Showing posts with label Sumiyaki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sumiyaki. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Charcoal-Grilled & Salad Bar Keisuke @ Paya Lebar Square - A Free-flow Salad Bar Worth Going Back For

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Charcoal-Grill & Salad Bar Keisuke at Paya Lebar Square embodies the concept of sumiyaki (charcoal-grill), in which food items are slow-grilled over hot charcoal. Uses only bincho-tan imported from Japan, such Japanese white charcoal not only burns cleanly with a high steady heat, it also has alkalised heat which neutralises the harmful acids that occur during cooking. Cooks four times faster than gas, they are known for producing food that are tender and succulent as any loss of moisture and flavour during cooking is being minimized.

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The free-slow salad bar, with more than 30 types of Japanese side dishes and fresh vegetables is impressive. And I do want to come back simply because of this salad bar.

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I love the pickled cabbage and celery, which serves as great appetizers while waiting for my grilled items to be served. Another of my favourite is the Chasoba salad, tossed with mushrooms and wakame.

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You can choose from 6 types of salad dressing, and this Honey Miso Ginger dressing makes all greens devilish.

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Atka Mackerel 2.8/5

Focusing on traditional fish dishes well liked by the Japanese, each set meal comes with miso soup and onsen egg. What I find a nice touch is the serving of Japanese rice cooked traditionally in a small iron pot, served to each diner. One of the specialities here is the Charcoal Grilled Dried Atka Mackerel ($14.90), a fish not commonly served elsewhere. The soft bones are not an issue at all, as I do enjoy taking my time to slowly pick off meat from the bones but in between bites there was slight bitterness, especially the burnt parts.

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Miso Marinated Black Cod 3/5

The Charcoal Grilled Miso Marinated Black Cod ($21.90) was definitely more satisfying, especially the fatty part. Pairing the meat with the little items at the side also helps to enrich the texture of the meat, especially that cube of grilled cheese that is served in every set. However, it was not as moist, tender and flaky as I expected it to be. In fact, some parts were rather stiff.

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Coffee Jelly 4/5

But I guess that can be forgiven when their Coffee Jelly tastes so good! This fellow diner was exclaiming how good it is as he drowned his coffee jelly with scoops of the cream sauce. Nope, he wasn't exaggerating at all. While most jelly are simply sugar and colouring, this bitter-sweet version with cream carries reminiscences of a Viennese coffee. With this, I don't really need a coffee to end my meal afterall.

Words and photos 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.


Charcoal-Grilled & Salad Bar Keisuke
Paya Lebar Square
60 Paya Lebar Road
#B1-16
Singapore 409051
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours: 
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to decision. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Monday, February 27, 2017

The Wall @ Tanjong Pagar Road - Take A Flight To The World Of Whisky

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A new kid at the stretch of shophouses along Tanjong Pagar Road is The Wall. It is a Whisky and Sumiyaki Bar that seeks to make Whisky drinking friendlier, approachable and more enjoyable. In short even the novice can enjoy it. The best thing is it comes with a comprehensive full sumiyaki menu to go with the water of life - whisky.

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Miso Nachos 4/5

Before starting on our introduction to the world of whisky, we settled in with some munchies. First we have the Miso Nachos ($8) which is actually salted bean nachos with minced beef. The saltiness of the miso elevated the flavour of the beef and this goes well with crunchy nachos.

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Eihire  4.5/5

The Eihire ($15) is a very addictive snack. I could not help going back for more of the grilled skate fin. The more I chewed on it, the more the flavour perfumed the whole mouth.

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After checking in to a few snacks, we board our Flight - East Meet West ($37) to discover the treasured flavours of fusion. The 4 whisky we tried are Auchentoshan Three Wood (Scotland), Les Moissons (France), Yamazaki Distiller Reserve (Japan) and Kavalan Single Malt (Taiwan). With an addition $12, you get 4 skewers (Chicken Wing, Chicken Thigh, Homemade Chicken Ball, Chicken Thigh & Leeks) to go with the whisky.

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Japanese Eggplant with Miso 4/5

I always thought that eggplant is mushy but I have to say the Japanese Eggplant with Miso has changed my mind. It was actually crunchy with a nice coat of sweetness and smokiness.

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Japanese Capsicum & Minced Chicken 4.5/5

One of my favourite items is the Japanese Capsicum & Minced Chicken ($6). The flavoursome stuffed minced chicken with cartilage gives it a nice crunchy texture while the yuzu peel refreshes the palate. Simple but yet a lovely combination of flavours and texture. You don't even know that you are having capsicum.

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Grilled Squid 4.2/5

From the sea, we tried the Grilled Squid which is perfectly grilled retaining that bouncy texture. Dip it into the yakitori and grated ginger sauce for a lifted appreciation of the squid.

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Warabi Mochi 4.2/5 and Teochew Heritage 4.5/5

If you find that whisky is too strong for you, the bar actually offers a concoction of whisky cocktails showing its versatility. I tried the Teochew Heritage ($22) which is inspired from the local almond jelly dessert. The cocktail really stood out instead of being gimmicky. It has the characteristic of the local inspired dessert and more important, it tasted great. Before touching down, I was served the homemade Warabi Mochi that was so soft and pillowy, just like the clouds I saw on my flight.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Wall
76 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088497
Tel: +65 62257988
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 5pm - 1am
(Closed on Sun0

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. At Orchid Hotel turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road to the opposite side of Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk along Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]