Sauce 2.5/5

As for the Deep-fried Soba, I find the spicy seafood sauce a bit too salty. However, if you are an Ee Mee fan, you may like it.

Nadai Fujisoba Ni-Hachi has an extensive menu of soba and side dishes, and with creative local-inspired dishes, there's no lack of choices here even for non-soba fans. If you are a small eater, beware of the serving here as it can be really huge!

Words and photos 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.


Nadai Fujisoba Ni-Hachi
100AM Mall
100 Tras Street
#03-14
Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 64438827
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Gopeng Street and turn into Tras Street. Walk to Amara Hotel. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]