Friday, March 24, 2023

Numb Restaurant @ Marina One West Tower - Bringing Modern Trending Sichuanese Cuisine To Singapore

NumbRestaurant13

Numb is the newest restaurant to be opened at Marina One West Tower. Two bankers founded the restaurant, offering authentic Sichuanese cuisine reinterpreted with contemporary techniques.

NumbRestaurant20
Succulent Fried Chicken Wings with Special Handmade Chips 3.5/5

We kickstarted our dinner with a couple of Sichuan tapas and bar snacks. It is not just about spicy food at Numb restaurant. The Succulent Fried Chicken Wings with Special Handmade Chips ($19.80) is a kid's friendly choice grilled to a delightful juiciness.

NumbRestaurant7
Imperial Sauced Sliced Beef 3.5/5

The Imperial Sauced Sliced Beef ($23.80) comes in two flavours, Numbing & Spicy or Braised. We had the numbing and spicy flavour, whereby the flavourful beef slices were paired with crunchy asparagus and broccoli.

NumbRestaurant10
Sliced Pork Belly with Classic Garlic and Chilli Sauce 4.2/5

A delightful appetiser is the Sliced Pork Belly with Classic Garlic and Chilli Sauce ($18.80). Of course, the soul has to be the garlic and chilli sauce, which accentuated the enjoyment of the boiled pork belly.

NumbRestaurant8
Mashed Pepper with Century Egg and Eggplants 3/5

The Mashed Pepper with Century Egg and Eggplants ($13.80) is new in my food journey. I haven't eaten anything like that before. Upon serving the dish, the server will mash up everything. While the flavours are on point, I didn't enjoy the mushy texture due to the mashing. There is a spicy and non-spicy version.

NumbRestaurant17
Mala Broth Boiled Seabass 4.2/5

The real kick comes from the Mala Broth Boiled Seabass ($39.80/$49.80), where tender boiled seabass is immersed in Sichuan dried chilli. Plough apart the dried chilli to discover a treasure trove of soybean sprouts, enoki mushrooms and celery. Unlike the usual mala broth boiled seabass, crispy fried fish are added for extra crunch.

NumbRestaurant16
Trendy Peking Duck in Spicy Stew 4.5/5

My favourite dish is the Trendy Peking Duck in Spicy Stew ($39.80). Apparently, the dish is currently making waves all over China. The roasted duck is slow-cooked in a rich stew, further enhanced with beancurd sticks, sliced lotus root, kelp, black fungus and enoki mushrooms. The spiciness did not undermine the enjoyment of the poultry.

NumbRestaurant22
Awesome Spicy Chilli Chicken with Fried Dough Twist 4/5

Another staple Sichuan dish is the "La Zi Ji". The Awesome Spicy Chilli Chicken with Fried Dough ($30.80/$40.80) is Numb's interpretation of the classic dish, comprising chicken cubes stir-fried with a generous amount of chopped chilli. It even added fried dough twist for that extra textural enjoyment.

NumbRestaurant27
Applewood Smoked Crispy Chicken 3/5

The Applewood Smoked Crispy Chicken ($33.80) is presented in a smoked jar, infusing the skinless boneless chicken with the applewood fragrant. The roasted tempeh and peanuts provided a complementing lift in texture and flavour. However, the taste profile could be more punchy.

NumbRestaurant30
Champion Beef and Mixed Veggies in Golden Spicy Sour Soup 4.5/5

Another delicious dish I immensely enjoyed is the Champion Beef and Mixed Veggies in Golden Spicy Sour Soup ($39.80/$49.80). Tender beef slices are cooked in a robust spicy, sweet and sour broth. Best to have a bowl of steamed rice to go with the appetising dish.

NumbRestaurant33
Sweet and Sour Pork Fruit Platter on Ice 4.2/5

Not all dishes are spicy at Numb, such as the Sweet and Sour Pork Fruit Platter on Ice ($32.80). It is juicy and meaty, complemented by the fruity sweetness.

NumbRestaurant40
Stir-Fried Jack Beans, Stir-Fried Chinese Lettuce 4/5

Remember to have your greens for a balanced diet. Both the Stir-fried Jack Beans with Red Chillis and Sichuan Pickles ($19.80) and Stir-fried Chinese Lettuce ($17.80). Though simple, it is cooked to a delectable crunch.

NumbRestaurant36
Sichuan Inspired Traditional Homemade Mapo Tofu

The Sichuan Inspired Traditional Homemade Mapo Tofu ($24.80) is deliciously addictive with silky tofu and minced beef, cooked in douban and douchi, the traditional recipe for the classic dish.

NumbRestaurant24
Pumpkin Pancake 4.2/5

We had a couple of desserts to wrap up the dinner, starting with the Pumpkin Pancake ($9.80). The warm pancake has a delightful mochi-like texture, topped with sesame seeds for a fragrant finish.

NumbRestaurant42
Osmanthus Coconut Cake 4.2/5

The Osmanthus Coconut Cake ($8.80) is a light and refreshing jelly dessert infused with the osmanthus aroma.

NumbRestaurant45
Fancy Rainbow Ice Jelly with Glutinous Rice Balls 3.8/5

Lastly is the Fancy Rainbow Ice Jelly with Glutinous Rice Balls ($10.80). Served chilled, it is an ideal dessert to freshen up the palate and cool down the burning tongue after all the rich and spicy food.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Numb Restaurant
Marina One West Tower
#01-12
9 Straits View
Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 94601960
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Downtown (DT Line), Shenton Way (TE Line), Marina Bay (CC, NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Shenton Way MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Downtown MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to Straits View. Turn right onto Straits View. Walk down Straits View. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Marina Bay MRT station. Take Exit 1. Turn left onto Commerce Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]


Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Wagatomo @ Guoco Tower - Chef Tomoyuki Welcomes The Arrival Of Spring With A Refreshed Omakase Menu

IMG_3359

Wagatomo at Guoco Tower is considered Chef Tomoyuki Kiga's new home following the opening of his butchery and sando shop - Gyu San. It is where Chef Tomoyuki pushes boundaries to create his version of modern Japanese cuisine, drawing inspiration from his past experiences with food and culture gathered over the years. Experience the arrival of spring with a refreshed omakase menu here at Wagatomo with the new line-up of seven courses that features Spring ingredients, which are all about lighter flavours and fresher profiles.

IMG_3342
Maguro & Green Pea Tartlets 3.5/5

The Spring Menu starts with Maguro & Green Pea Tartlets, with the tartlet base inspired by Kuey Pie Tie. Serving up two very contrasting profiles to tease your taste buds. One is a topping of spicy tuna sashimi spiced with togarashi aioli that brought a tinge of fiery kick. The other is a Japanese interpretation of the French Petit Pois, topped with sweet and crunchy green peas nested in a mashed green pea base.

IMG_3348
Tomato 3 Ways 4.5/5

The 2nd course celebrates the humble tomato - Tomato 3 Ways, made with Tomato Houjicha Consommé, Tomato Jelly, and Marinated Tomatoes. A mix of French tomatoes marinated in tangy amazu and cubed tomato jelly made from tomato water was served chilled with a tomato consommé. The tomato jelly didn't provide much flavour, but I liked the contrasting texture they gave to the dish. Sweet, savoury and tangy, it was a stellar example of a dish celebrating the beauty of a single ingredient.

IMG_3363
Maguro Tataki 3/5

The next course Maguro Tataki follows a similar flavour profile - Tataki in a sauce of vinegar, soy and sugar, garnished with Pickled Ginger Flower, Negi and garlic chips. While the flavours were pleasing, I would prefer a creamier dressing for the lean maguro.

IMG_3369
Haru Kakiage 4.8/5

Next is Haru Kakiage, which is served with a tentsuyu sauce and a yummy batter of Bamboo shoots, Asparagus, Onion, Burdock and Prawn Tempura. Concocted with dashi, mirin and soy, the sauce delivered an umami punch to the light batter. I love the chewy texture and crunch lent by the various ingredients.

IMG_3393
Saba Shio Yaki 4.5/5

Following is an individual portion of Saba Shio Yaki. Such tasty fish needs no seasoning, only some sea salt to bring out its sweetness. The grilled Japanese saba mackerel from Fukuoka is served with grated daikon with yuzu zest to cut the fatty flavour of the fish. The crisp skin that had been slightly seasoned with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt was delicious, with the flesh being firm and rich in taste.

IMG_3402
Beef & Negi 4.5/5

The Main showcases Wagatomo's signature beef Kamichiku 4% Miracle Gyu - Beef & Negi. The Kamichiku 4% Miracle Gyu chuck roll is grilled using an open grill fired by binchotan charcoal and oakwood, with the right doneness to render the marbled fat. The sweetness of the caramelised negi in brown butter and the savoury potato puree complement the robust meat well, with all flavours welded together harmoniously.

IMG_3411
Baked Ringo 4/5

The omakase ends with a divine Baked Ringo - Chef Tomoyuki reimagines an apple pie. Here we get an apple pie chutney encased in a baked apple, topped with refreshing green apple sorbet, alongside a cap of dehydrated apple with apple gel dollops.

IMG_3336

The Spring 2023 Omakase menu will be available from 6 March 2023 onwards and is priced at $96 per person, with a minimum of two pax to share required.

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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Wagatomo
Guoco Tower
5 Wallich Street
#01-12
Singapore 078883
Tel: +65 83136622
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130 am - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Guoco Tower. Walk to the open air square. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]