Katsuya (The Tonkatsu Specialist) @ Tanjong Katong - Probably The Best Tonkatsu Restaurant in Singapore

Thanks to a recommendation from a foodie friend, I discovered Katsuya, a tonkatsu specialist restaurant tucked away in Tanjong Katong. Helmed by Singaporean Chef-owner Kervin, who trained at a Japanese culinary school in Tokyo, Katsuya has been quietly winning hearts since 2011. Initially located in East Coast, the restaurant moved to its current location at Tanjong Katong, continuing its tradition of crafting excellent tonkatsu dishes with a meticulous Japanese approach.

Tako Wasabi 3.5/5

We started with the Tako Wasabi ($7), a simple yet delightful appetiser. The chewy texture of the marinated octopus is complemented by the spicy punch of wasabi, awakening the palate and preparing us for the meal ahead.

Ebi Taru Taru 4.8/5

The Ebi Taru Taru ($12) is a standout appetiser. Juicy prawns are coated in a perfectly crispy batter, retaining their sweet, bouncy texture inside. The accompanying tartar sauce, elevated with leek, adds a tangy, creamy touch that enhances the prawn's natural sweetness — a near-perfect dish for seafood lovers.

Hire Tonkatsu Set 5/5

The star of Katsuya's menu is undoubtedly its Hire Tonkatsu Set ($35), which includes cabbage salad, rice, red miso soup, and pickles. What sets this tonkatsu apart is Chef Kervin's use of low-temperature cooking techniques. The pork is cooked to a pinkish centre, safe to eat yet incredibly tender and juicy.

Each bite of the golden-brown cutlet reveals a perfectly moist and succulent interior encased in a crispy crust. For an elevated experience, Chef Kervin recommends enjoying the tonkatsu with just a sprinkle of salt or mustard, allowing the natural flavours of the pork to shine. This dish truly redefines what tonkatsu should be — simple yet meticulously crafted perfection.

Hokkaido Rosu Set 4.5/5

The Hokkaido Rosu Set ($42) is an excellent choice for those who prefer a fattier cut. The balance of lean meat and a layer of fat provides a juicy, succulent bite every time. The fat melts into the meat as you chew, creating a rich and satisfying flavour profile.

Hokkaido Wagyu 4/5

If you're looking for indulgence, the Hokkaido Wagyu ($70) is a premium offering that doesn't disappoint. Known for its exceptional marbling and buttery texture, the wagyu is cooked to a perfect medium rare using the same low-temperature technique. The contrast between the crispy golden crust and the tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior is luxurious.

Scallop Katsu 4.8/5

Katsuya doesn’t stop at pork and beef; its seafood katsu options are equally impressive. The Scallop Katsu ($36) is a must-try (pre-order recommended). The plump, sweet scallops are encased in a crispy exterior, creating a delightful interplay of textures. Each bite ensures a satisfying crunch while maintaining the scallop’s delicate juiciness.

Katsuya is a hidden gem that deserves a spot on every tonkatsu lover's radar. The low-temperature cooking method sets it apart from other tonkatsu establishments, ensuring that each dish is tender, moist, and cooked to perfection. From the exceptional pork and wagyu sets to the delightful seafood options, Katsuya proves that tonkatsu can be elevated to an art form.

For a restaurant that has flown under the radar since 2011, Katsuya is a quiet powerhouse in Singapore's dining scene, offering a true taste of Japanese craftsmanship. If you haven't visited yet, it's time to make your way to Tanjong Katong for this unforgettable tonkatsu experience.


Katsuya
258 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437046
Tel: +65 9656 8183
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Katong (TE Line), Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Katong MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk straight down Tanjong Katong Road to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 10, 31 and 32. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Nomiya Izakaya & Bar @ Chinatown - Offering Contemporary Twist on Japanese Izakaya

Nestled amid Chinatown’s bustling streets, Nomiya Izakaya & Sake Bar stands out with its contemporary twist on a traditional Japanese izakaya. Offering an inviting space for gatherings over unique small plates and an impressive selection of Japanese sake, whisky, and craft beer.

Amid the bustling stretch of Chinatown, Nomiya stands out effortlessly among the rows of souvenir shops.

Hokkaido Scallop Aburi 3/5

Ikura Negitoro Pie Tee 3.5/5

We tried the Hokkaido Scallop Aburi and the inventive Ikura Negitoro Pie Tee to kick off our meal. We found the Pie Tee especially delightful, priced at $17 for two pieces each. The crispy shell filled with fresh minced tuna was visually appealing and offered a satisfying crunch and burst of flavour.

Charred Brussels Sprouts 3/5

Foie Gras Chawanmushi 4/5

Moving on to the next course, the Charred Brussels Sprouts ($9.50) arrived, infused with kombu butter. While the charred flavour added depth, it slightly overpowered the kombu, making it more of an accompaniment to drinks. The Foie Gras Chawanmushi ($18.50) was the highlight. This velvety custard, dotted with ingredients like crab meat and camembert, was topped with a sesame-crusted piece of foie gras. It is on the expensive end but definitely an indulgent experience.

Gold Dust Charcoal Chicken 3.5/5

Tempura Cauliflower 3.5/5

Next up were two fried dishes: the Gold Dust Charcoal Chicken ($14) and Tempura Cauliflower ($9.50). The chicken was crispy outside and juicy inside, paired with a tangy tartar-like sauce, though a more robust marinade could have elevated it further. The cauliflower was a fun twist on a classic, topped with furikake for added flavour. We would have loved a dipping sauce and a bit more crunch on the cauliflower, as the ones we had were a tad soft.

Dashimaki Tamago with Mentaiko 3.5/5

The Dashimaki Tamago with Mentaiko combined fluffy Japanese egg with creamy mentaiko. The salty mentaiko and tobiko topping made for a bold contrast, though a touch more sweetness in the tamago would have created a better balance.

Charred Ebi with Burnt Butter 3/5

We had high hopes for the Charred Ebi with Burnt Butter ($29), but the two prawns felt a bit steep in price for the portion size. The baguette pieces that accompanied it were intended for dipping but could have been softer. Adding extra bread for $1.50 may be helpful for those looking for a heartier bite.

Charcoal Grilled Skewers 3/5

Yuzu Glazed Char-Grilled Pork Jowl 3/5

From the grill, we got a selection of skewers, including Tori Momo (Chicken Thigh) ($4.50), Miso Glazed Butabara (Pork Belly) ($5), Asparagus ($4), and Smoked Duck with Salsa ($6). While each skewer was well-marinated and tender, we found ourselves wishing for more of that quintessential smoky char. The Yuzu Glazed Char-Grilled Pork Jowl stood out for its fatty, tender texture, but the flavours didn’t quite hit the mark - the marinade leaned slightly sweet, and the tartness of the yuzu didn’t come through as much as expected.

Mini Cold Udon & Seasonal Truffle 3.5/5

Smoked Duck Carbonara Udon 3/5

We tried two types of udon for our final dishes: the Mini Cold Udon with Seasonal Truffle ($11.50, $22 for full portion) and Smoked Duck Carbonara Udon ($13). With its bold truffle aroma, the cold udon was a refreshing palate cleanser after the richer dishes and came in a convenient mini size. The carbonara udon, on the other hand, had a lighter cream sauce that, while less heavy, lacked a distinctive carbonara richness. The cheese slices didn't add much to the presentation, giving the dish a less refined feel.

Nomiya offers izakaya sets for 2-6 people starting from $139, making it a great spot for small gatherings. Their extensive selection of Japanese drinks adds to the lively and trendy atmosphere, with upbeat music (which can be a bit loud) and attentive service. With limited seating, including outdoor tables and bar seats, Nomiya is a vibrant destination for a night out in Chinatown.

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


Nomiya Izakaya & Bar
11 Trengganu Street
Singapore 058465
Tel: +65 6232 7827
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Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT, NE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 530pm - 1030pm
Tue-Thu: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm
Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 11pm
Sat: 1130am - 1030pm
Sun: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight down Pagoda Street. Turn right onto Trengganu Street. Walk down Trengganu Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk straight to Sago Street. Turn left onto Sago Street and walk to the end. Turn right onto Trengganu Street. Walk down Trengganu Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Genki Sushi @ Somerset - Catch Genki Sushi’s Limited-Time Collaboration with Spy x Family From 19 Sep to 3 Nov 2024

Spy x Family fans are in for a treat as Genki Sushi rolls out a limited-time collaboration menu featuring 10 exclusive creations inspired by the popular anime. Available at all Genki Sushi outlets islandwide, the special menu brings beloved characters to life through a range of dishes.

Genki Premium members can also redeem a limited edition Anya Tote Bag with a minimum spend of $50 while stocks last.

Anya’s Beef & Peanut Butter Maki

One of the signature items is Anya's Beef & Peanut Butter Maki ($4.90), which reflects Anya's love for peanuts. This sushi roll features a quirky combination of short plate beef, cucumber, and a housemade peanut sauce.

Ebi Mentai Maki 3/5

Another sushi roll creation is the Ebi Mentai Maki ($4.90), filled with shrimp, tamago, and cucumber, then drizzled with rich mentaiko sauce.

Chicken Stew 3/5

For a comforting option, the Chicken Stew ($6.90) offers a bowl of chicken chunks, potatoes, and carrots, served with tamago and star-shaped rice. Although we found the rice too dry, the stew itself was pretty satisfying.

Hiyashi Tanuki Udon 3.5/5

On the cooler side, the Hiyashi Tanuki Udon ($4.90) is served chilled with chewy udon noodles dressed in Japanese Goma sauce, complemented by crabstick, tamago, cucumber, and crispy tempura bits.

Stellar Ebi Katsu 3/5

The Stellar Ebi Katsu ($2.90) was created in celebration of Anya's first ‘Stellar Star’ earned. This star-shaped shrimp cutlet is deep-fried and served with mayonnaise.

Anya Croquette 3.5/5

Another fried treat is the Anya Croquette ($2.90), which comes adorned with an Anya imprint. The crispy croquette is served with Tonkatsu Mayo sauce, giving it a flavour profile reminiscent of okonomiyaki.

Clam Chowder 3/5

The soup option on the menu is a creamy Clam Chowder ($3.90) with bits of clams, carrots and potatoes.

Kaisen Gunkan 3/5

Lastly, the Kaisen Gunkan ($4.40) offers a mix of different sashimi cubes topped with a bit of spice.

Kani Salad Edo-mae 3.5/5

In addition to the themed items, we also had a couple of dishes from the regular menu. The Kani Salad Edo-mae ($3.60) consisted of rice wrapped in sweet omelette and topped with crabstick shreds.

Aburi Maguro 2.5/5

The Aburi Maguro ($3.40) was unfortunately over-torched, taking away from the fish's natural flavour.

Parfait 2.5/5

To end the meal on a sweet note, two themed desserts are on offer. The Bond Mofu-Mofu Parfait ($6.40) and Spy x FamilySpecial Parfait ($6.40) both feature existing soft serve flavours - Hokkaido Milk and Matcha, decorated to fit the Spy x Family theme. Each is topped with honey stars and a chocolate piece featuring the character Bond.

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.


Genki Sushi
313@somerset
B2-03
313 Orchard Road
Singapore 238895
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

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

Nagai Hokkaido Cuisine @ Suntec City - Omakase From $98, By Sapporo Kaiseki’s First Overseas Outlet

Nagai Hokkaido Cuisine joins Suntec City as the newest Japanese dining concept under Eat at Seven. All the way from Sapporo, Japan, this is Nagai's first overseas outpost, featuring their unique brand of Kaiseki, helmed by Head Chef Makoto Nagai. The 64-seater restaurant offers counter seats, open dining areas and three private dining rooms for private occasions. Sit at the counter, and you can observe the chefs intricately putting your meals together.

The new restaurant offers 4 omakase menus with ingredients procured directly from Sapporo and air-flown into Singapore twice a week to showcase produces of the best freshness and quality. The omakase menus are priced at $98, $138, $198 and $380. I had the $198 menu, which included an appetiser, 5-kinds sashimi platter, a grill item, a daily special, a main dish and a dessert.

Appetiser 3.5/5

The appetiser featured a Fried Ebi, complemented with sides such as mentai and persimmon.

Hand-carved Ice Plate Sashimi 4.2/5

Served on a hand-carved ice plate made from a huge block of ice, the Hand-carved Ice Plate Sashimi was a feast for the eyes and the bellies. You will find a highlight of fresh seafood specially imported from Hokkaido, such as salmon, tuna, kazunoko, whelk, botan ebi and more. The botan ebi was our favourite, being impressively sweet.

Oyster 2-Ways 3.8/5

Next was Oyster 2-Ways - done fresh and tempura fried. Both oysters were fresh and creamy, though I preferred the fresh oyster as it was more distinctly briny and sweet.

Snow Crab Stew 4.5/5

The Snow Crab Stew was undoubtedly the best surprise of the night. Chunks of sweet snow crab meat brimming in a thick and comforting broth. It provided an extremely comforting pause amidst the rest of the chilled dishes. The chef kindly topped up more crab meat for my bowl as I don't take beef. My dining companion, who had the beef, had great compliments for the tender beef slices.

Sashimi Roll 3.8/5

Before dessert, we were served a slice of Sashimi Roll with a centre of salmon, tuna, and more. It is then topped with briny ikura. We found it average. At the same time, we were expecting a bigger portion for our mains.

Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream with Sweet Potato 3.8/5

Dessert was Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream with Sweet Potato. I appreciated the natural sweetness of the sweet potato, and the ice cream was just right in its creaminess and milkiness.

The overall omakase experience was decent. The freshness of the ingredients shone through, but we hoped for more surprises and bigger portions, considering its price tag. The items are also more seafood-focused, which is something diners may want to take note of.

Premium Kaisen Don

Apart from their omakase menus, you can look out for 15 types of lunch sets. Prices start at $28, and the menu features items such as Premium Kaisen Don, Wagyu Roast Beef Set, Tempura Set and Yakitori Set. The Premium Kaisen Don features a mixture of fresh sashimi served with miso soup, smooth chawanmushi and pickles.

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.


Nagai Hokkaido Cuisine
Suntec City
Tower 1
3 Temasek Boulevard
#03-314
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 66845054
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC, DT Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]