Masizzim @ 313 Somerset - Expanded Menu Offering Shabu-Shabu, Crabmeat Egg Roll & More

The popular Korean restaurant, Masizzim has expanded their menu, offering new dishes such as Shabu-Shabu, crabmeat egg roll and spicy octopus. The new dishes will be available at both the 313 Somerset and Westgate outlets.

Shabu-Shabu 4/5

The newly launched Shabu-Shabu comes in spicy and non-spicy soup base. Customers have a choice of pork collar ($17.90 single portion), beef short plate ($19.90 single portion) or premium wagyu beef ($24.90 single portion) for the their shabu-shabu. Each shabu-shabu set also includes a bowl of assorted vegetables and mushrooms, Korean ramyeon and dipping sauces. Diners can also request for add-ons which is available at a nominal price.

Bulgogi Rice Ball Pork and Beef 4.2/5

Following their popular seafood-based rice balls, Masizzim has added new renditions incorporating Bulgogoi Fried Pork ($9) and Bulgogi Fried Beef ($10) into the mixed grain rice with seaweed, kimchi and sesame seeds. If you are new to the dish, it is served in a deconstructed bowl whereby customers need to get their hand dirty, to shape their own rice balls.

King's Ribs 3.5/5

Slow cooked to fork tender in Masizzim's secret stew sauce is the King's Ribs ($16.90). It is then stir fried with capsicums, red dates, king oyster mushrooms, chilli powder and sesame seeds. Unfortunately I find the sauce a bit too sweet for my liking.

Spicy Octopus 3.8/5

Another new dish on the menu is the Spicy Octopus ($17) served in a bed of blanched beansprouts. I thought the sauce can be more fiery. Customers can also eat it like a wrap, wrapping the baby octopus in the soft tortilla. I feel that the restaurant can serve more of the soft tortilla as it goes really well with the spicy octopus and beansprouts.

Crabmeat Egg Roll 4.5/5

Last but not least, my favourite item of the expanded menu is the Crabmeat Egg Roll ($12.90). This is great for sharing. Stuffed with real shredded crabmeat and seaweed, the omelette is sweet, fluffy and pillowy. One word - Oishii!

Overall I feel that diners will enjoy the new dishes at Masizzim and it has given diners more choices and reasons for a re-visit. Moreover, the price is pretty reasonable.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Masizzim
313 Somerset
313 Orchard Road
#B3-02
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 65095808
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 11pm

Direction: 
Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to 313 Somerset. Take the escalator to basement 3. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

SG Pho House @ North Bridge Road - New Vietnamese Restaurant By True-blue Vietnamese Lady Boss

SG Pho House is a newly opened Vietnamese restaurant, nestled in one of the shophouses along North Bridge Road. The lady boss is a true-blue Vietnamese and with her leading the kitchen together with her own team, expect real Vietnamese flavours in your pho as well as other dishes.

Its interior is probably one of the closest to that of those eating places I had been to in Vietnam, perhaps what's missing are the little stools for a morning beer. Shiny mental foldable tables with much sturdier legs that are built to last, these dining tables are actually imported from Vietnam. The menu is fairly simple, offering Beef and Chicken Pho, Vermicelli, Rice varieties and sides.

Mango Salad 4.2/5

Seafood Spring Rolls 3.5/5

For sides, we had Mango Salad ($6.90), Fresh Spring Rolls ($3.90) and Seafood Spring Rolls ($4.90). I'm really pleased with their mango salad which comes with fried shallot, shrimps and sliced pork. The acidity is just right and I could taste the citrusy of the lime juice. What I really appreciate is how the shrimps and pork are being sliced to align with the shredded mango, hence there is a bit of everything in each bite. As for the spring rolls, I thought the fresh ones are kind of flat, while there is definitely a lot more going on with the fried seafood version.

Beef Vermicelli Soup, Hue's Style 3.5/5

I was told that different style of pho uses different bases. The traditional beef noodle soup, Hue style vermicelli soup, chicken noodle soup and even Thailand style (Tom Yum) vermicelli Soup have a different soup base. The sweetness and flavours are not from MSG but a concoction of imported Vietnamese herbs, spices and their solid good broths. For the mains, we had Beef Vermicelli Soup, Hue's Style ($7.90), Rice Spaghetti Soup with Crab Meat ($9.90) and Grilled Pork Vermicelli ($9.50). The broths here are indeed the soul of the dishes. What hit my senses first was the sweetness of the broths, born from hours of simmering bones and marrow. There is depth to it, accented with herbs and spices. Served alongside the beef vermicelli soup is not just your usual plate of basil and beansprouts but with a pile of shredded kang kong to provide an extra crunch and freshness to the overall taste.

Rice Spaghetti Soup with Crab Meat 3/5

Their Rice Spaghetti is similar to our local Mee Tai Mak. The soup is made with pork bones which explains the unexpected level of sweetness. I thought it was just going to be a mediocre soup base. I like the homemade meatballs which reminds me of how a yummy minced meatball make a difference to a bowl of handmade noodle soup. However, the crab meat which is supposed to be the star of the dish was rather dry and bland, hence a better option may be their vermicelli soup with seafood only.

Grilled Pork Vermicelli 3/5

As for the Grilled Pork Vermicelli, although it didn't pack much surprises, it is a crowd pleaser with very well marinated juicy pork chop. And it is not at all boring when a bowl of it comes with a pork spring roll and a grilled fermented pork, akin to a sausage.

Vietnamese Coffee 3/5

One thing I learnt from this lunch is the similar to how a Hong Kong evaporated milk made its mark in a Hong Kong milk tea, Vietnamese have their own version of condensed milk as well, which apparently is less sweet than our local ones. True enough, even though our Avocado milkshake and Strawberry milkshake were made with big spoonfuls of their condensed milk, they turned out creamy and milky without being cloying. My Vietnamese version of 'Piccolo' was fine too, though I wish it could be a lot stronger.

Out of malls and away from the crowd, I quite enjoy the rustic atmosphere of SG Pho House which elevates the experience of tucking into their hearty broths and dishes. The chicken noodle soup is highly recommended by the owner so when you need a alternative chicken soup for your soul one of these days, do drop by!

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.


SG Pho House
774 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198742
Tel: +65 62998774
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk down North Bridge Road towards Ophir Road direction. Continue walking North Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]