Kakurega (The Lair) 隠れ家 @ Smith Street - Brand New Yakitori & Sake Bar In The Heart Of Chinatown

Kakurega (The Lair) 隠れ家, located along Smith Street of bustling Chinatown, is a Japanese Sake Bar housed in a three-storey high shophouse that allows you to relish a range of curated sake over scrumptious charcoal-grilled yakitori. The sake bar's ambience is cosy with neatly spaced private rooms.

Eihire, Kawaebi Karaage, Kawahagi 4.5/5

For a start, we had a platter of Eihire - Sun-Dried Stingray Fin ($7.80), Kawahagi - Dried Leather Jacket ($6.80) and Kawaebi Karaage - Deep-Fried Kawa Shrimp ($7.80). They were absolutely delicious and immediately got my appetite going. Eihire may look kind of dry, but it actually had a very chewy texture that made it very moreish. In fact, they all were. Even the Deep-Fried Kawa Shrimp were crunchy and surprisingly meaty given their tiny size.

Shime Saba Aburi 4/5

I would also recommend sharing a plate of the Shime Saba Aburi - Flame-Seared Cured Mackerel ($10.80). It looks kind of lonesome to be served as it is. I can imagine enjoying its meatiness and intense flavours over a few servings of sake.

Gyu Tataki 4.5/5

From the Sumi-Yaki (Charcoal Grill), we had the popular Gyu Tataki ($18.80). A 230g Meltique Beef with Garlic Chips. The grilling was done perfectly, rendering its fats, and laced its flavours with a layer of smokiness.

Hotate Mentai 4.5/5

Another dish that delivers is this Hotate Mentai - Scallop with Mentai Sauce ($6.80). The scallop itself was plump and succulent, and what made it so satiable was the the thick layer of mentai sauce that added a rich mouthfeel and texture to the sweet morsel.

Apsara Bacon, Tori Momo, Buta Enoki 4/5

The spread of Kushi-Yaki at Kakurega is hearty and scrumptious. We had Apsara Bacon - Asparagus wrapped in Bacon, Tori Momo - Chicken Thigh, Buta Enoki - Enoki Mushroom wrapped in Pork ($3.80 each). Kakurega also offers Course Sets priced at $68 (Kaku-Classic) and $98 (Rega- Premium) for the best of Kakurega’s popular grilled items and Kushi-Yaki skewers.

Chashu Ringo Sauce, Mozzarella Chizu Maki 4.5/5

One of my favourites of the evening is the Chashu Ringo Sauce - Pork Belly with Apple Sauce ($6.80). I love the refreshing tart sweetness of the apple sauce that glazed over the pork belly, giving it enough acidity to cut through the meat's richness. The smokey caramelisation on the chashu was divine. Equally mouthwatering is the cheesy Mozzarella Chizu Maki - Creamy Mozzarella wrapped in Beef Short Plate ($6.80).

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.


Kakurega (The Lair) 隠れ家
12 Smith Street
Singapore 058926.
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Website
Tel: +65 62230102
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 5pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Pagoda Street. Turn right onto Trengganu Street. Walk down Trengganu Street. Turn left onto Smith Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Old Airport Road Zheng Zong Lor Mee @ Tampines Street 43 - Sisters Of Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee Open Own Stall

Have you tried the famous Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee at Old Airport Road hawker centre? Recently the sisters of Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee has opened their own stall at Tampines Street 43. The stall name is Old Airport Road Zheng Zong Lor Mee, located at the coffeeshop beside the market. As words get around of their opening after seven months, there is a constant snaking queue for their lor mee now.

Lor Mee 4.5/5

I heard that the sisters start the day as early as 130am to start preparing the gravy and ingredients in order to open the stall by 6am. That is a lot of hard work behind a comforting bowl of noodle in a thick and viscous gravy.

The Lor Mee ($4/ $5/ $6) comes in three sizes. We have the largest portion loaded with shredded batang fish, braised pork, braised egg, beansprouts and parsley. The serving is very generous. Not forgetting the garlic and vinegar, which is the soul of a good bowl of lor mee. You can also add a dollop of chilli sauce and some chopped chilli to spice up the enjoyment.

I have not tried Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee, but accordingly, to my friends, the gravy is lighter in flavour in comparison. For a first-timer like me, I find it acceptable and well balanced. It definitely makes the spot as one of the top lor mee stalls in Singapore.

Apparently, the stall also sells prawn noodle. I didn't try it, but if you do, do let me know whether it is good? 


Old Airport Road Zheng Zong Lor Mee
Blk 477 Tampines Street 43
#01-192
Singapore 520477
Tel: +65 97126849
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Nearest MRT: Tampines East (DT Line), Tampines (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Thu-Tue: 6am - 1pm
(Closed on Wed)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station. Take Exit A or D. Walk to Tampines Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 28, 29, 293 or 553. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tampines East MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across the housing estate. Walk to Tampines Street 42. Cross the street and continue to Tampines Street 43. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]