Tamashii Robataya @ North Canal Road - Sake Shabu Shabu

I have tried many types of hotpot but Sake Shabu Shabu is a new to me. Looking for a change and uniqueness, you can hit down to Tamashii Robataya who has recently introduced the Sake Shabu Shabu on their dinner menu. The shabu shabu set comes with an appetizer and dessert of the day, minimum 2 pax to order.

Fresh Oyster 4.2/5

For the appetizer of the day, we have the Fresh Oyster to kick start the meal while waiting for the Sake hotpot to boil.

A whole bottle of Sake is used for the hotpot. Some clams are added into the sake broth to sweeten it. The Sake Shabu Shabu ($208/$358 for 2/4pax) comes with assorted vegetables, Japanese Black Pork Belly/ Loin and choice of Japanese Thin Udon or Rice.

Assorted Vegetables 4.2/5

Japanese Black Pork Belly/ Loin 4.5/5

If this is your first time having Sake Shabu Shabu, you may need a while to get used to the bitter aftertaste from the sake if you do not drink alcohol. The longer the hotpot boils, the alcohol from the sake evaporated and the sweeter it becomes.

If the alcoholic Sake Shabu Shabu is not your thing, there are also the Kurobuta Shabu Shabu ($58/pax), A3 Joshu Gyu Shabu Shabu ($78/pax), A5 Saga Gyu Shabu Shabu ($108/pax) and Kani Shabu Shabu ($118/pax) that uses dashi broth. All these set come with an appetizer, dessert, assorted vegetables, meat and choice of rice or thin udon. If you are want something special, you can try the Soy Bean Shabu Shabu ($108/$188 for 2/4pax).

A5 Grade Saga Beef 4.5/5

The A5 Grade Saga Beef with its beautiful marbling is perfect for the shabu shabu. The saga beef is full flavoured, tender and literally melted in the mouth.

Porridge 4/5

The finale of the hotpot is to pour the rice into the broth that has been infused with the essence of the cooked ingredients. An egg is added to thicken the porridge and lift the taste. I was taken aback that the porridge actually tasted sweet instead of the bitter aftertaste I got from cooking the vegetables and pork.

Wrapping up the meal is the dessert of the day. I have the Sea Salt Ice Cream while my dinner companion has the Mochi. A perfect ending to a sumptuous meal.


Tamashii Robataya
12 North Canal Road
#02-01
Singapore 048825
Tel: +65 62220316
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Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards the junction of North Canal Road and South Bridge Road. Cross the junction and continue on North Canal Road. Walk along the shophouses along North Canal Road. Look out for an alley and turn left into it. Look for the entrance to the building and take lift to level 2. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk towards North Canal Road. Continue on North Canal Road. Walk along the shophouses along North Canal Road. Look out for an alley and turn right into it. Look for the entrance to the building and take lift to level 2. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Blanco Court Kueh Chap @ Holland Drive Food Centre - A Generous and Comforting Plate of Kway Chap

During my visit to Cheng Heng Kway Chap And Braised Duck Rice at Holland Drive Food Centre, I noticed another kway chap stall, Blanco Court Kueh Chap located just 2 stalls away which is run by an old couple. My curiosity brings me back to the food centre the following week to find out which is better.

Kway 3.5/5

First we tried the Kway. Compared to their neighbour, the kway is more silky and thinner in texture. Unfortunately I preferred the thicker rice sheet from Cheng Heng which comes with a bite and is able to soak up the gravy more.

Kway Chap 3.5/5

The pale colour is already a tell tale sign that the braising sauce is lighter in taste. True enough the braised ingredients are not as tasty as Cheng Heng, lacking the rich flavour of the braising sauce.

Kway Chap 3.5/5

While the braising sauce may be lighter, I did not taste any gaminess in the innards. The serving for 2 pax is $10. The portion is also more generous and I like how the stall auntie chopped them up into big chunky piece. This is the two noticeable advantage of Blanco Court Kueh Chap over Cheng Heng.

I am not sure whether the stall is related to the popular Blanco Court Kway Chap stall at Old Airport Road. My suspicious is there are not. The stall probably used to operate from the defunct Blanco Court food centre and borrow the name when it moved to its current location. If you have any information about the stall, do feel free to let me know.


Blanco Court Kueh Chap
Holland Drive Food Centre
Blk 44 Holland Drive
#02-02
Singapore 27044
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (EW Line, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
TBA

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the underpass to the other side of the MRT station. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time is about 12 minutes. [Map]