IKO @ Neil Road - Transform Into Restaurant And Bar Dripping With Style And Seasonality

Hit by Phase 2 Heightened Alert and the various COVID restrictions in its initial opening, IKO at Neil Road has recently reopened with a brand new kitchen team and menu. The restaurant has even gotten Dylan Ong, chef-owner of Franco-Asian restaurant The Masses, as consultant chef in its transformation.

Fresh Oyster 4/5

We started with the Fresh Oyster from Japan. You can give the oyster a shot of sake (+$5) to perk up the enjoyment. It is my first time having oyster and sake pairing. It is a refreshing way of enjoying the oyster with the sake, giving it a subtle sweetness.

Charred Edamame 3.5/5

Great to go with a few cups of sake is the Charred Edamame ($12) paired with oyster leaf, wasabi powder and wasabi rice,

Tempura Jalapeno 4.2/5

A delightful snack I enjoyed a lot is the Tempura Jalapeno ($9) coated in a light and crispy tempura batter. Be careful when you bite into the crunchy jalapeno, as it is stuffed with hot, oozing cheese.

Salmon 3.5/5

We tried the Salmon ($19) and Scallop ($18) under the sashimi section. The presentation of the salmon sashimi is pretty with the orange and green colour combination from the kiwi ravigote, dill oil and chive. However, I felt it lacked a bit of zest to elevate the freshness.

Scallop 3.8/5

I preferred the scallop sashimi more as it carries more punches in flavour. We have mixed opinions on the gin compressed watermelon though. I felt the gin infusion of the watermelon gives the scallop a bitter finishing. But, on the other hand, if it is without the alcohol, the watermelon's sweetness may give it a more refreshing touch instead.

Tempura Soft Shell Crab 4/5

The Tempura Soft Shell Crab ($14) is usually enjoyed with mayonnaise. Still, IKO has given it an elevated twist, pairing it with avocado puree and soy cured egg yolk.

A5 Wagyu Sukiyaki 4.5/5

The A5 Wagyu Sukiyaki ($26) is a beautiful dish on the menu. There is shiitake mushroom, leek, scallion, egg yolk, and perilla in the bowl. However, the highlight has to be the fatty and tender A5 Wagyu beef.

IKO Roll 4.2/5

The IKO Roll ($24) is a delicious work of art whereby foie gras, maitake, and fig are rolled a la sushi to showcase the balance of flavours. It is finished with a shower of truffle shaving to top the enjoyment.

Pasta 4.5/5

A pasta dish on the menu is the Bucatini with charred firefly squid, ikura, tobiko and bottarga. It is a bowl of slurping goodness that is worthy of your calories.

Not Your Ordinary Rice Bowl 4.5/5

A signature at IKO is the Not Your Ordinary Rice Bowl. There are five different bowls - Classic, Simple, Fun, Sexy and Luxury. I had the tasting portion of the Luxury Bowl ($42). It comes brimming with luxe and premium seafood such as otoro, maguro, salmon, ikura, tobiko, snow crab and uni on top of the seaweed rice

Lamb Loin 4.5/5

We had the Lamb Loin ($29) from the grill, which is incredibly tender and juicy, stewed in a delicious broth made from 10 different kinds of mushrooms.

Matchamisu 4.5/5

Wrapping up our dinner at IKO is the Matchamisu ($13). It may look sort of messy, but this is one yummy dessert to save some space for.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


IKO
65 Neil Road 
Singapore 088897
Tel: +65 88665218
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12 - 3pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1. Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Duxton Plain Park. Walk along the park to Neil Road. Cross the tunnel and take the staircase to Neil Road. Walk to junction of Neil Road and Craig Road. Cross the road and walk down Neil Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Joyfulness Dining @ Kinex Mall - Introducing Chinese Zodiac Food Guide By Local Feng Shui Master Peng Song Hua

This Chinese New Year, Joyfulness Dining has invited local Feng Shui Master Peng Song Hua to match the Five Elements (Wuxing, 五行) with individuals' Chinese zodiac signs to create dishes that benefit individuals' zodiac sign and herald good fortune in the Year of the Tiger.

According to ancient Chinese traditions, everything in the universe comes from the five elements: wood, fire, earth, water, and metal. Wuxing can be applied to our food choice, whereby the energy of wood, fire, earth, water and metal can be harnessed through certain foods to help boost prosperity and fortunes.

Chicken Soup Stewed with Bamboo Fungus and Cordyceps Flowers 3.5/5

Starting with the Chinese zodiac Rat, it is recommended to have the Chicken Soup Stewed with Bamboo Fungus and Cordyceps Flowers. As the wuxing of Rat is water, it is beneficial to have food such as lotus root, lotus seed and cordyceps flowers.

Chicken with Chilli Peppers 2.8/5

I am born in the year of the Tiger in which the wuxing is wood. Hence it is recommended to have red coloured food that represents fire. Therefore it is suggested that I have the Chicken with Chilli Peppers.

Flamed-BBQ Chicken 3.8/5

Similar to Tiger, the Chinese zodiac Rabbit's wuxing is wood. Hence any red coloured food or fire which represents vitality and prosperity is good for the Chinese zodiac sign. Hence the Flamed-BBQ Chicken is such a fitting dish.

Scallops and Asparagus in XO Sauce 3.5/5

Snake's wuxing is fire, and the suitable foods are wood-based. These include green vegetables such as asparagus and mung beans. Therefore, the restaurant recommends having the Scallops and Asparagus in XO Sauce, which contains much fibre and vitamins, helps eliminate toxins from the body.

Hong Kong-styled Steamed Fish 4/5

Those born in the Horse year need to join forces with others to gain and succeed. Therefore, foods that are suitable for wuxing fire and wuxing water will be especially good for people born in the year of the Horse. Appropriate food includes fish and seafood. Hence it is recommended to have Hong Kong-style Steamed Fish.

Mushroom with Seasonal Vegetables 3.8/5

The Goat's wuxing is earth. Foods that can strengthen the earth element include tofu, mushrooms and vegetables. The Mushroom with Seasonal Vegetables is well suit to for the zodiac sign.

Black Pork with Red Wine 4/5

As the wuxing of the Monkey is metal. Foods recommended are black in colours such as black beans, black fungus and black glutinous rice. The restaurant is recommending the Black Pork with Red Wine with that in mind.

Stir-fried Carrot Cake with Beansprouts in XO Sauce

The Stir-fried Carrot Cake with Beansprouts in XO Sauce is beneficial for the Rooster as the wuxing is metal. Suitable foods are white in colour, including radish, potato, taro, sweet potato and ginger.

Dry-fried Tiger Prawns

Those born in the year of the Pig is to consume food which is "metal" in its wuxing, which are white, including scallops, fish and prawns. Hence the restaurant is recommending having the Dry-fried Tiger Prawn.

Claypot Seafood

The Claypot Seafood is good for Dog, as the wuxing is earth. Food that is "fiery" includes ingredients cooked in a clay pot, and peppery food can help improve energy levels and boost fortunes.

Of the dishes we tried, we didn't have the items for Ox and Dragon. Nevertheless, it is interesting to pair food with the Chinese zodiac. Thanks to Feng Shui Master Peng Song Hua, it is an insight into food and wuxing. While there is a good story behind each dish, I would prefer more effort to create unique dishes or use special ingredients instead of presenting dishes commonly served elsewhere.

Note: This is an invited tasting session. 


Joyfulness Dining
Kinex Mall
11 Tanjong Katong Road
#02-38
Singapore 437157
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 8am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to Sims Ave. Cross the road and walk to Tanjong Katong Road. Walk down Tanjong Katong Road to Kinex Mall. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]