Momiji Japanese Restaurant: Oysters Haven
Labels:
affordable,
beer,
brunch,
buffet dinner,
family friendly,
farrer park,
japanese,
may not return,
novena,
oysters,
tempura,
teppanyaki
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Daunting. That was the word that first popped up in my head when faced with an invite to a buffet restaurant. For starters, I do not have a small appetite. However, when greeted with such a lavish spread of pabulum, my brain feeds on the matter way quicker than my stomach; and before you know it, I'm stuffed. *sulks*
Thankfully, I approached the Momiji Japanese Buffet with a different strategy in mind. Spurred on by the Oyster Festival (promotion available till 1 Jan); there was no beating around the bush, I went straight in for the kill.
Of course, with Christmas just round the corner; for those looking for something a little more festive, there's the Christmas promotion as well available from the 19 Dec to the 1 Jan which includes some specials such as Honey Glazed Turkey Ham with mushroom sauce, turkey breast teppanyaki, Turkey Ham tempura with nacho cheese, Baked Salmon Lasagna and Christmas Log Cake - not my cup of tea but perhaps some of you out there might enjoy basking in the Christmas spirit with this Japanese take on the traditional classics.
Moving back to the oysters, the buffet features 8 different oyster dishes prepared with various methods at the different stations (only 5 if you're doing lunch). My favourites of the night were by far the Goma Oyster and Ponzu Oyster. Served chilled, these babies had a fulsome, almost meat like texture, accentuated by their accompanying dressing. The former, a thick robust sweet sesame sauce that helps to enhance the oyster meats flavor; and the latter with a racy acidity that cuts through the slight fishiness of it.
There was also the Hot Plate Oyster which attempts to semi-cook the oysters with a mixture of mushrooms, cabbage and tomato based sauce. To be honest, not the most successful of ideas but it helps to sustain the curious peckishness of us, diners.
A better pick would be the Oyster Lobster Mayo Yaki which have quite a following as judged by the long line of clips that have congregated on the food stands (fyi, you place your orders for 'cook-to-order' food by attaching the mini clips with your table numbers to the stands with the food item you're interested in), tender and juicy with a crisp crust that shatters to reveal a creamy mixture of lobster mayo; this, my friends, was the loot of the evening. And while you're at it, be sure to order the rest of the grilled items, like the mentaiko scallop; warm and comforting, each mouthful draped with the richness of cream, milk, and butter.
The spread continues with Panko Fried Oyster, Oyster Shabu Shabu, Japanese Apple Dressing Oyster and Miso Teppan Oyster. Some of which I never got down to tasting, mostly because of the other distractions on the line. At Momiji, you can expect a busting Japanese marketplace with an extensive selection of food such as sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki, tempura, shabu-shabu, yakitori, hot food and dessert, so long story in short; there's something to indulge everyone. And obviously I had my eyes on the sashimi and oysters. Some other dishes that I would recommend include the seafood chawanmushi and some of the tempura items (word of advice: Ignore the piles of golden feed on hot-hold, instead keep a close eye out on the chefs as they fish out fresh batches from the deep fryer. That's when they are the most glorious.) Merry makers, rejoice in the free flow Sapporo beer that is available from 6 30pm - 7 30pm daily (12 30 - 1 30pm on Sundays).
To end your meal on a sweet note, there's the D-I-Y waffle station with free flow Haagen Dazs ice cream. Instructions make the process fool proof, and the results are quaffable but not exceptional, the waffle a little chewy and dense in the middle; the Matcha and Macadamia nut ice cream filling in the gaps.
Buffet Prices range from $24.80++ to $29.80++ for lunch and $37.80++ - $39.80++ for dinners. Note that additional charges will be applied for the Christmas promotions.
Momiji Japanese Buffet
Revenue House
55 Newton Road #02-02
S(307987)
City Square Mall
180 Kitchener Rod
#02-05/06
S(208539)
Operating Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 3pm; 5.30pm - 10pm
Sun: 11 30am - 3 30pm; 5 30pm - 10pm
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