Pizzakaya @ Vivocity - New Pizza Concept Restaurant by Japan Food Holding Group

Located within Vivovity, Pizzakaya specialises in Western-Japanese fusion dishes, focusing on pizzas. The menu features multiple 10" hand-stretched Japanese-style pizza variations with different toppings piled atop, such as Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki. The unique pizza pairings seemed bizarre in this Western-Japanese fusion attempt, but was it worth the venture?

Takoyaki Pizza 3/5

Among the pizzas that stood out most to us in terms of novelty was the Takoyaki Pizza ($19.80). The pizza crust was decent, churned out from impressive brick ovens in the kitchen. The edges are puffy and lightly blistered, with a chewy thin crust slathered with homemade sauce. What lies atop are multiple soft battered octopus balls. However, eating the pizza itself posed a challenge. The pizza can't be picked up without the Takoyaki balls rolling off the slice. The savouriness and carb-on-carb combination also felt one-dimensional in taste and got cloying halfway through.

Chicken Teriyaki Pizza 3/5

We tried the Chicken Teriyaki Pizza ($19.80), another novelty pizza flavour. It came with a mountain of chicken teriyaki strips, omelette and cabbage in the centre. Unfortunately, the sauce used for the okonomiyaki caused the pizza centre to be soggy, turning the consumption into an even messier affair. The teriyaki chicken strips were also dry and not as tender as we would have liked. In short, we felt that the flavour pairing of okonomiyaki and pizza doesn't go well together.

Saute Spicy Garlic Prawn Spaghetti 3.5/5

We also tried other dishes that they offer on the menu. The Saute Spicy Garlic Prawn Spaghetti ($19.80) was a saving grace from the pizzas, with al dente pasta with a subtle kick of spice topped with well-cooked prawns.

Chicken Katsu Curry Rice 3/5

The Chicken Katsu Curry Rice ($16.80) features slices of chicken katsu atop rice, slathered in Japanese curry. While I enjoyed the crispy and tender chicken katsu, the curry lacked taste and felt a tad watered down.

Japanese Yuzu Sparkling Soda 4/5, Berry Grape Fizz 4/5

Their signature drinks, Japanese Yuzu Sparkling Soda ($8) and Berry Grape Fizz ($8) were refreshing and delicious. It was good to wash down the intensely savoury pizza we had.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Pizzakaya
Vivo City Singapore
1 Harbourtfront Walk
#01-157
Singappore 098585
Tel: +65 62249690
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Gyosen @ Fortune Centre - A Hidden Gem Japanese Restaurant Serving Thoughtful And Beautiful Chirashi Bowls

Fortune Centre might be most known for its plethora of vegetarian options, but if you take some time to explore it a bit more, you will notice many hidden gems, such as Gyosen. It is a relatively new Japanese restaurant tucked in the corner of the 3rd floor. Take the escalator up to level 3, and you will find their cosy space on the left.

Gyosen is helmed by 2 chefs who are both highly experienced in Japanese cuisine. Their menu features appetisers, sides, various rice bowls, premium omakase options and beautiful put-together chirashi bowls, which we had.

Mentai Engawa 4.2/5

The Mentai Engawa was generously topped with rich mentai, evenly torched all around. The engawa was soft and buttery.

Chirashi Don 4.5/5

My dining companion and I had two bowls to share. The first was their signature Chirashi Don ($28.90). Unlike the usual regular sushi rice, you will find a bowl of unique mushroom-flavoured rice on the base. It's further topped with fresh seafood such as unagi, shima aji, tuna, octopus, mekajiki, amaebi and salmon. Each slice had a good thickness and was exceptionally fresh. The ikura, tobiko and furikake provided additional pops of flavour.

Barachirashi Spicy 4.2/5

We went ahead with the chefs' recommendation of opting for their Barachirashi ($26.90) with an additional Spicy Sauce ($3) made in-house. I prefer it without the spice to better appreciate the seafood's freshness and natural sweetness, but spice lovers will enjoy this a lot. The spicy sauce gave a good kick of heat! The ingredients here were equally fresh, and we loved how gorgeously decorated it was with edible flowers.

Drop a call to 8286 6959 to make your reservation before heading down.

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.


Gyosen
Fortune Centre
190 Middle Road
#03-16
Singapore 188979
Tel: +65 82866959
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Nearest MRT: Bencoolen (DT Line), Bugis (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Bencoolen MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight down Bencoolen Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to Cheng Yan Place. Turn right onto Cheng Yan Place, walk to Queen Street. Cross the road at Queen Street, cut through the flats and walk to Waterloo Street. Turn left onto Waterloo Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]