Hiyaki Yakitori Izakaya Bar @ Kamping Bahru - Bringing a Fresh and Inventive Twist to Traditional Japanese Cuisine

Nestled in the tranquil stretch of Kampong Bahru, Hiyaki Yakitori Izakaya Bar is a recently opened Izakaya Bar that brings a fresh and inventive twist to traditional Japanese cuisine.

With its cosy and intimate ambience, the bar features a softly dimmed atmosphere with Japanese-inspired decor.

Guests can choose from a private dining room with traditional Japanese zaisu seating or table and bar seating for a more casual experience.

Assorted 5 Kind Sashimi 4.2/5

Although Hiyaki labels itself as a yakitori izakaya bar, its menu is impressively diverse, featuring a wide range of both raw and cooked dishes. We sampled the Assorted 5 Kind Sashimi ($70.80), which included generous slices of otoro, kanpachi, maguro, sake (salmon), and mekajiki. The freshness of the fish was evident in the sweetness of each bite. A similar sashimi platter is also available with chutoro at a reduced price of $10.

Potato Salad 4/5

The quintessential Japanese Potato Salad ($8.80) is a new addition to the menu and offers a delightful twist with crispy fried shredded sweet potato on top, adding an extra crunch to the dish. This creamy salad also features sweet corn kernels, carrots, cucumber, and eggs, making for a satisfying blend of textures and flavours.

Pidan Tofu 4.2/5

Another exciting new appetiser on the menu is the Pidan Tofu ($7.80). Thanks to its inventive twist, this dish left a lasting impression on me. Like the potato salad, it features a topping of crispy fried potato, which adds an unexpected crunch and elevates the traditional pidan tofu. It's a successful and refreshing take on a familiar favourite.

Deep Fried Silver Fish 3.8/5

The final appetiser we tried was the Deep Fried Silver Fish ($12.80), served with mayonnaise dip. While the silver fish was well-fried and pleasantly plump, the dish itself was somewhat ordinary. However, it pairs nicely with drinks and would make a great snack for casual sipping.

Salmon Mentai Maki 4/5

A new addition to the menu, the Salmon Mentai Maki ($16.80) is a favourite among Singaporeans. This maki roll is generously filled with ingredients such as salmon sashimi, avocado, and what appears to be pumpkin. It's topped with Aburi salmon, mentaiko sauce, and the crunchy shredded sweet potato used in the potato salad.

Charcoal Grill – Tsukune, Torimomo & Tebasaki 4/5

Given that Hiyaki prides itself on being a yakitori bar, we had to sample some of their grilled offerings. We tried the Tsukune (chicken meatballs, $7.80), Torimomo (chicken thigh, $5), and Tebasaki (chicken wings, $5). Each item was well-grilled and flavourful. The tsukune featured bits of soft bone, adding a pleasing texture, while the torimomo had a flavour profile more akin to chicken breast, with less fat than expected but still very tasty. The tebasaki, however, was a bit too salty for our taste. The grill menu also includes other chicken parts such as bishop's nose, liver, gizzard, and heart and vegetables like ladyfinger, ginkgo nut, and oyster mushroom.

Kurohana Wagyu (150g) 4.5/5

For our main course, we enjoyed the Kurohana Wagyu Ribeye Steak ($60.80), accompanied by three condiments: snowflake salt, yuzu shisho, and wasabi. The wagyu was perfectly cooked, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, juicy and flavorful. Despite its premium price, we highly recommend giving it a try.

Hotate Nori Wasabi 4/5

We were surprised to find the Hotate Nori Wasabi ($19.80/3 pcs) listed under the main course, as they are bite-sized and feel more like an appetiser. Nevertheless, the scallops were perfectly pan-fried and paired wonderfully with the kizami wasabi and crispy nori.

Unagi Chahan 4.2/5

Last but not least, we tried the Unagi Chahan ($16.80). While it may look ordinary, it packs incredible flavour! Each grain of rice is coated in a savoury sauce and fried to a delightful char. The overall taste is a balanced savoury mix with a hint of sweetness reminiscent of teriyaki. This dish is both appetising and hearty, making it perfect for sharing. Be sure to enjoy it while it's hot for the best experience.

For drinks, Hiyaki offers a well-curated selection of beers, sake, and cocktails. Their highballs are priced at S$10.80, and they feature a 1-for-1 Sapporo beer deal at S$11.80 from Monday to Thursday, between 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm.

Overall, we were thoroughly impressed with the quality and flavours of the food at Hiyaki. We look forward to seeing them maintain these high standards in the future.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Hiyaki Yakitori Izakaya Bar
33 Kampong Bahru Road
Singapore 169354
Tel: +65 9487 5363
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 5pm – 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 5. Walk to New Bridge Road. Left turn and walk down New Bridge Road. Continue onto Kampong Bahru Road. Walk to the row of shophouses along Kampong Bahru Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

JUwei 聚味老南洋咖啡店 @ SAFRA Town Club, Clarke Quay - Enjoy Nanyang Delights At This Modern Nanyang Coffeeshop Till 2am

JUwei 聚味老南洋咖啡店 is the new potential late-night spot for anyone craving Nanyang delights like nasi lemak and curry chicken, conveniently located just opposite Clarke Quay MRT station.

Open till 2am, this revamped coffeeshop within the SAFRA Town Club building is decked in retro furniture, decor, and multi-coloured lighting. Before its current iteration, the space was home to JUwei Sichuan Cuisine 聚味江湖菜馆. Now, the menu has shifted to focus on classic Nanyang fare.

The offerings are extensive, including breakfast toasts, beverages, cheong fun, wok-fried items, and rice sets. However, do note that the morning menu has a more limited selection.

Kaya Butter Toast 4.2/5

We enjoyed the Kaya Butter Toast ($2.50). It had cold slabs of butter and fragrant kaya sandwiched between thin crisp toasts. While the portion could be larger, I especially liked that the kaya wasn't too sweet. You can also make it a Toast Set ($5.90) with additional half-boiled eggs and a cup of kopi.

Chicken Curry Chee Cheong Fun 3.5/5

The Chicken Curry Chee Cheong Fun ($7.90) came paired with an assortment of ingredients - chicken, beans, beancurd skin, tau pok and pig skin. The curry was aromatic, but I wished the cheong fun was smoother.

Penang Char Kuey Teow 3.5/5

The Penang Char Kuey Teow ($10.90) carried a decent amount of flavour and wok hei, but it was a pity that the kway teow we had leaned to one of a harder texture. The dish was fried with fishcake, prawn, egg and lap cheong.

Prawn Paste Chicken Mid Joint 4/5

Our Prawn Paste Chicken Mid Joint ($8.90) was served piping hot, with each piece fried to a crunch that you would like your har cheong gai to have. These were nicely marinated, and its meat remained juicy.

Nasi Lemak with Crispy Fried Chicken Whole Leg Combo 4.2/5

Last but not least, we had to try JUwei's Nasi Lemak with Crispy Fried Chicken Whole Leg Combo ($12.90), a dish we saw many other diners enjoying. It was nicely served on a wooden platter with sides of achar, keropok, curry vegetables, egg, and a bowl of soup. The rice could be more lemak, but the texture was done well and fluffy. The highlight was the chunky chicken leg that came with crisp skin and tender meat, accompanied by extra crisp bits for added crunch. The soup was a miss, but the sambal added a sweet-spicy hit.

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.


JUwei 聚味老南洋咖啡店
29 Carpenter Street
Level 1
Singapore 059923
Tel: +65 6988 0836
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am - 2am
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the road and walk to Carpenter Street. Turn left onto Carpenter Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]