Gyoza Ya @ ION Orchard - Gyoza Specialist with Affordable Asian Tapas & Sake

Visited Gyoza Ya at Ion Orchard lately, almost 2 years after I patronised their very first outlet at Robinsons. They started off with rather basic gyozas, such as pork/prawns pan fried or boiled, with side dishes created to go with their beers and sake. Till date, the range has been expanded to excite our ever restless palates. As a gyoza specialty outlet, each outlet has its respective star. Curry Chicken for Paragon's, Cheese for Robinson's and Mochi Mochi Ebi for Ion's.

Pan-fried Gyoza with Pork and Octopus 3.8/5

As my friend was alleged to prawns, we skipped Ion's specialty and went for their latest creation Yaki Takoyaki Gyoza ($7.80 for 5 pc). I quite like the extra crunch and chewiness lent from the tako bits. They are also less meaty compared to the full pork gyoza, which I also find more enjoyable.

Pan-fried Gyoza with Pork, Pork and Mentaiko 3.5/5

For a much stimulating flavour, you can try their Yaki Mentaiko Gyoza ($8.80 for 5 pc). It is rather heavy, hence you may just stop at 2 or 3.

Boiled Mixed Vegetables Gyoza with Special Vinegar Sauce 3.8/5

For something lighter, Gyoza with Mixed Vegetables may be a good option. Each variety comes in either pan fried or boiled version, and I personally much prefer their pan fried for the crispier texture. Their Shichimi-su Gyoza ($6.30 for 5pc) is an exception though, which is boiled and glazed with their special vinegar sauce. The base of the vinegar was made 2 years ago, and like a stock made of heirloom recipe, the vinegar gets richer and richer with new batches added on to it over time. Psychologically perhaps, this bowl of boiled dumplings tells a much more flavourful story than it would otherwise have told.

Chilled Cucumber with Miso Dressing

Gyoza Ya has left an impression in me not because of their chunky, meaty gyoza, but their side dishes. I'm glad that Morokyu ($3.80) is still on the menu. It wouldn't have worked if the miso dressing is simply a dollop of thin miso paste. Each barley grain was pumped with miso, and together, they spread the miso flavour evenly over each cucumber cube. Hence, I didn't get that overpowering saltiness should miso paste has been used.

Roasted Broccoli with Japanese Mixed Spices 4/5

The owner recommended their new item, which is also his favourite as well - Aburi Broccoli ($4.80), and it has become mine too. Interestingly, it was conceived by accident, when the owner decided not to waste a charred broccoli which had accidentally dropped onto their grill. Slightly charred and lightly seasoned to taste, the sweetness and flavour of each stalk were intensified. My last wonderful experience with roasted vegetables was at Humpback, with their brussels sprout when I had 3 plates of that. I had 2 of this, and I believe a few more plates is not a problem at all.

Special Pork Base Soup with Ramen and Braised Pork 3.5/5

Although they are not a ramen specialty, their Tonkotsu Ramen ($6.80) is made with their very own pork bones broth, which is prepared in their central kitchen housed in Japan. I love its richness and milkiness, albeit being a little too salty for me. Their add-on egg ($1.50/pc) was also superb.

Japanese Garlic Fried Rice 4/5

They retrained a Chinese Chef to manage their Ninniku Yaki Meshi ($5.80) station and that smiley uncle only cooks this. With the 'wok hei' taste and texture, this bowl of fragrant Japanese garlic fried rice does reflect his years of experience in wok and rice dishes. I kind of miss their seafood fried rice, which is not available at this outlet as the waiting time proves to be too much for the crowd here.

Sake

Regulars come to Gyoza Ya for their hearty, affordable tapas-style food, beers and sakes. And after much waiting, their home brewed sakes are finally ready to be harvested! Yuzu and Green Tea Sake ($18.00 each) were available during my visit, and if you are lucky, there might be a couple more during your visit. For a more conducive drinking environment, Robinsons' may be a much better option.

Written and photograph 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.


Gyoza Ya
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#B4-56
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 65094647
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

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

Chow Fun Restaurant & Bar @ The Grandstand (Turf City) - Modern NoodleSmall Plates Bar with 18 Asian and Western Noodle Dishes

Another new restaurant and concept has recently opened at The Grandstand which is just diagonally opposite Omakase Burger. Chow Fun Restaurant & Bar is a modern noodle small plates bar that offers over 18 Asian and Western inspired noodle small plates, moreish snacks and all day happy hour. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of noodles on the menu, it is like a mini Noodle Olympic where noodle dishes inspired from various countries and cuisines are gathered together.

Fish Roe Fishball 3/5

We started our dinner at Chow Fun with some snacks. The Fish Roe Fishball ($6.90) comes with a fish roes and mayo stuffing in it. Do be careful while having it as the mixture may oozed out. I won't really call it a fishball as the flour ratio is way more than the fish meat. Nevertheless, many will enjoy the popping surprises of the fish roes in it.

Mom's White Radish Cake 3/5

The Mom's White Radish Cake ($5.90) did not taste as good as it looks. The pan fried radish cake was rather light on the palate. It lacked the depth and fragrant from the Chinese sausages, dried shrimp and shallots. Even the dried shrimp sambal was rather mild, lacking the knockout punch.

Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Skin 3.5/5

It was rather interesting to find the Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Skin on the menu. Love the salted egg yolk sauce. If the chicken skin could be crispier than that will be perfect.

Potato, Bonito and Cheese Pancake 4/5

The Potato, Bonito and Cheese Pancake ($5.90) is a rather interesting dish which resembles a cross between a Swiss rosti and Japanese Okonomiyaki. A layer of thinly sliced potato rest beneath the pile of melted cheeses (Mozzarela, mature Cheddar and Granna Padano), topped with bonito flakes and spring onions. This is addictive combination that will be enjoyed by both young and old.

Ginger and Scallion Noodle 3.8/5

The noodle small plates concept is sort of like Thai boat noodles but at Chow Fun you get to have a choice between hot and chilled noodles dishes with a gamut of different types of noodles and cooking styles. We started with the Ginger and Scallion Noodle ($2.90) which is served chilled. The cold noodles are tossed in a mixture of spring onions, ginger, vinegar, sesame oil and mirin. A very refreshing and healthy dish.

Kung Fu Dashi Broth Noodle 4.2/5 and Tom Yum Cream Noodle 3/5

One of my favourite noodle dishes is the Kung Fu Dashi Broth Noodle ($2.90) which reminds me of a tasty bowl of home cooked fried vermicelli. It may looked simple but the fried vermicelli cloaked in a savoury dashi broth is packed full of flavours.

The Tom Yum Cream Udon ($2.90) is cooked in a spicy tom yum paste with sauteed mushrooms, tart cherry tomatoes, prawns and topped with crispy chicken skin. A modern fusion of Thai flavour and Japanese noodle. The spicy and sour combination on top of the chewy bite of the udon would be well received if not for the fact that the kitchen is a bit heavy on the salt.

Wagyu Bolognese Pasta 3.5/5 and Pork Belly Bibim Guksu 4.5/5

Another homely and comforting noodle dish on the menu is the Wagyu Bolognese Pasta ($2.90). The ground wagyu beef is slowed cooked for 12 hours together in a hearty tomato sauce that complement the perfectly cooked spaghetti.

The traditional Korean bibim guksu is a cold noodle dish but Chow Fun's piquant rendition of Pork Belly Bibum Guksu ($2.90) is served warm with gochujang stirred into the rice noodles with house made pickled radish with coriander seeds, and crowned with unctuous silvers of sateed soy ginger glazed pork belly. This is the other favourite of mine.

Pineapple Fried Noodle 2.8/5

Bak Kut Teh Noodle 3/5

The Pineapple Noodle ($2.90) is akin to the Malaysian Hokkien Mee. While the dark sweet sauce and mirin is quite delectable, the texture of the noodle was kind of rubbery which I did not enjoy.

The only soup dish we tried is the Bak Kut Teh Noodle ($2.90). Flavourful broth but once again on the salty side.

Pink Shrimp Pasta 4.5/5 and Wild Mushroom & Truffle Pasta 4.2/5

If you have limited stomach space to try all the 18 Asian and Western inspired noodle dishes, then I would recommend spending your dollar on the Pink Shrimp Pasta ($2.90) and Wild Mushroom & Truffle Pasta ($2.90). The sauce of the pink shrimp pasta stood out for me. It is prepared by cooking shrimp in white wine and tomato and then blended with cream, resulting in a robust and briny seafood flavour that goes very well with the penne pasta.

Lychee Granita and Crystal Jelly 3/5

Besides the snacks and noodles, Chow Fun also offers a decent mix of Asian and Western desserts on the menu. The Lychee Granita And Crystal Jelly ($4.90) is a light and refreshing dessert to wrap up the meal. I thought the granita was a rather bland, it needed a bit more zest to it.

Deep Fried Caramelized Banana Fritter 4/5

I am surprised to find Goreng Pisang at Chow Fun. Oh! I meant Deep Fried Caramelized Banana Fritter ($6.90). Crispy batter coupled with the sweet banana, this is just too addictive to stop at one.

Red Bean, Peanut and Sesame Homemade Tang Yuan 4.2/5

Homemade Tang Yuan ($6.90) in ginger soup is another tradition dessert in the menu. It comes with a trio of Tang Yuan with red bean, peanut and sesame filling. I was actually taken aback that the sesame tang yuan is actually salted. It did bring a little different twist and surprise to the table.

Salted Egg and Chocolate Lava Cake 4/5

How to resist the lava flowing Salted Egg and Chocolate Lava Cake ($8.90). It is a combination that satisfied by internal craving. The cake was rich and moist. Unfortunately I could not really taste the salted egg. This is my second time to come across this combination and in both occasions the chocolate is too overpowering for the presence of the salted egg.

While the concept is try the different Asian and Western noodle dishes, for those that prefer to have a bigger bowl, they are also available in upsized portions from $15.90. However I would encourage you to be adventurous and order a few noodle dishes to try. I would recommend having the Ginger and Scallion Noodle, Kung Fu Dashi Broth Noodle, Pork Belly Bibum Guksu,  Pink Shrimp Pasta and Wild Mushroom & Truffle Pasta


Chow Fun Restaurant & Bar
The Grandstand
200 Turf Club Road
#01-08
Singapore 287994
Tel: +65 64646900
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Sixth Avenue (DT Line)

Opening Hours
Daily: 11am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to exit B. Walk to Turf Club Road. Continue on Turf Club Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to exit B. Walk down Dunearn Road towards Turf Club Road, to bus stop opposite Sixth Avenue Centre (Stop ID 42019). Wait for The Grandstand Shuttle Bus. 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT  station. Take Exit A. Walk down Bukit Timah Road. Walk to bus stop at Sixth Avenue Centre (Stop ID 42011). Wait for The Grandstand Shuttle Bus. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]