Yakiniku Kura @ Woodlands - Yakiniku In Coffeeshop Serves Affordable And Good Quality Yakiniku Set Menus

Situated within 785E Woodlands Rise Food Paradise coffeeshop is Yakiniku Kura, a Japanese Yakiniku Stall offering yakiniku sets, perfect for those looking for an affordable charcoal yakiniku experience in the North. While the coffeeshop setting might not be the most suitable for yakiniku, we managed to grab a seat outside, which is more ventilated.

They offer a wide variety of set menus to cater to solo diners and large groups, starting from $7.80. It includes Pork and Chicken Set ($7.80 for 150g), Karubi and Kata-Rosu Set with Beef Short Plate and Chunk Eye Roll ($10.80 for 120g), and Wagyu Beef Steak Set with authentic Wagyu Beef Striploin ($18.80 for 120g). All sets are served with rice, soup, and a side dish (usually kimchi) for a complete meal.

We opted for the Premium Beef Platter (from S$35.80 for small), which has generous servings of short plate, chuck eye roll, oyster blade, beef tongue, meltique striploin, and short rib. All platters are served with three dipping sauces — yakiniku sauce, sweet sauce and ponzu sauce.

We also had the Wagyu Beef Steak, a top-up of S$15 for 100g of premium wagyu, and the Hokkaido Snow Pork Belly Set (from S$9.80). The meats are superbly tender, with a distinct charcoal flavour from grilling over the charcoal fire.

While you're there, don't forget to try their most popular set menus like the "Shiok" Rib Set with Premium Beef Short Rib ($14.80 for 120g) and Marbling Beef Set with Meltique Beef Ribeye/Striploin ($13.80 for 120g).

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yakiniku Kura
Blk 785E Woodlands Rise
#01-16
Singapore 735785
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Sembawang (NS Line), Admiralty (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 230pm - 1030pm
Fri-Sun: 230pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Sembawang MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Sembawang MRT station. (Stop ID 58211). Take bus number 858. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Admiralty MRT staton. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Admiralty MRT station (Stop ID 46771). Take bus number 904. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to Woodlands Rise. Turn left, cut through the housing blocks and walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

Hey! Yakiniku @ Bugis Junction - First Yakiniku To Bring In Marumi Pork, Prized For Its Odorless Sweet Fat

I am back at Hey! Yakiniku at Bugis Junction since my last visit back in August 2021 when it first open. I am back again this time because they have introduced a number of new items to their menu.

One of the new items on its menu is the Marumi Pork ($16.90 Ala Carte | $18.90 Set). I was told that they are the first Yakiniku restaurant to bring in the marumi pork for Yakiniku. Marumi pigs are raised in Kawanami-cho, Miyazaki is prized for its “odorless sweet fat”. This is my first time trying them and it really did not have the strong porky taste.

Australian Wagyu MB 4/5

Gyu Tan

Besides the pork, we also ordered a variety of beef cuts to complement the meal. We started with Australian Wagyu MB 4/5 ($19.90 for 120g | $29.90 for 180g) and Gyu Tan ($8.90 for 50g | $12.90 for 100g) which I enjoyed in my previous visit. The wagyu stood out for its beautiful marbling while the gyu tan has a delightful crunchy bite when it is cooked.

Harami

Prime Karubi

If you prefer a more textural bite, then you can go for either the Harami ($7.90 for 50g | $11.90 for 100g) or Premium Karubi ($8.90 for 50g | $12.90 for 100g). For all the different beef cut, you can add $4.90 to make it a set which comes with a bow of rice, soup and a choice of kimchi, salad or spicy beansprout.

Hey! Black Pepper Donburi

Hey! Black Pepper Donburi ($15.90) is a new item that has been launched recently. It comes with cooked sliced beef with black pepper atop a pile of beansprouts and fluffy rice. Perfect for those that is looking for a quick meal or something substantial for the big eaters.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Hey! Yakiniku
Bugis Junction
80 Middle Road
#01-92/96
Singapore 188966
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk straight down Victoria Road towards National Library. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Yakiniku Like @ Paya Lebar Quarter - Celebrate 2nd Anniversary With Limited Time Promotions

Yakiniku Like from Tokyo, Japan, which opened its first outlet in Paya Lebar Quarter, Singapore, in February 2020, celebrates its 2nd anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the restaurant has launched a limited-time promotion.

Hokkaido Snow Pork Platter

For a limited period, from 16 February to 30 April 2022, customers can look forward to savouring the Hokkaido Snow Pork Platter ($15.80 A La Carte/ $17.80 Set Meal). Known as the pork of dreams, the pork impresses with immaculate marbling, melt-in-the-mouth texture and delicate sweetness. The platter comprises 150 grams of Hokkaido pork collar, belly and tontoro (jowl). The set meal comes with a side of rice, seaweed soup, kimchi, or salad to complete the set.

Mega Meat Set

Not to be missed is the Mega Meat Set ($19.80) which you can enjoy the best of all worlds, consisting of Karubi 200g, Pork Belly and Chicken 200g served with rice, soup and a choice of kimchi or salad. This special promotion is only available from 28 to 30 April 2022.

Yakiniku Like also introduced its first branded merchandise as anniversary memorabilia – an exclusively designed Mobile Pop Socket featuring key icons of the brand. It is available in two unique designs of the brand's iconic logo and a quirky illustration of a cow wearing thick-framed glasses.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yakiniku Like
Paya Lebar Quarter
10 Paya Lebar Road
#B1-28
Singapore 409057
Tel: +65 69707397
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

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

Hey! Yakiniku @ Bugis Junction - New Yakiniku Restaurant With Set As Cheap As $8.90

Yakiniku seems to be the next new trend in the Singapore food scene. Several yakiniku restaurants opened in Singapore this year. Hey! Yakiniku is another new yakiniku restaurant at Bugis Junction offering different meat sets as cheap as $8.90.

The cheapest set on the menu is the Pork Belly & Chicken Thigh ($8.90). Besides the pork belly and chicken thigh, the set comes with a bowl of rice, miso soup and a choice of kimchi, salad or beansprouts.

We also ordered the Hey Set ($15.90), which comprises a beef short plate, skirt steak, and beef tongue. We add on more meat for an extra $4. I prefer the beef short plate for its meat to fats ratio. Not forgetting the beef tongue, which has a delightful crunch.

For the big eaters, you can also add on more meats from the a la carte menu. We had the Australian Wagyu Mb 4/5 (120g for $17.90/ 180g for $27.90). The quality is different from the other beef cuts for its beautiful marbling.

For those looking for a quick meal or something substantial, you may want to check out their donburi menu. We love the texture of beef tongue; hence we decided to order the Gyu Tan Don ($19.90). We also topped the beef tongue rice bowl with an onsen egg to complete the enjoyment.

For its opening promotion, the restaurant is offering its Karubi Set for $9.90. Hey! Yakiniku prides itself on providing customers affordable premium yakiniku cuts in a smokeless environment - No Smoke, No GST, No Service Charge!

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Hey! Yakiniku
Bugis Junction
80 Middle Road
#01-92/96
Singapore 188966
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk straight down Victoria Road towards National Library. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Yakiniku Like @ The Clementi Mall - Authentic Japanese-style BBQ Experience As Cheap As $8.80 Per Set

With the opening of its first outlet at Paya Lebar Quarter back on 03 February 2020, Yakiniku Like has opened another two more outlets at Clementi Mall and Vivocity. Yakiniku Like is known for authentic Japanese-style BBQ experience with good quality meats at affordable pricing starting from $8.80 for a set.

A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Set

The premium A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Set ($32.80) consists of three delectable cuts - zabuton, chunk and brisket. In addition, you get a bowl of rice, seaweed soup, and kimchi or salad to complete the set. You can see the beautiful marbling on the beef from the photo, giving it an intense flavour and tenderness.

Pork & Chicken Set

The cheapest set among the 11 available on the menu is the Pork & Chicken Set ($8.80). Like all the other sets, it comes with rice, seaweed soup, and kimchi or salad. It is not the best cut, but the wallet-friendly price offers a satisfying meal.

Prime Karubi

If you feel the set meal itself is not enough, you can also order the different beef cuts separately as ala carte. Among the available cuts, my favourite is the Prime Karubi. I like its sweetness and tender texture.

Unfortunately, the restaurant is hit by the Phase 2 Heighten Alert, whereby no dine-in is allowed during this period. Worried that you can order online for both takeaway and delivery during this period at https://yakinikulike.oddle.me/en_SG/

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yakiniku Like
The Clementi Mall
3155 Commonwealth Avenue West
#05-35
Singapore 129588
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 930pm

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

Yen Social @ DUO Galleria - New Offshoot Of Michelin-rated Yen Yakiniku, Extending The Art Of Grilled Meats For More To Enjoy

Yen Social is a new yakiniku restaurant located at DUO Galleria. It is a casual concept compare to its sister concept Yen Yakiniku. The new concept is spacious, and the tables are well spaced. Noteworthy is the grill sitting in the middle of each table, that cost around two thousand dollars. The suction is excellent. I left the restaurant without the greasy smell on my shirt.

Farmer Salad 4/5

We started with the Farmer Salad ($16) while waiting for the meats to be cooked. The mesclun salad with watermelon and candied walnuts tossed in an oil-based yuzu dressing is light and fruity. It is not a wow dish, but I find myself going back, again and again, to freshen up the palate after a few slices of the grilled meat.

Yukke 4/5

Before moving to the mains, we had the Yukke ($20). The raw wagyu is seasoned with Yen BBQ sauce and topped with a raw egg yolk. Break the egg yolk and give it a good toss. The bbq sauce provides the rawness with a sweet finish.

YEN Social Butcher Platter ($109 for 300g) 4.5/5

Great for sharing is the YEN Social Butcher Platter ($109 for 300g). The platter appreciates the different wagyu cut, comprising thick-cut karubi, chuck eye roll, chuck short ribs, and Australian Wagyu ribeye. Out of the five different cuts, my favourite is the thin cut chuck eye roll with moderate marbling and a sweet, umami flavour..

30 Days Dry Aged Wagyu Ribeye ($68 for 100g) 4.2/5

A special at Yen Social is their in-house dry-aged wagyu. We tried the 30 Days Dry Aged Wagyu Ribeye ($68 for 100g). Indeed the dry-aging process locked up the juice for an intense flavour.

Iberico Pork Jowl 4.5/5

For those that do not eat beef, there are pork and chicken too. We had the Iberico Pork Jowl ($14) known for the snow-like marbling.

Wagyu Beef Noodle

It is not only meats on the menu. There are staples on the menu, such as rice and noodle dishes. One of them is the Wagyu Beef Noodle ($32) that comes with chunky Japanese wagyu slow-stewed for 48 hours, daikon and local herbs. What impressed me is the rich and deep-flavoured soup. Every sip, you can taste the beef's essence and the labour behind it.

Overall, I enjoyed the quality premium cuts offered at Yen Social. However, it does not come cheap with the premium cuts. Though I did not try their signature in-house dry-aged wagyu, I heard the flavour is even more intense. It has a whisky dry-aged Wagyu ribeye on the menu, using Kavalan single malt whisky from Taiwan. Chef Jones Chen is even looking at introducing a gin dry-aged ribeye in the future.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yen Social
DUO Galleria
7 Fraser Street
#01-25/26
Singapore 189356
Tel: +65 86696788
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit E or F. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Yakiniku-GO @ The Seletar Mall - Mini BBQ Grill And Affordable Japanese Yakiniku Set Meals From $9.80

Yakiniku-GO is the latest restaurant by RE&S Enterprise, with its first-ever Yakiniku concept marks its 76th outlet in Singapore. Diners can enjoy a vast repertoire of meats, from beef, lamb to chicken and seafood, with quality meat sets from $9.80. The electric grills produce no smoke as well, so there is no lingering BBQ odour even after your meal. Ordering at the restaurant is fuss-free and contactless as diners can scan the QR code on their mobile devices to make their orders.

Yakiniku-GO Set 4.2/5

The Karubi Set starts at $9.80 for only the boneless beef short ribs (100g). For something fancier, go for their signature Yakiniku-GO Set ($20.80 for 220g), which features three popular beef cuts - Beef Short Plate, Beef Ribeye Steak and Beef Tongue, along with rice, soup, kimchi or salad. A favourite among yakiniku aficionados, the Karubi (Beef Short Plate) has a superb tenderness and juiciness. We also loved the Beef Tongue, which has a rich, deep flavour yet tastes surprisingly clean.

Value Treat Set 3.8/5

The Value Treat Set ($19.80) comes with Beef Short Plate, Beef Flap meat and chicken, served alongside rice, soup, kimchi or salad.

Double Karubi Set 4/5

The Double Karubi Set ($20.80 for 200g) comes with Beef Short Plate and Beef Boneless Short Rib, served alongside rice, soup, kimchi or salad.

DIY Niku Sushi Set 4/5

For some DIY fun, you can make your own sushi with the DIY Niku Sushi Set ($6.80). First, grill the beef short rib meat and lay the grilled meat on the sushi rice. Then, wrap with seaweed and garnish with kimchi, spring onion and sesame seed.

Wagyu Tokujou Karubi 4.2/5

Besides the value sets, we also had ala carte orders of other meats. The Wagyu Tokujou Karubi ($11.80 for 50g) is evenly marbled and said to have a marbling score of at least eight or nine out of twelve, which has a good balance of fattiness and lean meat for a melt-in-the-mouth texture upon grilling.

Harami 4/5

The Harami ($6.90 for 50g) is one of the most popular items on the yakiniku menu. The outside skirt has a deep, umami flavour and a slightly chewy texture.

Ribeye 4/5

The Ribeye ($2.90 for 50g) was also equally good, with a strip of fat that runs the middle that lends an incredible depth of flavour.

Seafood Hoiru Yaki 4/5

Other than beef, they also have a seafood alternative. Baked in foil, the Seafood Hoiru Yaki ($12.80) consists of fresh scallops, prawns, and squid in a rich teriyaki and butter sauce. Non-beef options also include chicken, lamb leg and salmon.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yakiniku-GO
The Seletar Mall
33 Sengkang West Avenue
#01-49/50/51/52/53
Singapore 797653
Tel: +65 62425939
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Sengkang (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am – 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Seng Kang MRT station. Walk to LRT station. Take LRT to Fernvale LRT station. Take Exit A. walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes [Map]