Gaijin @ KAP Residences Mall - Fuss-Free Japanese Soul Food

Gaijin is a casual two-storey Japanese restaurant in King Albert Park Mall, offering staples such as ramen, udon, and donburi. Where food choices are somewhat limited in the neighbourhood, among the residents and office crowd in the vicinity, Gaijin is quickly becoming a place known for its quality yet affordable Japanese comfort food.

Gaijin Karaage 3.8/5

Gaijin has a secret weapon to ensure that all its fried items are moist and succulent - that is Dr Fry. Thanks to its unique physical water molecule control technology, your fried food will stay succulent and crispy for a longer period of time, even with a reduction in the absorption of oil. The results were evident in my Gaijin Karaage ($8 for 3pc or $12 for 5 pc). These chicken thigh chunks had a light brown skin that was thin and crispy. There was a good portion of the nicely flavoured meat in every bite, rather than a mouthful of greasy fried skin and fats.

Katsu Curry Don 3.5/5

Likewise, for the Katsu Curry Don ($15), the Hokkaido Shiro Buta (snow pork) was moist and juicy with a thin, crispy skin. Given the serving size of the tonkatsu, this is quite value-for-money. However, the curry can be better. It combines the flavour profiles of two Japanese curry styles - one that’s more savoury and one that’s sweet and fruity. Although butter was added to it to bring out the flavours of the spices, I feel it wasn't as robust as I had expected it to be.

Gyudon 3.8/5

Hence, Gyudon ($14) satisfied me much more with its thinly-sliced premium Angus beef, which is chosen for its higher fat percentage. The longer these beef slices sit on your rice, the more the fats will melt into the rice underneath. The combination of the melted fats, the housemade yakiniku sauce and the juice from the sliced welsh onions made the rice really flavourful. Thus, it will take minimal effort to wipe this bowl clean.

Ebi Tempura Udon 3.5/5

The menu also covers staples such as udon and ramen. Ebi Tempura Udon ($13) uses Inaniwa udon which is relatively thinner and smoother, and its extra chewy texture works well in both cold and hot broth. The Ebi Tempura Udon serves the udon in a light dashi-based broth. The broth tasted a tad salty when I had it alone with the udon, but its higher salt content made it just right as a sauce for the accompanying tempura. The tempura set includes two black tiger prawns and assorted vegetables of the day.

Shio Tonkotsu Ramen with Kara Chilli Paste 3.5/5

It is rare to find a casual dining place that serves up decent ramen, and the Shio Tonkotsu Ramen ($12) did well with the addition of its homemade Special “Kara” chilli paste ($1). Despite the layer of homemade black garlic oil and pork fat oil floating on top of the broth, this salt-seasoned tonkotsu broth felt light on the palate after I mixed everything in, including the homemade shrimp-based chilli paste. The chilli paste provides more than just heat to the dish. A dollop of it adds depths of flavours into the broth. You will have the options from level one “mild spiciness” to level three “hot”. I reckon you can just go for level three ''hot''.

Meant to be wallet-friendly, Gaijin offers sake from Saito, Nanbubijin and more from $18 to $35 to complete the dining experience.

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.


Gaijin
KAP Residences Mall
9 King Albert Park
#01-40
Singapore 598332
Tel:+65 69040400
Facebook
Nearest MRT: King Albert Park (DT Line)

Opening hours:
Mon - Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 9pm
Sat - Sun: 12pm - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at King Albert Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at The Sterling (Stop ID 42051). Take any bus alight next stop. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at King Albert Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bukit Timah Road. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Kogane Yama @ Bugis Junction - Introduces 9 New Donburi Delights With Nothing Above $15

Started out in June 2017 with a tendon specialist concept offering customisable tendon bowls, Kogane Yama @ Bugis Junction launched an expanded selection of 9 enticing new donburi showcasing an even wider array of choices to cater to diners' different preferences. Following its revamped menu in Oct, the restaurant has also made price adjustments to its items to keep the tab affordable for customers without compromising on quality - with everything below $15!

The donburi start from only $9.90 each, while the ever-popular tendon bowls see a 15% reduction in price; the Vegetable Bowl now costs $9.80, and the Mixed Bowl with prawns and chicken costs $13.80. If you're wondering anything changed, rest assured that the quality and portion of ingredients in each bowl still remain the same.

Unagi Avocado Don 3.8/5

The all-time favourite Japanese eel makes its first appearance on the menu in the form of a Unagi Avocado Don ($14.90). Tender slices of grilled unagi in sweet-savoury sauce paired with buttery soft avocado which sits atop a mound of sushi rice. Mix in the onsen egg to release its molten yolk, and this sets a well-primed contender for the best-selling position.

Gyu Don 4/5

One of the best-selling bowls from the previous menu is the Gyu Don ($13.90). It features tender, perfectly seasoned wagyu beef slices, garlic chips and onsen egg. A foolproof combination with the runny egg to moisten the rice and meat to further enhance its richness.

Bara Chirashi Don 4.2/5

One of the must-have donburi here is the Bara Chirashi Don ($14.90). A classic bowl of assorted diced raw salmon, tuna, swordfish, surf clam, steamed prawn, ikura (salmon roe), tobiko (flying fish roe), cucumber and tamago (Japanese omelette) on a bed of sushi rice. Add on $1 for a whiff of fragrant truffle oil as you dig into the heap of fresh seafood goodness.

Aburi Salmon Mentai Don 4/5

Another highlight is the Aburi Salmon Mentai Don ($11.90) which features generous cubes of half-grilled salmon, cucumber and tamago blanketed in torched mentaiko (cod roe) mayonnaise sauce which adds an flavour oomph to the dish without being overwhelming. The bowl is garnished with tobiko and tempura crumbs for added texture.

Chawanmushi 3.8/5

If you're still feeling hungry, there are a variety of side dishes to choose from. This umami-packed Chawanmushi ($2) boasts a silky smooth texture for the steamed egg custard, with ingredients such as prawns, kamaboko steamed fish cake and shiitake mushrooms.

Other donburi options include the Salmon Ikura Don ($13.90), Salmon Teriyaki Don ($11.90), Unagi Tugi Don ($13.90), Katsu Don with Chicken ($9.90) or Pork ($10.90), Pork Belly Shogayaki Don ($10.90), Tori Karaage Don ($9.90). The tendon bowls remain as its signature attraction with its customisable bowls concept, where diners can choose the meat, base and tentsuyu sauce to their liking. With hearty, delicious Japanese bowls, that deliver on both quality and affordability with a wide variety of options to choose from, this homegrown restaurant brand is bound to be a hit among diners.

Photos and words 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.


Kogane Yama
Bugis Junction
200 Victoria Street
#02-50
Singapore 188021
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am -10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 11pm

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