Tamoya Udon @ Liang Court - A Brand New Tossed Udon Series

Tamoya Udon at Liang Court makes me crave for udon as much as I would crave for a bowl of ramen. Well known for its chewy and smooth handmade udon noodles, Tamoya Udon is considered one of the most reputable udon establishments amongst Japanese in the Sanuki Province, Shikoku. On the right side of the shop, you get a glimpse of its little home kitchen where fresh udon noodles is being churned out daily using ingredients (flour, shoyu, bonito etc) imported from Japan. With its humble furnishing, decorated with handwritten labels and DIY toppings counter, tables filled with (Japanese-looking) business men slurping their piping hot udon noodles, stepping into Tamoya excites me the way like how a place would in Japan. I couldn't wait to join in the hungry crowd.

Catering to the taste of the locals, Tamoya has created a brand new tossed udon series featuring Oooh-mami Udon, Triple Egg Udon, Fried Onion Udon and Pesto Udon. All the 4 different flavours are each crowned with a jiggly poached egg. Not only it adds to the visual feast, its essential in binding the ingredients together and then coat the noodles with the flavours.

Oooh-mami Udon 3/5

If you are one of those who love everything with XO sauce, Oooh-mami Udon ($10.80) answers your prayers in a 'Japanese' way. Rich with homemade XO sauce, enhanced with beautiful dried sakura ebi and bonito flakes. This bowl spells umami in every sense. It kind of reminds me of our local dry chilli prawn noodles with its chunks of dried shrimps, which gives a counter-texture to the chewy and smooth noodles. I thought it may get too salty but it didn't. Perhaps, the fresh spring onions and chopped onions mellow it a bit.

Triple Egg Udon 2.8/5

Triple Egg Udon ($9.80) is again another creation that speaks to our insatiable appetite for fish roe. The mentaiko is actually served on the udon as it, which is pretty uncommon in Singapore, perhaps more so in Japan. I expected my udon to taste really salty and briny but it turns out to be pretty mild in taste, almost like having Uni. The texture leaves a lot to be desired though. Upon mixing, my udon sort of becomes slimy and gluey. Its smooth and chewy texture somehow works against it in this presentation. The crunchy tobiko didn't help to add in any crunch either.

Fried Onion Udon 3/5

Flavoured with fragrant spring onion oil and topped with fresh spring onions, onions and shallots, Tamoya’s Fried Onion Udon ($8.80) is a predominantly onion-y udon inspired by the famous Shanghainese Chong You (fried spring onion) noodles. I like the fried spring onions which lends a sweetness to this savory noodles, as well as the braised pork meat that makes the noodles a lot more wholesome compared to the rest of the tossed udons.

Pesto Udon 2.5/5

While Pesto Udon ($8.80) is supposed to be a east-meets-west fusion of udon, it resembles more of Thai basil pork dish. I feel the pesto paste is quite well done but it gets lost in a mass of eggy gravy when you mix the udon. The biggest issue I have with is the pork, which smells and tastes porky.

There is no doubt Tamoya's udon is really one of the best in Singapore, given its chewy and smooth texture. Every strand of it is so thick, yet it's light and I won't want to go back to a ready-to-eat version anymore. Although the satisfaction that I got eating from the soup version didn't get translated to eating the tossed udons series, I believe udon lovers may still enjoy a change from their regular routine once in a while.

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.


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Tamoya Udon
Liang Court
177 River Valley Road
#01-32
Singapore 179030
Tel: +65 63370301
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Website
Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line), Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit C, F or G. Walk along the river toward Riverside Point direction. Cross the bridge to the other end of the river. Turn left and walk towards Liang Court. Journey time about 10  minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to bus stop at Clark Quay Station (Stop ID 04222). Take bus number 54. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

L’eclair by Sarah Michelle @ Singapore Shopping Centre - Introduces High Tea Degustation Set

An affinity with eclairs spurred Sarah and Michelle to open L’eclair, with a vision to bring eclairs to and beyond its realm of plain pastry cream. Located at Singapore Shopping Centre, L’eclair by Sarah Michelle then became Singapore’s first eclair specialty store and cafe. One year into its opening, High Tea Degustation Set is now available, showcasing not just their signature e'clairs but also tantalising savouries that are all crafted with their own hands.

This degustation set will be strictly for reservations only with limited slots per day. What distinguishes it from other high tea set is that the sweets comes in the form of mini eclairs in various flavours, hence you get to try 5 different flavours in one go! For the savoury, you get an assortment of homemade canapes. Each high tea set comes with two complimentary drinks.

Truffle Egg Mayo Choux Puff, Tomato & Basil Bruschetta. Foie Gras Pate & Tomato Relish Crostini 3.8/5

We started off with the cold canapes sitting on the top tier - Truffle Egg Mayo Choux Puff, Foie Gras Pate & Tomato Relish Crostini and Tomato & Basil Bruschetta. My personal favourite would be the crostini. The piquant homemade tomato relish has deep, sweet notes edged with a bit of tang which balances the creamy pate that carries a slight gaminess. The textural contrast of the creamy topping and the crunchy crostini is excellent.The choux puff delivers a satisfying creamy mouthfill with its egg mayo and spongy choux puff, while the bruschetta brightens up my palate with simple, fresh ingredients.

Smoked Salmon & Dill Mousse Tartlet 3.8/5, Roasted Mushrooms Vol au Vent 3.8/5

Moving on to the warm canapes, the Smoked Salmon & Dill Mousse Tartlet is light on the taste buds but is packed with the wonderful flavour of smoked salmon. The Roasted Mushrooms Vol au Vent fares just as well. It is thin with flaky crust that is just right for the strong earthy mushrooms.

Signature Chicken & Bacon Pie 3.5/5

Trained at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, the pies here are notable too. Along with the warm canapes, you got to try their signature Signature Chicken & Bacon Pie. Baked to a gorgeous brown, the crust was flaky, leaving a warm, buttery aroma on my fingertips. The filling is not too heavily peppered and is on the sweeter side but there are bacon within to lend a savoury note. If this mini version has proven its worth, you could get it at its original size.

Done with their savouries, the pretty eclairs beckons. You will be treated with 2 seasonal editions - Lime Basil & Coconut and Lemon Meringue, and 3 classic flavours - Salted Caramel, Ispahan and Dark Chocolate.

Lime Basil & Coconut 2.5/5, Lemon Meringue 3/5

While I have tasted really good desserts that have a herbaceous profile such as Shiso leaf sherbet, the addition of basil to the Lime Basil and Coconut doesn't quite work here for me. The Lemon Meringue fares much better in importing the flavours of a classic Lemon Tart.

Salted Caramel 3/5, Isphan 3.8/5, Dark Chocolate 3/5

Out of the 3 classics, my favourite would be the Ispha, perfumed with rose and sweetened with lychees with tartness lent from raspberry. The filling seems less dense compared to the rest. Salted Caramel and Dark Chocolate cater to you if you are craving for warm and rich flavours. Overall, the sweetness level of their eclairs is acceptable but a lighter and fluffier filling is much preferred. The pastry is airy and would have been more so should the pastry carries that delicate crisp which I was anticipating as I suck my teeth into it.

Mushroom Soup 3.5/5

Somehow, I favour the savoury items here a lot more. Even their Mushroom Soup ($8.50), one of their latest savoury items, hits the notes.  Rich with mushrooms bits that are bond together with cream, the partnering toast comes in the form of bite-size crunches that allows you to just tuck into the wholesome goodness with a spoon.

Tuck away from the hustling streets of Orchard Road, High Tea at L’éclair by Sarah Michelle is a welcoming respite. High tea degustation set is available from Tuesdays to Sundays, 11am to 5pm (with 3 fixed seatings a day).

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.


L’eclair by Sarah Michelle
Singapore Shopping Centre
190 Clemenceau Avenue
#01-28
Singapore 239924
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Website
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (EW Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 11am - 8pm
Sat: 11am - 9pm
Sun: 11am - 6pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the road. Turn right and walk towards Clemenceau Avenue. Turn left onto Clemenceau Avenue. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]