JU95 @ Boat Quay - A Modern Izakaya Restaurant By A Talented Young Chef

JU95 is a modern izakaya restaurant located at Boat Quay opened for about 3 months. From what I understand, the kitchen is helmed by Chef Louis who supposed to follow a 2 Michelin starred chef to Belgium which was put off due to the pandemic.

Parfait Ju 4.2/5

The Parfait Ju ($15) gives me a glimpse of what the restaurant meant by modern izakaya. The finesse of how the chef beautifully laid the fermented mushroom on a bed of chicken liver paste on top of the koji sable cookies is both stunning in taste and sight.

Stuffed Chicken Wing 4.2/5

The next dish is Stuffed Chicken Wing ($18). It is a lavish take stuffed with foie gras paired with mala dip, unlike the usual.

Hay Smoked Hamachi 4.5/5

Another impressive dish is the Hay Smoked Hamachi ($25). The fresh hamachi is infused with a hint of smokiness paired with padron peppers and leek. The accompanying sweet and sour berry sauce brightens up the enjoyment.

Cold Angel Hair 4.2/5

For some carbo intake, diners can go for the Cold Angel Hair ($24) topped with scallop tartare, truffle, ikura and avruga caviar. Served chilli, the refreshing goodness can be further complemented with the creaminess of Hokkaido uni for an additional $18.

Grilled Baby Squid Donabe 4.8/5

The highlight for the night has to be the Grilled Baby Squid Donabe ($45). The treasure pot comprises seaweed schmaltz, mushroom and ikura. Give it a good toss, and the aroma will hit your senses, followed by complex yet flavoursome flavours from the different ingredients.

Ice Cream Sandwich 4.5/5

I do not have a sweet tooth, but I highly recommend saving space for the Ice Cream Sandwich ($10). Sandwiched between the biscuity shells are sweetened sour cream instead of ice cream, sake soaked cherry and garnished with rose petals. The play of flavours and textures is a unique take of the traditional ice cream sandwich.

I am impressed with the food at Ju95. The dishes I tried are creative and tasty with touches of finesse, giving a modern take of traditional izakaya. Ju95 is one of the best restaurants I have eaten this year, and I recommend you check it out.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ju95
41 Boat Quay
Singapore 049830
Facebook
Website
Tel: +65 82012737
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Thu-Fri, Sun: 12pm - 2pm (lunch)
Tue-Sun: 6pm - 1030pm (dinner)

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk towards the river. Turn left and walk along the river bank. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Kushikatsu Tanaka Singapore @ Clarke Quay - Japan's Number 1 Kushikatsu Chain Fires Up New Grand Menu

I first visit Kushikatsu Tanaka at Clarke Quay when it opened its door in January 2018. Back then, the menu is focused on its signature kushikatsu, the Osaka-style fried cutlet skewers. Recently it has expanded its menu, rolling out a fresh new line-up of authentic Japanese izakaya items as well as yakiniku.

Great for sharing over a couple of drinks is the izakaya dishes such as the Salmon Sashimi ($10), Pork Kakuni ($10), Chicken Skin & Aspara Amakara Itame ($10), Ika Butter Yaki ($8) and Tako Butsu ($10). My favourite is the stir-fried chicken skin and asparagus in a mildly spicy soy-based sauce, followed by the sliced salmon sashimi in yuzu mustard sauce. The other items are as good too. The pricing is also very attractive, ranging from eight to ten dollars.

Cheese Imo Mochi 3.5/5

Cheesy Fried Potato 3.5/5

The new menu has a Cheese Special section. If you love something more cheesy, you can have the Cheese Imo Mochi ($6) and Cheesy Fried Potato ($6). The potato mochi is pan-fried and then topped with sweet teriyaki sauce. As for the cheesy fried potato, it is drizzled with nacho cheese sauce.

Okonomi Yaki 3/5

Salmon Belly Teriyaki 3.5/5

It's not just about small plates at Kushikatsu Tanaka. Some items are more substantial and filling such as the Okonomi Yaki ($8) and Salmon Belly Teriyaki ($12). Besides vegetables, there is also pork in the okonomiyaki. Initially, I thought the salmon belly teriyaki looks like unagi, this is because it is drenched in a sweet teriyaki sauce. This literally melted in the mouth due to the use of the fatty cut.

Yakiniku 4/5

The highlight of the new menu has to be the Yakiniku. It comes in 3 different offerings. The Yakiniku Rib Eye ($17), Yakiniku Age Beef Tongue ($22) and Yakiniku Mori ($26). If you want variety, I would recommend the yakiniku mori which comes in a mix platter of rib eye and aged beef tongue.

Kushikatsu 4/5

A must-have here is definitely the Kushikatsu which has been deep-fried to golden brown that ranges from $1.20 to $2.80 per skewer. Some of the new golden skewers are Unagi Cheese ($2.80), Shitake Niku Tsume ($2.80) and Tomato Bacon ($1.80). Besides the new items, I also had some of the classic golden skewers such as the shrimp, bacon cheese and asparagus. It even has dessert skewer such as Cookie & Cream and Banana.

The revamped and expanded menu at Kushikatsu Tanaka means there is something for everyone. Besides its golden fried skewers, the menu also includes yakiniku and an array of Osaka-style street foods and sharing items.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Kushikatsu Tanaka
Merchants' Court Clarke Quay
Block A #01-01B
3A River Valley Road
Singapore 179020
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 12midnight
Fri & Eve of PH: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 2am
Sat: 11am - 2am
Sun & PH: 11am - 12midnight

Direction: 
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT Station. Take Exit A. Turn right and down River Valley Road. Turn right onto Tan Tye Place. Walk to the end of the road. Turn left onto Clark Quay. Walk to destination. Journey time bout 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit C or G. Walk to the river front. Turn left and walk down the river. Cross the bridge. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.  [Map]

Torii Izakaya @ Duxton Road - Newly Opening Modern Japanese Izakaya With Superb Food & Drinks

Nestled in the bustling enclave of Duxton Road, newly opened Japanese Izakaya restaurant - Torii Izakaya offers all the charm of an authentic Izakaya while incorporating modern elements to their traditional cuisines and drinks. Torri prides itself in the quality and freshness of the ingredients, using only high-quality beef and sashimi which is carefully selected and flown in from Norway and Hokkaido Japan to curate a menu that is set to excite taste buds for Japan food lovers.

The Torii 4/5, Wild Night 4/5

Of course, what is a meal without some drinks to bring out the food flavours? As for the drinks list, it is largely sake and whisky-driven. The sake collection is carefully sourced from around Japan, regions such as Kyoto, Fushimi, Niigata, Myagi, and more, so take note, sake enthusiasts.

Go for The Torii ($16) concocted with bourbon, yuzu juice and ginger ale for a sweet-sourish cocktail choice. Or the Wild Night ($16) for those who want a little more zing in their drinks, with wild berries syrup and green tea spiked with whiskey. The petals atop are not just for decor purposes but are edible as well. We'll be back for more - and the fact that all the cocktails are priced around $16++.

Broiled Crab Chowder 4.2/5

We started off the meal with the Broiled Crab Chowder ($12) packed with generous amounts of soft shell crab and crab meat in a creamy briny broth, sprinkled with just shallots and olive oil to lend a nice aroma to the dish. We love how the soft shell crab still retains its crispiness throughout, which also adds a textural dimension to the crab chowder.

Bonded Unagi & Foie Gras 4.5/5

One not-to-be-missed dish is the Bonded Unagi & Foie Gras ($16), where both eastern and western influences come together to form a great bond between the two popular delicacies. Each bite has an umami taste and literally melts on your tongue. I would willingly pay to have this again and again.

Torii Cocktail 4/5

Next, we had the Torii Cocktails ($15) which comes with fresh diced sashimi and creamy uni over sweet shrimps, complete with caviar and a special dressing that gave a subtle sweetness to the dish.

Torii Sashimi 4.2/5

The Torii Sashimi ($23) is definitely a steal, consisting of the freshest assortment of fish such as the raw salmon, sweet shrimp, kampachi, scallops, tuna belly, finished with a yuzu dressing.

Aburi Salmon Yuzu 4.2/5, Tiger Prawn 3.8/5

There is only a small selection of sushi rolls, with 3 maki choices. We got to try the Aburi Salmon Yuzu ($13) and Tiger Prawn ($11). We absolutely love the Aburi Salmon Yuzu, with a layer of perfectly torched salmon wrapped around another big chunk of salmon sashimi within. The addition of cucumber, pistachio nuts, and tobiko gave it a crunch. Complete with a slightly tangy yuzu dressing, each bite is simply sensational - packed full of the salmon freshness and umami-ness. The Tiger Prawn pales a little in comparison, but we still enjoy the combination of crispy deep-fried tiger prawn, creamy avocado, shrimp roe, and unagi sauce to give it an extra oomph.

Wagyu Bone Marrow 3.8/5

The Wagyu Bone Marrow ($15) is large and loaded with the gelatinous cream of the marrow which has a unique buttery taste and a rich, robust flavour. While the bone marrow fat was enjoyable, we wished there would be some sides to it to provide a contrast or cushioning to the sheer richness.

Stone Rice Bowl 3.8/5

The Stone Rice Bowl ($18) came in a piping hot bowl of shrimp, unagi, Japanese scallop, seaweed, tobiko, onsen tamago over a bed of Japanese rice. Take a quick snap and mix all the ingredients in the bowl, as it is best mixed and eaten hot.

Wings 3.5/5, Wagyu Sirloin 4/5, Garlic with crispy skin 3.8/5

Torii has over 20 skewer items on their menu. With a drink at bay, diners can pair it among the wide range of grilled items and eat to their heart's content. We had the Wings ($3) seasoned with just sea salt, and the tender Wagyu Striploin ($3). Each bite is imbued with a smoky depth and would leave you craving for more. The Garlic with crispy skin ($3) is not your commonly seen food items in the form of skewers, but once you start, you can’t stop.

Beef Donburi 4.2/5

One of my favourites is the Beef Donburi ($25). The tender beef slices have a nice smoky charred exterior, paired perfectly with the soft creamy foie gras, and the addition of truffle elevated the whole dish. Mix it all in with the onsen egg which binds everything perfectly together, and we could not stop till we have wiped the bowl clean. For a more premium experience, you can top up an additional $5 for an extra foie gras, or $18 for additional uni.

Kagoshima Sirloin A5 4.5/5

The highlight of the night is the Kagoshima Sirloin A5 ($68). The hefty price tag is justified by the stellar quality of the steak - tender, juicy slices with a slight nicely charred exterior that just melts in your mouth. It's a definite must-order here if you're hankering for some good steaks. We recommend topping up $7 for an additional pan-seared foie gras or scallop.

These lively casual bars are aplenty in Singapore, and there's nowhere better to kick back and have some Japanese bites full of umami goodness with some drinks to go along with. Torri Izakaya is the perfect place for friends who gather for a good time or office workers who are looking for some after-work drinks, tie-loosened, hair down. With a huge 68-indoor seater and 12-outdoor seater, it is also available to cater for events from commercial events to party celebrations.

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.


[Closed]
Torii Izakaya
32 Duxton Road
Singapore 089496
Tel: +65 62230093
Facebook 
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Outram park (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat & PH: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. Cross Tanjong Pagar Road and walk to Craig Road. Walk along Craig Road and turn right onto Duxton Road. Walk along Duxton Road to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk straight along New Bridge Road to Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Kreta Ayer Road and walk to the end. Cross the road and turn left onto Neil Road. From Neil Road walk to Duxton Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20  minutes. [Map]

Amazing Hokkaido @ Robertson Quay - Experience The Charm Of Authentic Izakaya Culture

Amazing Hokkaido is the newest addition to Robertson Quay, that features a plethora of Japanese offerings using fresh produce flown in daily from Hokkaido. The interior which can sit up to 100 people, comes with colourful fabric and posters of Hokkaido; reminiscent of a bustling izakaya in Japan.

Melty 7 Kinds of Tsukune 3.5/5

Known as the birthplace of yakitori, the Melty 7 Kinds of Tsukune ($28.90++) features 7 different skewers with a variety of toppings such as mentai mayo, fondue cheese and wasabi for that extra kick.

Muroran Yakitori 4.2/5

A classic Hokkaido skewer dish with an 80-year history is the Muroran Yakitori ($3.90++). The famous Hokkaido dish features grilled pork and onion on skewer paired with mustard. It is tender and juicy with a hint of smokiness. This is a must-order here.

Sasaki's Farm Organic Vege Salad 3/5

I am afraid I do not know how to appreciate the Sasaki's Farm Organic Vege Salad ($15.90++), especially when it is served in its raw form. These organic vegetables are freshly imported from Sasaki Farm, which adopts recycle-based agriculture. Though not a fan of the dish, the vegetables are really sweet on its own.

Sashimi Hachimori 3.8/5

Seafood lovers are in for a treat with the Sashimi Hachimori ($39.90++)  It comes with an assortment of 7 different kinds of sashimi. In the bowl and winding staircase-like structure at the sides, there are Tuna Akami, Scallop, Salmon Roe, Octopus, Yellow Tail, Salmon and Sweet Shrimp. However, I find the sashimi are too tiny cut, for a substantial appreciation.

Bursting Salmon Roe Rice Bowl ($39++)

Oder the Bursting Salmon Roe Rice Bowl ($39++) and be prepared for a spectacular sight. The servers will crowd around the customer, chanting enthusiastically to live taiko beats, as they heap spoonful after spoonful of ikura on the bowl of sushi rice.

Hokkaido Wagyu Steak 4/5

Do keep a distance from the Hokkaido Wagyu Steak ($23.90++) as it is set ablaze at tableside. This adds a hint of smokiness and caramelisation to the meat. It also comes with yuzu kosho, sea salt, wasabi and steak sauce at the side, for those who like that extra flavour.           

Amazing Hokkaido can offer fresh produces because it works with a special selection of gourmet partners such as Kaneshime Takahashi fishing company for its sashimi, Yamamura seafood processing industry for its fresh seafood and Sasaki Farm for its organic greens.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Amazing Hokkaido
Riverside View
30 Robertson Quay
#01-16
Singapore 238251
Tel: +65 62350212
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 530pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction of Clemenceau Ave and River Valley. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Clemenceau Ave. Turn right onto Unity Street. Then left onto Merbau Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]