Man Man Japanese Unagi @ Keong Saik Road - Teppei Lastest Unagi Specialty Restaurant

Chef Teppei Yamashita is in a roll with the opening of its latest F&B concept, Man Man Japanese Unagi at Keong Saik Road, specializing in offering Unagi dishes. The main ingredient, the eel is specially sourced and imported from Isshiki-cho of Nishio city in Aichi prefecture.

All orders are prepared freshly on the spot. The eels are fished out from the water tank and killed in full view from the open kitchen. It is then skewered and grilled over charcoal fire. Did you noticed there is no handle on the skewer? I was amazed how the chef handles the skewer with his bare hands. It must be so hot under the charcoal fire.

Hitshumabushi 4.2/5

Many of us may not know the proper way of eating the Hitshumabushi ($26.80). It is supposed to be enjoyed in 3 different ways. First you have the unagi and rice on its own to enjoy the original flavour. Second you can eat it together with the seaweed, wasabi and spring onions condiments. Lastly, you pour some tea into the rice to enjoy a subtle finishing of the rice.

Unagi Don Medium 4/5

Una Tama Don 4/5

Beside the hitshumabushi, we also tried the Unagi Don ($25.80 medium) and Una Tama Don ($18.60). It seemed that the kitchen has not gotten up to speed with the crowd, the tamagoyaki was a bit salty and pale in appearance. I think it required a couple of minutes longer in the pan.

Unagi Kabayaki 4.2/5 and Unagi Shirayaki 3.8/5

If the rice set is not able to fill you up, you may want to try the Unagi Kabayaki or Unagi Shirayaki. The main difference is the marinade sauce that gives the eel an extra coat of sweetness. I am not sure whether it was deliberate or the chef has not gotten used to the charcoal's heat, the unagi since to be more charred compare to what I have eaten. It has a distracting bitterness which I personally do not enjoy it. If you prefer to appreciate the original flavour without the sauce, then the unagi shirayaki would be for you.

A note to those who wish to visit the restaurant. The main entrance is actually at the back of Keong Saik Road. Go around the block to the back, where Duxton Plain Park is to enter the restaurant.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant
1 Keong Saik Road
#01-01
Singapore 089109
Tel: +65 62220678
Nearest MRT: Outram Park

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun, PH)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk to Duxton Plain Park. Turn right and walk to the end of the park. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes  [Map]

Sumo Big Prawn Noodle @ Blk 628 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4 Food Centre - The Ultimate Lobster Prawn Noodle Soup

A new sumo champion has been crowned in Ang Mo Kio Ave 4. Within a month, SUMO Big Prawn Noodle has wrestled its way into the food scene with food lovers travelling all the way from different corners of Singapore, queuing up to an hour to savour the champion's prawn noodle.

When I reached the stall on a Sunday afternoon, there was already a snaking queue. It took me slightly more than an hour to be able to get my food. There was 5 young men manning the stall, each has their own role and responsibility. One is in charge of the cashier and taking order, one is responsible of preparing the order and cooking the noodle, while another one is in charge of cooking the broth together with the crustaceans. The rest of the team is busy preparing the other ingredients for the food.

Lobster  & Big Prawn Noodle Soup 4.8/5

Lobster  & Big Prawn Noodle Soup 4.8/5

With a sip of soup of the Lobster & Big Prawn Soup ($24.90), I was overwhelmed by the richness and robustness of the broth. It was complex, sweet and carried the aroma of Chinese wine. It is packed with rich flavours that complement the yellow perfectly. The price may be a bit steep but it comes with a whole lobster with sweet bouncy flesh, 2 big prawns and la la clams.

Crayfish Noodle Soup  4.5/5

Crayfish Noodle Soup 4.5/5

Having queued for slightly more than an hour, I have to make my wait worthwhile. Hence I also ordered the Crayfish Noodle Soup ($13). The bowl of noodle soup is brimming with ingredients. There were 3 crayfish sliced into halves, 2 big prawns and la la clams. While the body of the broth is still the same, I thought there was a slight different. The soup was not as sweet as the lobster's one but it still had the same richness and robustness. I am not sure whether there was a bit of inconsistency here but the used of Chinese wine was a bit heavy in this bowl.

Besides the 2 dishes that I have ordered, Sumo Big Prawn also offers Prawn Noodle Soup ($5), Big Prawn Noodle Soup ($8) and Lobster Noodle Soup ($18.90) on their men. Guest will have a choice of yellow noodle or beehoon. I would highly recommend you to give Sumo Big Prawn noodle a try if you have not done so. It is worth the queue and calories. For me, there is even a more fulfilling mission to spread the words in support of these young gentlemen willing to labour in the heat and confined space. There is hope for our hawker culture. Ganbatte!


Sumo Big Prawn Noodle
Blk 628 Food Centre
Blk 628 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4
#01-72
Singapore 560628
Tel: +65 92992621
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Yio Chu Yang (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Yio Chu Yang MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Ang Mo Kio Ave 6. Cross the road. Cut across the housing estate and walk to Ang Mo Kio Street 61. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Yio Chu Yang MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Yio Chu Yang bus interchange (Stop ID 55509). Take bus number 549. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]