Kushi Japanese Dining @ Grantral Mall & Complex MacPherson - Offering Budget-Friendly A La Carte Japanese Buffet

Kushi Japanese Dining has been a fixture in Singapore for the past 16 years, having moved locations a few times before settling into its current spot at Grantral Mall, MacPherson. Offering a budget-friendly à la carte buffet, Kushi boasts an extensive selection of Japanese dishes that satisfy all your cravings.

Assorted Sashimi Platter 4/5

We began our buffet experience with the Assorted Sashimi Platter, which included maguro, sake, shiro maguro, tako, ika, meikajiki, and hamachi (limited to one serving per table). The sashimi was impeccably fresh, with the shiro maguro standing out as a rare find at many Japanese restaurants.

Pitan Tofu 3.5/5

Chawanmushi 3.5/5

We also enjoyed the Chawanmushi, which was subtly flavourful, and the must-try Pitan Tofu, a unique and creamy dish that offered a different take on tofu.

Agedashi Tofu 4/5

Tako Yaki 3/5

Asari Miso Soup 4/5

Moving on to the hot dishes, we sampled the perfectly fried Agedashi Tofu, which was crispy on the outside and tender within. It's a dish we could quickly devour on our own. The Tako Yaki was decent but could be skipped if you're looking to save room for more sashimi. The Asari Miso Soup, with its plump and fresh clams, served as a refreshing palate cleanser, preparing us for the next round of food.

Assorted Kushiyaki 3.8/5

Saba Shoyaki 4/5

Pork Belly Shogayaki 3/5

Surume Ika 4/5

Next, we tried an assortment of Kushiyaki, as recommended by our server. Each skewer was perfectly grilled, but our favourites were the Saba Shoyaki and Surume Ika. The saba was generously portioned, lightly salted, and deliciously flaky, while the grilled squid had a pleasantly charred flavour and was only available in limited servings. The Pork Belly Shogayaki was tasty, but we wished we had room to enjoy it with rice.

Assorted Tempura Platter 4/5

For Tempura, the Ebi stood out with its light, crispy batter, and the prawn itself was fresh and sweet.

Kitsune Soba 3/5

Garlic Fried Rice 3/5

Kushi offers options like Garlic Fried Rice, Kitsune Soba, and Mini Ramen if you need carbs. While they were decent, they didn't leave a lasting impression.

Shabu Shabu Pork 4/5

However, the Shabu Shabu Pork was a pleasant surprise. The broth was clean and sweet, likely from the vegetables, and perfectly contrasted with the heavier grilled and fried dishes we had been enjoying. This hotpot dish is a must-try if you want something to cut through the greasiness and refresh your palate.

Wafu Beef Steak 3.5/5

For those looking for more beyond the buffet, Kushi offers a 25% discount on selected à la carte dishes. We decided to try the Wafu Beef Steak. You can request your preferred doneness, and the flavourful wafu sauce enhances the tender steak.

Priced at $54.90++ for lunch and $58.90++ for dinner, Kushi's buffet is exceptional value for money, offering a wide variety of quality Japanese dishes. The restaurant is clean, brightly lit, and nicely decorated, providing a comfortable dining environment.

For those planning a special gathering, Kushi also offers two private dining rooms, each accommodating up to 10 people, or 20 if combined, with a minimum spend required. Whether you're a fan of sashimi, grilled items, or hotpot, Kushi Japanese Dining will surely satisfy you.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Kushi Japanese Dining
Grantral Mall & Complex Macpherson
601 Macpherson Road
#01-27/28
Singapore 368242
Tel: +65 69040728
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT Station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

One Prawn & Co @ Macpherson - Robust Prawn Noodles, Seafood Paofan and Hokkien Mee Served in Sizzling Claypots, Recognised by Michelin Bib Gourmand

One Prawn & Co started as a hawker stall in Golden Mile Food Centre. It has steadily grown to be recognised by Michelin Bib Gourmand for its signature Prawn Noodles and owning its own modern coffeeshop space along Macpherson Road.

Previously only available in the daytime, the eatery has finally now made the decision to offer their signature dishes in the evenings as well, from 11am to 9pm daily, apart from Mondays. This comes after consistent requests from their regular diners.

Their star Prawn Noodles use a painstakingly prepared broth that goes through non-stop boiling of prawn heads and pork bones for over 20 hours. You can imagine how thick and robust that would be!

Their other seasonal dishes, such as the Claypot Hokkien Mee and Seafood Paofan, are also made permanent on their menu.

Lobster Paofan 4.8/5

Fit for 2, the Lobster Paofan ($40) was served up bubbling hot with a sizable lobster. The lobster meat was thoughtfully deshelled and added to the rice for convenience. The broth base here used the same as their Prawn Noodles and was utterly flavourful and rich, yet not overwhelming. The rice was cooked well, paired with crispy rice and fried egg floss.

For a smaller and more affordable portion, diners can opt for the Scallop Paofan at $10.

Claypot Hokkien Mee 4.5/5

The Claypot Hokkien Mee ($14) has its ingredients stir-fried before marrying with the robust prawn broth. Both the prawns and clams were fresh and sweet.

It looked very saucy at first, but the claypot heat allowed the sauce to be soaked up perfectly, with each strand of noodle coated with the fragrant pork lard-laden mix.

Har Cheong Gai 4.5/5

I always enjoy Har Cheong Gai ($2.50/piece), and One Prawn & Co does an excellent rendition - crunchy skin, juicy meat and not greasy.

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.


One Prawn & Co
458 MacPherson Road
Singapore 368176
Tel: +65 98788897
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Mattar (DT Line), Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 9pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Macpherson Road. Turn right at Macpherson road. Walk down Macpherson Road to the stretch of shop houses. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Mattar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Merpati Road to Jalan Anggerek. Turn right onto Jalan Anggerek. Walk to the end of Jalan Anggerek. Turn right onto Macpherson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mintues. [Map]

Hei Bai Chao (黑白炒) @ Grantal Mall Macpherson - Delicious Noodles By The Same Team Behind Daruma Tavern

Hei Bai Chao (黑白炒), located inside Grantal Mall Macpherson, is a food court stall operated by the same team behind Daruma Tavern. This stall offers a variety of tantalizing dishes, including Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, Crispy Bee Hoon, and KL Dai Lok Mee.

Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee 3.8/5

The Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee ($7.80) at Hei Bai Chao is prepared in the wet style, showcasing a robust and prawny stock. However, it can be a bit salty for some palates. The dish features more vermicelli than yellow noodles, which can throw off the balance of flavors and textures. Nonetheless, the inclusion of fragrant pork lard adds a delightful aroma to the dish, enhancing its overall appeal.

Crispy Bee Hoon 3.5/5

When it comes to the Crispy Bee Hoon ($9.80), it boasts a crispy exterior while remaining moist on the inside. However, it falls short in comparison to the version served at JB Ah Beng, a popular eatery known for its crispy bee hoon. While enjoyable, the Crispy Bee Hoon at Hei Bai Chao doesn't quite reach the same level of crispiness that some might prefer.

KL Dai Lok Mee 4/5

On the other hand, the KL Dai Lok Mee ($8.80) stands out with its delicious and savory dark sauce, generously layered with fragrant pork lard. The noodles in this dish have a satisfying bite to them, further enhancing the overall experience. This flavorful noodle dish is likely to satisfy those seeking a hearty and satisfying meal.

Hei Bai Chao, located inside Grantal Mall Macpherson, offers a range of dishes that are worth trying if you find yourself in the vicinity. While some dishes may have their shortcomings, the stall provides a variety of flavors and options that are sure to cater to different tastes. Whether you're in the mood for the robust flavors of the Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, the crispy and moist textures of the Crispy Bee Hoon, or the savory delights of the KL Dai Lok Mee, Hei Bai Chao has something to offer. So, if you happen to be in the area, it's worth giving them a try and discovering which dishes appeal to your palate.


Hei Bai Chao (黑白炒)
Grantral Mall @ Macpherson
601 Macpherson Road
#01-31 Stall MR4
Singapore 368242
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Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT Station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

One Prawn & Co @ MacPherson Road - Brand New 12-Course Seafood Grill Dinner Situated In A Coffee Shop

One Prawn & Co by Chef Gwyneth Ang is best known for its robust prawn noodle claypot soup, recognised by the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022. While retaining its signature offering in the day, Chef Gwyneth wants to spice things up by transforming her coffee shop in MacPherson into a space to offer her brand new 12-Course Seafood Grill Dinner at night. The team carefully picks and procures all seafood ingredients, and dietary restrictions can be highlighted prior.

Made available from 21 February 2023, the seafood-focused menu is set at $128 per pax with a minimum of 2 to dine, with the choice of a top-up of $30 per pax for the free flow sake of the day. Diners can also opt for curated seasonal sakes that are rotated bi-monthly or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Amaebi

To start off our dinner, we had an amuse-bouche of Amaebi. Topped on a crisp rice flower are avocado, tomatoes and sweet amaebi.

Starters

Next was a 4-item starter: a fresh Hyogo Oyster paired with mignonette granita, cured Amberjack with soy and crisp seaweed, poached White Shrimp with coconut and garam masala, and Soft Shell Crab in tempura style with a unique choice of kicap manis.

Our favourite was the White Shrimp for the harmonious blend of flavours - especially the choice of garam masala gave it a fragrant touch of heat.

Maitake Mushrooms on Bed of Burnt Barley Risotto 4.2/5

Moving on to the sharing plates, the Maitake Mushrooms impressed me with their earthiness and the great bite from the bed of burnt barley risotto underneath. We enjoyed this but wished the portion was bigger and the smokiness could come through a tad more.

Squid ‘Noodles’ with Salsa Verde, Black Olives 4.5/5

This Squid 'Noodles' with Salsa Verde had appetising salsa verde paired with squid noodles carrying a lovely smokiness. The zestiness, tanginess and hint of spice were perfect.

Scottish King Scallop with XO Chilli Jam 4.8/5

One of our favourites for the night was the Scottish King Scallop with XO Chilli Jam. While the king scallop was plump, tender and smokey, the flavour-packed XO chilli jam stole the show for us. It came in a generous portion of scallop shreds that carried just the right kick of spice. I would be the first to join the queue if Chef Gwyneth decides to sell this addictive chilli jam by the bottle!

Pork with Apple Compote 3.5/5

The highlight for proteins was the Onglet, a hanging tender steak with sunchoke cream and chives. As we don't take beef, it was replaced with Pork. Even though the grilled pork's texture was spot on, the seasoning was too salty.

Charcoal Grilled Turbot with Garlic Brown Butter and Capers 4.2/5

We were eyeing the Turbot as soon as Chef Gwyneth started grilling it over the bed of charcoal. The resulting fish meat was light, tender and flaky, paired with a heavier mix of garlic brown butter and capers. The unassuming pickled papaya salad on the side provided a contrasting acidity which balanced the overall dish.

Abalone Pao Fan 4.8/5

We were already quite full at this point of the meal but still wiped the Abalone Pao Fan clean. The dish is served in a claypot. One Prawn & Co's signature prawn bisque served as the base, with baby abalones, egg floss, rice puffs and rice added on. The rice puffs lost their crunchiness quickly, but the rich and hearty broth was more than satisfying.

Desserts

Dessert was a combination of Seasonal Fruits and Mini Ice Cream cones with burnt white chocolate ice cream. We appreciate the special attention down to the fruits, which were extremely sweet.

Note that reservations must be made via https://bit.ly/oneprawnandco as limited seats are available each day.
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.



One Prawn & Co
458 MacPherson Road
Singapore 368176
Tel: +65 98788897
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Mattar (DT Line), Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch
Tue-Sun: 11am - 5pm
Course Dinner
Tue-Sun: 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Macpherson Road. Turn right at Macpherson road. Walk down Macpherson Road to the stretch of shop houses. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Mattar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Merpati Road to Jalan Anggerek. Turn right onto Jalan Anggerek. Walk to the end of Jalan Anggerek. Turn right onto Macpherson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mintues. [Map]

Mr Yakiniku (烧肉先生) @ Ubi Ave 4 - Affordable Japanese Grilled Meat Sets From $8.80

Mr Yakiniku (烧肉先生) is a relatively new Yakiniku hawker stall hidden in a kopitiam within Ubi industrial estate, just beside Comfort Delgo Driving Centre. Besides affordable Japanese grilled meat set starting from $8.80, the place has instagrammable corners such as torii replica, Japanese lanterns and fairy lights.

Beef Set and Pork Set 4/5

Have problems deciding what to order, or do you want a bit of everything? Don't work. You can go for the Beef Set and Pork Set. The Beef Set comprises Karubi, Short Plate, Harami (100g for $11.80/ 200g for $17.80), and the Pork Set consists of Pork Jowl, Pork Belly, Pork Collar (150g for $14.80, 250g for $21.80).

Kinoko Moriawase 3/5, Yasai Moriawase 3/5

We also had assorted mushrooms and vegetables to go along with the meats. The Kinoko Moriawase (100g for $7) and Yasai Moriawase ($4.50) save me a lot of trouble deciding what to order.

Wagyu Steak 4/5

Though it is a hawker stall, you can savour premium cuts such as the Wagyu Steak MS4/5 (120g for $19). Diners will be delighted by the tender texture from its beautiful marbling.

Karubi Prime 4/5

Another cut we enjoy a lot is the Karubi Prime (50g for $8, 100g for $14). Though the boneless short rib is not as fatty as the wagyu, it still comes across as very flavourful and tender.

Chicken Thigh 3.5/5

Mentaiko Ebi 4/5

Hotate 3.5/5

Besides the various Japanese beef cuts, there are many other ala carte items that diners can add to the yakiniku experience. We had other selections such as Chicken Thigh (50g for $3/ 100g for $5), Mentaiko Ebi ($5 for 2pc/ $9 for 4pc) and Hotate ($11 for 3pc).

Not forgetting the four homemade Yakiniku Sauces to complement the grilled meats and seafood. They are the Signature Mr Yakiniku Sauce which comes with pineapple puree for tartness, Togarashi Salt, Ponzu and Citrus Salt.

Overall, I find Mr Yakiniku is worth checking out. I like the whole ambience with the entire fairy lights and Japanese lanterns set up while having bbq under the stars. The pricing is also very reasonable with value-for-money meat sets.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Mr Yakiniku (烧肉先生)
179 Ubi Ave 4
Singapore 408793
Tel: +65 80444007
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Ubi (DT Line), Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 5pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Ubi MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Ubi Ave 3. Turn right onto Ubi Ave 3. Walk to the end of Ubi Ave 3. Continue onto Ubi Ave 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit C. Turn right and walk to Breadtalk IHQ. Walk to Airport Road. Cross the road and walk to Ubi Road. Turn left onto Ubi Ave 4. Walk down Ubi Ave 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]