Monday, September 15, 2025

Ember @ North Canal Road - A Woodfire Restaurant With The Menu Built Around Dishes Prepared Over Open Flames

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Ember at North Canal Road is a woodfire restaurant where the menu is built around dishes prepared over open flames. The offering is concise yet well-curated, spanning starters, sharing plates, and mains, with some creative touches that also make it brunch-friendly.

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Signature Cold Angel Hair 3.5/5

For appetisers, the Signature Cold Angel Hair delivered a pasta done perfectly al dente, coated with truffle paste and topped with sashimi scallops and ikura. While the dish was indeed crowd-pleasing with the standard combination, I wonder if the truffle paste can be swapped with an alternative for a more refreshing approach.

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Taramasalata Crab Toast 3/5

From the Coals section, the Taramasalata Crab Toast with N25 Caviar offered a fresh spin on the traditional Greek mezze. The assertive char on the bread helped offset the richness of the creamy taramasalata, but an extra crunch or a deeper savoury element would have brought the dish a better balance.

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Spanish Octopus Tentacles 5/5

For mains, the Spanish Octopus Tentacles impressed with tender, meaty slices dressed in a vibrant Nam Jim. The piquant dressing drew out the sweetness of the crunchy white corn kernels and tomatoes, layering brightness onto the smoky octopus. Each bite excited the taste buds, with both flavour and textural interplay.

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Koji-Aged Grain-Fed Ribeye 3/5

The Koji-Aged Grain-Fed Ribeye delivered robust, beefy flavours, elevated by a well-developed char and further enriched by the accompanying port wine jus. That said, the cooking was noticeably uneven, affecting the overall enjoyment of the dish.

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Ember’s Cheesecake 4.5/5

For dessert, Ember's Cheesecake provided a pleasant sweet ending, well-baked with a slightly oozy, luscious core.

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Overall, Ember presents a well-thought-out menu, though the execution could benefit from refinement. With woodfire concepts becoming increasingly common, it would be even more compelling if the desserts, too, carried some of those elusive charred flavours to complete the experience.

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.


Ember
35 North Canal Road
#01-01
Singapore 059291
Tel: +65 9839 3877
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Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed: 6pm - 10pm
Thu-Sun: 12pm - 4pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to North Canal Road. Cross the road. Turn right onto North Canal Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Niku Niku Oh!! Kome @ Resort World Sentosa - Japanese Wagyu Hamburg Steak Grilled Before Your Eyes

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Niku Niku Oh!! Kome, a concept by Japan's top listed F&B company Monogatari Corporation, opened its doors at Weave, Resorts World Sentosa, in August 2025. With over 40 outlets across China, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Manila, the Singapore outpost marks a partnership between Monogatari Corporation and homegrown brand Putien.

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At Niku Niku Oh!! Kome, diners are treated to the theatrical experience of live grilling, where Japanese aged wagyu beef hamburg steaks are cooked right in front of your eyes at the counter. Each patty is freshly ground and hand-pounded daily at the outlet, ensuring maximum flavour and a satisfying texture. To personalise the experience, diners can choose from three signature sauces, five condiments, and even optional indulgent toppings such as melted cheddar or a raw egg yolk. Every set also comes with free-flow rice, soup and broccoli.

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Original Hamburg Steak 4.5/5

We started with the Original Hamburg Steak. The beef was meaty, juicy, and full of flavour. Adding an egg gave the dish an extra layer of creaminess that elevated the whole enjoyment. While the spotlight is on the hamburg, the unspoken hero here is the rice – soft, fluffy and polished in-house from husked grains for optimal freshness. The restaurant uses a special blend of Japanese Niji no Kirameki rice and Vietnamese jasmine rice, resulting in an aromatic and delicate complement to the steak.

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Cheese Hamburg Steak 4.5/5

Next up was the Cheese Hamburg Steak, where the patty was smothered in melted cheddar and freshly grated Grana Padano. The richness of the cheese deepened the flavours of the beef, reminding me of a decadent cheeseburger, but with the juiciness of a premium wagyu patty. Definitely one of my favourites.

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Avocado Hamburg Steak 4.2/5

The Avocado Hamburg Steak came topped with avocado slices, tartar, and teriyaki sauces. While unique, this combination did not quite hit the mark for me, as the flavours seemed to compete rather than complement the beef. It was my least favourite of the three.

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Prices at Niku Niku Oh!! Kome are surprisingly reasonable. A basic set with two original hamburg steaks starts at $16.80, while the most expensive set at $22.80 offers all three flavours. Each set is generous, inclusive of one pasteurised egg, along with unlimited servings of soup, rice, and broccoli – making it a value-for-money experience, especially given the premium quality of the wagyu beef.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Niku Niku oh!! Kome
Weave Mall
Resort World Sentosa
26 Sentosa Gateway
#01-228
Singapore 098138
Tel: +65 6908 3100
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to Vivocity Level 3 to Vivocity Monorail Station., Take Monrail to Sentosa. Alight at Resorts World Station. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]