Folklore @ Destination Singapore Beach Road - Unveils New Heritage Dishes

Celebrating its first anniversary, Folklore at Destination Singapore has unveiled a wider repertoire of heritage dishes from the Peranakan, Eurasian, Malay and Chinese. Chef Damian D'Silva continues to warm the hearts and stomachs of diners, with more family recipes that he has consolidated throughout the years.

Sayur Lodeh 3.5/5

First we start with a classic Malay dish, Sayur Lodeh ($16). The young jackfruit is cooked in a blend of wet spices consists of shallots, candlenut, blue ginger, belacan, tumeric and lemongrass until soft. Beancurd, tempeh and sukun is also added into the broth.

Opar Ayam 4.2/5

The Opar Ayam ($24) is known to be originated from Indonesia. The kampong chicken is cooked in a non-spicy blend of wet spices, ground cumin and coriander until fragrant. It is rich and hearty dish with tender chicken pieces.

Ayam Goreng 4.2/5

The other chicken dish on the menu is the Ayam Goreng ($24 for half). The spring chicken is marinated overnight with cekur, galanghal, shallots and dried spices. It is then deep fried to crispy before serving. The aroma from the spices and the crispy skin are just too good to resist. Not forget to have it together with the homemade chilli dip to get the lift in the whole enjoyment.

Ambiler Kacang with Pork Belly 4.5/5

The Ambiler Kacang with Pork Belly ($16) is a Eurasian dish with Malay influences. The mildly spiced curry-like dish is cooked with pork belly and long beans. What I enjoyed is the tanginess from the strained tamarind liquid that is added to the rempah paste which is very appetising.

Sotong Masak Sambal Belado 4.2/5

Sometime simplicity is the best and we can taste from the Sotong Masak Sambal Belado (market price). The squid is cooked in fiery sambal simply made from just red chillis and tomatoes. A little dash of lime further accentuates the flavour.

Ikan Assam Surani 5/5

My favourite dish for the night goes to the Ikan Assam Surani ($30). The baby threadfin fish is cooked in a grounded paste of tumeric, shrimp paste, shallots, garlic and chillies. This results in a slightly sweet and sour gravy that goes so well with the fish. I was told that preparation requires meticulous slicing of ingredients used for the paste to specific sizes, to coax out the intricate nuances from them. A lot of effort is needed to cook this lost Peranakan recipe.

Prawn Sambal with Petai 4/5

The Prawn Sambal with Petai ($26) is originally a Malay dish but nowadays it has been adapted by the Chinese, Peranakan and Eurasians. While Petai has many health benefits, it has a distinct taste that is not well like by many. Hence this is both a fragrant and piquant dish that is subjective to individual. Anyway as for me, this is having the best of both world.

Braised Pork Trotters with Mooi Chay 4/5

In celebration of the Nation's 53rd birthday, Folklore introduces a weekday set lunch at $30 for 2 pax
that includes drinks and dessert. The National Day Special is changed every week and during our visit, we had the Braised Pork Trotters with Mooi Chay. Other National Day Special includes Nasi Minyak with Lamb Rendang and Sayur Lodeh (6-10 August), Dry Goat Curry with Briyani and Dhalcha (13-17 August), Nasi Ulam (20-24 August) and Eurasian Birthday Noodles (27-31 Aug).

Chilled White Fungus, Papaya Sweet Soup 4.2/5

With all the chillis and spices, the Chilled White Fungus, Papaya Sweet Soup ($12) is the perfect dessert to wash that all down. In the refreshing sweet soup, one can find ingredients such white fungus, papaya, longan, almonds, red dates and candied winter melon.

Once again, I am impressed with the new dishes introduced at Folklore. A dinner at Folklore is not just about good food but the discovery of that lost recipe and the history behind it. There is no other place that cook the old way from scratch without shortcuts or compromise, and with a lot of souls.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Folklore
Destination Singapore Beach Road
(Beside Golden Mile Complex)
700 Beach Road
Level 2
Singapore 199598
Tel: +65 66792900
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Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge to Beach Road. Turn right onto Beach Road.Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Niku Kappo @ ION Orchard - Dine In Style Without Breaking The Bank

Niku Kappo is a Japanese beef and sake restaurant located at ION Orchard. The restaurant which hails from Tsukiji, offers Japanese Kappo style cuisine, focuses on good beef, ranging from sushi to skewers to tendon bowls and more. Kappo means cut and cook in Japanese is a traditional way of preparing Japanese cuisine.

Pakuchi Tempura 3.5/5

While waiting for the mains, you may want to start with the Pakuchi Tempura ($6.90). Lightly coated with tempura batter, it gives the coriander an enjoyable crispy texture. For those that does not like the taste of coriander, it is quite subtle. Personally I prefer the distinct flavour of the coriander to stand up more.

Tori Kushi Mori 4.2/5

Grilled to a delectable tender bite is the Tori Kushi Mori ($19.90). What is unique is the topping on the chicken skewers. The flavours are miso, citrus, sesame, vinegar & tartar and teriyaki sauce. There is also beef version, Wagyu Kushu Mori ($39.90) which comes in an assortment of grated radish & ponzu sauce, edo sweet miso, homemade steak sauce wasabi and saikyo miso.

Tokusen Niku Sushi Mori 8 Kinds 3/5

Usually we have sushi with seafood but how about beef? The Tokusen Niku Sushi Mori 8 Kinds ($38.90) comes with sliced wagyu beef topped with a premium mix of ingredients such as uni, truffle and foie gras. Unfortunately we find the beef on the tough side, which didn't quite go well with the ratio of sushi rice.

Sukiyaki Sushi 4/5

Compared with the tokusen niku sushi mori, I prefer the Sukiyaki Sushi ($19.90) more. The beef is wrapped around some sushi rice and then blow torched. The aburi beef slices are more tender with the right proportion of sushi rice.

Time Bomb Maguro 4/5

It is not just about beef at Niku Kappo, it has a variety of other seafood items such as the Time Bomb Maguro ($9.90). The tuna cubes are blow torched and cooked by the fire underneath, giving it a hint of smokiness.

Iced Tako Wasabi 3/5

I didn't quite enjoy the Iced Tako Wasabi ($9.90). I find the sliced octopus too chilled and bland in taste. However I have to say the wasabi is really pungent.

Niku Tendon 4/5

Unatama Don 4.2/5

For those that just need a quick meal, you can go for the Niku Tendon ($12.90) and Unatama Don ($18.90). These rice bowls come with delicious ingredients atop the warm bed of rice. Given a choice, I would go for the unatama don for that bed of scrambled egg sauce which just look so appetising and goes so well with the rice.

Yaki Tetsu Ebi Style 4/5

A signature at Niku Kappo is their Yaki Tetsu Ebi Style ($28.90/$35.90 per pax). It has an order of minimum 2 pax. The ebi style uses the sweet miso sauce which the server will cook the beef and other ingredients at table side. This is really rich and suitable for those that has a heavy palate. There is also a lighter version, Kobe Style that replaces the sweet miso sauce with foie gras sauce. I prefer the later that the lighter sauce allows me to appreciate the flavour of the beef
Also Kobe style.

Yaki Testsu Sukiyaki Style 4.5/5

A newly launch dish at Niku Kappo is the Yaki Testsu Sukiyaki Style ($26.90 per pax) with minimum order for 2 pax. This is the traditional sukiyaki with Japanese beef wagyu slices, vegetables, tofu and gluten slices (ofu). Similar to having hotpot, all the ingredients are cooked in a sukiyaki sauce, that seems to bring out the flavours even more. I can see why this is getting popular even though it is only recently launched.

Mt Fuji Nabe 4/5

Standing towering tall is the Mt Fuji Nabe ($20.90). It is quite majestic having the beef slices rolled up into a tower. Diners have a choice of beef, pork or a combination of both. If you are not a fan of beansprouts, then you may want to skip this. A whole tower of beansprouts is wrapped inside the meat to form the tower.

Strawberry Ice Brulee with Snow 3/5

Last but at least we have the Strawberry Ice Brulee with Snow ($5.90) to wrap up the dinner. A decent dessert to end the meal on a sweet note.

Apart from the wide variety of food items on the menu, Niku Kappo also provides an extensive alcohol menu for pairing with the food. Customers can select from more than 50 different kinds of Sake and Shochu specially imported from Japan at friendly prices.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Niku Kappo
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#B3-23
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 65099366
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Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

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