Shin Katsu @ Tanjong Pagar Road - Celebrates First Anniversary with Five-Cut Tonkatsu Tasting from $38

Premium tonkatsu specialist Shin Katsu, located along the stretch of shophouses on Tanjong Pagar Road, is celebrating its first anniversary with the launch of its first chef-curated tasting experience.

The new tasting menu features two carefully curated sets — the Gensen Set ($38) and Gokusen Set ($48) — designed to take diners on a journey through different pork breeds, cuts and origins. Rather than focusing on just one type of pork, the tasting lets you compare how breed, marbling, and provenance can influence the flavour, texture, and overall character of each piece of tonkatsu.

Seasonal Appetiser

Cabbage

Sake Pairing

Both sets begin with a seasonal appetiser, followed by five chef-selected katsu cuts, before ending with a Mini Wagyu Menchi Katsu Curry Rice and Matcha Ice Cream. An optional sake pairing is available for $18, and free-flow cabbage is included throughout the meal.

Gensen Set 4.2/5

The Gensen Set ($38) is a good introduction to the tasting experience, featuring pork sourced from Canada, Hokkaido and Spain. The five cuts include both Hire and Rosu, allowing diners to experience the contrast between leaner, more delicate cuts and richer, more marbled ones. I enjoyed how each piece had its own distinct character, with the differences in texture and flavour becoming more apparent as the tasting progressed. The tonkatsu is fried with a crisp, delicate panko coating while keeping the pork inside juicy and tender. It showcases Shin Katsu’s precise frying technique, keeping the coating light without overpowering the meat.

Gokusen Set 4.2/5

For those looking for something more indulgent, the Gokusen Set ($48) takes things up a notch with a selection of premium pork breeds including U.S. Kurobuta, Hokkaido Sangenton, Spanish Iberico and Hungarian Mangalica. This set puts more emphasis on richness and marbling, with each pork variety offering its own balance of tenderness, fattiness and umami. It was interesting to taste them side by side because the differences aren’t just about tenderness, but also about the depth of flavour and mouthfeel that come from the different breeds and cuts. For me, this is where the tasting concept works particularly well. Instead of simply having a plate of tonkatsu, you get to appreciate how much the choice of pork can change the experience.

Mini Wagyu Menchi Katsu Curry Rice 4.2/5

The meal concludes with a Mini Wagyu Menchi Katsu Curry Rice, a satisfying final savoury course. The wagyu menchi katsu is crisp and golden on the outside, while the filling inside is tender, juicy and packed with savoury flavour. The accompanying Japanese-style curry is mild and not overly spicy, with enough sweetness and savouriness to complement the rice and rich menchi katsu without masking its flavour. Despite being a mini portion, it is quite substantial after the five-course katsu tasting.

Matcha Ice Cream 4/5

To finish, we had a generous scoop of Matcha Ice Cream. Creamy with a distinct matcha flavour, it provides a refreshing and slightly bitter finish after the richness of the tonkatsu and curry.

Rosu Katsu Sando

Alongside the new tasting sets, Shin Katsu has also introduced its first Katsu Sando collection, bringing its signature tonkatsu into a more casual and convenient format. The Rosu Katsu Sando ($12) features a premium Canadian pork loin cutlet, crisp-fried in panko and sandwiched between slices of soft Japanese shokupan. Another choice is the Hire Katsu Sando ($13), which combines both Canadian pork loin and tenderloin. The combination of crunchy tonkatsu and pillowy bread makes this an easy-to-eat option for a quick lunch or takeaway.

Overall, Shin Katsu’s first-anniversary tasting experience is a fun way to explore tonkatsu beyond simply choosing between hire and rosu. The side-by-side tasting highlights how pork breed, cut and origin can influence everything from marbling and texture to flavour and richness.

Between the two, the Gokusen Set is the more indulgent option for those who want to explore more premium pork breeds, while the Gensen Set offers a more accessible introduction to the concept. Either way, it is a worthwhile experience for tonkatsu fans who enjoy discovering the nuances behind the ingredients and technique.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Shin Katsu
84-86 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088505
Tel: +65 8825 8311
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 930pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 11am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Cross the road to Duxton Road. Walk down Duxton Road. Turn left onto Duxton Hill towards Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road. Turn right and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]

SAM SAM SAM (삼삼삼) @ Novena Square - A Body-Matched Samgyetang Experience Inspired by Korean Herbal Medicine

With the growing number of samgyetang restaurants popping up in Singapore, SAM SAM SAM (삼삼삼) at Novena Square takes a slightly different approach. Rather than simply serving traditional Korean ginseng chicken soup, the restaurant positions itself as Singapore’s first samgyetang concept, developed in consultation with licensed Traditional Korean Medicine doctors, with each variation designed around a different wellness focus.

Stepping into SAM SAM SAM feels like travelling back to 1980s Seoul. The space is styled after a traditional Korean herbal medicine shop, complete with a nostalgic retro aesthetic that ties in nicely with the restaurant’s focus on Korean herbal traditions.

The name SAM SAM SAM (삼삼삼) carries a double meaning. “Sam” refers to the number three, symbolising balance in East Asian culture, while “insam” (인삼) is the Korean word for ginseng. Together, the name reflects the brand’s philosophy of nourishment, balance and shared dining. At the heart of the menu is, of course, samgyetang — whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, jujube and garlic, then slow-cooked until the meat is tender and the broth takes on all the flavours of the ingredients.

Immunity Black Samgyetang 4.2/5

The Immunity Black Samgyetang ($32) is the most intense and robust variation on the menu, built around slow-aged black garlic from Uiseong. The broth has a deeper, more savoury character than traditional samgyetang, with the black garlic lending mellow sweetness and layered umami without becoming overly heavy. The unmistakable herbal aroma of ginseng and other botanicals still comes through, giving the soup a comforting depth. The whole young chicken comes generously stuffed with glutinous rice, jujube, garlic and Korean ginseng. After being slow-cooked, the chicken is incredibly tender, while the glutinous rice absorbs plenty of the fragrant broth. This is probably the bowl to choose if you prefer your samgyetang with a richer, more pronounced flavour.

Circulation Elixir 4/5

For something lighter, the Circulation Elixir ($29) offers a more delicate interpretation of samgyetang. The broth is light and highly aromatic, with subtle notes of ginseng, traditional herbs and goji berries. Compared to the black garlic version, this feels cleaner and less intense, allowing the herbal fragrance to come through more prominently. The collagen-rich broth comes with the same tender whole young chicken and comforting glutinous rice, making it an easy-to-eat bowl even if you are not accustomed to stronger herbal flavours.

Water Parsley Pancake 4.2/5

The Water Parsley Pancake ($14) was one of my favourite sides. Made with an abundant amount of Korean water parsley, or minari, the pancake is lightly battered and pan-fried until fragrant and crisp around the edges. Rather than being thick and doughy, it has a lighter texture, with plenty of fresh greens giving it a crunchy bite. The minari brings a bright, herbaceous and slightly peppery flavour that works particularly well alongside the rich, herbal chicken soups. It adds a nice textural contrast and freshness to the meal.

Market-Style Tofu & Kimchi 4/5

The Market-Style Tofu & Kimchi ($12) is a simple but comforting combination of warm tofu and stir-fried kimchi. Thick slices of tofu are served warm, silky and mild, providing a clean canvas for the more assertive kimchi. The stir-fried cabbage is savoury, tangy and slightly spicy, with enough seasoning to keep things interesting without overpowering the tofu. It is a lighter option than the fried sides and pairs well with the samgyetang.

Spicy Jan Kalguksu 4.2/5

If chicken soup with glutinous rice isn’t quite enough to fill you up, the Spicy Jan Kalguksu ($27) offers a more substantial noodle option. The dish combines a rich ginseng chicken soup base with house-made Korean chilli paste (jang), giving the broth a fiery kick while retaining the herbal chicken backbone underneath. I enjoyed the hand-pulled, knife-cut kalguksu noodles most. They have a silky yet springy, chewy texture that holds up well against the thicker, spicy broth. The heat is noticeable, but it is balanced by the savoury chicken broth and herbal notes. Definitely one for those who enjoy their Korean noodle soups with a bit more fire.

Ginger Ade, Jujube Ade $6

To wash everything down, we had the Ginger Ade ($6) and Jujube Ade ($6). The Ginger Ade is bold and zesty, with the natural warmth and slight pungency of ginger balanced by sweetness and sparkling carbonation. Served ice-cold, it provides a refreshing contrast to the piping-hot samgyetang. The Jujube Ade is gentler, naturally sweet and fruity, with the mellow caramel-like character of Korean red dates coming through. Both are refreshing choices, especially when paired with the rich, warming dishes.

SAM SAM SAM offers a different take on the samgyetang experience in Singapore by bringing together traditional Korean herbal food culture, a nostalgic 1980s Seoul-inspired setting and its body-matched approach to the menu.

I enjoyed the Immunity Black Samgyetang for its deeper black garlic flavour. At the same time, the Water Parsley Pancake stood out as a particularly enjoyable side with its crispy texture and fresh herbaceous bite. The Spicy Jan Kalguksu is also worth considering if you prefer noodles and a more fiery bowl of soup.

With its focus on chicken, ginseng, jujube and carefully selected botanicals, SAM SAM SAM is not just about having a comforting bowl of samgyetang, but also about exploring the traditional Korean idea of food as nourishment and balance.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


SAM SAM SAM (삼삼삼)
Velocity @ Novena Square
238 Thomason Road
#02-46
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 8807 3806
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Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

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