DANRO Japanese Hot Pot @ Serangoon NEX

I was quite excited when I heard about DANRO Japanese Hot Pot opening near my neighbourhood at Serangoon Central. It is a new concept from Ministry of Food (MOF). Danro is the Japanese word for 暖炉 which means steamboat and the restaurant specialises in nabemono referring to all varieties of Japanese hot pot dishes. This is the first hot pot restaurant in Singapore serving specialty hot pots from the different regions in Japan.

photo credit: MOF

Singaporean has been introduced to ramen from different regions in Japan and many ramen outlets/restaurants have also opened here. The new concept of MOF introduces Singaporean to the hot pots from the different regions (Nagoya, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Akita, Tokyo, Nara, Shikoku, Fukuoka and Osaka) in Japan. Currently Danro offers customers a choice of 8 different broth namely, Wafu, Wafu Miso, Chicken Miso, Tonkotsu, Chicken & Milk, Chicken Spicy, Chicken Paitan and Tonkotsu Miso.

By the way it is Eat ALL YOU CAN BUFFET at DANRO Japanese Hot Pot. Singaporean loves buffet isn't it? The buffet counter offers an extensive selections of steamboat items ranging from seafood, meats, greens, many others steamboat ingredients, cooked food and desserts.

Hot Pot Ingredients

Beef and Pork

The thinly sliced beef and pork are eaten shabu shabu style  Maybe I was too hungry, I just throw them all inside the hot pot. Anyway, it is free flow. I just need to go to the buffet counter to get more.

Goma and Ponzu Sauce

For a good hot pot meal, besides the broth and ingredients the dipping sauce is as important for the perfect meal. The Goma sauce goes well with white meat while the Ponzu sauce enriched the flavour of red meat. DANRO has also specially prepared sambal chill sauce for locals who have specifically requested for this house favourite and it was also my favourite. I was totally sold.

Fresh Cold Prawn

New on the buffet counter spread is the Cold Prawn. Two ways of eating it. It can be thrown into the hot pot or just have it cold.

Spicy Chicken and Tonkosu Soup Base

DANRO uses the Ying Yang pot or what we called the half-half pot so customers can get to have choices and try the 8 different broth. I got to try the following soup base, Spicy Chicken, Tonkotsu, Chicken & Milk and Chicken Miso. Accordingly to the restaurant, Singaporean prefers the chicken and pork soup base. Wafu broth is more suitable for the Japanese palate, the local may not be able to appreciate it. My favourite among the 4 soup base I tried was Chicken & Milk.

The Japanese has hot pot with Kiritanpo (grilled rice skewer) which is a culture and tradition in Japan. Kiri means cut and tanpo means rick stick. DANRO is probably the first restaurant in Singapore to be serving this tradition Japanese food and it is complimentary for each table. Currently DANRO serves the original and miso flavour kiritanpo.

Kiritanpo is freshly handmade in the kitchen and labour intensive.  The freshly cooked Japanese rice is first pound and mash, form cylinder sticks by hand, brush special sweet sauce and miso for flavour and toasted on an open fire till the exterior is slightly crisp. The rick sticks can be dipped into the hot pot soup or enjoyed with one of DANRO's specially made dips.

We know that having steamboat takes a bit of patient for the raw ingredients to be cooked. If you are really very hungry, wary not as the buffet counter also comes with cooked food. I am not sure what is the Japanese name for the 2 dishes above so typical local term I called them the Japanese Yong Tau Foo and Japanese BaK Kut Teh.

DANRO also has a section offering deep fried food. Besides the adult, the section will be a delight for families with children.

It is a Japanese restaurant hence inevitable there is also Sushi at the buffet spread.

There is also a dessert section offering delish desserts such as jelly, cakes, ice cream and fruits.

In Japan, having hotpot with handmade kiritanpo has a significance of reunion. DANRO hopes to keep this authentically traditional to promote the culture of "nabe wo kakomu" which means sitting around the pot, providing premium quality Japanese good at affordable price for family and friends to get together. To encourage this, there are special rates for senior citizens and children.

Weekday Lunch / Dinner
Adult: $16.90++ / $22.90++
Children (12 years & below): $9.90++ / $9.90++
Seniors (60 years & above): $13.90++ /$18.90++
Students : $14.90++ / $18.90++
Members: $14.90++ / $20.90++

Weekend Lunch / Dinner
Adult: $20.90++ / $24.90++
Children (12 years & below): $9.90++ / $9.90++
Seniors (60 years & above): $18.90++ /$20.90++
Students : $18.90++ / $22.90++
Members: $18.90++ / $22.90++


DANRO Japanese Hot Pot
Serangoon NEX
23 Serangoon Central
#02-04/06
Singapore 556083
Tel: +65 66344608
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DanroSingapore
Website: http://www.ministryoffood.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Serangoon (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun & PH: 1130am - 330pm, 530pm - 10pm
Fri-Sat & Eve PH: 1130am - 330pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit B, E, H or G. Walk to Nex Shopping Mall Level 2 opposite Courts. Journey time about 3 minutes.

Steam Sia @ Hindoo Road (Little India)

From the olden days coffeeshop tables and chairs to the display cabinets with antique cameras and kitchenwares, stepping into Steam Sia felt like walking into a museum reminiscing the good old days. The kitchen is helmed by Chef Seah who is formerly from Jin Shan Lou in Marina Bay Sands. Steam Sia offers an extensive menu featuring Nonya cuisines to western delights.

At the bistro entrance, there is even a kachangputeh kisok that has good old days games and snacks. Customers can help themselves to the games and complimentary snacks while waiting for the food to be served.

I particularly like this cozy corner at Steam Sia, it remembers me of my living room in the late 70s.

Seafood Stuffed Sailing Boat 3.5/5

The Seafood Stuffed Sailing Boat ($8.90) is oven baked potatoes topped with seafood. Shaped like a sailing boat, I like the fact that the potatoes came with the skin. It gave that nice extra texture contrast. Topped with seafood, the creamy sauce was a perfect marriage for the ingredients.

Grilled Salmon with Fruit Salsa 4/5

My girlfriend enjoyed the Grilled Salmon with Fruit Salsa ($18.90) the most. The salmon was cooked to perfection. Cutting into the salmon revealed the pinkish fish meat while the exterior was grilled to a nice crisp. Accompanied by the refreshing and fruity salsa, it was a excellent pairing.

Tom Yam Spaghetti with Seafood 3.8/5

We already have eateries serving chilli crab and laksa spaghetti, I was eager to try this fusion creation, Tom Yam Spahetti with Seafood ($16.90). Taste wise, the dish has potential with very distinct and robust flavours. Unfortunately it was a tad salty during my visit. However, I believe with a little quality control on the salt, this can be another fusion pasta dish that the new generation will enjoy.

Nonya Curry Chicken 4.2/5

I was looking forward to try the Nonya Curry Chicken ($12.90 for 1pax, $20.90 for 2pax) with potatoes and carrots served with bread. Many that have visited the bistro gave good reviews for their curry. I was even told that the Indians at Little India also like their Nonya style curry. So did it disappoint me? No it did not. I have always prefer Nonya curry to the Chinese curry because of the thick gravy and spices used. The nonya curry chicken also came with large pieces of tender chicken that is rather value for money.

Singaporean probably will know how crowded Little India can be during the weekends. I like the fact that Steam Sia is located at the quieter side of Little India away from the crowd where I can enjoy a peaceful meal. As the vicinity does not offer many non Indian food eateries, Steam Sia will be a good alternative choice for a different. With more budgets hotels being built in the area, it may also offer the foreigners a cheaper meal alternative and an insight of Singapore in the 60s to 80s.


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Steam Sia
5 Hindoo Road
Singapore 209107
Tel: +65 63966585
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SteamSia
Website: http://www.steamsia.com/
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line), Little India (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 12 Midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit A or G. Walk down Upper Serangoon Road and turned left into Hindoo Road. Journey time about 8 minutes.

2) Alight at Little India MRT station. Take Exit E. Turn right and walk down Buffalo Road. Turn left onto Upper Serangoon Road. Turn right into Hindoo Road. Journey time about 10 minutes.