Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Kushi Japanese Dining @ Grantral Mall & Complex MacPherson - Offering Budget-Friendly A La Carte Japanese Buffet

Group

Kushi Japanese Dining has been a fixture in Singapore for the past 16 years, having moved locations a few times before settling into its current spot at Grantral Mall, MacPherson. Offering a budget-friendly à la carte buffet, Kushi boasts an extensive selection of Japanese dishes that satisfy all your cravings.

Sashimi Platter 1
Assorted Sashimi Platter 4/5

We began our buffet experience with the Assorted Sashimi Platter, which included maguro, sake, shiro maguro, tako, ika, meikajiki, and hamachi (limited to one serving per table). The sashimi was impeccably fresh, with the shiro maguro standing out as a rare find at many Japanese restaurants.

Pitan Tofu 1
Pitan Tofu 3.5/5

Chawanmushi 1
Chawanmushi 3.5/5

We also enjoyed the Chawanmushi, which was subtly flavourful, and the must-try Pitan Tofu, a unique and creamy dish that offered a different take on tofu.

Agedashi Tofu 1
Agedashi Tofu 4/5

Tako Yaki 1
Tako Yaki 3/5

Asari Miso Soup 1
Asari Miso Soup 4/5

Moving on to the hot dishes, we sampled the perfectly fried Agedashi Tofu, which was crispy on the outside and tender within. It's a dish we could quickly devour on our own. The Tako Yaki was decent but could be skipped if you're looking to save room for more sashimi. The Asari Miso Soup, with its plump and fresh clams, served as a refreshing palate cleanser, preparing us for the next round of food.

Kushiyaki Platter 1
Assorted Kushiyaki 3.8/5

Saba Shoyaki
Saba Shoyaki 4/5

Pork Belly Shogayaki 1
Pork Belly Shogayaki 3/5

Surume Ika 1
Surume Ika 4/5

Next, we tried an assortment of Kushiyaki, as recommended by our server. Each skewer was perfectly grilled, but our favourites were the Saba Shoyaki and Surume Ika. The saba was generously portioned, lightly salted, and deliciously flaky, while the grilled squid had a pleasantly charred flavour and was only available in limited servings. The Pork Belly Shogayaki was tasty, but we wished we had room to enjoy it with rice.

Tempura Platter 1
Assorted Tempura Platter 4/5

For Tempura, the Ebi stood out with its light, crispy batter, and the prawn itself was fresh and sweet.

Kitsune Soba 1
Kitsune Soba 3/5

Garlic Fried Rice 1
Garlic Fried Rice 3/5

Kushi offers options like Garlic Fried Rice, Kitsune Soba, and Mini Ramen if you need carbs. While they were decent, they didn't leave a lasting impression.

Shabu Shabu Pork 1
Shabu Shabu Pork 4/5

However, the Shabu Shabu Pork was a pleasant surprise. The broth was clean and sweet, likely from the vegetables, and perfectly contrasted with the heavier grilled and fried dishes we had been enjoying. This hotpot dish is a must-try if you want something to cut through the greasiness and refresh your palate.

Wafu Beef Steak 2
Wafu Beef Steak 3.5/5

For those looking for more beyond the buffet, Kushi offers a 25% discount on selected à la carte dishes. We decided to try the Wafu Beef Steak. You can request your preferred doneness, and the flavourful wafu sauce enhances the tender steak.

Interior 1

Priced at $54.90++ for lunch and $58.90++ for dinner, Kushi's buffet is exceptional value for money, offering a wide variety of quality Japanese dishes. The restaurant is clean, brightly lit, and nicely decorated, providing a comfortable dining environment.

Interior 2

For those planning a special gathering, Kushi also offers two private dining rooms, each accommodating up to 10 people, or 20 if combined, with a minimum spend required. Whether you're a fan of sashimi, grilled items, or hotpot, Kushi Japanese Dining will surely satisfy you.

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


Kushi Japanese Dining
Grantral Mall & Complex Macpherson
601 Macpherson Road
#01-27/28
Singapore 368242
Tel: +65 69040728
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Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT Station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Monday, October 28, 2024

Ginger.Lily @ Hilton Singapore Orchard - Discover The New Third Chapter of Ginger.Lily’s Storybook-inspired Teatime Soirée

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Ginger.Lily at Hilton Singapore Orchard is back with the third chapter of its storybook-inspired afternoon tea series, showcasing a refined fusion of Executive Pastry Chef Cindy Khoo’s French pastry expertise and passion for Japanese artistry.

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Ginger.Lily Afternoon Tea 3.8/5

This afternoon tea, priced at $68++ per person with a minimum of two diners, includes a glass of cocktail or mocktail and two pots of tea.

Two seatings are available daily: 1pm to 3pm, and 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

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Prologue

Start your experience with a mocktail or cocktail. The Sparkling Peach Mocktail offers a refreshing blend of Moscato grapes and natural peach juice, while the Yuzu Breeze cocktail intrigues with a combination of Cirka vodka, whipping cream, yuzu essence, and soda water.

We were spoilt for choice for our pots of tea, from its extensive tea list which includes oolong tea, black tea, white tea, green tea, and non-caffeinated herbal tea.

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Savouries I

The first savouries, the Truffle Croque Monsieur Twist and Mediterranean Pesto Twist were served in crisp pastry shells. The Mediterranean Pesto Twist stood out with its well-balanced blend of sweetness from sun-dried tomatoes, nutty truffle cream cheese, and herbaceous pesto.

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Savouries II

Next, the Basque Brioche with Smoked Duck was presented, offering house-smoked duck on red pesto-infused smoked paprika brioche.

The Miso Brioche with Scallops followed, showcasing Japanese flavours with wasabi-yuzu mayo, tobiko, katsuobushi, and white miso brioche.

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Pre-dessert

Before the main sweets course, we were treated to a Pre-dessert: Poached Pears in Blackcurrant Wine, creatively and deliciously paired with sour cream ice cream and mint jelly.

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Sweets

The highlight of the tea was the elegant turquoise drawer of sweets. It contained a total of eight exquisite desserts and two types of scones, which are recommended to be savoured from top to bottom.

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Pistachio “Flan Parisien” with Orange Blossom

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Violet Chocolate Gateau

We started with standouts from the first two rows, such as the Ginger.Lily Chouquettes incorporated flavours from the restaurant's signature tea blend and the Violet Chocolate Gateau, combining banana jam, milk chocolate mousse, and a tangy raspberry finish.

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Ruby Baba

However, the last two rows of desserts, such as the Ruby Baba and Botanique En Fleurs 68% Macadamia Cookies, paled in comparison. The Ruby Baba was a little too dry, while the cookies were much sweeter than we would have liked.

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Tahitian Vanilla & Jersey Oat Scones

The tea concludes with Tahitian Vanilla & Jersey Oat Scones, served alongside mixed berries compote, orange cinnamon confit, and crème fraîche.

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.


Ginger.Lily
Hilton Singapore Orchard
Level 5
333 Orchard Road
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6831 6273
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Nearest MRT: Somerset MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am to 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Turn left onto Orchard Road. Walk down Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]