Tonkatsu Ma Maison @ Jewel Changi Airport - The Gold Standard For Tonkatsu

The opening of Jewel Changi Airport welcomes a number of new restaurants at the airport. One of these new restaurants is Tonkatsu Ma Maison, located on level two of Jewel Changi Airport. Known for its breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet, this is my go-to place whenever I am craving for some tonkatsu. On top of that, I can eat to my fill with the free flow serving of cabbage, rice and tonjiru

Rosu Katsu Set 4.2/5

My usual order is the classic Rosu Katsu Set ($20.80++ for 120g / $22.80++ for 160g). The deep-fried pork loin set consists of tender pork cutlet with cabbage, rice, tonjiru and pickles. Depends on your appetite, the rice comes in three sizes; small (150g), medium (200g) and large (300g). You also have the option of plain steamed rice or the healthier multigrain rice. Besides the rosu katsu, there is also the hire-katsu, the leaner pork fillet. I prefer the rosu for its fattier and juicier cut.

Mameton Set 4.2/5

If you find that everything in the menu looks good and can't decide what to order? I would recommend the Mameton Set ($25.80++). It consists of deep-fried pork loin, pork fillet and prawn. You can try each of everything. The set comes with cabbage, rice, tonjiru and pickles.

Cheese Mille-feuille Katsu Set 4.5/5

There is always a reason to re-visit with its seasonal items. Currently, the seasonal item is the Mille-feuille Katsu Fair. There are 3 items - Mille-feuille Katsu Set ($25.80++), Umeshiso Mille-feuille Katsu Set ($26.80++) and Cheese Mille-feuille Katsu Set ($26.80++).

I decided to try the Cheese Mille-feuille Katsu Set, which comes with layers of sliced pork cutlet with a cheesy core, encased in crispy breadcrumb batter. This is my new love now. The texture from the layered pork slices is even more tender than the rosu, complemented by the molten cheese. I really hope they can keep this permanently on the menu.

Tonkatsu Ma Maison has never disappointed me, and it has always maintained its quality and standard. The tonkatsu is thickly cut around 2-3cm with crispy breadcrumb batter that is delightful but not greasy. It definitely sets the "gold' standard for a good tonkatsu!

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tonkatsu Ma Maison
Jewel Changi Airport
78 Airport Boulevard
#02-211
Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 62429322
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Website
Nearest MRT: Changi Airport (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Changi Airport MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to the link bridge to Jewel. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

麺 House Yamamoto @ Raffles City - Exclusive Chicken Soup Ramen

Chef Yamamoto, the man behind the 4-time Tokyo Michelin Bib Gourmand listed Konjiki Hototogisu Ramen, has recently opened a new concept - 麺 (Men) House Yamamoto, at Raffles City. Like all his 5 outlets in Singapore, House Yamamoto has a menu exclusive to this shop, and that is Chef Yamamoto's first chicken soup ramen in Singapore. On top of the exclusive ramen, the menu also has a few vegetarian-friendly dishes.

Truffle Shio Ramen 3/5

There are steps to appreciate Chef Yamamoto's ramen. Take the Truffle Shio Ramen ($14.80), you should start off by taking a spoonful of the original soup, followed by the portion with truffle oil. Then move on to the part with oyster paste, before mixing everything together into one. I find the taste of this Truffle Shio Ramen somewhat similar to Shio Hamaguri Ramen offered at Chijmes but lacks the harmony of flavours of the latter. The white truffle oil was a tad overwhelming, but if you like truffles, that won't bother you at all.

Porcini Shoyu Ramen 4/5

The use of lemon in ramen left a deep impression when I tried Chef Yamamoto's creation at Great World City. Porcini Shoyu Ramen ($14.80) uses lemon slices as well, which brightens the broth with a soft citrusy note. The broth smells comforting and uplifting at the same time. Mushrooms are not a common ingredient in ramen, but these stir-fried porcini and button mushrooms go well with the lemony chicken soup.

Salmon Snow 3.8/5

Other than the 2 signatures, there are 3 options dedicated to salmon. This combination of chicken broth and salmon has 3 variants to it, and my choice was Salmon Snow ($14.80). Other than the slice of slow-cooked char siew, it comes with salmon flakes, arugula, lemon and sour cream. The smell of the lemon and sour cream reminded me of a sweet pastry, which was somewhat appetising. Lemon, sour cream, arugula, salmon, a classic combination of a sandwich filling being incorporated into ramen! The presence of salmon can definitely be a lot more in the ramen, and a sweeter broth may be more suitable for the flavours to stand out as well.

Porcini Gyoza 3.5/5

A vegetarian-friendly side is this Porcini Gyoza. The filling is a mixture of diced Porcini mushrooms and leeks. The gyoza skin was really good, with a perfectly seared bottom and they were not at all greasy. As for the filling, I would prefer higher mushrooms to leeks ratio for a better texture and taste. I find the leek was a bit heavy on the seasoning.

Cold Tofu 4.2/5

The Cold Tofu here is made inhouse. A straightforward dish but just by looking at the 3 different toppings on each tofu cube, you can feel the efforts and thoughts behind it.

Wings Gyoza 4/5

A crowd-pleaser is the Wings Gyoza. Connected by a crisp skirt, each gyoza was plump and juicy with a right portion of filling within each pocket. This is probably one of the better ones I have tried in a ramen house.

Chef Yamamoto's creations always depart from your regular tonkatsu ramen. A great example is the newly launched vegetarian Avocado Ramen, which I didn't get to try. On the menu, it looks really delicious with buttered corn and avocado, definitely not your usual cabbages and beansprouts kind of ramen. It will be available as of this Thursday 10 Oct 2019 onwards, so be sure to give it a try.

Written and photography 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.


麺 (Men) House Yamamoto
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
#B1-44C
Singapore 179103
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

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