Kogane Yama @ Bugis Junction - The Golden Mountain Is Lacking The Glisten

From the good folk behind Chir Chir Fusion Factory and Massizzim, the group has launch another new concept called Kogane Yama (Golden Mountain) at Bugis Junction offering tendon bowls. It got its name for the lavish heap of golden brown pieces of tempura, just like the scenic valleys and mountains in Japan.

Kogane Yama offers 4 types of bowl. Diners have a choice of Mixed Bowl ($15.80), Prawn Bowl ($13.80), Chicken Bowl ($13.80) and Vegetable Bowl ($11.80). Instead of rice, diners can also replace it with either Udon or Soba for an additional dollar. In addition, diners can also select their sauces - non spicy or spicy (level 1 to 3). Lastly, you can complete your meal with add-ons such as Chawanmushi at ($2) and Miso Soup ($1.50).

Mixed Bowl with Soba 3/5

I tried the Mixed Bowl with Soba ($16.80) which comes tempura prawns, chicken fillet, long beans, carrot, shiitake and enoki mushrooms, sweet potato, green bell pepper, seaweed, shiso leaf and a dollop of ebiko. For those prefer a bite in their noodle may not enjoy the softness of the soba which has been steeped in a clear and fragrant dashi broth.

Mixed Tendon Rice Bowl 3/5

If you opted by the Mixed Tendon Rice Bowl ($15.80), then you will get a mountain of tempura stacked to the brim. It is understand that the tempura is fried to golden brown using a fish seasoned batter and sesame oil. While the batter is crispy I felt it still missing that Japanese element in the bowl. I was telling my dining friends that I felt like eating a bowl of Chinese fried food instead of Japanese tempura.

I actually like the concept of Kogane Yama where the choices are given to the diner unlike the current tendon establishments. However the food is still a far way comparable to these well known tendon establishments. I personally felt that the restaurant needs to improve on the batter and maybe even the oil used.

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]

Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen @ Great World City - The Original Taste of Miso Ramen

Shokutsu Ten Japanese Food Street has moved into the city with the opening of its third outlet at Great World City. The Japanese food enclaves at its third venue presents 5 food, beverage and retail brands under one roof. Joining Ichiban Boshi and Kuriya Japanese Market in the expanded area at the basement of Great World City is Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen, offering the original and rich taste of the famed Sapporo ramen.

Sapporo Spicy Miso Ramen 4/5

The ramen at Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen is made using the traditional Sapporo method, bean sprouts, minced pork and leek, stir fried together with a collagen rich miso infused tonkotsu broth. Accompanying the rich broth is the thick, curly Nishiyama noodles specially imported from Hokkaido.

The Sapporo Spicy Miso Ramen ($17.90) comes with 3 pieces of char siew in a special spicy sauce. While I enjoyed the miso-based tonkotsu broth, I felt that the spicy sauce did not quite have the punch to it. The char siew is also not those melted in the mouth type but thick and meaty.

Tokusen Sapporo Miso Ramen 4.2/5/

I preferred the Tokusen Sapporo Miso Ramen ($19.50) for its rich and intense miso flavours in the pork bone broth, not distracted by the chilli sauce. My bowl of noodle comes with 2 pieces charsiew, potato wedges, minced meat, onion, egg, bamboo shoots, leek, bean sprouts, corns and seaweed. While I enjoyed the bowl of slurping goodness, I just don't understand the purposes of potato wedges. I doubt this is part of the original in Sapporo.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen
Great World City
Shokutsu Ten Japanese Food Street
#B1-01/02/03/04
1 Kim Seng Promenade
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 68359109
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Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite Orchard MRT station (Stop ID B09022). Take bus number 16 or 175. Alight 4 bus stops later. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Outram MRT station. (Stop ID B06011). Take bus number 75 or 970. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Great World City. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10169). Take bus number 5, 16 or 195. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

TFS Private Works @ Telok Ayer Street - Japan Tapas And Omakase With Modern Twist

Taking over the space at Truffs is TFS Private Works, by the same folks behind the successful casual Japanese restaurant The Flying Squirrel. The spin off offers Japanese tapas and omakase-style dining with a modern twist.

Seasonal Appertizers 3/5

I had the 7-course Saito Hajime Omakase Menu ($158) which consists of seasonal appetizers, sashimi, assorted cooked dishes, sushi, soup and dessert. Our first course consists of 4 different appertizers. Out of the 4, my favourite is the smoked duck for its tender texture

Sashimi 4.2/5

Next course is a plate of Sashimi that comprises of salmon belly, toro, scallop, hamachi, ebi and ikura. With the different freshness swimming on the plate, this is like an underworld fantasy comes true.

Miso Soup 4/5

A warm bowl of Miso Soup with clam and kombu was served next. The saltiness of the miso and the sweetness of the clam married perfectly for a comforting enjoyment.

Pan Seared Fish with Miso 3.8/5

Served on a bed of rocket greens is the Pan Seared Fish with Miso, which is topped with crispy lotus chips. Enjoyed the flavour and texture of the fish but I was hoping that the miso flavour could come across stronger.

Wagyu 3.8/5

The other cooked dish is the Wagyu with garlic, mushroom and capsicum. While the meat was cooked perfectly, the seasoning was slightly on the heavy side.

Sushi 4.5/5

For the last course, I was served a plate of Sushi. This is probably the best dishes throughout the 7 course. I like the little touches of topping each sushi with different condiments. It gives the sushi a unique combination which provided a different dimension of appreciation the sushi.

Dessert 3/5

The last course which is the Dessert is quite a steal. In the bowl, there were strawberry sorbet, eclair, churros and vanilla ice cream. Although the four different desserts did not really comes together as a dishes, I am not complaining on the generosity of having four different items at one go.

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


[CLOSED] TFS Private Works
179 Telok Ayer Street
2nd Floor
Singapore 068627
Tel: +65 62217073
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on 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. Cross the junction and continue on Telok Ayer. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tsuta @ Tai Seng - Unveiling Its Miso Soba At Its Second Outlet

With the successful opening of its first outlet at Pacific Plaza, Singapore, Tsuta has opened its second outlet at Tai Seng serving its michelin star ramen. In conjunction with the opening of its second outlet, it has also unveiled the Miso Soba or Miso Ramen.

Miso Soba 4.5/5

I have made my way down to 18@Tai Seng to check out the new Tsuta and its new Miso Soba. The bowl of ramen uses hatcho miso imported from Tokushima prefecture. Porcini mushroom oil, bean sprouts, watercress and corns are added to complement the rich miso flavour. The noodles used for the miso soba is also slightly thicker compared to the Shoyu version which goes better with the heavier miso broth.

Miso Soba 4.5/5

When Tsuta first opened in Singapore, it introduced the Shoyu Soba and Shio Soba which is kind of new to the local palate. It is unlike the tonkotsu broth that Singaporeans are used. With the unveiling of the miso soba, I felt it is more receptive to the local palate.

Do note that the Tsuta outlet only sells the Shoyu and Miso soba at the Tai Seng outlet. If you want to try the Shio version, you have to go to Pacific Plaza outlet. The Pacific Plaza outlet offers both the Shoyu and Shio soba only.

Noted: This is an invited tasting. 


Tsuta
18 Tai Seng Street
#01-36/37/38/39
Singapore 539775
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

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