Showing posts with label Truffle Chips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Truffle Chips. Show all posts

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Torasho Ramen & Charcoal Bar @ Tras Street - New Contemporary Izakaya In The Heart Of Tanjong Pagar

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I am glad that I am reunited with Chef Sho Naganuma at his new restaurant Torasho Ramen & Charcoal Bar. Formerly the Execute Chef at Hide Yamamoto, chef Sho Naganuma has partner with restaurateur Tora Widjaja to open the contemporary izakaya restaurant in the heart of Tanjong Pagar.

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Ikura Nachos 4/5

We started with a couple of appetisers, and I have to say they are not the usual items you get in a traditional izakaya restaurant. The creative bites are inspired by the sophisticated Singapore palate which chef Sho Naganuma has a wealth of experience, having been working in Singapore since 2010. First up, we had the Ikura Nachos ($12). The delightful bite comes with tobiko and herbs on a crispy papadum chip. A delightful bite with the right balance of flavour and texture.

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Unagi Tacos 3.8/5

The Unagi Tacos ($15) is quite similar to the ikura nachos except the meaty unagi takes centre stage resting on the crispy papadum, crown with green papaya for acidity and crunch. I thought a little more punch in the sourness from the green mango and even a little heat will lift the dish.

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Uni Pillow 4.8/5

The Uni Pillow ($15/pc) may seem small in portion, but it's an explosive combination of flavours and textures from the karaage crumbs, nori and uni. This is definitely one of my favourite appetisers.

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Wagyu Chips 4.2/5

The Wagyu Chips ($8) thinly sliced and fried with the wagyu fats is very addictive. It comes with truffle shio konbu that perfumed the enjoyment further.

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Noble Scallops 4.5/5

The first thing that caught my attention is the colourful shells of the Noble Scallops ($27). Cooked in a sake-soy butter nage, the scallop was plump and juicy, infused with the aroma of sweet sake. Don't forget to take a sip of the sake based broth to enjoy the umami flavour.

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With all the delicious appetisers, don't forget to order some sake to go along with them. Torasho even has their sake brand. If you order a bottle of sake, they even come in a mini sake barrel. Do note there are limited sake barrels available, so don't be disappointed if you didn't get one.

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Truffle Baby Chick 4/5

For those that need something for filling or you have a big group, there is the big plates and rice section on the menu. The Truffle Baby Chicken ($38) may look like any original roasted chicken, but you will be in for a surprise. The chicken is actually stuffed with Kolkata style biryani rice cooked with potato inside. The hint of truffle further elevated the aroma and enjoyment of the fluffy rice and tender roasted chicken.

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Bak Kut Teh Donabe 4.5/5

Anther rice dish on the menu is the locally inspired Bak Kut Teh Donabe ($38). Give the hotpot a good mix to get all the flavours blended together. The rice does come across garlicky and peppery like the local white bak kut teh. However, it doesn't resemble a bak kut teh dish at all. It is a delicious dish on its own with its own characteristic which all of us enjoyed.

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One should not miss the ramen at Tora, especially their Dipping Ramen. Having tried Menya Sakura owned by Chef Sho Naganuma, I look forward to tasting the familiar flavour again at Torasho. At Torasho, the menu offers three types of ramen - Dipping, Dry and Soup.

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Uni and Ikura Dipping Ramen 3.8/5

For the Dipping Ramen, we decided to go for the Uni and Ikura ($34) and Tsukemen "Singapore Best" ($14). The Uni and Ikura Dipping Ramen comes with a bowl of uni dipping soup, separates from the ramen that is topped with uni, ikura and nori. The noodle for dipping ramen is thicker and chewier compare to the rest as to complement the rich dipping soup.

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Tsukemen "Singapore Best" Dipping Ramen 4.2/5

Between the two dipping ramens I tried, I still prefer the Tsukemen "Singapore Best" Dipping Ramen which comes with charcoal pork, bamboo shoot and nori with rich seafood and tonkotsu dipping soup. The dipping soup is more robust and richer in flavour, which goes better with the thick noodle. After finishing your noodle, you can ask for the staff to add either clear dashi broth or yuzu dashi broth to the soup so that you can appreciate the drink the remaining dipping soup. I would recommend the clear dashi broth.

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Soup Ramen 3.8/5

For the soup ramen, there are three choices. You can go for the normal Tonkotsu Ramen ($12), Truffle Tonkotsu Ramen ($18) or Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen ($14). I decided to have the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, which comes in three levels of spiciness. Even at level 1, I feel that it will be a challenge for those that can't take spicy. What you can find in the bowl of ramen are roasted garlic, green onion, nori, kikurage and charcoal pork chashu. While the chashu is thick and charred, some prefer the more thinly sliced and tender type.

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Dry Ramen, Lobster 4/5

Last but not least for the dry ramen, diners can choose to have the Truffle & Wagyu ($20), Lobster ($16) or Torasho Pork "Bak Chor Mee" ($14). We decided to have the Lobster Dry Ramen that comes with minced lobster, claw croquette, onsen egg, green onion and nori. Due to the crustacean flavour, it tastes like have a bowl of dry prawn noodle.

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It has been a while since I get excited about a new opening. I really enjoyed the food at Torasho. Besides the flavours, I like the modern-inspired izakaya dishes that brings a refreshed concept to the table. It is definitely a place I will recommend my friend to go to for our next gathering.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Torasho Ramen & Charcoal Bar
32 Tras Street
(Main Entrance along Cook Street)
Singapore 078972
Tel: +65 69705055
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right onto Tras Street. Walk down Tras Street and turn left onto Cook Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Friday, January 5, 2018

Foxhole Cafe @ The Midtown Hougang – Cozy Hideout With Quality All-Day Brunch fare And Coffee From The Pourover Bar

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Nestled within the Hougang residences at The Midtown, previously known as Hougang Plaza, The Foxhole Cafe occupies a double storey unit, greeting customers with the smell of coffee from the espresso bar and a dessert display counter filled with freshly baked goods on the first storey. Decor is kept simple for the main seating area tucked away on the second storey that can accommodate up to 30 people, with minimalistic furnishings, an eye-catching hand-painted galaxy unicorn mural on one side of the wall, and a huge floor-to-ceiling window that allows ample lighting into the space for those instagrammable shots.

In collaboration with The Pourover Bar, The Foxhole Cafe serves a selection of quality filtered coffees brewed to perfection with specialty beans from Melbourne, Australia. Known for its wide selection of internationally championed single origin Ninety Plus specialty coffee beans, there is little wonder why The Pourover Bar has garnered a loyal following since its establishment in 2016. Furthermore, The Foxhole Cafe has also expanded its menu over the year, from a limited selection of light bites and cakes, to a larger variety of more substantial mains, such as burgers, pastas and udon bowls. Now you can satisfy your caffeine fix with quality coffee, teas from The 1872 Clipper Tea Co., as well as a wider selection of delectable yet instagrammable food offerings all under one roof.

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Croissant Egg Benedict and Black Pepper Smoked Salmon 4/5

The Croissant Egg Benedict and Black Pepper Smoked Salmon ($15.90) features a large croissant that boasts a flaky crispy exterior and buttery softer insides, with a generous serving of smoked salmon slices sandwiched in between, garnished with specks of black pepper that present a balance of saltiness and peppery taste. Slice into the egg benedict and let the creamy yellow soak up the rest of the ingredients, imparting a subtle sweetness to the dish and giving the fillings more textural contrast against the silky smoked salmon and flaky croissant.

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Signature Foxhole Hawaiian Beef Burger with Truffle Chips 4/5

The Signature Foxhole Hawaiian Beef Burger with Truffle Chips ($15.90) comes in a huge beef patty, pineapple slice, melted cheese and lettuce sandwiched in between soft burger buns. The beef done medium rare, boasts a soft texture and is well seasoned with salt and pepper, while the addition of the pineapple slice imparts a burst of refreshing juiciness and sweetness to the burger. The side of truffle chips boasts a subtle hint of truffle, while contributing an additional crunch to the dish.

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Honey Garlic Prawn Udon Bowl 4.2/5

The Honey Garlic Prawn Udon Bowl ($16.90) features a bowl of thick udon noodles done al dente, and a colourful array of different ingredients carefully arranged on top, comprising of sweet corn, carrots, mushrooms, tofu and green peas. The highlight of the dish - honey glazed garlic prawns boast a perfect sweet-savoury balance as you bite into those juicy prawns. Slice into the onsen egg and let the runny yellow coat the rest of the ingredients.

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Yakult Lover 3.8/5

Relive your childhood dreams with the Yakult Lover ($6.90) which is the signature drink of the cafe that seems to have been created for the social media. It comes in an instagrammable upsized Yakult bottle filled with yakult flavoured soda and a small mason jar served on a wooden tray. Although the familiar taste of the probiotic yoghurt drink is a refreshingly unique combination with the soda, the fizzy bubbly taste of the latter might be too overwhelming at some points. The drink further eased to a more welcoming balance as the ice melted towards the ends.

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The Foxhole Cafe is the perfect cozy spot to provide a calming respite and chill over pastries and good coffee while people watching through the tall windows overlooking the grass field outside. With an established fan base of coffee lovers for the quality coffee from The Pourover Bar and introduction of a wider variety of quality food pegged at affordable prices, it is a noteworthy place that continuously set expectations and is definitely one not to be missed, especially if you're staying near the Hougang area.

Words and photos 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.


Foxhole Cafe
The Midtown at Hougang
1189 Upper Serangoon Road
#01-18
Singapore 534785
Tel: +65 63855587
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Hougang (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu: 11am - 9pm
Sat: 9am - 10pm
Sun: 9am - 9pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Hougang MRT Station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Hougang Central road. Continue to block 805. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]