Cafe Usagi TOKYO @ Suntec City - Featuring Mochi Creations, Teas And Other Modern Japanese Desserts

Cafe Usagi TOKYO opened its space late last year in Suntec City, with a second kiosk recently introduced at 111 Somerset. "Usagi" translates to rabbit in Japanese, and decorations in the cafe are in line with its name.

Led by Japanese Chef/Creative Director Yuka Shigeno and co-founder Artini, the cafe features a range of Japanese desserts with modern twists, focusing on mochi and tea-based creations. Coming 9 and 10 April 2023, enjoy a 1-for-1 Mochi Ice Cream Promo at their Suntec City outlet (limited to 2 orders per customer, while servings last).

Strawberry Daifuku 4/5

All of Cafe Usagi's desserts are crafted in-house, including the Strawberry Daifuku ($6.90). It was well-liked among my dining companions. Wrapped in freshly made soft and chewy mochi skin, the decent-sized strawberry had a thin layer of red bean paste around it. While the red bean paste could be smoother, the strawberries were juicy and sweet.

Mochi Dorayaki 2.5/5

Apart from the range of mochi desserts, the cafe hopes to focus on dorayaki. The Mochi Dorayaki ($6.90) has a combination of both. Layered between two dorayaki was mochi and red bean paste. The overall texture was dry and needed syrup or sauce to pair. I wasn't a fan of the dorayaki on its own, as it had a slight aftertaste that wasn't entirely pleasant.

Strawberry Matcha Dorayaki Cake 2.5/5

The Strawberry Matcha Dorayaki Cake ($9.90) had matcha cream in the middle and sliced strawberries all around. While this had a better combination than the previous Mochi Dorayaki, the dorayaki affected the overall experience.

Iced Uji Matcha Latte 3/5

Unfortunately, my Iced Uji Matcha Latte ($6.80) wasn't whisked well and came slightly clumpy. It also didn't carry the fragrance and robustness I hoped for. To be fair, I tried the same matcha latte at their 111 Somerset outlet, and the experience was better.

Mochi Waffles with Kuromitsu Syrup 4/5

Our unanimous favourite was the Mochi Waffles with Kuromitsu Syrup ($8.50). We paired this with the Samurai Blue Sea Salt Ice Cream ($5). If you are a mochi fan, you will likely enjoy this. The mochi skin is sandwiched in between, which results in a slight crispness around the waffle edges and a chewy interior. I recommend digging into this while it's hot, as the texture gets slightly sticky after cooling down.

Ceremonial Uji Matcha Mochi 4/5

The use of mochi skin continues in their Mochi Ice Cream ($6 onwards). You can first choose a preferred ice cream flavour, and the staff will prepare the order on the spot by wrapping the selected scoop with mochi skin. We found the Uji Matcha ice cream quite sweet, but it had a much more robust flavour than the matcha latte.

Lavender Hojicha Pot 4/5

After the variety of cold desserts, the Lavender Hojicha Pot ($7.90) was extra welcoming. We learnt that many of the tea blends in Cafe Usagi are Chef Yuka's creations. This hot Lavender Hojicha tea, in particular, was fragrant and smooth.

Matcha with Hokkaido Azuki Red Bean and Mochi Bread 3.5/5

Lastly, it's the newly launched Matcha with Hokkaido Azuki Red Bean and Mochi Bread ($8.80 per Loaf). Available in Original Milk, Matcha and Hokkaido Chocolate Chip flavours, they will be available daily from early April in limited quantities.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Cafe Usagi TOKYO
Suntec City Tower 3
8 Temasek Boulevard
#02-615A
Singapore 038983
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Nearest MRT: Promenade MRT (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

The Oyster Bank @ Tanjong Pagar Road - Thrid Outlet With New Bar Concept And Exclusive Offerings

Nestled in a row of shophouses, The Oyster Bank at Tanjong Pagar is designed as a bar with a sit-and-stand concept. Like the youngest sibling, who often has the luxury of being more carefree and laidback, this third space exudes much more of that easy-going and relaxed vibes than the first two outlets.

Assorted Oysters 4.5/5

The Oyster Bank offers Japanese oysters in their freshest original state and with various condiments to jazz them up a little. Out of the three we tried - Kimchi Cucumber ($4.75), Tosazu Combu ($4.75), and Uni Ikura ($9.90), I enjoyed Kimchi Cucumber the most, while I find the latter a tad too briny.

Salmon Crudo 4/5

Salmon Crudo ($18) was an enjoyable starter. The thick-cut salmon sashimi was enlivened with a nutty and zesty wafu goma sauce, with extra crunch and freshness from julienned green apple.

Pork Kushiyaki 3.5/5

Pork Kushiyaki is a superb bar food if you intend to drink and sip your day away. Served with fermented apple puree and shiso oba to cut the richness of these fatty morsels, they were tender with flavoursome caramelised bits of fats. However, the layers of fats were pretty thick. It would have been even more delish if the cut was smaller to achieve more charred surfaces.

Hamachi Kama 3.8/5

Hamachi Kama ($36/2 pcs) with ginger ponzu sauce and kosho daikon was tasty too. The accompanying dipping sauce was perfect for the fish.

Chargrilled Octopus 3.8/5

The Chargrilled Octopus ($32) was delicious, but the dish's name is misleading. It is more of a rich potato cream soup with chunks of octopus. The bonito potato espuma was rich and buttery, laced with smoky bonito flavours that reinforced the octopus's chargrilled taste. However, the shiso chimichurri sauce lacked the acidity to enliven the dish.

Ikura Kaisen Don 3/5

Ikura Kaisen Don ($38) features Hamachi slices, hokkaido scallops, tuna, uni and ikura. It tasted all right but lacked brightness and excitement.

Warabi Mochi

Cha-Niwa Ice Cream

The desserts were simple but satisfying. The stars were definitely the two ice creams featured - Warabi Mochi ($14) with sea salt ice cream and Cha-Niwa Ice Cream ($12) featuring yuzu gel and matcha ice cream.

Pop Goes The Weasel, Umeshu Daze

Do give the cocktails a go ($25 each). One of our popular ones was Pop Goes The Weasel, a twist to the Bellini cocktail - bubbly with a popsicle of your choice, strawberry or passionfruit. Umeshu Daze is an excellent sour with bourbon and aged umeshu.

Garden of Eden, Chrysanthemum Osmanthus Gin

We also had 2 others with more floral notes - Garden of Eden and Chrysanthemum Osmanthus Gin. Check out their Happy Shucking Hour (for oysters): Monday to Friday 3-8pm, Saturday to Sunday all day. The all-day promotion is valid till 30 June 2023

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.


The Oyster Bank
39 Tanjong Pagar Road
#01-02
Singapore 088462
Tel: +65 69707662
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Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue: 3pm - 11pm
Wed-Fri: 3pm - 12midnight
Sat: 12pm - 12midnight
Sun: 12pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Turn left onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]