Ganko Sushi @ Penang Road (Dhoby Ghaut) - Enjoy 1-for-1 Promotion on New Japanese Robatayaki Menu Till 31 July 2023

Ganko Sushi debuted in Singapore in late 2021, marking its first outpost in Southeast Asia, after successful operations of its 99 restaurants in Japan and 100th in Hong Kong. The restaurant takes pride in its attention to detail and the seafood ingredients' quality. Specially selected fresh catch is flown directly from Japan up to thrice a week to ensure optimum freshness.

Under the guidance of new Head Chef Koichi Matsuda, Ganko Sushi's menu sees a smoky twist with its new robatayaki offerings. The chef brings along with him rich experience from various stints in Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan.

Robatayaki translates to 'fireside cooking', with dishes done grilled. From now till the end of the month, diners can experience the new robatayaki menu with a 1-for-1 promotion on the equivalent value of dishes. Each table is limited to only one redemption per bill while stocks last.

Deluxe Sashimi Platter 4/5

We tried several of the restaurant's signature dishes before the robatayaki menu. While the Deluxe Sashimi Platter ($77) featured very fresh and thick slices, the price tag was considerably steep.

Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura 3.8/5

The crunchy Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura ($15) consisted of three prawns, lotus root, shiitake mushroom, seaweed and more. My dining companion and I found this a little oilier and more underseasoned than we would like.

Supreme Sushi Platter, 12 Types 4.2/5

We also had the Supreme Sushi Platter ($77) featuring 12 types of sushi, with selections such as negitoro, chutoro, ebi, uni and tamago. The ingredients were fresh, with a good rice-to-topping ratio. Note that wasabi is included by default, but you can inform the staff if you prefer without. They also offer platters of smaller sizes.

Large Asparagus 4/5

Moving on to dishes from the Robatayaki menu! Though the Large Asparagus ($10) from Nagano looked unassuming, the toasted almond slices and creamy mayo-based sauce hidden underneath paired nicely with its crunch. The portion leans small.

Shiitake Mushroom 4/5

The Shiitake Mushroom ($5) uses mushrooms from Gifu. These were minimally seasoned and grilled to a lovely juiciness.

Corn 4.2/5

One of my favourites was the Corn ($15) from Hokkaido which boasted a crisp texture and a delicate sweetness. The smokiness here was light.

Big Clam 4/5

I believe the Big Clam ($20) from Aichi was lightly seasoned, as it retained that natural 'ocean' saltiness and sweetness.

Potato with Butter 4.2/5

The simple yet satisfying Potato with Butter ($5) was a pleasant surprise. The slices of grilled potatoes from Hokkaido had thin, crisp skin, and they were fragrant from the smokiness and a good amount of butter. The addition of kombu bits elevated it with an umami touch.

Warabi Mochi 4/5

Dessert was a traditional Japanese dessert, the Warabi Mochi ($8).

It was served with nutty soybean powder and sweet brown sugar that you can add based on your preference on the sweetness level.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ganko Sushi
9 Penang Road
#01-01
Singapore 238459
Tel: +65 8828 2280
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Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut MRT (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130a, - 230pm, 6pm to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Penang Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

The Oyster Bank @ Tanjong Pagar Road - Thrid Outlet With New Bar Concept And Exclusive Offerings

Nestled in a row of shophouses, The Oyster Bank at Tanjong Pagar is designed as a bar with a sit-and-stand concept. Like the youngest sibling, who often has the luxury of being more carefree and laidback, this third space exudes much more of that easy-going and relaxed vibes than the first two outlets.

Assorted Oysters 4.5/5

The Oyster Bank offers Japanese oysters in their freshest original state and with various condiments to jazz them up a little. Out of the three we tried - Kimchi Cucumber ($4.75), Tosazu Combu ($4.75), and Uni Ikura ($9.90), I enjoyed Kimchi Cucumber the most, while I find the latter a tad too briny.

Salmon Crudo 4/5

Salmon Crudo ($18) was an enjoyable starter. The thick-cut salmon sashimi was enlivened with a nutty and zesty wafu goma sauce, with extra crunch and freshness from julienned green apple.

Pork Kushiyaki 3.5/5

Pork Kushiyaki is a superb bar food if you intend to drink and sip your day away. Served with fermented apple puree and shiso oba to cut the richness of these fatty morsels, they were tender with flavoursome caramelised bits of fats. However, the layers of fats were pretty thick. It would have been even more delish if the cut was smaller to achieve more charred surfaces.

Hamachi Kama 3.8/5

Hamachi Kama ($36/2 pcs) with ginger ponzu sauce and kosho daikon was tasty too. The accompanying dipping sauce was perfect for the fish.

Chargrilled Octopus 3.8/5

The Chargrilled Octopus ($32) was delicious, but the dish's name is misleading. It is more of a rich potato cream soup with chunks of octopus. The bonito potato espuma was rich and buttery, laced with smoky bonito flavours that reinforced the octopus's chargrilled taste. However, the shiso chimichurri sauce lacked the acidity to enliven the dish.

Ikura Kaisen Don 3/5

Ikura Kaisen Don ($38) features Hamachi slices, hokkaido scallops, tuna, uni and ikura. It tasted all right but lacked brightness and excitement.

Warabi Mochi

Cha-Niwa Ice Cream

The desserts were simple but satisfying. The stars were definitely the two ice creams featured - Warabi Mochi ($14) with sea salt ice cream and Cha-Niwa Ice Cream ($12) featuring yuzu gel and matcha ice cream.

Pop Goes The Weasel, Umeshu Daze

Do give the cocktails a go ($25 each). One of our popular ones was Pop Goes The Weasel, a twist to the Bellini cocktail - bubbly with a popsicle of your choice, strawberry or passionfruit. Umeshu Daze is an excellent sour with bourbon and aged umeshu.

Garden of Eden, Chrysanthemum Osmanthus Gin

We also had 2 others with more floral notes - Garden of Eden and Chrysanthemum Osmanthus Gin. Check out their Happy Shucking Hour (for oysters): Monday to Friday 3-8pm, Saturday to Sunday all day. The all-day promotion is valid till 30 June 2023

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.


The Oyster Bank
39 Tanjong Pagar Road
#01-02
Singapore 088462
Tel: +65 69707662
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Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue: 3pm - 11pm
Wed-Fri: 3pm - 12midnight
Sat: 12pm - 12midnight
Sun: 12pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Turn left onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Sen-ryo @ ION Orchard - Japanese Restaurant Hailing From Tochigi, Japan Opens In Singapore

Established in Tochigi, Japan, in 1999, Sen-ryo has opened its first Singapore outlet in ION Orchard. Behind its well-known exceptional authentic Japanese cuisine is a team of shokunin (artisan chefs), using only quality ingredients imported from Toyosu Fish Market and around the world. Sen-ryo is very well -received in Hong Kong as well when it first started there in 2005 and has since grown to 13 outlets there. In Singapore, sen-ryo wishes to bring you premium but pocket-friendly creations that promise affordable luxury at its best, which includes a range of specially created Singapore-exclusive dishes.

Sen-ryo Tamagoyaki with Mentaiko Sauce 4.5/5

Sen-ryo Tamagoyaki with Mentaiko Sauce ($2.80) speaks a lot about the team's effort to make every dish exquisite. The Singapore-exclusive Sen-ryo Tamagokyaki with Mentaiko Sauce is a house signature comprising a beautifully done traditional Japanese omelette hand-made and branded with its logo. The pure mentaiko sauce not only looks pretty in pink against the yellow omelette, but it also acts as a natural flavour enhancer to the sweet omelette.

Otoro 4/5

Along with that, we also had Otoro ($24) sashimi.

Soft Shell Crab and Mango Nama Haru Maki 4.5/5

The Soft Shell Crab and Mango Nama Haru Maki ($16.80) is a very interesting starter made for our tropical weather. Featuring fresh slices of mango, onion strips, lettuce and addictive crispy deep-fried soft shell crab wrapped in Vietnamese rice paper, I appreciate the attention paid to the dish's execution. The mango was kept very chilled, and that elevated the enjoyment of the dish. The accompanying mango puree sauce was spicy, sweet and tangy, bringing all elements together in harmony.

DIY Hokkaido Uni 4/5

The sushi and grill counter highlights include this DIY Hokkaido Uni ($58) platter, something not often seen in traditional Japanese restaurants. The platter is made of half-board of premium uni (sea urchin) from Hokkaido with fresh sushi rice, ikura (salmon roe), Japanese cucumber strips and sheets of roasted seaweed. So have fun wrapping your uni maki roll!

Sen-ryo Sushi 3.8/5

Maguro (Akami) with Shio Koji Negitoro 3.8/5

The Shokunin Sushi series showcases the restaurant's inventive handcrafted creations, in which I had the signature Sen-ryo Sushi ($8.80). It is a layering of uni, negitoro (minced fatty tuna) and ikura atop premium sushi rice. I also had the Maguro (Akami) with Shio Koji Negitoro ($6.80), in which a slice of tuna is boosted with a dollop of minced fatty tuna seasoned with fermented salt seasoning. Both encompassed a luscious texture, but I feel the rice can be less compressed for a more cohesive sushi.

Kaisen Dobin Mushi 3.5/5

What will complement these cold dishes is the Kaisen Dobin Mushi ($6.80), a traditional Japanese seafood broth served in a teapot. I first knew it as 'teapot soup', and this dainty teapot is filled with scallops, prawns, clams and shimeji mushrooms. Made with red snapper dashi, a squeeze of the lemon enlivened the clear soup. Not the best I had, but decent.

Grilled Chicken Thigh in Charcoal Style Sauce 3.8/5

We had Grilled Chicken Thigh in Charcoal Style Sauce ($7.80) and Grilled US Beef Tenderloin and Foie Gras ($28) from the grill section. The chicken is prepared by grilling the meat on high heat and smearing it with a specially imported charcoal-infused sumiyaki sauce. Hence you got a very intensely flavoured caramelised sauce coating the chicken.

Grilled US Beef Tenderloin and Foie Gras 4.2/5

A much more indulgent version will be this Grilled US Beef Tenderloin and Foie Gras ($28), available exclusively in Singapore. I reckon you should go for this if it is your first trip to sen-ryo. The flavourful sauce is made with the juices of the meat, mirin and black pepper, and when it came sizzling hot, it was simply mouthwatering.

Kaisen Soy Nabe 4.8/5

My favourite of the feast is the Kaisen Soy Nabe ($32) comprises a unique milky base made with Japanese soy milk and dashi. It comes brimming with King Snow Crab legs, scallops, Kuzukiri noodles, carrots, vegetables and shiitake mushrooms. The best part of the hotpot is the soul-nourishing soup and the extremely chewy Kuzukiri noodles. I only hope there is more of the beautiful soup.

Mizu Warabi Mochi 3.5/5

Cream Catalana with Mixed Berries 4.5/5

For dessert, we tried Mizu Warabi Mochi ($5.80) and Cream Catalana with Mixed Berries ($9.80). The Mizu Warabi Mochi is a jiggly clear jelly 'mochi' served with roasted soybean powder and black sugar syrup. As for the Cream Catalana with Mixed Berries, it is a velvety custard served with fresh berries.

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.


Sen-ryo
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#03-14
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 69746782
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am to 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

HIRYU @ Tras Street - Inventive Japanese Cuisine But I Failed To See The Innovation & Creativity

HIRYU at Tras Street positioned itself as one that specialises in inventive Japanese cuisine, through the blend of Eastern traditions and Western influences. Helmed by head chef Raymond Tan who is known for his exquisite and contemporary culinary techniques among his regulars. He led the acclaimed Japanese restaurant Sushi Jin by award-winning Les Amis Group as well as Sushi Murasaki and Kurama Robatayaki, which he opened in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Both omakase and ala carte menus are available, updated seasonally according to the availability of the Japanese ingredients.

Tai Carpaccio 2.8/5

Starting off our lunch was Tai Carpaccio (available ala carte). Thinly-sliced white fish (snapper) with Shio Konbu, chives, shaved truffles, drizzled with truffle soy sauce. Thinly cut, yet each slice was full and luscious in the mouth. However, none of its flavours managed to seep through that thick coating of truffle oil. Being one of the most prized fish in Japan, it was a mistake to suffocate this beautiful plate of fish with that grease.

Uni & Toro Truffle Bruschetta 3.5/5

Anointed with gold flakes, here we had Uni & Toro Truffle Bruschetta (available ala carte). I overheard one of his regulars asking for it and I could see why. The seasoned Japanese chopped tuna was really rich and fatty, lending a boost of texture to the accompanying sea urchin, whose custardy texture reinforced that decadent mouthfill. The housemade toast had been buttered for extra aroma which made it even more heavenly but what I didn't appreciate was the truffle oil that trickled down my fingers simply because there was just too much of it. Instantly, I reminisced my first encounter with a Uni Bruschetta which took place at Terra. The execution was relatively cleaner - with just a dash of citrusy from a 6-month old homemade preserved lemon to highlight the key ingredient.

Hiryu Wagyu Sando 3.5/5

A crowd pleaser is the Hiryu Wagyu Sando (available ala carte). Indulge in the extravagant toast featuring char-grilled Miyazaki A5 Wagyu and sea urchin jam. I like how the toast help to sop up the flavours, fats and juice from the wagyu. A lot less on the salt level would be good as those on my plate had sort of blanketed the flavours from coming through. The delicate Uni was completely overshadowed.

Uni Tempure 4/5

When all things seemed so opulent, the unassuming Uni Tempura (available ala carte) captivates with its simplicity. Deep-fried in seaweed, that gives the mushy ingredient a lovable crunch and the accompanying sweet house-made Anago sauce complements its oceany flavour well.

ToroToro Caviar 4.2/5

Botan Ebi 4/5

Lunch omakase includes sushi and we had the ToroToro Caviar and Botan Ebi. I was quite amazed by the level of satisfaction I got from these small bites. I love the former alot with just toro toro and rice, coupled with a touch of seasoning, that allows me to relish its flavours fully. An unusual partnership between Ebi and Foie Gras, the latter delivers another kind of pleasure. The ebi was so sweet and succulent, it was not at all weighed down by the slab of rich foie gras.

Chilled Truffle Angle Hair 3/5

There are two 'Signature Donburi' items found on the Omakase options as well as the ala-carte menu, one of which is Chilled Truffle Angle Hair. Served in an exquisite handmade wooden box, drawing it open reveals a beautiful display of Sakura shrimp, scallop, sea urchin and caviar in cold angel hair pasta, topped with shaved black truffle. The firm and sweet fresh scallop was ideal for the chilled pasta and the savoury crispy Sakura shrimps made it quite moreish. I don't think the truffle oil works as a right agent to pull the ingredients together, especially when the Uni was masked by it.

Wagyu Claypot Rice 3.8/5

The Miyazaki A5 Wagyu Claypot Rice was our grand finale. After numerous trials and errors, this special claypot is picked for its ability to deliver the desired result that Chef Raymond has in mind. Interesting, there was no burnt rice (although I was very much dying for some), there was this elusive wok hei fragrance lingering in my mouth after each bite.

Slow-cooking the Miyazaki A5 Wagyu in the heat of the claypot rice is meant to keep the meat tender, while the rice remains plump and grainy. But given that beautiful marbling, I can imagine how just a little sear will do to release that juice and flavour trapped within the fats, something that slow cooking can't achieve. For a more varied texture too. Good for 4 pax, each portion is quite substantial. Besides Wagyu, in the "Choose Your Style" menu section, you can choose from a variety of meats such as Lamb Rack, Iberico Pork or Seafood that can be prepared in various styles.

Shingen Yuzu Mochi 3/5

For dessert, we had Shingen Yuzu Mochi. I thought 'Japanese Raindrop Cake" is a thing of the past but Chef Raymond revives it with a refreshing Yuzu twist. Found on the omakase dessert option as well as the ala-carte menu.

Warabi Mochi 3.5/5

I would recommend the rustic Warabi Mochi instead, which is also made in-house, covered with a nutty soybean powder and drizzled in Kuromitsu syrup. I love the matcha powder which has a slight bitterness to balance the sweetness. When everything is all about hyper and new, this brings me back to presence.

I feel an inventive Japanese cuisine can be more than uni, truffles and piling premium ingredients on top of one another, which in some cases, one gets undermined. When most of these ingredients are so delicate, they deserve to a single spotlight on them. At Hiryu, perhaps, ala carte would be a more satisfying experience by choosing a few of its creative and bold dishes to wow your senses.

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.


HIRYU
39 Tras Street
Singapore 078978
Tel: +65 67889188
Facebook
Website 
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right on Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Unagiya Ichinoji Dining @ Eat At Seven (Suntec City Mall) - Exclusively Available Here, XL Unagi Bara Chirashi And Unagi Gozen

With the successful opening of its first-ever overseas outlet, Unagiya Ichinoji by Miyagawa Honten at Robertson Quay, the restaurant has opened its second outlet - Unagiya Ichinoji Dining at Eat At Seven, Suntec City Mall. The new outlet offers an expanded menu with more selections. There are two items that are exclusively available at Unagiya Ichinoji Dining. The XL Unagi Bara Chirashi ($62.80) and Unagi Gozen ($46.80).

XL Unagi Bara Chirashi 3.5/5

The XL Unagi Bara Chirashi comprises of tuna, salmon, yellow tail, scallops, takuan, cucumber, eggs, seaweed and the restaurant's grilled eel, layer on top the vinegary sushi rice. The portion is huge, it probably can serve 4 to 6 pax. While the serving is a delightful sight with vibrant colour, I find the topping is slightly too little to go with the amount of rice in the bucket.

Unagi Gozen 3.5/5

For those that likes variety, then the Unagi Gozen will be the preferred choice. Served in a bento box, it variety consists of unagi with rice, A1-grade Hokkaido wagyu beef, braised Iberico pork belly, tempura prawn, tempura pumpkin, sashimi tuna, yellow tail and ikura, miso soup and warabi mochi. This is a meal by itself.

Hitsumabushi 4/5

If you are just after the unagi, then I would recommend the original Hitsumabushi ($29.80). For those not familiar, there are three ways of appreciating this. First is to have it on its own to relish the eel's flavour. Second is to have it together with the seaweed, wasabi and green onion for an addition lift in flavour. Lastly, which is also my favourite way is to pour the clear dashi and mixed it together with the condiments.

When Unagiya Ichinoji first opened in Singapore, there were some negative reviews in the quality of the unagi used. The management has since changed it supplier and the eel I had is more meaty and fatty now.


Unagiya Ichinoji Dining
Suntec City Mall
Eat At Seven
3 Temasek Boulevard
#03-307
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 62688043
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line, DT Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]