NOOR @ Mohamed Sultan Road - Mediterranean Flavours With A Japanese Flair

Located along Mohamed Sultan Road, NOOR is a new dining destination showcasing Mediterranean flavours with subtle Japanese influences. Designed for communal dining, the menu starts with mezze and cold plates before moving on to larger dishes and desserts.

Shok Bread 5/5

We began with the Shok Bread ($15), NOOR’s take on Japanese shokupan. With many restaurants now offering their own signature house breads, NOOR has certainly delivered one worth returning for. Soft, fluffy and lightly buttery, it was served alongside Tahini and Matbucha, a slow-cooked pepper and tomato condiment with flavours that had been beautifully concentrated over hours of cooking.

Trio of Housemade Dips 4/5

The bread also served as the perfect vehicle for the Trio of Housemade Dips ($13): Ikra, Muhammara, and Yaki Feta. Each brought a distinct personality to the table. The taramasalata-inspired Ikra offered an addictive savoury brininess enriched with mentaiko, while the Muhammara Miso delivered deep, smoky flavours from roasted peppers. The Yaki Feta, a reinterpretation of babaganoush that blends feta with roasted eggplant, carried an intriguing funk tempered by its bruleed top.

Aka Beet Salad 3/5

From the Cold Plates, the Aka Beet Salad ($22) paired roasted beetroot with a zesty blood orange vinaigrette and citrus cream cheese. While we enjoyed the bright acidity of the dressing, the sweetness of the cream cheese tipped the dish slightly off balance, especially alongside the naturally sweet beetroot. A sharper, more savoury cheese would have complemented the other elements better.

Ebi Freekeh Risotto 2.8/5

Among the larger plates, the Ebi Freekeh Risotto ($38) featured freekeh cooked in dashi, accompanied by grilled tiger prawns and caramelised onion cream. We loved the freekeh’s satisfying bite and the nutty, earthy flavours that came through in every mouthful. The herbaceous shatta, the restaurant’s housemade green chilli sauce, folded through the grain, further elevating those flavours. However, an underlying sweetness, further amplified by the caramelised onion cream, became rather dominant after a few bites. The tiger prawns were also slightly overcooked, leaving them a touch dry.

Miso Butter Fish 3/5

The Miso Butter Fish ($39) paired Mediterranean snapper with smoked corn miso beurre blanc and was accompanied by robata-grilled cabbage. The beurre blanc was smooth and well executed, though it leaned noticeably sweet, likely due to the corn. While the fish had an appealingly caramelised exterior, it was unfortunately a little dry.

Mia Zaki 3/5

For a more indulgent option, the Mia Zaki ($68) featured Miyazaki Wagyu served with a black truffle and foie gras sauce. The menu describes it as A6-grade, though, based on my understanding, Japanese Wagyu is officially graded only up to A5. Regardless of the terminology, the beef was exceptionally unctuous, though an accompanying starch would have rounded out the dish nicely.

Sticky Goma 4/5

Desserts here are worth a try. The Sticky Goma ($19) featured a black sesame financier baked into a tart shell, topped with white chocolate yoghurt cream and finished with lime zest. The financier had a satisfyingly chewy texture, while the yoghurt cream added a welcome tang that balanced its sweetness.

Kuro Shokolata 4.5/5

Equally memorable was the Kuro Shokolata ($19), a velvety chocolate mousse encased in delicate cocoa tuile tubes atop an umami truffle toffee. The bitterness of the flaky, crisp cocoa tuile was spot on, complementing the silky mousse that flowed out with every bite. We thoroughly enjoyed every element of the dessert, save for the truffle note in the toffee, which was out of place and disrupted an otherwise harmonious flavour profile.

The drinks menu is equally extensive. We tried one of the signature cocktails, Master Mind ($25), a spirit-forward concoction that paired well with the richer dishes on the menu. For a non-alcoholic option, the First Light ($16) was bright and refreshing, offering a crowd-pleasing combination of lychee and pink grapefruit that made for an easy, palate-cleansing sip between courses.

NOOR offers a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine with touches of Japanese influences. While the house bread and dips were excellent, some of the savoury dishes could have been better balanced and more consistently executed.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


NOOR
17 Mohamed Sultan Road
Singapore 238966
Tel: +65 8805 8075
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Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 5pm - 12am
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk to the traffic junction between River Valley Road and Clemenceau Ave. Cross the road and walk down Clemenceau Ave towards Mohamed Sultan Road. Turn left onto Mohamed Sultan Road. Walk down Mohamed Sultan Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu @ One Holland Village - Bringing Its Signature Japanese Beef Cutlet to the West

Fans of Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu can now rejoice, as the famed Japanese beef cutlet specialist opens its second outlet at One Holland Village. Regulars no longer have to brave the perpetual queue at its first Singapore outpost in Raffles City. At this new location, Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu – Japan’s largest gyukatsu speciality restaurant, continues to serve up the same authentic flavours and premium beef cuts that have made it so popular.

Sirloin & Tenderloin Gyukatsu Zen 4/5

Sirloin & Beef Tongue Gyukatsu Zen 4/5

During our visit, we sampled the Sirloin & Tenderloin Gyukatsu Zen ($29) and Sirloin & Beef Tongue Gyukatsu Zen ($32). Each steak is carefully selected from choice cuts of prime beef, coated in a koromo batter made from a secret golden ratio of breadcrumbs, flour and egg wash, then deep-fried to medium-rare perfection in fresh oil that’s changed daily. The result is a clean, crisp crust encasing juicy, tender beef within.

Each set is thoughtfully presented with a selection of condiments to complement the flavours of the gyukatsu, alongside rice, miso soup and cabbage salad. The Sirloin offers a balanced cut with just the right amount of marbling, delivering a rich, beefy flavour and satisfying tenderness. The Tenderloin provides a leaner and more delicate bite, while the Beef Tongue impresses with its thick-cut buttery texture and pleasant chew, a treat for those who enjoy something more uncommon. Diners can also sear the beef further on a personal konro (traditional Japanese earthenware grill) to their preferred doneness.

Miyazaki A5 Sirloin ½ portion 4/5

For those seeking an indulgent upgrade, the Miyazaki A5 Sirloin ½ portion ($25) is a must-try. This prized wagyu, hailing from Japan’s award-winning Miyazaki prefecture, boasts exceptional marbling and a melt-in-the-mouth tenderness that epitomises the pinnacle of gyukatsu dining. Lightly crisp on the outside and luxuriously buttery within, every bite reveals the natural richness and umami depth of top-grade wagyu beef.

Whether you’re a returning fan or new to the brand, Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu at One Holland Village offers an authentic and satisfying gyukatsu experience that truly lives up to its name.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu
One Holland Village
7 Holland Village Way
#02-46
Singapore 275478
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Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Lorong Liput. Turn right onto Lorong Liput. Walk down Lorong Liput. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

CÉ LA VI Singapore @ Marina Bay Sands - Unveiled New Menu With Modern Asian Flavours

CÉ LA VI Singapore at Marina Bay Sands unveiled a new menu that Executive Chef Joshua Bedell and his team crafted. With over two decades of culinary experience in Asian cuisine across New York, Hong Kong, and Melbourne, the new menu carries both Chef Bedell's creative touch and his team's interpretations of modern Asian cuisine.

Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Carpaccio 4.5/5

Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Carpaccio ($52) made a luxurious starter for appetisers. The thinly sliced wagyu beef had a mouthfeeling texture further boasted by creamy smoked aioli. Pickled cucumber cubes and ponzu sauce cut the richness, while caviar and shimeiji mushrooms enhanced the umami depth of the dish.

Grilled Octopus 4.5/5

The Grilled Octopus ($38), inspired by Chef Bedell's Melbourne experience, stood out with a perfectly done octopus, which enticed with a smoky flavour complemented by a vibrant yellow pepper soy sauce with a gentle kick of heat, mellowed by crisp green apple shavings.

Halibut 4.5/5

For mains, the Halibut ($38) interests with its Eastern spice crust, paired with tamarind jus and a mushroom ragout. The rich mushroom ragout was a star on its own. Its earthiness harmonised with the tanginess of the jus, creating a delicious pairing to the halibut.

A4 Miyazaki Striploin 4.5/5

The A4 Miyazaki Striploin ($130) was one of the better ones I had in a while. The beef was done on point, accompanied by grilled king oyster mushrooms, char-grilled leek, and a golden potato terrine. Tying the elements together was a rich kombu demi-glace, which brought out the flavour profile of the beef.

Roasted Cauliflower 2.8/5

The Roasted Cauliflower ($28), a signature from CÉ LA VI Dubai, was presented on a bed of creamy cauliflower purée. Almond and golden raisin crumbles provided texture and a burst of fruity sweetness, though the cauliflower could benefit from being slightly more tender.

Dulce Miso Toffee 3.5/5

For desserts, the shape of the Dulce Miso Toffee reimagines the nostalgic ice gem biscuit, encasing a sticky toffee pudding within a chocolate mousse. While flavorful, it lacked the iconic sticky pudding texture I desired.

Tropical Mango 4/5

The Tropical Mango ($18) is a delightful tribute to Thai mango sticky rice. Fresh Thai mango cubes mixed with Japanese rice cooked in coconut cream adorned with a crispy rice tuile. The tangy mango cubes balanced the sweet and creamy rice pudding. It was a much lighter option compared to the traditional version, yet equally satisfying.

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.


CÉ LA VI Singapore
Marina Bay Sands
Hotel Tower 3
1 Bayfront Avenue
Singapore 018971
Tel: +65 6508 2188
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Nearest MRT: Bayfront (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue: 12pm - 1am
Wed: 12pm - 4am
Thur, Sun: 12pm - 3pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 4am

Direction:
1) Alight at Bayfront MRT station. Take Exit C or B. Walk to Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Walk to North Tower and take lift to SkyPark. Journey time about 5 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]

SHUNSUI @ Hongkong Street - Merger of Kyuu by Shunsui and Kappo Shunsui Offering Affordable Kappo-style Japanese Cuisine

SHUNSUI, located at a secluded spot on Hongkong Street, is a new concept by the Shunsui Group, formed from the merger of Kyuu by Shunsui and 5-time Michelin Plate awardee Kappo Shunsui. It aims to offer authentic yet affordable Kappo-style Japanese cuisine with cutting-edge techniques coupled with a contemporary flair. In conjunction with its opening, Shunsui has launched a Grand Opening Dinner Special Course - the Kacho Course ($129++) consists of 10 seasonally-curated dishes made from fresh, premium ingredients from various parts of Japan (Ala Carte upgrade options available). Diners can also opt for the Shunsui Course ($179++) for additional premium delicacies.

Umeshu

We were offered a glass of Umeshu at the start to freshen up our senses.

Appetiser 4.5/5

The Appetiser teased my appetite with its sweet, savoury and creamy profile - In a martini glass, it contains aburi scallop, sweet persimmon and fig layered on top of mascarpone sauce.

Soup 4.5/5

For Soup, we had a comforting grounded long cabbage soup with deep fried kisu. The soup was sweet with a depth of savouriness. The deep-fried Kisu had a moist and tender flesh.

Sashimi Course (2 servings) 5/5

The Sashimi Course was rather spectacular, offering not just sashimi but also other elements of textures. Torched mackerel, seabream and chutoro are of different leanness and mouthfeel, and the touched mackerel stood out with its hint of smokiness. The Botan Ebi was creamy and succulent, and the Steamed Oyster with edamame and zingy apple vinegar puree provided another texture experience. I ended this course with a satisfying Pressed Anago sushi.

Uni Sashimi (2 servings)

The premium set allows you to enjoy Bafun Uni Sashimi.

Unagi and Eggplant tempura 4.8/5

For the Grill course, we were served a 'Japanese Burger', made with layering Unagi, Eggplant tempura and uni, finished with a douse of Japanese mountain pepper sauce to bind the elements together. The two crisp thin wafers were the right vehicle to deliver the rich flavours and mouthfilling texture all together in one bite.

Steamed Dish 4.5/5

Instead of Chawamushi with Snow Crab sauce, the Shunsui course offered an interesting dish made with Tiled Fish and Prawn steamed with turnip. The broth was light but flavorful, and both the fish and prawn were firm with a good bite, contrasted with steamed turnip, which had the consistency of a grated Chinese yam.

Negitoro, Shiro Ebi 4/5

The Sushi Course offers Hirame, Kinmedai, Nodoguro, Otoro and Negitoro. Shiro Ebi Sushi is offered instead of Negitoro for the Shunsui course. While the various ingredients delight with their freshness and flavours, I also appreciate the rice used for the sushi; it has a good bite, accompanied by a pleasant acidity that elevates the flavour of the sushi, balancing the richness of the fish and seafood.

Miyazaki A5 Sirloin Beef with Miso 4.5/5

The Main showcases Miyazaki A5 Sirloin Beef, with the right doneness to render the fats for its beautiful flavours. The miso is mixed with nuts and vegetables, hence it has a grainy texture that helps to spread over the sirloin, flavouring the meat evenly.

Rice 4/5

We had a bowl of overflowing Ikura Rice for the rice course, which the chef served with much gusto. There are 2 sizes to choose from - regular and small. I chose the regular bowl as the rice itself was really tasty!

Matcha, Sweet Bean Jelly with Chestnut 4.5/5

Desserts are of very different characters. On the one hand, we had a traditional Sweet Bean Jelly with Chestnut served with a cup of matcha brewed by the chef right before us. On the other hand, we had a homemade Mikan Sorbet crafted on the spot with liquid nitrogen, giving our meal a theatrical ending.

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.


SHUNSUI
17 Hong Kong Street
#01-01
Singapore 059660
Tel: +65 67237733
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Nearest MRT: Clark Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clark Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the road using the overhead bridge. Turn left and walk down New Bridge Road. Turn left onto Hong Kong Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]