Issho Izakaya – Family Friendly Izakaya

Issho Izakaya is a concept by Neo Group serving an extensive array of Japanese dishes. Issho is a Japanese word for together. Issho Izakaya (“Issho”) aims to be a place for family and friends to come together and enjoy a good meal. Under the guidance of Japanese Chef Consultant Takayuki Fukushima, the culinary team also serve an impressive line-up of kushiyaki.

Issho Izakaya @SingPost Centre

This review is for the SingPost Centre outlet. The food offering is very extensive and here are some of the must-order items.

Sushi Tacos. The seaweed sheet is coated with tempura batter and deep-fried in the shape of a taco shell. It is then filled with sushi rice and toppings. My picks for the toppings are Unatama ($6.80) – eel & tamago; and Lobster Salad ($6.80) - chilled lobster chunks. The eel & tamago have a sweet and umami flavour, while the lobster salad is crunchy and refreshing.

Sushi Taco - Lobster Salad

Sushi Taco - Unatama

Sashimi Moriawase ($44 for 15 pcs). Some of the sashimi will change depending on the season. The sashimi is always fresh and beautifully plated. I like the use of lime here, as it gives a refreshing taste compared to just dipping the sashimi into the shoyu.

Sashimi Moriawase

Tako Karaage ($8.80) and Salmon Skin Chips ($6.80). I like the thickness of the salmon skin here. It is thick, crispy and you can feel the “shiokness” through the crackling sound when you bit into it. Meanwhile, the Tako Karaage has a nice crisp and addictive chewiness.

Salmon Skin Chips & Tako Karaage

Kushiyaki – Black Angus Ribeye Foie Gras ($8.50). An amazing combination. On the first bite, you get juicy succulent ribeye. Followed by creamy, fatty texture and melt-in-your-mouth sensation of the foie gras; Then repeat. Let’s just say 1 stick will not be enough. Of course, the Black Angus Ribeye ($7.50) is another option for those who don’t like foie gras.

Kushiyaki – Black Angus Ribeye Foie Gras 

Kushiyaki – Black Angus Ribeye Foie Gras

Black Angus Ribeye Foie

Hotate Yaki ($4). Plump and juicy scallops, grilled to perfection. Tsukune ($3) is the standard for judging Japanese Kushiyaki or Yakitori. It is crisp externally, followed by sweet marinated soft minced chicken packs with flavour. Nicely done.

Hotate Yaki

Shiitake ($2.80). Plump, juicy and bursting with mushroom umami flavour.

Shiitake

Buta Bara ($4). Grilled Nagano Pork Belly. Juicy, crisp and #Porkgasm. Tori Kawa ($4.50), it delivers a combination of charred crisp externally and chewy skin texture internally. Yummy.

Buta Bara

Unlike other izakayas that will heavily season their kushiyaki because they want you to drink, Issho just lightly seasoned theirs and allow the natural flavour of the proteins or vegetables to shine.

Tori Kawa

Tori Kawa

During lunch hour, Issho offers lunch set menu as well. LD like their Bara Chirashi Don Set ($25.90). The chopped sashimi is fresh and the portion is generous. Served on top of Japanese rice, together with appetiser, Japanese clear soup and desserts, it is a good combination for lunch.

Bara Charashi Don

The service is friendly and helpful. The décor of the restaurant is Japanese-centric with an open concept. The diners can see clearly the view outside the restaurant, and the same goes for people outside looking in. While most izakaya you can feel it just cater to the adults and drinking crowd, Issha is also suitable for family and office dining destinations.

Overall, we have visited this outlet a few times and we like it. The food is good, reasonably priced and friendly environment. Make sure you order the Kushiyaki. Kanpai!! Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 7.75/10

Value: 7/10

Service: 7.5/10

Ambiance: 7.25/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50; $51 - 80

Issho Izakaya @SingPost Centre

10 Eunos Road 8

#03-103, SingPost Centre

Singapore 408600

T:+65 6592 1218

W: http://isshoizakaya.com.sg/greatworld/singpostcentre-menu/ 

F: https://www.facebook.com/isshoizakaya

IG: @isshoizakaya

OH:

Mon – Fri: 11.00 – 15.00, 17.30 – 22.00

Sat & Sun: 11.00 – 22.00

Menu and Other Outlet info available from their website.

Le Chasseur – Good Zhi Char

Le Chasseur is not a French restaurant or bistro, instead, it is a Zhi Char place. It has been on my food radar for a while, but I have not got a chance to give it a try until the turn of this year with two makan kakis

Le Chasseur

Located in Eunos industrial area, Le Chasseur occupied the whole canteen on block 27. One-third of the seating area is allocated specifically for Le Chasseur customers, while the rest are open to other hawker stalls.

For those who have never been to Le Chasseur, you need to go to the counter to get the order sheet / menu, fill it up and pass it to the counter or the service staff. It was my first time here, so actually went to the counter as no one approached me. You only pay your bill after you finish eating. For drinks, you need to order and pay at the drink stall.

Order Sheet - Jan 2022

Claypot Chicken Rice ($13, small). When the service staff brought this dish to the table, he also helps us do the mixing. He was gentle on the sweet sauce, therefore not all the rice turned brown and become overly sweet. It has a nice smoky aroma, accompanied by succulent chicken meat. The rice is a little over al-dente and you taste the salted fish in between scoops of the rice. Though it is nice, I find it is lacking the OMPH factor. At first, I thought the portion is small, however, it can easily feed 2 to 3 pax.

Claypot Chicken Rice

Ngor Hiang ($5). Crispy exterior, followed by juicy and succulent fillings with intermittent crunchy texture from the chestnut bits. It is very tasty and delicious; we ordered another plate so everyone got enough.

Ngor Hiang

Barbequed Cuttlefish ($4 / 100 gram). The presentation looks very photogenic; however, the texture did not meet the expectation. It is hard and chewy. I will give this dish a miss.

Barbequed Cuttlefish 

Bitter Gourd with Beef ($10). This dish has a nice Wok Hei, while the beef is tender and juicy. The bitter gourd is sliced in a way that only gets the flesh part, nowhere near the seeds. Not bitter at all.

Bitter Gourd with Beef 

Crispy Pork Knuckle ($30, medium). Crispy and crunchy crackling skin, followed by the rich gelatinous fats under the skin and succulent flesh. While most fried pork knuckles have a burnt part, the version here is just perfect. It looks great and delivers an awesome taste. It is served with a vinegar dipping sauce to cuts through the fats from the pork. A must-order dish here.

Crispy Pork Knuckle - Front 

Crispy Pork Knuckle - Back 

Emperor Sprout with Egg ($8). This mini kai lan look-alike vegetable is not my favourite vegetable because of the slimy texture in each bite. However, Le Chasseur stir-fried this vegetable with egg and manage to cover the sliminess in the vegetables. Turning it into a pleasant dish for me.

Emperor Sprout with Egg 

Preserved Radish Omelette ($6). When this dis dish arrived, we realised that we had most probably over-ordered, but you can’t go wrong with eggs. Fragrant, fluffy with generous cai poh bits. Yum

Preserved Radish Omelette 

Overall, with a catchy name like Le Chasseur, this zhi char place surely get your attention. The Crispy Pork Knuckle, Claypot Rice, Ngor Hiang and Bitter Gourd dishes are must-order dishes. Most of them are nice and comforting and I will be back to try the rest. Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 7.5/10

Value: 8.5/10

Service: 6/10

Ambiance: N/A - Coffeeshop

Budget per Person: $11 - $25

Le Chasseur

27 Eunos Road 2

#01-101

Singapore 409387

T: +65 6337 7677

F: https://www.facebook.com/lechasseurSG/

OH: Daily 11.30 – 15.00; 17.30 – 21.30

[CLOSED] Ubi Chomp Chomp – Delicious Braised Duck

Braised Duck - Half

I was introduced to this place by A for a lunch meet up. The owner of the shop is someone who has been in F&B business in Singapore and China for more than 20 years. Since A is familiar with the food here, he takes charge of the ordering. 

Ubi Chomp Chomp

Ubi Chomp Chomp

Braised Duck ($14 half / $28 whole). The flesh is juicy, succulent and well infused with the braising stock. The skin of the duck is smooth and bouncy while the thick gooey sauce poured on top of the dish delivering the umami flavour that rounds up the dish. Yummy. 

Braised Duck - Half

Soy Chicken ($9 half / $18 whole). The thigh and drumstick meat are juicy and succulent, while the skin is just irresistible. However, I feel the breast meat is on the firm side and a bit dry. If they can improve the breast meat texture, it is something to keep a lookout for. Not as good as the duck. 

Soy Chicken - Half

Soy Chicken - Half

Mix plater of Tofu ($0.70), Egg ($0.50), Fish cake ($0.80), Tau pok ($0.50). A delicious combination of sides. I like the tofu best as it is smooth and infused with the braising stock. For those who like pigskin, you can give it a try as well. 

Side Dishes

For the chilli, my makan kakis say “Got Power”. 

Side Dishes

Instead of regular white rice, I decided on Braised Pork Rice ($2.50). It is slightly different from the Taiwanese version. The version here uses long grain rice and loaded with chopped onions compare to the Taiwanese version. 

Braised Pork Rice

This bowl of rice and chopped pork belly are packed with flavours. The fats from the pork belly melt in your mouth and the chopped onions added a delicate sweetness to this dish. Don’t let the pale looking braised egg fooled you, it is well infused with the braising sauce. 

Picture Menu

Other than the dishes that I tried above, Ubi Chomp Chomp also offer mala duck (their own recipe). For breakfast, they have duck porridge and duck mee sua. Not a fan of mala stuff, but I will definitely return to try their breakfast menu in the future. 

Price List

It is an eating house setting, so it is all about the food. Place your order at the counter, make payment and they will deliver your order afterwards. 

CBK Verdict: The Braised pork a must-order dish here together with the braised duck. The soy sauce chicken is not as good as the braised duck but it is not too bad. If you are around Ubi area, give Ubi Chomp Chomp Braised Duck & Soy Chicken a try. Cheers! 

Thank you, A, for introducing this makan place. 

Food & Drinks: 7.25/10 

Value: 7.5/10 

Service: N/A 

Ambiance: 6/10 

Budget per Person: $0-$10 

Ubi Chomp Chomp Braised Duck & Soy Chicken 

Blk 301 Ubi Ave 1 

#01-273 S400301 

F: https://www.facebook.com/ubichompbraisedduck

IG: @Ubichompbraisedduck 

OH: 

Sat – Thu: 07.30 – 15.30 

Closed on Friday

Yu Cun – Claypot Curry Fish Head

Claypot Curry Fish Head

Yu Cun is a local zi char restaurant specialising in Claypot Curry Fish head, using only premium and fresh fish. It was recommended by our friend C, for a quick lunch. 

Yu Cun

A must-order here is, of course, their Claypot Curry Fish Head ($30). The fish head is fresh and covered with lemak rich curry and loaded with ladyfingers, bean curd skin, eggplant, long bean and tomato. The curry absorbs into part of fish nicely, yet it was not overpowering and you can taste the actual fish taste. The low fire keeps the curry warm and nice to eat. Definitely a “rice thief” dish. 

Claypot Curry Fish Head

In terms of spiciness, I find it very manageable (CBK spiciness ratings at 5/10). LD thinks the dish can add extra heat, as the chilli and spice is simply not powerful enough. 

I suggest you order the Fried Beancurd Skin ($3.80). We added it into the curry fish head, let it soak for a minute before taking it out. The beancurd absorbs and carry the rich curry nicely, plus the crunchy texture making it very addictive. 

Fried Beancurd Skin

Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetable in Soy Sauce ($9.90). Yu Cun version of pork belly braised with mei cai. The pork belly is fatty and tender, while the gravy is salty infused with mei cai flavour. However, as a Hakka, I find this dish a bit watery and lacking the OMPH factor. 

Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetable in Soy Sauce

Marmite Chicken Wing ($11.90) is just delicious. The chicken was deep fried till crispy and evenly coated with sweet savoury marmite sauce. I can have the whole plate on my own. 

Marmite Chicken Wing

As we only order limited dishes, I end up ordering Ice Jelly ($3.50) for dessert. A nice and refreshing dessert. 

Ice Jelly

Service is friendly and efficient. Order is placed through tablet instead of the service staff. The restaurant is very open and remains cool even when the temperature was searing hot outside. If you are coming for lunch, I suggest you come around 11.30 to get your parking spot. 

The verdict: A must try place for claypot curry fish head and zi char. From the small batch of the dishes that we tried (4 out of 90 plus dishes in the menu), the taste and quality have been good. We look forward to our next visit. LD will definitely be asking them to increase the spiciness of their curry fish head next time around. Cheers!! 

Menu 1

Menu 2

Food & Drinks: 7/10 

Value: 7.5/10 

Service: 6.25/10 

Ambiance: 6/10 

Budget per Person: $11 - $25 

Yu Cun 

Claypot Curry Fish Head 

147 Upper Paya Lebar Road 

Singapore 534849 

T: +65 6286 0491 

W: http://yucun.getz.co

F: https://www.facebook.com/YuCunCurryFishHead/

IG: @Yucuncurryfishhead 

OH: Daily 11.00 – 23.00 (LO 22.00)

Spicy Thai – A Different Taste of Thailand [MEDIA INVITE]

Spicy Thai - Thai Cafe

Spicy Thai – Thai Cafe is a home-grown Thai restaurant opened Mr. Ron Poh, a Singaporean who has unexplainable affinity towards everything Thai. Other than serving authentic Thai Cuisine, Spicy Thai also deliver of the authentic way of cooking Thai food, especially in the use of charcoal in soup and steam dishes here.

Spicy Thai - Thai Cafe Story

The décor of the restaurant has give you the feel of a traditional restaurant in Thailand. Even with its simple and minimalistic decor, the presence of the Thai offering altars in the centre of restaurant, leave you no doubt that you are in a Thai restaurant.

Part of Indoor Dining Area

Greendot – Delicious Green Meal [MEDIA INVITE]

Greendot @ Paya Lebar Square

Greendot was born to introduce delicious green meal to the market. With the hope of making people improving their personal health through one delicious green meal at a time. Please note the keywords here: Delicious & Healthy.

Customised Bento Station

Other than fresh vegetables, there are three key ingredients use at Greendot: Konnyaku, Soybean and Lion's Mane Mushroom. Konnyaku are known to be good for cleansing and weight loss. Best of all there is almost no calories in konnyaku. Soybean packs with proteins that help in growth and repair of human body tissue. Lion's Mane Mushroom helps with immune system and memory. Best part, when its cook, it has the texture of shrimp or lobster.

Signature Lion Mane Mushroom Rendang Rice Bowl