Nobiro Japanese Restaurant & Sake Bar @ Faber Drive - A Hidden Neighbourhood Japanese Restaurant

Having moved to the West for almost 2 years, I realized there are still many undiscovered places in the area. Nobiro Japanese Restaurant & Sake Bar is one of these places which I recently got to know. It is actually located in Faber Hill Estate, a quiet private residential area near Clementi. The neighbourhood Japanese restaurant is fashioned like an Izakaya place offering a full range of  Japanese cuisine, as well as an extensive range of sake for purchase or in house dining.

Sashimi Salad 3.5/5

We started dinner on a light note with the Sashimi Salad Iwanori Tsumi ($16) served with Nori. The mixed sashimi and greens salad can be eaten on its own or wrapped with the nori for a fuller enjoyment.

Sakana Marine 4/5

Next is the Sakana Marine ($18) which comes with seasonal sashimi served in the Chef's special marinade. If I am not wrong, we have the sea bream sashimi during my visit. The chef's marinade is light, yet flavourful but not overpowering. Allowing the clean and sweetness of the fish to shine.

Nama Kaki Yonshiki 4.2/5. Fried Nama Kaki 4/5, Mushi Nama Kaki 3.5/5

Oysters lover will be delighted in the various way of enjoying this delicacy, offered at Nobiro. My preferred way is to have it freshly shucked. The Nama Kaki Yonshiki ($20) is fresh oysters served in four different ways, with the topping of onion, salsa, hint of pesto and ponzu with pink salt. I do understand some people do not like the raw taste of oyster, so you can go for the Fried Nama Kaki ($15) or Mushi Nama Kaki ($20) which is fried and steamed fresh oysters.

Cheese Menchi Katsu 4/5

A delightful bite to go with the beer or sake is the Cheese Menchi Katsu ($16 for 2pc). The homemade beef patty has a surprise mozarella cheese stuffing in it. Crispy breaded exterior coupled with the cheesy interior, this is multifold enjoyment.

Surume Ika Maruyaki 4/5

The Surume Ika Maruyaki ($15) or grilled squid is the one dish that I could help going back for more. I probably ate half of it myself, instead of sharing with my three other dining companion. The flavourful marination of the squid, perfectly grilled over the fire for a hint of smokiness and tender texture has totally won me over.

Tonpei Yaki 3/5

I have mixed opinion of the Tonpei Yaki ($13) from the group. While most of them seemed to enjoy it, I thought it was rather average. However a worthy note goes to the runny omelette that is on top of the pile of cabbage.

Mentaiko Pasta 3/5

Maybe it was my high expectation but I thought the Mentaiko Pasta ($20) was sort of bland, missing the rich mentaiko flavour I was seeking in the pile of pasta. I also did not really enjoy the soft texture of the pasta.

Yakitori Sticks 3.5/5

There are around 24 items on the yakitori menu. If you the type of person that cannot decides what to order, the simplest way is to go for their chef selection which comes in the form of 7, 12 and 15 sticks. We have the Chef Selection Set 7 Sticks ($23). This is perfect to go with a glass of beer or sake.

Omakase Sushi 4/5

From the sushi bar, we had the Omakase Sushi ($30) which comprised of 6 different types of sushi. For the selection during our visit, the chef has given us the Amberjack, Sea Bream, Flounder, Sweet Shrimp, Squid and Fat Greening. The proportion of the rice to sashimi is thoughtfully executed for a balanced mouthful enjoyment to appreciate the freshness to the fullest.

Wagyu Tataki 4/5

Nobiro maybe a neighbourhood Japanese restaurant but you still can enjoy quality and premium ingredients on the menu such as the Wagyu Tataki ($45) which uses Japanese wagyu beef A5 Ohmi from Shiga Prefecture. The full flavoured beef is lighted seared on the exterior, sealing the juiciness in it for a explosive burst of flavour as it dissolved on the palate.

It is quite rare to have a Japanese restaurant hidden in a private residential estate. Being a neigbhourhood restaurant, it does not mean they do not serve quality ingredients. In fact, most of the dishes I tried is above average or even as good as many other Japanese restaurants. The sake bar also has an impressive collection of over 50 types of sake for purchase or dine in. What is even more worth it is their lunch set which is mostly below $20.


Nobiro Japanese Restaurant
108 Faber Drive
Singapore 129418
Tel: +65 68730095
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Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue: 6pm - 1030pm
Wed-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17171). Take bus number 154 or 201. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the overhead bridge. Walk along Ayer Rajah Expressway towards Faber Drive. Turn left onto Faber Drive. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Ninja Bowl @ Duxton Road - Hearty Meals at CBD Below $20

Take over the space at Department of Caffeine is Ninja Bowl. Ninja Bowl is opened by the same folks behind Chillax Cafe and Babette Restaurant & Bar. The restaurant offers diners an extensive menu filled with unique all day brunch options, sandwiches and hearty one bowl meals.

Coconut Lemon Mint 4/5

Recently the weather in Singapore has been really hot.  The Coconut Lemon Mint ($8) will be very refreshing and satisfying with its huge serving. It even comes with the coconut flesh. Furthermore coconut water supposes to have health benefit isn't it?

Yasai 4.2/5

Ninja Bowl offers 8 different types of bowls on the menu. Basically these bowls are carb free and comes with default ingredient combinations. However diners have a choice to add on the ninja rice, orzo pasta, garden greens and white quinoa for an additional cost of $2 to $3.

We started with the Yasai ($16) that comes with chunky salmon poke, mixed sultanas, tomatoes and onsen egg. We topped it with White Quinoa ($3) for a complete meal. A light and healthy Polynesian-inspired bowl.

Kabuki 4/5

The Kabuki ($14) comes with tender pieces of deboned chicken thigh marinated in miso, soy sauce, garlic and honey. It is rounded off with baby corn, pickled beetroot, snow peas, onsen egg and fried shallots. We chose to add on the Ninja Rice ($2), which is a blend of vinegared Japanese pearl rice and brown rice with seaweed flaks. A substantial Japanese style mixture vegetable rice, in my own layman description

Buta 3.8/5

If you are one that cannot resist a delicious piece of pork belly, then the Buta ($14) is for you. The bowl comes with Japanese aburi chashu, cherry tomatoes, onsen egg, roasted pumpkin, and ume-pickled apples. We added Orzo Pasta ($2), a rice shaped short cut pasta to round off the whole meal.

Ebisu 4.2/5

From the brunch menu, the Ebisu ($18) is a creamy stew that comes with pan seared hokkaido scallops, mussels and miso butter cream. It also comes with two slices of toast to soak up the delicious cream. I only wish there was more of the sauce.

Gyu & Tama 4.2/5

The Gyu & Tama ($17) comes with Ninja Bowl's signature 24 hour braised beef cheek that literally melted in the mouth. It is paried with a side of creamy scrambled eggs, mushrooms and toast. It is one of the better scrambled eggs I have eaten for a long while.

Fancy French 4.2/5

Worth waiting for 20 minutes is the Fancy French ($16). The French toast is stuffed with fig jam and then drizzled with honey that is infused with umeboshi (pickled plum) and topped with homemade hazelnut butter. The slices of figs, plums, green grapes and edible flowers not only make the dish pretty but also helps to balance the sweetness from the fig jam.

The menus at Ninja Bowl as per the name suggested or you would have guessed, is Japanese inspired. The delicious bowls come with quality ingredients, healthy and affordable priced below $20. What's more attractive is that they are all nett cost and the restaurant does not have service charge.


Ninja Bowl
15 Duxton Road
Singapore 089481
Tel: +65 62228055
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 930am - 730pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 6pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. At Orchid Hotel turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road to the opposite side of Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk along Tanjong Pagar Road to Duxton Hill. Turn left onto Duxton Hill and then turn right on Duxton Road. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]