Toko Yakitori @ Dhoby Ghaut - Savour Smoky Chicken Yakitori at Latest Yakitori Hotspot by Michelin-Starred Chef Taisei Iwao

Enjoy 30% off all yakitori selections during the last week of December at the latest yakitori hotspot, Toko Yakitori. With a menu masterfully curated by Michelin-starred Chef Taisei Iwao, you know you are in for a treat.

Nestled in the cosy 14-seater restaurant adjacent to Ganko Sushi at Dhoby Ghaut's UBS Building, the star yakitori offerings are complemented by a menu featuring sashimi, mains, soups, salads, and sides.

Yellowtail Carpaccio with Yuzu Pepper 4/5

The Yellowtail Carpaccio with Yuzu Pepper ($18) served as a decent starter to whet our appetites. Slices of yellowtail sashimi were topped with a hint of yuzu pepper, providing a salty-spicy and citrusy punch. My only gripe is that they are thinly cut.

Whole Fruit Tomato Salad 4.5/5

Go for the Whole Fruit Tomato Salad ($9) for something refreshing and sweet. While the portion might be on the smaller side, the flavours are anything but. The tangy and bright onion-based light sweet sauce perfectly complements the sweet tomatoes imported from the Kōchi prefecture.

Chicken Wing Gyoza 4.5/5

The Chicken Wing Gyoza ($9) is made with deboned wings, re-stuffed with gyoza filling and fried to a crunch. Biting into the tender and juicy meat with bits of chives was satisfying.

Sweet and Spicy Fried Chicken 4.8/5

The Sweet and Spicy Fried Chicken ($9) was a pleasant surprise. The chicken chunks were deep-fried to an addictive airy crunch before being dressed in a vibrant, sweet sauce with a hint of heat. The silky yolk added a creaminess to balance.

Yakitori 4.5/5

I was excited to finally tuck into the main highlight of the restaurant, their Yakitori selection. We tried several sticks, including Chicken & Green Onions ($5), Breast ($4.50) and Skin ($4.50). They impressed me with the perfect char and smokiness, and the Chicken & Green Onions stood out as my favourite.

Other chicken options include Tail ($4.50), Heart ($4), Cartilage ($4.50), and more. Diners can choose to have the chicken yakitori finished with sauce or salt. The menu also features a variety of vegetable yakitori, including Zucchini ($7), Kaga Lotus Root ($5), Grilled Eggplant ($4), and more.

A tray of spice powders awaits at every table, featuring options like Bird Eye Chilli, Seven Spices, Yuzu Chilli, and more. These add an extra layer of flavour to the diverse yakitori selection. My favourite is always the Yuzu Chilli for the zesty spice.

Wing 4.5/5

Another standout yakitori item was the Wing ($5). Thoughtfully wrapped in foil for convenience of consumption, its skin was crisp while retaining a juicy interior.

Tsukune 4.2/5

Their Tsukune ($5) might not be the best of what we've had in terms of texture and juiciness, but they are still grilled to an above-average standard. Pairing them with the yolk adds a delightful touch of creaminess.

Chicken Stock Ramen 4.8/5

The Chicken Stock Ramen ($12) was an absolute comfort. The small portion featured thin al dente ramen noodles in a semi-clear chicken broth, accompanied by a slice of chicken and half an egg. The richness of the chicken broth, coupled with a subtle sweetness, created a well-rounded flavour profile. Needless to say, I wiped this clean very quickly, and I hope the restaurant considers offering a full portion in the near future!

Oyako Don 4.2/5

Concluding our dining experience with the classic Oyako Don ($6) was a delightful choice. The bowl featured a generous serving of tender chicken chunks, topped with velvety eggs, resting on a rice bed. While this much wetter rendition might not appeal to everyone, I enjoyed the harmonious blend of flavours.

If you enjoy beef and curry, make sure to try out Iwao Chef Curry ($8), introduced to the menu as a nod to Chef Iwao's favourite dish. It is, of course, crafted with his signature curry recipe using braised beef and the natural sweetness of a combination of fruits.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Toko Yakitori
9 Penang Road
#01-02
Singapore 238459
Tel: +65 8289 0772
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Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk straight to Penang Road. Cross the right. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Pi Food (香江小厨) @ Dhoby Ghaut - Teochew Menu Revamp Led by New Esteemed Chef from China’s Teochew Region

Renowned Chef Chen Kai Bin, hailing from China's Teochew region, has recently joined Pi Food, bringing with him a wealth of culinary expertise. Boasting an impressive culinary background, Chef Chen served as the Head Chef at the Garden Hotel's 4-star restaurant for eight years.

With his arrival, Pi Food has undergone a menu revamp, featuring a diverse selection of Teochew dishes.

Teochew Raw Marinated Crab 4.5/5

Marinated for four hours in a unique mix of Teochew fish sauce, lemon, garlic, chilli and coriander, this Teochew Raw Marinated Crab ($25) will appeal to seafood fans. I especially enjoyed the freshness of the coriander and the zesty-spicy flavours paired with the sweet crab meat. Apart from crab, the restaurant also offers Prawns ($24) and Clams ($16), which are prepared similarly.

Teochew Braised Platter 4.2/5

The Teochew Braised Platter ($32) offers a variety of braised duck, pork belly, intestine and soft beancurd. Carefully infused with over 20 herbs and spices, it results in a comforting depth of flavour.

I especially enjoyed the succulent duck slices and my dining companion liked how clean the intestines were.

Teochew Seafood Claypot Congee 4.2/5

Chef Chen's Teochew Seafood Claypot Congee ($48) combines a medley of prawns, crab and dry scallops in congee. This comforting main was served bubbling hot in the claypot with housemade chilli dips on the side. While the congee leaned more bland than I expected, the freshness and sweetness of the seafood shone through, complemented by the tang of the chilli sauce.

Steamed Yellow Croaker with Puning Soybean Sauce 4/5

For our fish dish, we had the Steamed Yellow Croaker with Puning Soybean Paste Sauce ($28), which was infused with Puning soybean paste sauce before steaming, complementing the sweetness of the fish.

Deep-fried Prawn Paste Pork Ribs 4.5/5

The Deep-fried Prawn Paste Pork Ribs ($22) is reminiscent of our local favourite Har Cheong Gai. I thoroughly enjoyed these tender and crisp pieces which were so flavourful!

Teochew Fried Oyster Omelette 3.8/5

I was less of a fan of their Teochew Fried Oyster Omelette ($16) as it was much more oilier than I preferred. This rendition by Pi Food has a higher ratio of starch to egg.

Braised Sweet Potato & Yam 4.5/5

Finally, we ended our meal with the Braised Sweet Potato & Yam ($10). It is a lovely dessert for us, with the strips of sweet potatoes and yam encased in a sweet and ultra-thin crust drizzled with a dash of fragrant shallot oil.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Pi Food 香江小厨
9 Penang Road
#01-18
Singapore 238459
Tel: +65 9239 0686
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Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 10pm
Sun: 1030am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk straight to Penang Road. Cross the right. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Ganko Sushi @ Penang Road (Dhoby Ghaut) - Enjoy 1-for-1 Promotion on New Japanese Robatayaki Menu Till 31 July 2023

Ganko Sushi debuted in Singapore in late 2021, marking its first outpost in Southeast Asia, after successful operations of its 99 restaurants in Japan and 100th in Hong Kong. The restaurant takes pride in its attention to detail and the seafood ingredients' quality. Specially selected fresh catch is flown directly from Japan up to thrice a week to ensure optimum freshness.

Under the guidance of new Head Chef Koichi Matsuda, Ganko Sushi's menu sees a smoky twist with its new robatayaki offerings. The chef brings along with him rich experience from various stints in Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan.

Robatayaki translates to 'fireside cooking', with dishes done grilled. From now till the end of the month, diners can experience the new robatayaki menu with a 1-for-1 promotion on the equivalent value of dishes. Each table is limited to only one redemption per bill while stocks last.

Deluxe Sashimi Platter 4/5

We tried several of the restaurant's signature dishes before the robatayaki menu. While the Deluxe Sashimi Platter ($77) featured very fresh and thick slices, the price tag was considerably steep.

Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura 3.8/5

The crunchy Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura ($15) consisted of three prawns, lotus root, shiitake mushroom, seaweed and more. My dining companion and I found this a little oilier and more underseasoned than we would like.

Supreme Sushi Platter, 12 Types 4.2/5

We also had the Supreme Sushi Platter ($77) featuring 12 types of sushi, with selections such as negitoro, chutoro, ebi, uni and tamago. The ingredients were fresh, with a good rice-to-topping ratio. Note that wasabi is included by default, but you can inform the staff if you prefer without. They also offer platters of smaller sizes.

Large Asparagus 4/5

Moving on to dishes from the Robatayaki menu! Though the Large Asparagus ($10) from Nagano looked unassuming, the toasted almond slices and creamy mayo-based sauce hidden underneath paired nicely with its crunch. The portion leans small.

Shiitake Mushroom 4/5

The Shiitake Mushroom ($5) uses mushrooms from Gifu. These were minimally seasoned and grilled to a lovely juiciness.

Corn 4.2/5

One of my favourites was the Corn ($15) from Hokkaido which boasted a crisp texture and a delicate sweetness. The smokiness here was light.

Big Clam 4/5

I believe the Big Clam ($20) from Aichi was lightly seasoned, as it retained that natural 'ocean' saltiness and sweetness.

Potato with Butter 4.2/5

The simple yet satisfying Potato with Butter ($5) was a pleasant surprise. The slices of grilled potatoes from Hokkaido had thin, crisp skin, and they were fragrant from the smokiness and a good amount of butter. The addition of kombu bits elevated it with an umami touch.

Warabi Mochi 4/5

Dessert was a traditional Japanese dessert, the Warabi Mochi ($8).

It was served with nutty soybean powder and sweet brown sugar that you can add based on your preference on the sweetness level.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ganko Sushi
9 Penang Road
#01-01
Singapore 238459
Tel: +65 8828 2280
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Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut MRT (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130a, - 230pm, 6pm to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Penang Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Nakiryu @ Plaza Singapura - One Star Michelin Ramen Restaurant From Tokyo Famous For Their Tan Tan Men Opens In Singapore

Another Michelin-starred ramen restaurant from Tokyo has landed on our shore. Nakiryu, famed for its Tan Tan Men has been awarded One Michelin Star since 2017 for seven years in a row. I have yet to try Nakiryu in Otsuka, Tokyo; hence I am excited to check out the place.

Tan Tan Men 3.8/5

We started with the famous Tan Tan Men ($15.90), known for its sesame-based broth that differs from the usual Japanese ramen. It comes with a hint of spiciness from the chilli oil. The slurping goodness is topped with minced pork. It is definitely very different from the usual ramen we have been eating in Singapore. I am not sure whether it was a bad day for the kitchen, as the broth was a bit salty for me to appreciate the delicious broth.

Shoyu Ramen 3.5/5

For a lighter option and something more familiar to Singapore is the Shoyu Ramen ($14.90). The broth is a concoction of a few blends of soya sauces. I don't usually have shoyu ramen, but I thought it should be richer in taste.

Hot & Sour Soup Ramen 3.5/5

If you are looking for something piquant, then the Hot & Sour Soup Ramen ($15.90) would be your preference. Similar to the Tan Tan Men, it comes with minced pork. However, I was expecting something more robust for the broth.

Prawn Wonton Cha Shu Shio Ramen 4/5

Surprisingly my favourite of the four different soup bases is the shio ramen. I had the Prawn Wonton Cha Shu Shio Ramen ($18.90). It felt like having a bowl of Hong Kong style wonton noodles with the clear and sweet soup, served with plump and juicy wontons.

Yodare Dori 3/5

Besides the ramen, there are a number of side dishes to accompany the ramen to make it a complete meal. A delectable choice is the Yodare Dori ($5.90), whereby tender steamed chicken is paired with a spicy sauce and sesame. It is similar to the Chinese Kou Shui Ji.

Prawn Wonton Spicy Garlic Sauce 3.5/5

The Prawn Wonton Spicy Garlic Sauce ($8.90) is another Sichuan similar dish on the menu which Singaporeans will enjoy. However, it made me puzzle why a ramen restaurant has it on the menu. I wonder if it is offered in Japan or only in Singapore to cater for the locals.

Fried Chicken 4.2/5

Deep-fried to perfection is the Fried Chicken ($7.90). The juicy and chunky chicken pieces are coated with crispy rice puffs for extra textural enjoyment.

Teba Gyoza 4/5

I always thought stuffed chicken wings were a Thai thing, but now I know even the Japanese has this dish on the menu as Teba Gyoza ($8.90). Crispy on the outside, the inside is stuffed with pork-based gyoza filling. It is achieved by replacing the dumpling skin with chicken skin.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Nakiryu
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
#02-35
Singapore 238839
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Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit D or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes [Map]

Edition Rooftop Bar & Restaurant @ Citadines Connect City Centre Hotel - Chic New Gastro Bar Serving Asian-Western Dishes At Newly Opened Hotel

Crowning the newly opened Citadines Connect City Centre Hotel located in the heart of Orchard Road is Edition Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, which spans over 3,000 sq ft and boasts an al fresco garden seating in addition to its indoor setting. A full-fledged restaurant by day, and contemporary, über chic gastrobar from sundown, patrons of Edition can enjoy a delightful brunch, savour updated local and international culinary creations or revel in a wide curation of signature and popular cocktails, fine wines and spirits of exceptional quality from the Breakfast Edition and Daily Edition (lunch and dinner) menus.

Edition's Cioppino 4/5

Kickstart the meal with the Edition's starter - the Edition's Cioppino ($18) is made with white wine, tomato seafood broth, clams, prawns, basil and parsley. The hearty seafood broth was packed with rich flavours and natural fresh sweetness from the seafood.

Charred Broccoli 4/5

The Charred Broccoli ($12) may look like a simple dish, but it was executed perfectly with crunchy yet soft broccoli, garlic aioli, and kailan puree, complete with parmesan and shredded seaweed to elevate its flavours.

Not Your Ordinary Ham & Cheese 4/5

The Not Your Ordinary Ham & Cheese ($22) was indeed not so ordinary, with crispy grilled sourdough, miso mustard, country-style ham, serrano ham, and melted brie. It is an intensified rendition of the classic ham & cheese sandwich. We enjoyed the cheesy goodness a lot.

Catalonian's Pick 3.8/5

The Catalonian's Pick ($18) comes with grilled tiger prawns, romesco sauce, pickled red chilli, fried shallots and sesame seaweed. The prawns leaned towards the bland side, which is tasteless. I will advise diners to thoroughly coat them in the romesco sauce for a lift in flavours.

Senor Pork 4.2/5

The Edition's mains consist of dishes such as the Senor Pork ($42), which features perfectly grilled Spanish Iberico pork shoulder paired with rhubarb chutney, roasted pumpkin puree, burnt butter cream, and a side of crispy grilled baby cabbage. The pork shoulder was superbly tender and succulent, and I liked that the pumpkin puree and burnt butter cream lent a nice sweetness to the savoury dish.

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.


Edition Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
Citadines Connect City Centre Hotel
182 Clemenceau Avenue
Rooftop Level
Singapore 239923
Tel: +65 80301224
Facebook
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Website
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaunt (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Penang Road. Cross the road. Turn right and walk down Penang Road. Turn left onto Penang Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]