Torikizoku @ Vivocity - Japan's #1 Yakitori Chian Opens Its Biggest-Ever Outlet in Singapore

Japan’s popular yakitori chain Torikizoku has officially made its Singapore debut at VivoCity, opening its largest outlet worldwide on 29 May 2026. Spanning an impressive 174 seats across both indoor and al fresco dining areas overlooking the promenade, the space is designed to deliver a lively yet relaxed izakaya experience.

Built on its philosophy of offering quality Japanese fare at accessible prices, Torikizoku keeps things refreshingly simple. All food and non-alcoholic beverages are priced at $3.90++, while kids’ meals and alcoholic drinks are priced at $9.90++. The menu features a mix of grilled skewers, comforting sides, and casual bites, making it an easy spot for gatherings with friends or family.

Chicken Nanban 3.8/5

Starting with the Chicken Nanban ($3.90++), this classic Japanese favourite of karaage paired with tartar sauce delivered a satisfying balance of textures. The chicken was crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy within. The creamy tartar sauce helped to cut through the richness, adding a tangy contrast that lifted the overall flavour profile.

Potato Salad 4/5

The Potato Salad ($3.90++) was a pleasant surprise. Creamy yet not overly heavy, it featured chunks of potato that added a more rustic texture. The addition of bonito flakes added a subtle umami note, elevating what would otherwise be a simple side dish.

Grilled Fluffy Grated Yam 3/5

One of the more unique items on the menu is the Grilled Fluffy Grated Yam ($3.90++). Light and airy with a soft, almost soufflé-like texture, it carried a delicate savoury flavour. While it is meant to complement the skewers as a comforting side, its texture and flavour profile may not appeal to everyone and can be an acquired taste.

Chicken Liver 3/5, Stuffed Bell Pepper Ponzi 3/5, Signature Kizokuyaki Thigh & Leek 3.5/5

Yakitori remains the highlight here, with each plate comprising two skewers priced at $3.90++. Among the selections, the Chicken Liver and Stuffed Bell Pepper with Ponzu were decent, though not particularly outstanding. The liver had a slightly grainy texture, while the stuffed pepper offered a refreshing tang from the ponzu but lacked a stronger flavour punch.

Chicken Liver 3/5, Stuffed Bell Pepper Ponzi 3/5, Signature Kizokuyaki Thigh & Leek 3.5/5

The standout was the Signature Kizokuyaki Thigh & Leek (Sauce), part of the brand’s signature jumbo skewer range. Glazed in Torikizoku’s iconic tare sauce — a recipe refined over more than 40 years — the chicken thigh was juicy and flavourful, with a good balance of sweetness and savouriness. The leek added a mild sweetness without overpowering the meat. Notably, the Kizokuyaki skewers are larger than typical yakitori skewers, making them feel more substantial and better value for money.

Wings 3.8/5

Moving on to the Wings ($3.90++), these were grilled with the bone in, which helped retain moisture and enhance flavour. The meat was tender and juicy, with a lightly crisp exterior. While slightly greasy, it delivered the kind of satisfying richness that makes grilled wings so enjoyable.

Chicken Kamameshi 3.5/5

For something more filling, the Chicken Kamameshi ($3.90++) is a comforting option. Served in a traditional pot and cooked fresh at the table, the dish combines rice, chicken, and vegetables into a hearty one-pot meal. The rice absorbs the flavours of the ingredients as it cooks, resulting in a fragrant and savoury dish. Do note that it requires about 30 minutes of cooking time, so it is best to order this early.

Overall, Torikizoku brings a casual and approachable izakaya concept to Singapore. While the food may not be the most refined or top-tier, the consistent pricing and generous portions make it incredibly accessible. At $3.90++ per dish, it offers a fuss-free dining option where you can sample a variety of items without worrying about the bill. In short, Torikizoku may not serve the best yakitori in town. Still, it delivers solid flavours, a lively atmosphere, and unbeatable value — making it a place you’ll return to for easy, wallet-friendly Japanese dining.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Torikizoku
Vivocity
1 HarbourFront Walk
#01-104, 105
Singapore 098585
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C & E. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]

Shaburi & Kintan Buffet @ JEM - New Summer Buffet Menu Featuring Seafood Platter with Oysters, Scallops, Prawns and More

Shaburi & Kintan Buffet has been a popular, family-friendly option at JEM. It offers both Shabu-Shabu and Kintan (Japanese BBQ) buffet options at various price points. The restaurant has launched a new seasonal Natsu Matsuri Shaburi Platter/Kintan Platter as part of summer celebrations.

From now till 27 June 2024, the Natsu Matsuri Shaburi Platter is available at an attractive 20% discount, priced at $68.04++ for 2 pax (U.P. $78.80++). After that, it will return to its original price point and remain available until the end of August.

Natsu Matsuri Shaburi Buffet 4/5

The restaurant was decked out in vibrant decor that matched the summer vibes. Look out for the blue food tags to identify the special seasonal items!

Twin Pot

With the whole range of broths available, we definitely appreciated that we could opt for two broths instead of just one. For an additional $1, you can opt for the Twin Pot. We chose the classic Original Kombu and Chicken Collagen Paitan for our first pot and the seasonal Creamy Truffle and Clear Truffle for our second. Other broth options include Hot Miso, Tonkotsu, and Sukiyaki.

Banchan

We enjoyed the Banchan more than we expected! The sesame spinach, beansprouts, kimchi and radish tasted fresh and had a good crunch.

Sushi Rolls

However, the Sushi Rolls, mainly consisting of chicken and a higher rice-to-meat ratio, were skippable in favour of better carb options.

Takoyaki

At the Fried Food section, you can find Tempura Sweet Potato, French Fries and Takoyaki, all of which we noticed were popular with children.

Tori Karaage

Among the starters, there was Chawanmushi and Tori Karaage available. The latter was chunky and seasoned well, despite lacking crunch.

Hot Food

The Hot Food section offered a variety of dishes, including Bacon with Potatoes, Beef Japchae, Curry Chicken, Yakisoba and Ginger Fried Rice. We were pleasantly surprised by the Ginger Fried Rice, which had a lingering ginger aroma.

Condiments

All Condiments are included in the buffet price, and there is a good selection of sauces to choose from. Take a look at their sauce board for the restaurant's recommended mixes. I liked the Japanese Favourite, a tangy and refreshing mix of ponzu, original Shaburi sauce, and Japanese leek. The seasonal spicy Shaburi sauce, studded with sesame seeds, is perfect for those who like more heat.

Natsu Matsuri Shaburi Platter

Next came the buffet's highlight, the Natsu Matsuri Shaburi Platter, served in a wooden boat. It featured a range of seafood, including Half-Shell Scallops, Cooked Prawns, Fresh Salmon, Baby Cuttlefish, Oysters, and White-Shell Clams. Our favourites were the plump scallops and crunchy prawns.

Special Shabu Meat

As part of the buffet, we could select two plates of Special Shabu Meat. We chose the Tender Chicken, Homemade Chicken Ball, Iberico Pork, and Pork Cheese Shabu. The meats were thinly sliced and fresh, without any gamey smell. The Pork Cheese Shabu was particularly interesting, with cheese slices served alongside the pork. We were taught to roll the cheese up before putting it into the bubbling pot for a quick cook for that cheesy ooze.

Shabu ingredients

Shabu ingredients are free-flowing for all diners, including leafy vegetables and chilled/frozen options like fishcakes, crabsticks, chikuwa, and fish balls. We enjoyed the fresh ingredients, including black fungus, corn, mushrooms, tofu, egg, etc.

Chocolate Fondue

For desserts, we started with the Chocolate Fondue, which featured bittersweet chocolate with choices of marshmallows, churros, and more to pair. Unfortunately, we found the churros and donuts a bit too hard and preferred the fresh fruits.

Dango

The time-limited Dango leaned more dense. They come in pairs on a stick, with sauces on the side to drizzle over. While we found the Dango average, the black sesame paste was rich and fragrant.

DIY Kakigori Station

The DIY Kakigori Station, located with the beverage machines, allowed us to make our own shaved ice. Pour the ice cubes into the top of the machine, switch it on, and you will have a bowl of shaved ice in no time. Drizzle with sauces such as Strawberry sauce, Blue Hawaii sauce, and Condensed Milk before pairing with azuki red beans or even soft serve and warabi mochi. While the ice wasn't as fine in texture, it was a fun experience.

As part of the summer celebration, diners who spend a minimum of $80 can participate in their Sure-win Gachapon Game, with prizes such as return cash vouchers and cute keychains.

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.


Shaburi & Kintan Buffet
JEM
#03-11/12
50 Jurong Gateway Road
Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 6262 4329
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Nearest MRT: Jurong East MRT (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

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

ENChanko Hotpot & Kamameshi @ Vivocity - Singapore's First Chanko Hotpot Specialty Restaurant

ENChanko Hotpot & Kamameshi is a chanko hotpot speciality restaurant that recently opened in VivoCity. Chankonabe is a traditional dish in Japan, a hotpot stew that is well-loved for its hearty flavours and wholesomeness. ENChanko Hotpot & Kamameshi offers three varieties of Chankonabes alongside a selection of Kamameshi, a traditional Japanese rice dish cooked in a cast iron pot.

Signature Tori Chankonabe 2.8/5

3 choices of Chankonabe are available - Signature Tori Chankonabe (Chicken), Buta Motsu Chankonabe (Pork) and Kaisen Chankonabe (Seafood). All hotpots are available in 4 pax, 2 pax and individual portions. We tried its Signature Tori Chankonabe (Chicken, $58 for 4 pax, $30 for 2 pax), which is nutritious with Jitori chicken – a natural, antibiotic-free and free-range chicken.

Mochi Kinchaku

Housemade Chicken Tsukune

It also boasts a good mix of ingredients - chewy Mochi Kinchaku, Housemade Chicken Tsukune, Beijing cabbage, Japanese mizuna, shimeji mushroom, Japanese glass noodles, pressed tofu, carrot, Japanese leeks and beansprout special silver. The chicken tsukune was juicy and had a good bite. The soup, however, was disappointingly thin despite its milky appearance, offering little flavour other than a pronounced saltiness.

Himowaki Udon 5/5

To further elevate the hotpot experience, 30 add-ons are available, including the Himowaki Udon (a flat and wide sheet of udon noodles, $6.80), a speciality from the Kiryu area in Gunma Prefecture. Unlike regular udon, Himowaki Udon is characterised by its flat appearance and width of up to 10cm. Given its incredible texture and flavour, I can see why it has been gaining much attention from the media. A must-try!

Miyazaki Wagyu Truffle & Ikura 4/5

There are ten choices of Kamameshi sets to choose from. Each set is served with appetiser of the day, asari clear soup and mini chawanmushi. Ingredients of choice are prepared together, then simmered in a signature stock in an iron pot. We tried the Miyazaki Wagyu Truffle & Ikura ($39) featuring Miyazaki wagyu sirloin steak, served with ikura. An onsen egg is included, which is to be cooked with the rice with the residual heat. While some of the ingredients listed on the menu were missing from our rice, it was overall a satisfying dish, given that the wagyu steak delivered the expected texture and flavours. To savour the mildly burnt rice at the bottom, we poured the accompanying genmai dashi (made of genmaicha, kombu and bonito) into the rice, stirred it, and polished off it!

Kuro Edamame 4/5

Black & Red Chicken Karaage 2/52/5

Side dishes are offered as well, such as Black & Red Chicken Karaage (Smoked teriyaki & karamiso glaze , $8.50) and Kuro Edamame. The latter is a premium Tamba Sasayama black edamame with a distinct creamy texture and sweet taste, it was so much more enjoyable than the saltish chicken karaage, which were a tad overfried as well.

Beverages to complement your htopot experience include an unique Jim Beam Highball Sharing Bottle ($28, up to 3 glasses), special highball flavours, beer, shochu, sakes, plum and shochu cocktails. For non-alcoholic options, you can choose from a selection of Koridashis and Japanese cold brew teas.

Photos and words 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.


ENChanko Hotpot & Kamameshi
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-52
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6255 9188
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

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

Menya Kokoro @ 100 AM Mall - Seasonal Tsukesoba Specials Featuring QQ Noodles Made In-House

Menya Kokoro is one of the largest mazesoba chains in Japan, and they have been serving a whole range of mazesoba, ramen and dons in Singapore for the past couple of years. This time, they have launched seasonal Tsukesoba specials - Kokoro Tsukesoba and Mentai Tsukesoba, available till 31 July 2022. Their noodles are now freshly made in-house using 100% whole grain wheat flour imported from Japan. Each portion of noodles comes at 200g, slightly bigger than what they used to serve.

If you are dining at their 100AM outlet, you can peek in to look at the whole noodle-making process. These fresh noodles are also being supplied to their other two outlets at Plaza Singapura and Eat At Seven Suntec City.

Tsukesoba, like tsukemen, has its noodles served separately from the sauce. It's enjoyed by dipping the noodles into the sauce and slurping them up. The Kokoro Tsukesoba ($14.80) has toppings of cha shu, bamboo shoots, ajitama, seaweed, naruto fish cake and freshly grated yuzu peels. You get to choose either the Original or Spicy for your dipping sauce. The original is made with mackerel fish powder, a thick tonkotsu broth base and spring onions, while the spicy version has additional homemade spicy oil that leaves a numbing mouthfeel.

If you have had Menya Kokoro's mazesoba before, we found the new noodles thicker with a much more distinct chew. Fans of chewy noodles, you will enjoy this! In addition, we all appreciated how the yuzu peels and squeeze of lime give the whole dish a needed zest and brightness to help cut through the more decadent sauce. When you are done with the noodles, you can also request for "oimeshi", a small amount of complimentary rice to mix into the remaining dipping sauce.

Mentai Tsukesoba 3.8/5

The second seasonal bowl is the Mentai Tsukesoba ($14.80). It has the same noodles topped with cha shu, bamboo shoots, tobiko, mentai, naruto fishcake and seaweed. The dipping sauce for this has the same base ingredients as Kokoro Tsukesoba's, with the addition of sesame seeds, a slab of butter, spring onions and more mentai. We enjoyed the crunch from the tobiko and how the generous amount of mentai provides more of an umami touch. However, I found it a bit too heavy to finish on my own with the buttery sauce and thick noodles. I would recommend sharing this bowl with a friend.

Handmade Gyoza 3/5

Apart from the mains, a couple of sides are also available on the menu. The Handmade Gyoza ($4.80) has minced meat wrapped in slightly chewy skin. These were pretty decent, but we would have liked them a little less oily.

Tori Karaage 4.5/5

Their Tori Karaage ($4.80) was a favourite for us. A portion comes with four big karaage chunks that are nicely battered and crunchy on the outside yet still very juicy and tender within.

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.


Menya Kokoro
100 AM Mall
100 Tras Street
#02-10
Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 64431727
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 9pm
Fri: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 930pm
Sat: 11am - 930pm
Sun: 11am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Gopeng Street and turn into Tras Street. Walk to Amara Hotel. Journey time about 5 minutes.[Map]

Drunken Farmer @ Stanley Street - All Good Things Come From The Earth

Drunken Farmer, a purveyor of natural wine, has set up a brick and mortar natural wine bar and bistro along Stanley Street. The menu is designed around naturally leavened sourdough with a minimal waste philosophy, pair with natural wines sourced from Europe to South America, advocating making food and wine the natural way. Embedded in each dish are slow-fermented ingredients sourced from close to home and made entirely from scratch by Chef Albert.

Sourdough “Couvert” 3.8/5, Spanish Mackerel Rillette 3.8/5

For a start, we had the Sourdough "Couvert" ($12) and Spanish Mackerel Rillette ($14). The first let us have a taste of their naturally-leavened sourdough loaves untainted, made using a 159-year-old starter, along with house churned butter, pickles fermented from scratch and smoked Maldon salt. The latter is made with whole Spanish mackerel fillets and housemade ricotta, along with chives, butter, olive oil, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar. Having this with the Sourdough "Couvert" complement one another as it is also served with another two housemade dips – a house fermented miso grain mustard, as well as a crème fraiche, finished with green oil made using local herbs and bay leaf salt to balance out the fat.

Squid Ink Crackers 4/5

Squid Ink Crackers ($13) is like a more sophisticated sister of our Asian prawn cracker, served with an extremely umami prawn dip that packs a punch. Heads and shells of prawns that go into the laksa sambal of another dish are repurposed into it, topped with soy-marinated sago pearls to mimic the texture of caviar and as well as a flavour boost.

Sourdough Karaage 3/5

This Sourdough Karaage ($20) may not have the most ideal airy and light crust, but the effort behind it is notable. The crust made with the key ingredients of sourdough discard and TBB Beerguette Beer (a locally produced pilsner-style beer made from upcycled surplus loaves of bread from Tiong Bahru Bakery). The best part to me was the kimchi mayonnaise served at the side. I enjoyed it as I do with yoghurt.

Drunken Farmer's Salad 4.5/5

You can't get any closer to nature with this Drunken Farmer's Salad ($15), a gorgeous plate of fresh salad leaves and herbs from local farms, raw and pickled beetroots and radish, dressed with a light and tangy apple juice reduction and dollops of homemade Greek yoghurt marbled with a reduction of beets juice.

Shrooms & Goat Cheese 4/5

Their Sourdough Pizza is a must-try. We had Shrooms & Goat Cheese ($22) and Anchovy & Pesto ($23). As the goat cheese is house-made, it was mild in a good way as I usually find mushrooms and goat cheese tend to fight against each other. The latter had a good combination of flavours - saltish and briny anchovy mellowed with milky house-made temple stracciatella.

Sourdough Waffle 4.5/5

Summing up our meal was a Sourdough Waffle ($12/$18). It is made using a 159-year-old starter and a two-day fermentation process that allows the natural reaction of wild bacteria between the flour, air and water to take its course. The salted caramel ice cream made entirely out of banana was superb but just too little to go around.

Complementing the food menu is an exhaustive list of over 80 natural, organic, biodynamic and sustainably farmed labels sourced straight from winemakers from France, Italy, Chile and Spain—some of which exclusively imported by Drunken Farmer.

Photos and words 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.


Drunken Farmer
11 Stanley Street
Singapore 068730
Tel: +65 68774855
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Mon and Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk along the covered walkway until the junction of Mccallum Street and Telok Ayer Street. Turn right onto Mccallum Street and then left onto Stanley Street. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to junction of Telok Ayer Street and Upper Cross Street. Turn left onto Telok Ayer Street. Turn left again onto Boon Tat Street and make a right onto Stanley Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]