Maji Curry @ Square 2 - Award-winning Japanese Curry Restaurant From Japan Impresses With Their Grandprix Winner Cheese Fondue Hamburg Curry Rice

Award-winning brand Maji Curry opened their very first outlet in Singapore, located within Novena Square 2 mall, alongside their current three outlets in Japan and another two worldwide. Their Japan store has made waves for having won the 2018 Kanda Curry Grand Prix the same year it opened, and now Maji Curry is bringing the very same award-winning dish to our shores.

Cheese Fondue Hamburg Curry 4/5

We tried the Cheese Fondue Hamburg Curry ($18.30), which has propelled the restaurant to fame. It comes with House-special Curry topped with a tender handmade Hamburg Steak and cheese fondue sauce on the side to pour atop the dish. Who knew that cheese and curry could pair so well together? Adding cheese to the dish helps amplify the curry's flavour, giving it a creamier and wholesome finish. Every order also comes with a saucer of the brand's take on fukujinzuke, a Japanese-style pickle, and a heap of crispy deep-fried shallots to sprinkle onto your rice.

Kushikatsu Curry Rice 3.8/5

The Kushikatsu Curry Rice ($16.50) features 5 kinds of deep-fried meat and vegetables on skewers atop Japanese rice doused in a savoury curry sauce. Kushikatsu is a classic delicacy from Japan, and if you love your deep-fried skewers, you'd love this dish. The meats are fried with a slightly thicker breaded exterior to a crunch on the outside while retaining their soft, tender texture within. You can dip the skewers into the curry to enhance its flavour.

Tonkatsu Omelette Curry 3.8/5

The Tonkatsu Omelette Curry ($18.50) comes with a panko-coated pork katsu atop a blanket of velvety omelette over Japanese rice, all in a huge plate of Maji Curry's signature gravy. Though a tad dry, the tonkatsu is tender with a nice crisp exterior. Like the rest of the dishes, the thick curry tasted moderately savoury with a mild sweetness. The spice aroma was strong, with a slight spice kick as well.

The humble restaurant is small and fuss-free. Customers can order from the electronic vending machines outside, take a number plate, find a table, and wait for their food which will be served relatively quick to your table. Sets are also available for the main dishes, which come with a salad and drink.

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.


Maji Curry
10 Sinaran Drive
#02-07
Singapore 307506
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Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 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
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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]

Kushikatsu Tanaka Singapore @ Clarke Quay - First Asian Outlet In Singapore

Japan's number one kushikatsu chain, Kushikatsu Tanaka has opened its first Asian outlet at Clarke Quay, Singapore. It is famed for its Osaka-style fried cutlet skewers and signature special dipping sauce, with over 165 outlets in Japan.

Chiritori Hotpan with Beef + Risotto 3.8/5

If you are not a fan of beansprouts, you will hate the Chiritori Hotpan with Beef ($18 for 2 pax). This is because the sizzling hotpan of beef slices is served on a bed of beansprouts, topped with beef offal and chilli powder. Diners can have a choice of beef or pork. After finishing the nabe, diners can rice, curry powder, egg into the pan to soak up the rich broth for a delectable curry cheese risotto.

DIY Potato Salad 4.2/5

Besides the fried cutlet skewers and hotpan, the menu also offers a selections of starter such as DIY Onigiri, Takoyaki and Potato Salad. My favourite is their DIY Potato Salad ($8). You can choice to have your potato salad creamy or chunky, depends on how much you want to mash the potato with the Japanese mayonnaise, seasoned boiled egg, fresh lettuce and bacon bits.

Signature Kushikatsu 4/5

The signature here is non other than the Golden Kushikatsu with over 30 variations such as kushikatsu beef, prawn, asparagus, lotus root, all these range from $1 to $2.50 each. The skewers are covered in a finely grounded panko crumbs, deep fried in a unique blend of oil consisting of beef fats. The result is a light airy crispiness on the exterior.

Not forgetting to dip the skewers into the special dipping sauce, a well guarded family recipe passed down from creator Mr Yukichi Tanaka, to his daughter, Ms Hiroe Tanaka who is currently the Vice-President of the business. The sweet and savoury dipping sauce is served in a tin container, which pairs the fried skewers excellently, However do remember not to double dip.

Cookies And Cream Kushikatsu 4/5

A very special kushikatsu is the Cookies and Cream skewer. I didn't know that cookies can even be deep fried. The cookies and cream skewer can be some sort of a dessert too with its sweetness.

At Kushikatsu Tanaka, you can you also find one of the largest range of Jim Bean highballs with over 15 varieties such as Triple Berry Highball, Triple Citrus Highball and Aomori Ringo Highball, starting from $6.

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-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 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]