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]

Don Meijin @ Ramen Champion Bugis+ - Local Inspired Spicy Chilli Crab Tendon

If you think Ramen Champion at Bugis+ is all about ramen only, then you are wrong. It welcomes Don Meijin, a brand new donburi specialist offering a wide variety of donburi on the menu. You can get Japanese rice bowls ranging from tendon to katsudon, roast beef don to butadon using short grain Japanese rice that is specially imported from Hokkaido.

Signature Tendon 3.8/5

The Signature Tendon ($13.80) is topped to the brim with fried tempura such as prawns, asparagus, eggplant, pumpkin, salmon and kakiage. It was quite a hearty and substantial meal with the amount of rice and ingredients. While the tempura batter is light and thin, it wasn't as crispy as I would have thought. I also did not quite enjoy the pumpkin which was a bit hard in texture. If you prefer the rice to be more saucy, you can always add more of the tendon sauce which is available at the table.

For an additional $2, you can enjoy another way of appreciating the signature tendon. You are giving pot of dashi soup which you can pour into the remaining bowl of rice and have it together with the rice crisp and wasabi.

Spicy Chilli Crab Tendon 3/5

Newly introduced is the local inspired Spicy Chilli Crab Tendon ($14.80) which is similar to the signature tendon except that it is drenched in  a pool of homemade spicy chilli crab sauce. While I like the idea, I didn't think it go well together as a dish.

Pork Shogayaki Don 4.2/5

What I enjoyed more at Don Meijin is actually not their tendon but the other rice bowls. For example, the Pork Shogayaki Don ($12.80) which comes with slices of pork that is well flavoured with spicy ginger (shoga) and soy sauce, finished with a hint of mirin sweetness, goes very well with the steamy Japanese rice.

Mille Feuille Katus Don 4.5/5

My favourite has to go to the Mille Feuille Katsu Don ($12.80). Instead of deep frying the whole slab of pork loin, the pork loin is actually made by layering 14 thin slices of marinated pork loin and then coated with nama panko. Chunky and succulent while crunchy on the exterior, this is a hearty and comforting bowl of katsu don, finished off in a bed of egg.


Don Meijin
Ramen Champion Bugis+
201 Victoria Street
#04-10
Singapore 188607
Tel: +65 62381011
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Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 1030pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 1030am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Cross the road. Turn left at Victoria Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Tendon Ginza Itsuki @ Tanjong Pagar Road

Tendon Ginza Itsuki at Orchid Hotel, Tanjong Pagar is Ramen Keisuke's eighth and latest concept outlet in Singapore. The newest concept offers delightful one bowl soul food meals to the diners, served in a special porcelain bowls by Arita (a 400 year old porcelain brand from Japan).

The menu at Tendon Ginza Itsuki is very simple. There are only 2 items on the menu. Special Tendon  - Tempura on Rice ($13.90) and Vegetable Tendon - Vegetable Tempura on Rice ($12.90). Complimentary pickled cabbage are served at the table. Diners can help themselves to them. Tempura is all fried stuff, so these pickles are very thoughtful to help cut through the greasiness.

Steamed Egg 4/5

Besides the complimentary pickled cabbage, the Tendon also comes with Steamed Egg and Miso Soup. It basically is like having a set meal.

Vegetable Tendon 3.5/5

The Vegetable Tendon comes with tempura pumpkin, shiitake mushroom, lotus root, eggplant and 4 pieces of other vegetables. This is a delightful rice bowl with abundance of vegetables to fill up the stomach. The other highlight is the tendon sauce that is drizzled over the rice bowl, which lifted the flavour of the tempura and rice. The tendon sauce is also available at table side if you want to add more of it.

Special Tendon 4.2/5

My recommendation would to go for the Special Tendon that comes with 2 pieces of prawn, 2 pieces of chicken and 4 pieces of vegetables. There is even a half boiled egg hidden underneath the pile of tempura. I find that this is a more satisfying rice bowl with the prawn, chicken, egg and vegetables. Drizzled with the tendon sauce, this accentuated the flavour a notch.

I think Tendon Ginza Itsuki is really value for money with its hearty and comforting bowl of tempura on rice. It was also quite entertaining sitting at the bar counter watching the chefs preparing each tendon upon order. However be warn that you will leave the place smelling like tempura. Do spread yourself with some Febreze fabric refresher provided at the cashier counter before leaving the restaurant.


Tendon Ginza Itsuki
101 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088522
Tel: +65 62216678
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Orchid Hotel. Turn right at Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road towards the row of shop houses. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]