Saturday, April 4, 2020

Dashi Master Marusaya @ 86 Robertson Quay

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Marusaya specialises in authentic Japanese cuisine using all natural dashi (だし).  No MSG and no preservatives. The dashi (broth) forms the foundation of Japanese cuisine, and is typically made from katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes). At Marusaya, the katsuobushi had undergone a process of simmering, smoking and drying for about 2 years instead of the typical 1 year. The result is Satsuma Hongare-Honbushi which has a more concentrated savoury umami flavour.

entrance
interior


Thank you Jennifer from JY Consultancy and Marusaya for the invitation to try the dishes at Dashi Master.

The service crew will bring out the cold towel (oshibori) for diners before the start of the meal.

おしぼり

ビールじゃない


For appetiser, started with Half-Dried Bonito Fish Jerky (Taberu Katsuobushi). Hmm, first time in my life, having bonito flakes as appetiser! It was an interesting experience. The texture is as it looked like. Taste wise, the savoury flavour releases slowly as you chew. If you are curious about the taste of bonito fish jerky, then this appetiser would be perfect to satiate that curiosity.

Half-Dried Bonito Beef Jerky 食べる鰹節 @$15++
closer view

Next, was the Blanched Spinach with Dashi Sauce. Spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes in delicious dashi sauce, and topped with bonito flakes shavings. Yums!

Blanched Spinach with Dashi Sauce お浸し @$9++
yummy

The agedashi tofu here was pretty good. Served with sliced capsicum and swimming in dashi. The tofu skin was mochi mochi and carried the stock well.

Agedashi Tofu 揚げ出し豆腐 @$12++
chewy mochi skin

How about some oden too? This would be a good dish to showcase the delicious dashi broth. We had daikon, konjac, chikuwa, chicken meatballs and hard boiled egg. My favourite was the homemade chicken meatballs. So flavourful and best matched with the broth.

おでん @$20++ per portion (photo showed 2 portions combined)

The limelight at Dashi Master, is the Dashi Shabu Set. Diners could pick their choice of meat; A4 Wagyu Beef $68++, A5 Wagyu Beef $108++ or Pork $48++. There's also the homemade chicken meatballs hotpot at $38++ per pax.

To start, service crew would bring out a large steel pot with shredded vegetables in it. There's Chinese cabbage, carrot, kale, tang oh, leak, shimeji, shiitake and myoga. All awaiting for the dashi broth to be poured over.

huge pot of shredded vegetables 

in goes the dashi
A4 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef and Hokkaido Pork (3 pax portion)

waiting for the soup to boil, then turn it down to 80 degrees for optimal cooking
now is the time



The source of the meat could be seasonal. For example, at the moment, they are serving Miyazaki beef and at other times, it could be from the Kagoshima prefecture.

The beef was happiness in a slice. After you are done with the meat and vegetables, one could choose either udon or porridge as the finale for the meal. Included as part of the Shabu Set.

If you like a firm chewy texture, go for the homemade udon. Made fresh daily.

Add caption

I prefer the porridge, as the grains would be absorbing all the goodness of the shabu pot into itself.

bubbling with anticipation
porridge


Have enjoyed a hearty meal at Dashi Master Marusaya. The flavour of the dashi was not too overpowering and has the right balance to let the ingredients shine.

To end the meal, let's enjoy a scoop of ice-cream (on the house, if you flash this page!).

black sesame (front) and matcha ice-cream (back)

ごちそうさまでした!


Dashi Master Marusaya

Address: 86 Robertson Quay, #01-01 Robertson Blue, Singapore 238245
Websitehttp://bitejapan.asia/marusaya/
Contact: 6732 0383
Business Hours:
Mon-Fri: 5pm - 11.30pm
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 11.30pm

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Itacho Sushi @ Novena Square

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Was famished and decided to try this new Itacho outlet at Novena Square 2. Staff will take your temperature and customer will leave their name and contact number. Like the other sushi chain restaurant in Singapore, Itacho has its app that customer can download from Google Play or App Store.

Ordering was simple but took quite long to browse as there were sections like Sushi King, Season Special, Easter Surprise etc. At 2.30pm, the two limited promotion items were sold out. There goes my cheap sushi.

I love scallops, so ordered one and the Mar promotional item of roasted bincho red wine with lemon sauce. The aburi scallop sushi is rather pricey and I'd recommend the Genki sushi version where 3 hotate sushi is only about $5+.

[front to back] Roasted Bincho Red Wine with Lemon Sauce @$2.20 and Roasted Scallop @$3.30

Not the pretties looking and there's a noticeable difference in size between the $2.20 and $3.30 sushi.

the only flavour you'll remember is the lemon tang

There's a drink promo where $2.50 gets you two canned drinks. The menu has a few combo which you could choose. I chose a sweet one and another unsweetened one.

Mango Green Tea @$2.50 (1 for 1)

One of the prettier looking dish was the Roasted Kagashima Wagyu Beef. Plating was on-point and served with garlic chips too! The wagyu slice was thin as expected for this price point. Worth ordering.

[Sushi King] Roasted Kagoshima Wagyu Beef w Garlic @$10
different angle

Next, was also a luxurious item of Sea Urchin Tai sushi. Was abit cautious in ordering uni (sea urchin) at Itacho but was pleasantly surprised by this item. The small dollop of uni looked pretty good actually, but overall, this piece was tiny. No funky taste, and the sushi had a little hint of sweetness.

[Season Special] Sea Urchin Tai Sushi @$4.50 (UP $5.60)

Usually, I'll be full with 7 pieces of sushi but at Itacho, I needed more (due to the average size of the sushi piece which was slightly smaller). Added 2 more pieces of sushi; sea eel and akami.
Sea Eel Sushi @$3
Blue Fin Tuna Sushi  Akami @$3.40 (UP $4.50)

The sea eel sushi had a glaze that tasted too sweet for me, so it wasn't as enjoyable as anticipated. Was rather happy with the akami. Good portion and tasted about just right!

Spent $34 for the above meal.


Itacho Sushi

Address: #02-85/89, NOVENA Square 2
Websitehttps://www.itachosushi.com.sg/
Contact: 6261 4616
Business Hours:
SUN TO THURS: 1100 - 2200
FRI, SAT & HOLIDAY EVE: 1100 - 2300

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Crown Bakery & Cafe @ Bukit Timah

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Located at Crown Centre, this bakery cafe is painted in charming cerulean/tiffany blue. Looks striking from afar and had passed by this place once and yesterday was the first time trying it.

cafe's facade
let's eat some breads

The cafe welcomes walk-in customers and do not take in reservations for seats. Ample tables at the alfresco area and they are observing the safe distancing rules. Indoor dining is limited to 3 tables during this period.

indoor dining

Order at the counter and make payment first. Customers will be given a buzzer and to collect when food/drink is ready. Staff are young and friendly.

As with a bakery, was inclined to try their breads, hence ordered their B.L.T.C and Grilled Pork Sandwich. Customers can choose their bread for the sandwiches, so we had ciabata for the sandwich and croissant for the B.L.T.C.

For drinks, I tried the mocha and the "Sweet N Simple" juice.

B.L.T.C (front) @$14.90 and Grilled Pork Sandwich (back) @$15.90

I suppose B.L.T.C stands for bacon, lettuce, tomato and cheddar? Hahaa! All the yummy ingredients in the sandwich. Very tasty combo and slightly on the saltier side due to the bacon. Sinful, and satisfying. Loved the salad on the side. Fresh, crisp and tasty from the sprinkling of dressing.

thick cut bacon stack


But the star, ought to be the grilled pork sandwich. Well buttered crispy toast, thick cut juicy and flavourful pork belly that was grilled perfectly. Yums! Not forgetting them pickles in there. Lovely combo.

thick and juicy

Have it all with a glass of sweet healthy juice. I liked my green apple and celery juice. Sweet~

Sweet N Simple @$6

For hot drink, try the mocha. Loved the sweet thick cocoa taste, and I thought the drink temperature was just right. Enjoyed this quite a bit.

Mocha @$6
thick and sweet

And of course, da-bao'ed (take-away) some of the breads. Can't buy too many because its prices are on the higher side.

Assorted Breads

Salted Butter Roll @$2
Almond Cream Brioche @$2.40
inside of the brioche

My favorite of the lot, was the Japanese Sweet Potato Mini Loaf. When its stated as mini, it really was!

Japanese Sweet Potato Mini Loaf @$5.20
I thought the sweet potato was just on top
but I was wrong, inside there's sweet potato~
plentiful of sweet potato~


Crown Bakery & Cafe

Address: 557 Bukit Timah Road #01-03 Crown Centre, 269694
Websitehttps://www.crownbakery.com.sg/
Online Shop: https://crownbakery.oddle.me/en_SG/
Contact: 6463 3066
Business Hours:
Daily 730am to 7pm
 
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