Coco Ichibanya @ Westgate: Japanese Curry Rice Cafe

Are you hungry right now for Japanese Curry Rice?

I am. 

My first fall-out with Coco Ichibanya occurred at the Star Vista outlet a year ago where I was left to grapple with a pathetic sized pork cutlet and curry that was too watered down. Fast forward a year, to after this tasting, tables have turned, and now I can't stop thinking about it. Imagine a plate full of soft fragrant rice, a generous slab of golden brown and tender pork cutlet,  grazed by lapping waves of a curry bobbing between sweet and slightly spicy, and dribbles of creamy cheese disguising its tenacious flavor profile within. That, my friends, is a potential source of addiction.

The Pork Cutlet Curry with Cheese ($14) may look bare but it's precise formula makes for one banging dish that satisfies all aspects of flavor cravings, the various textures appealing to the work worn me. 

Across the table, the Creamed Mushroom Omelet Rice ($13) looked equally enticing with a barely cooked omelet topped with a gooey mushroom cream sauce and then the Japanese curry, filling in the gaps. Doubt anybody can say no to that.

Another stellar dish would be the Omelet Hashed Beef ($14) which my companion raved about. the generic curry given a twist here with a more fruit based and hence sweeter version that complimented the more pronounced flavors of the beef slices.

Coco Ichibanya located at Westgate Mall has done a major rebranding in this individual branch, positioning themselves to grasp the attention of the hipper cafe-hopping crowds in the vicinity. With that, pancakes have emerged as their signature items, and I was eager to try them out. We had the Banana Choco Pancake ($8.90) which turned out a bit drab, the pancakes noticeably dense and cakey, while the ice cream a tad icy in texture, not doing the dish any favours. 

 

This slump may soften my recommendations but they weren't enough to knock any part of meal seriously off-track. The bad impression that concluded our dining experience, wiped out by the half dozen good ones that founded the meal, especially the one that didn't threaten to rip a large hole in our wallets. I devoured my meal with gusto and left the restaurant with an agreeable belly.

Coco Ichibanya Curry House

3 Gateway Drive #01-02, 

Singapore 608532

t: 6710 7062

w: http://www.facebook.com/CoCoICHIBANYAsingapore

Opening Hours:

Sunday-Thurs: 10am - 9.30pm

Fri - Sat: 10am- 10.30pm