Koma Singapore | Modern Japanese Restaurant at Marina Bay Singapore

ABBEY: Yey! We got a reservation at Koma. The booking have a long list. You need to reserve your table two months ahead. We went there on Christmas Day. Entering the restaurant and walking to your table will transport you a place in Japan. There are tori gates as well as large bell. You will not remember you’re inside a mall. The ambiance got a homey and quiet feel. 

We tried their California maki and I got barbecued beef short ribs for main. The beef is tender and the sauce is not that sweet. Perfect to be folded inside lettuce. 

Recommended to be tried but I’m not that much of a fan.

WILL: Booking Koma is pretty tedious task for me. I ended up to be on a waiting list… TWICE! Huhu! I marked my calendar and on the first hour they opened the reservation for 25th December, I straight away get the 1130am lunch. 

When we saw the their festive menu, without second thoughts we chose to have an ala carte meal instead. I ordered, Spicy Tofu Hot Pot. 

I am a sucker for spicy food last December. Well, blame it to my hormones. Haha. Taste? Not bad but quite more than okay. It supplied a dose of spice for my day! Haha! It actually can serve for 2pax. California Maki is just normal but their wasabi is outstanding. 

Beside the food, people are queuing for Koma at MBS to somewhat feel the ambiance of Japan. Guests will be welcomed by orange arches, a reminiscent of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. The huge dining room complements the 2.5m tall “FACE Japanese bell", which presides above a traditional Japanese foot bridge. 

Well who can beat that? Haha.

*** 

Koma Singapore | Modern Japanese Restaurant 

(W) https://komasingapore.com/ 

(H) 11:30am–3pm, 5pm–12am 

(A) 2 Bayfront Ave, # B1 - 67, Singapore 018972 

(T) 6688 8690

Akimitsu (秋光) - VivoCity Branch

ABBEY: We celebrated Wilma’s natal day at Akimitsu (VivoCity); Japanese restaurant.

I had their signature pork katsudon. The set comes with a miso soup, chawanmushi and the katsudon with egg and sweet sauce.

The rice bowl taste good. We also asked for wasabi just to try the taste of pork slice to be eaten with it. It was good as well.

Akimitsu (秋光) - VivoCity Branch
KATSUDON

Akimitsu (秋光) - VivoCity Branch
MENU 

Akimitsu (秋光) - VivoCity Branch
MENU

WILL: All the food vendors at grabfood and foodpanda were close for lunch and we didn’t manage to order the Japanese Food we are eyeing. Cravings are still there so after office, on my natal day, we dined at Akimitsu VivoCity Branch. 

I ordered Soup Udon with Tonkatsu($13.90). Udon noodles is not as chewy as others, the soup gives the justice, haha. Tonkatsu + the sugary sauce and wasabi is always a hit for me. 

Another thing I love in this restaurant is it’s aura. It has this peaceful feel. Good place for a date!  

***

Akimitsu (秋光) - VivoCity

(F) https://www.facebook.com/akimitsu.sg/

(H) Open until 10:00 PM

(A) 1 HarbourFront Walk #01-54 Singapore 098585

(T) +6562211880

Genki Sushi at Waterway Point

ABBEY: This Japanese restaurant is always having a long queue. We got curious and we dined in there for our anniversary dinner. You can order the sushi of your choice by scanning a QR code on your receipt and then the magic happens. 

Your one-bite delight will be delivered to you by a train; a toy train. It was fun and unconventional. The wasabi has a nice kick. Bit of advice though, order early as the train can come a little longer.

The price is more expensive compared to other restaurant.

Genki Sushi
Inari

WILL: I planned to have a takeaway food for us to celebrate our 8th year anniversary but my husband except for flower surprise, he also told me that he wants to have a date at Genki Sushi. Well, as always, I said yes to his invitation. 

The gimmick is you order using your own phone via QR provided and your food will be delivered by a magnetic train. Cool, isnt? Hehe. 

So on their food: The wasabe have a hair pulling power.. and I like it. Their sushi is just the same as others. Salmon Skin Handroll has this crunch and tummy fulfilling and it is only $2.30! A good deal! 

Try Genki Sushi! Now! Haha! Oh, I forgot. There’s always a long queue. 

***

Genki Sushi Singapore

(W) https://www.genkisushi.com.sg

(H) 1130AM - 10PM

(A) 83 Punggol Central, #02-23 Waterway Point

(T) 6957 2728

Gochi-So Shokudo - Iberico Pork Belly

ABBEY: After attending a talk, we had dinner at Gochi-So Shokudo. They are serving Iberico pork and I got a bowl of Iberico Pork Mix Don. 

The pork is soft (melts in your mouth). Don’t forget to put the sauce as it will give more flavor to the pork specially to the rice when it’s soaked.

Gochi-So Shokudo
Iberico Pork Belly and Iberico Pork Mix Don

Gochi-So Shokudo
MENU

WILL: A lot of choices where to eat the basement of One Raffles Place. And most of the time all diners are full specially on lunch and around 6-7pm (overtimers), and we arrived 740pm and the place is still busy as bee. 

Gladly, we catched a free table at Gochi-So Shokudo and got a promotion of $10 for BBQ Iberian Prok Belly Don. 

Please take note that they never put anything on the pork but still, you can taste the deliciousness of a pure pork's meat. And it feels like healthier! Oh, that feeling of "healthy" because the Iberian Pigs were fed by acorns and weeds! A herbivore pigs! Nice! That's explain that this pork belly doesn't have too much fats section. 

Nom-nom-nom! Add some spices that is on the table and you will surely ask for another bowl.

***

Gochi-So Shokudo

(F) https://www.facebook.com/gochiso.shokudo/

(H) 11AM - 930PM

(A) 1 Raffles Place,#B1-30 

(T) 6536 6447

Hana Restaurant And Bar

ABBEY: Ok, their flying soba really made me look at the video twice wondering how the soba hangs from the chopsticks and the sticks are in midair. We headed to Hana Restaurant (The Forum) to see and eat the real deal. 

I got Flying Cha Soba for SGD18. It comes with 2 flavour-rich dipping sauces and a plate of Spam maki. I thought the serving is small but it totally filled my tummy. And that is lunchtime :) The restaurant also serves desserts and has a bar.

However, due to a glitch, the pictures were deleted and we headed back to the restaurant and dined again. This is after we visited the Holiday Trees display at Orchard.

I had Flying Salted Egg Yolk Udon ($18). It is another flying soba but the staff gave us a dipping sauce with truffle oil. It was so delicious. We even had a salted egg dip. Wow. It was great experience. 

Hana Restaurant And Bar
Drip Unagi Rice 

Hana Restaurant And Bar
Flying Salted Egg Yolk Udon

Hana Restaurant And Bar
The Alchemist Series Menu  

Hana Restaurant And Bar's Menu 

Hana Restaurant And Bar's Menu 

Hana Restaurant And Bar' Menu

WILL: Our second date in Hana Restaurant and now we were surprise to know that there's another set of new gimmick the team managed to pull off. Tan-na-nannn! The Alchemist Series! Yes! This is the first in the whole wide world! Haha! 'drippin' method is not only for coffee! Ha! After the flying noodles, the team has done this creative idea! Braaavo!!! I am not amazed why your reservation is on fire! 

So what's the taste? On our first visit, we ordered a Flying Soba with Spam Maki, on our second visit as recommended we went for Flying Salted Egg Yolk! I both enjoyed the noodles. In every bite you will know that it is not your ordinary noodle found in other restaurants. It has a bouncy texture that is fulfilling to my taste. Salted Egg sauce is way too creamy and we loved it. Oh! One Flying Noodle edition can serve two pax. 

Ok, we go to Alchemist Series. We got Drip Unagi Rice on our table. The water dripped off on the rice bowl is supremely tasty! UMAMI!!!! The Unagi is perfectly cooked! Rice too! Oh my! 

Filling up your carb tank? We have tried this Kimchi Pork Katsu Fried Rice. And it is real Kimchi! Drooolll! It is indeed a heavy meal. 

Yes! This is not your ordinary restaurant. If you want to be playful and take an instagrammable photo and video with a delicious food..Visit Hana NOW! :)

Thank you Michael for taking good care and greet us always with a smile. Till our next visit! 

***

Hana Restaurant And Bar 

(F) https://www.facebook.com/pg/HANARest

(H) Daily: 12pm to 2.30pm (lunch) and 6pm to 9.30pm (dinner) 

(A) #01-17 Orchard Forum Shopping Centre

(E) admin@hanarestaurant.com

(T) +65 6737 5525

Hattendo Cafe: Japan's Famous Cream Buns are Now in Singapore

ABBEY: Wilma is a fan of bread and pastries. And I hope you could see her lit-up face when she showed me a video of Japanese cream buns of Hattendo Cafe. All I heard, I want these, please? Then an idea came to me. I'll buy it, deliver to her office before I go to work. Next thing I know, I was queuing at the shop. 

Only 10 buns per person. So I connive with the ladies behind me and I left the shop with 20. Wow. We didn't eat them all, we gave some of them to her colleagues. It costs 2.50SGD a piece and needs to be refrigerated. Ice packs will be provided. 

The bun melts in your mouth and there is a good amount of filling in it. The filling is not too sweet so you can eat 2-3 pieces in one sitting as they are only bigger than bite size. 

We're not able to try the red bean as it was sold out. Five flavors to choose from: custard (signature), cream, chocolate, green matcha, red bean.

Hattendo Cafe Flavours
And Abbey's Note to Will

WILL: I saw a video of TheSmartLocal regarding a new store opened about cream puffs. Yes! I luuurvvve cream puffs. Immediately, I requested my Honeybunch to treat me some of those. 

I am surprised that he is in front of our office door, carrying three boxes of Hattendo's cream puffs. He didn't only treat me of this pastry but also some of my colleagues (no wonder they love Abbey than me). 

He gave me seven pieces of those and what I love the most of all the flavours is Whipped Cream. It is perfectly creamy and blends well with its "melt-on-your-mouth" bun of Hattendo. 

Abbey knew how much I love this kind of stuffs :) Thankie Abbey, TheSmartLocal and Hattendo!

***

Hattendo Cafe Singapore

(A) 7 Wallich Street, Tanjong Pagar Centre #01-05

(H) Mon-Fri, 10am-9pm. Sat-Sun, 11am-8pm

(F) https://www.facebook.com/HattendoSingapore/

Japanese Gourmet Town at VivoCity

ABBEY: Once the adrenaline rush left my system after our business plan presentation, I became hungry. Our team celebrated at Japanese Gourmet Town in Vivo City. 

I got Chicken Teriyaki Tenshin Han. Wilma and I thought that it was the rice meal which was wrapped it an omelette. But it turned out to be a scrambled egg dome which covers the rice. Anyways it is still delicious and I got my fix for Japanese gravy craving. 

The meal also comes with a plate of gyoza and drink. All for $15.90. 

Chicken Cutlet Tenshin Han Set

Chicken Teriyaki Tenshin Han

Japanese Gourmet Town Menu (VivoCity) 

Osaka Osha Gyoza

WILL: After Abbey and the team presented the business plan to a group of panelists, we celebrated that happy event at Japanese Gourmet Town at VivoCity. 

I went for Chicken Cutlet Tenshin Han Set. It is comprising of Tenshin Han (Rice Topped with Egg), their well recommended Osaka Osha Gyoza, Egg Soup and a glass of soda. You can get get all of that for only $14.90. It is a huge serving. Haha! 

So what's the verdict? The taste is awesome. Specially the gyoza! Oishi!!! I may suggest that they should have an unlimited gyoza promotion. :) 

'Till next time Japanese Gourmet Town!

***

Japanese Gourmet Town

(A) 1 Harbourfront Walk #01-157/158, VivoCity

(T) 6224 9690

Shabu Sai – Japanese Shabu-Shabu & Sukiyaki Hotpot (Suntec City Branch) - Set Meal

ABBEY: The day has come for our team to move to a new office. After a couple of years in Suntec Tower 5, we're invading Hansapoint. So as a last hurrah, I asked my wife to have dinner at Shabu Sai in Suntec City Mall. We only ordered ala carte instead of buffet. It only took a couple of minutes then our food was served.

I had Sukiyaki Hotpot Set which comes with California Maki and soba. For 13.99GD, I'm very full. The food is delicious and flavorful.

Sukiyaki Hotpot Set

Set Menu Meal 

Chicken Oyakoni Set Meal

WILL: Abbey requested to meet him at Suntec City, his office location for more than 4 years (their office moved to other location) and a place for people who love to eat. Did you know that Fountain of Wealth was surrounded by huge array of restaurants? Well-diversified place for you to choose your dinner. 

We went for Shabu Sai for our last dinner date at Suntec. This is well known for its cheap buffet but please take in mind that they also offer set meals. I had Chicken Oyakoni. For people who love sweet food, c'mon and visit the place. Even though I am more inclined to salty food, I liked what they serve. It clicked well with wasabi (I am drooling imagining the food, haha!). 

If you want a value for money with a romantic back-drop restaurant...go ahead and take a seat at Shabu Sai. See you there on our next visit.

***

Shabu Sai (Shabu Shabu / Sukiyaki) Suntec City 

7 Temasek Blvd

(T) 6336 6129

(H) 10AM–10PM

Kuretake Japanese Restaurant - Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City

ABBEY: At last after a couple of years, I'm able to meet again the leader of Rabasu team; Aris Azur. He came along with Nica and His son Arwind. We met at Kuretake, a Japanese restaurant, at Rockwell Powerplant Mall.

I had Katsuma Tama Ju Box that came with miso soup and pickles for 320 pesos. I love the rice toppings. The chicken is tender and moist and rice is cooked well. Serving is good enough to make me full. Then I washed it all down with mango shake. Philippine mango is really the best.

The restaurant also serves teppanyaki, sushi, sashimi, ramen, and soba.

Tori Udon

Katsuma Tama Ju Box

WILL: We should be dining at Mamou II, but there is a 2 seating time and both cannot accommodate the timing we have scheduled. Just beside this restaurant is Kuretake. 

Abbey's best man, Aris and his wife Nica and baby Arwind were already there when we arrived the place. The restaurant is serene and this is the right place for us to catch up on our lives. 

I ordered Tori Udon (Php330.00) . The soup is perfect, the meat is tender and the thick noodles make my tummy full in an instant. 

Over that meal, we shared a lot of events in our life. It so nice to see an old friend face-to-face. Nothing beats that. :) Thanks Azur Family for the time spent with us. Till next time. Tori Udon $330.00

*** Kuretake Japanese Restaurant (Philippines)  Ground Level Power Plant Mall Rockwell Drive corner Estrella Street Rockwell Center, Makati, Philippine 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM / 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM (T) +63 2 898 0509 (E) jgihrdept@gmail.com

Idaten Udon | Personalize Your Udon (Citylink Mall)

ABBEY: After our stroll in Marina Barrage for our Singapore Flash Forward video, we became hungry. We stumbled upon the newly opened Idaten Udon branch at City Link Mall. You can customized your own udon from type of noodles, soup and toppings.

I got myself a bowl of curry rice, yes no udon for me, and a side dish of JUMBO mixed vegetable tempura. The portion of curry rice is small. Good thing I got the the mixed vegetable tempura which towers maybe 3-4 inches high.

The condiments like tempura sauce, wasabi, and Japanese mayo are free flow. They are in the self-service section. It also includes crumbs of the fried items. Try it in small portions :)

Since this is self-service, clear your tray upon leaving.

WILL: After our tiring day, we went at CityLink Mall for a dinner and Abbey suggested to try Idaten Udon. 

I got Beef Udon (Original Udon Noodle) and Chicken Katsu. After a bite of their noodle, my eyes brightened and this restaurant creates a mark that their noodle will be one of my comfort food. The noodle alone will make you full, the texture is very firm and the taste is delectable. 

Completely recommendable.

***
Idaten Udon (Citylink Mall)
(A) #B1-21 CityLink Mall, 
1 Raffles Link, Singapore 039393

(T) 63287940

Menya Musashi at VivoCity

ABBEY: We decided to dine at Menya Musashi after our stroll at Vivo City (#01-104). 

I got their Chicken Cutlet Toji Rice Set; chef recommended. It comes with a bowl of rice, fried chicken cutlet soaked in beaten egg yolks, miso soup, and chawanmushi.

Japanese rice is delicious. It goes well with the chicken cutlet and the taste is not that salty. I washed them all down with the miso soup. Then for the finale, I ate the egg custard which was topped with mushroom and pork bits. 

The meal costs 16SGD.

WILL: Abbey is so overwhelmed with his new shoes and on that, he treated me a dinner at Menya Musahi at VivoCity. The store is not that big but have a welcoming ambias. We are lucky that time that there is no long queue going on when we arrived the place. 

We were ushered to our seats, ordered via iPad app and they immediately served us their complimentary hot tea. Have you experience that ramen splashes back to your soup? To avoid any clothing stains, you can ask for paper bibs. :) 

I got a thin ramen for my spicy soup set. I am amazed on how flavourful the ramen specially their noodles. Oishi! One bowl is too much for my tummy size, and of course husband is there to rescue me (we hate wasting food). He to agreed how delicious it is. 

Please visit them on any of their branches.

***

Menya Musashi - VivoCity

1 Harbourfront Walk #01-104 Singapore 098585

Tel: 6376 9519

Shin-Sapporo Ramen (Orchard Gateway Branch) - Tonkotsu Fire Ramen

ABBEY: This restaurant is another item in my "To Dine" list. Shin Sapporo (Orchard Gateway B2-04A-05) offers this one of a kind ramen: the Tonkutsu Fire Ramen.

Note: You need to have reservation a day prior to your eating time.

We were an hour earlier and we thought we will wait for another 60 minutes. But Stanley, their attentive and hospitable staff, gave us confirmation that we can start. We were briefed and given the do's and don't when the chef is doing the performance. Basically, stay away from the scalding hot oil splashes and the fire.

I was given an apron for protection and I was led to my seat. My wife was my cameraman that time.

Then the performance began. And the fire nearly reached the ceiling. That's the reason there were black traces of smoke on it.

Since we ordered two bowls, they did it twice.

We went back to our table and and the bowls of ramen were served.

It was delicious. I also put chili oil. The best thing is that I can order another serving of noodles for free.

Each bowl costs 16SGD. 

WILL: Abbey serious about his "to-dine" list! Hehe. This time we went to visit Shin-Sapporo Ramen.

When we arrived at the restaurant, we were educated on the things that will happen and what is the Fire Ramen will be. Minutes later, two bowls are on fire! I immediately look around for fire alarms may sound off. Why? The fire reached the restaurant's ceiling! Whew! 

Then, we dug in. What's the taste? To tell you, we are sick that time and longing for a hot and spicy soup that will make our flu fly away! So what's the taste? It is one of the most delicious ramen we have ate. Creamy soup is perfect. Now I am drooling! Haha!

Very recommendable.

***

Shin-Sapporo Ramen

277 Orchard Road 

#B2-04A/05 Orchard Gateway 

T: 6702 4906

enquiry@shin-sappororamen.com

Kiseki Japanese Buffet Restaurant - Orchard Central

ABBEY: It's been a very late celebration, but only 22nd of April is the best time for us to dine at Kiseki Japanese Buffet Restaurant.

We did reserve a week before and at last.. the time came. The restaurant is in the eighth storey of Orchard Central. Once we were led to the table, I put my bag down and started to roam around checking what they have to offer. They have fried delights like crispy chicken, ebi tempura, and salmon head. I don't know how long they have been on the serving station but I find them too oily and not that crispy anymore. 

They also have grilled foods; baby potatoes, sweet corn, pork, squid, and chicken yakitori. Beef and chicken tepanyaki were also available. Mussels and shrimps were there but they're off limits to me. So I feasted on salmon meat and belly. Every bite is heaven once the salmon is dipped the soy sauce and wasabi. I washed them all with lemonade, soda and hot green tea. 

The dinner costs almost 75sgd for both of us.

WILL: Do you know the song “Everything is Awesome” from the 2014 Lego Movie? Sing with me using the below lyrics...

Everything is Oily... When you eat at Kiseki..
Evertyhing is Oilyyyyy!

Why I said that? Read more.

The cashier in front told us that Salmon Head is their house recommendation. When I saw the salmon head, right away picked one of it. I giggled loudly when I saw the mountain of ebi tempura. I got a plateful instantly.

I went to our table and agonizingly waiting for my husband to take his food. After a prayer of thanks, I attacked the tempura relentlessly. Haha! But on every bite I notice that it is oily. I took the Salmon head, and its oily too. I used tissue to the crab claw to squeeze out the unnecessary oil. 

This is not-all-rant-blog, I want to commend their hotpot, the perfectly grilled corn and the bean sprout! 

Thanks Kiseki for being part of our April celebration. Hope you check on “too oily” issue.