Showing posts with label tonkatsu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tonkatsu. Show all posts
Pepper Lunch launches new multi-sensory dishes
Labels:
affordable,
carbonara,
chain restaurant,
family friendly,
hot plate,
might visit,
pasta,
tonkatsu
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It all started with a humble takeaway lunch of grilled chicken rice entry on Instagram that sparked off the start of this campaign with Pepper lunch. It is with no shame to announce that I've always been a closet fan of Pepper lunch and its affordable meal options touting a healthy meat to carb ratio (as all of you know, I'm very much a carnivore 80% of the time), and to add to the pageantry of the dining experience, that hot plate which evokes certain nostalgic vibes.
This mid of year 2017, Pepper Lunch pushed out new sizzles to whet the evolving taste buds of its customers. From risottos to carbonara and curry rice, their expanded repertoire definitely piqued the picky likes of me and I was more than happy to be able to taste the entire flight in a single session.
Here's the scoop.
Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin: Third Generation Japanese Breaded Pork Cutlet restaurant launches new menu items!
Labels:
bitejapan,
comfortfoods,
ion,
japanese,
large groups,
must go,
orchard,
tonkatsu,
will return
·
You've heard of Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin in B4 of Ion Orchard? Lucky you, because it took me a whole 8 years since its setup in 2009 to chance upon its existence. The relentless search for Singapore's best Tonkatsu never once leading me to the food basement of this human-overrun commonplace. Fortunately for me, this bane was recently overhauled when a photo assignment brought such unexpected pleasures to my senses, after my first apprehensive bite of the Katsu sandwich. A third generation breaded pork cutlet recipe sandwiched between white bread is a no-brainer winner. This idea spawned by Nobukatsu-san during World War I when faced with the dire situation of severe rice shortage - nothing short of genius and we're glad it's a staple on the menu.
Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin remains steadfast to its roots, the menu not deviating far from it's superstar product, the tonkatsu. However, that is soon to change as the kitchen buzzes with additions to the menu.
Hajime @ MyVillage: Tonkatsu that feeds the illusion
Labels:
affordable,
family friendly,
fried chicken,
hidden finds,
large groups,
must go,
serangoon,
tonkatsu,
will return
·
Shan't beat around the bush here. Hajime Tonkatsu Ramen situated on the 2nd floor of MyVillage in Serangoon Gardens does one of the most perfect renditions of Tonkatsu I've ever had, with a serious consideration of price context of course.
Daikokuya (Paragon): Ramen stop.
Labels:
affordable,
ala carte,
big groups,
dinner,
family friendly,
japanese,
lunch,
may return,
orchard,
ramen,
restaurants,
salad,
tonkatsu
·
Ramen is a meal option in abundance, especially when straddling the length of Orchard road. There's just something about a group of friends bent over hot bowls of noodles, slurping on thick broth full of umami that sets the stage for feelings of camaraderie.
Daikokuya located in the basement of Paragon with its long term residence in the same location has been on my "to-try' list, at least subconsciously, for the longest period of time.
It was a Monday night when we set foot in the establishment. Business was all but a thin whisper of cold air apart from the subdued laughter from our table. Perhaps it's the Monday blues at work, but with the queue system at Din Tai Feng in full swing next door; one begins to wonder if the change in menu has had an adverse effect on business.
Saboten: Still haven't found what I'm looking for
Labels:
family friendly,
japanese,
orchard 313,
salad,
tonkatsu,
will not return
·
One of the several reasons to like Saboten is the bona-fide promise to get some deep-fried food into your system without the whole cloying oil-laden regrets that come an hour later.
In Tune with the opening of its new outlet in 313 Somerset, Saboten has released some new menu speciality items such as the Iberico Loin Katsu Set ($28) and the Fried Jumbo Prawns Set ($28.50) to create a stir amongst its diners. To be fair, Saboten has never quite stolen the residency of 'Singapore's King of Tonkatsu' throne in my heart, and I broached the repeated challenge with indifference.
The promise of more glamorous waves unfortunately was met with a barrage of quizzical looks round the table as diners found themselves tucking into a chewier cut of meat masquerading as Iberico pork, this pedigreed species which supposedly delivers more succulence and delicacy of flavor from it's excellent marbling had no such luck here.
The Fried Jumbo Prawn Set is an immaculate gathering of gold treasures in various shapes and sizes. It's entourage including a wild-catch tiger prawn, creamy crab croquette and a hunk of original loin katsu. Indecisive ones will feel a strong tug to check out this 'surf & turf' set and hope for the best for at least one of the lot. For those who venture into this terrain, you'll be rewarded with an even showing from all aspects of the meal, the jumbo prawn grown to such large proportions that a quick trip to the deep fryer still render its deep innards unimaginably creamy. The crab croquette which tasted more of potato than crab meat had a melted cream cheese like texture when pried apart. Last but not least, the piece of original loin katsu peculiarly nudged the Iberico katsu off its pedestal and had a better luscious quality to it.
Now filled up on free-flow cabbage and fried food, we wrapped up the ingloriously diet-betraying affair with the Fried Hotate ($12 for 2 pieces) which are only available till the end of October in line with the seasonal Hotate Feast. These beauties were pulled from the heat precisely at the moment their flesh turns from translucent to a crystal white, before they had a chance to seize up into a rubbery puck that would chase away their sweet oceanic juices. Definitely a dish worth splashing the extra couple of bucks for.
Surrounded by a deluge of similar concept restaurants with identical menu, Saboten misses the mark pertaining to specific issues such as the quality of its cuts (as explained before), however, some of it's less common offerings ups the ante for those craving a little bit more variety.
Saboten
Orchard 313
#B2-02/03
w: https://www.facebook.com/saboten.sg
Opening Hours:
Daily 11:30am to 10:00pm
Saboten @ Orchard 313:
Labels:
japanese,
orchard,
orchard 313,
sommerset,
tonkatsu
·
The debate is tireless. And the outcome of it, an eventual tie between the tonkatsu giants Tonkichi and the underdog Saboten. The referencing drawn only because of my extreme biasness towards Tonkichi (can't help it... too much sentimental value attached to the place).
For those who aren't aware, tonkatsu chain Saboten recently closed it's outlet at Parco in Milennia walk and opened a brand new spruced up version in 313@somerset. Westies.. relax, the branch in IMM mall still lives. Fret not.
With a mission in tow (weighing Saboten against Tonkichi after the recent dismissal of Ma Maison); we dropped in the new outlet, emboldened by the bewitching lure of the opening promotion for 50% off on the second set ordered (major thanks to @lobangsg for the heads-up).
The restaurant has ditched its usual zen like ambience for a set of brighter lights that results in a imposing opulent quality that somehow makes the experience seem a little too regal and formal for my liking.
Food wise, Saboten performs the standard rituals, cold cabbage served with your choice of yuzu vinegar dressing or velvety smooth sesame sauce. That stuff is what dreams are made of. The miso soup and chawanmushi however were nothing to shout about and neither was the pork. Instead of belts of golden caramelised fats, the pork cutlet had a rather patchy distribution of marbling with large knobs of it stationed at the tips of the loin, rendering the rest of the deprived flesh a tough act to swallow. Yes, I do have to agree that it is slightly more tender than Tonkichi's version, however, the soggy bottoms of the non-adhering crumbing just throws it off its game.
Dear boyfriend, I'm still a Tonkichi girl at the end of the day. Bite me.
Saboten
Orchard 313
#B2-02/03
Website: https://www.facebook.com/saboten.sg
Tonkichi: my steadfast love
When I crave a good tonkatsu (once in a bluemoon), I only turn to one place.
My rock, my steadfast love, that manages to fill the entirety of all my cravings, nooks and crannies inclusive; that is Tonkichi. And if that isn't specific enough, I implode you please patronise the Takashimaya brunch for the most outstanding meal.
Deliciously golden brown, rich and salaciously juicy, the fried rosu katsu is the perfect thickness with the panko crumb crust adhering with a gentle magnetic touch to the flesh. With free flow of cabbage and rice thrown into the mix, one can fill up on the slight excessive tangle of greens with the addictive Japanese wafu-style salad dressing which helps to keep everything in check and cuts through the fat.
Question: Where would you turn to for the best tonkatsu?
Tonkichi (Takashimaya)
391 Orchard Road #04-24
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Tower A, Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872
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