Tora Hachi – Comforting Donburi and Grill Food [MEDIA INVITE]

Tora Hachi Japanese Grill & Restaurant (“Tora Hachi”) is a Japanese-style grilled food restaurant, that offers a wide choice of skewers and donburi. In short, it is also known as Izakaya. Tora Hachi is the expansion of Kushiya at Westgate, elevating their brand from a shoebox kiosk to a full fledge restaurant in Holland Village and completing their offering with sakes and beers to complement their food.

Tora Hachi

We started our tasting with Gyu Don ($11.90) and Kimchi Slice Pork Don ($10.90). My first impression is that their servings are very generous. Both the beef and pork topping filled the bowl to the brim and can easily fill your stomach. I like the marinate in the gyudon as it gives a nice balance between sweet and savoury complete with umami finishing. For the kimchi don, the pork is tender and juicy, while the kimchi provided the acidity in balancing the meal.

Gyu Don

Both the dons are supposed to be served with Ajitsuke Tamago (ramen eggs). Usually, the Ajitsuke tamago is seasoned with soy sauce, till the egg white turns brown to show the soy sauce has been absorbed into the eggs. The version at Toro Hachi is lighter as the egg white is still bright in colour and the taste of soy sauce is minimum.

Kimchi Slice Pork Don

Hiyashi Udon ($6.80). Sanuki style udon served cold with onsen tamago. The thick, chewy and bouncy udon perfectly complements the housemade sauce, onsen tamago and seaweed. You need to mix all the ingredients before you slurp. It is cold, refreshing and tasted heavenly. Simplicity at its best. Yummy!!

Hiyashi Udon

Hiyashi Udon

Oyago Don ($11.90). Grilled thick juicy and succulent chicken thigh, covered with generous servings of seaweed. I like the texture and flavour of the chicken, but I just feel there is a disconnection between the ingredients. Maybe Tora Hachi can consider adding Oyakodon style of egg or onsen egg style to bind all the ingredients together.

Oyago Don

For the appetizer, we try Chicken Karaage ($9.80), Hane Gyoza ($12.80) and Edamame ($5.60). The fried chicken has a crispy exterior followed by a juicy and succulent interior. It is served with mayonnaise for dipping sauce. The edamame was done just right. Soft, moist and enjoyable.

Chicken Karaage

Edamame

The Hane Gyoza (also known as Gyoza with Wings). Each of the gyoza is interconnected through the thin piece of crispy sheet. The shape of this gyoza is rounder and more plum compared to the traditional gyoza. The skin of the hane gyoza is thicker and the fillings do not have the strong smell of chives, that usually come with regular gyoza.

Hane Gyoza

Hane Gyoza

For the grill section, we started with grilled vegetables. Onion ($3.20), Garlic ($3.20), Pepper ($3.20), Lady Finger ($3.20), Sweet Corn ($3.20), Oyster Mushroom ($3.20) and Shiitake Mushroom ($3.20). I must say, we are very surprised with the quality of the grilled vegetables. They are probably one of the best that we ever tried in izakaya around Singapore.

The Grilled Vegetables, Meat & Hane Gyoza

Sweet Corn - 2nd Round

We peel the onion layer by layer and each one of them is sweet and juicy. The oyster mushroom is tasty and plump. LD and RM enjoy the pepper and lady fingers, the vegetables that I don’t like. Not forgetting, the sweet corn, which has a nice balance of charred and sweetness. We ordered a second round because it was awesome.

Grilled Oysters Mushroom, Lady Finger, Shiitake Mushroom & Beef Ribeye

Grilled Onion

Grilled Paprika

For the grilled appetizer. Grilled Chicken Mid Wings ($8.90) are well marinated, succulent and full of flavours. We would prefer it to be crispier externally, however, the wet marinate does not allowed for super crisp skin.

Grilled Chicken Mid Wings

Grilled Chicken Mid Wing

Grilled Pork Belly ($9.80) is juicy and tender, while Yaki Ika (Squid, $10.90) is soft with a nice chewiness in each bite. While Grilled Shishamo ($6.80) get our seal of approval as well.

Grilled Pork Belly

Yaki Ika

Grilled Shisamo

For the protein on skewers, we tried Beef Ribeye Skewer ($4.20) and Chicken Thigh with Scallion ($4.20). The beef ribeye skewer is a must-order. Small cuts of beef are held together by the skewer, delivering juicy and well-marinated MOO MOO. I suggest you eat this while it is hot, if not the beef will be chewy.

Beef Ribeye Skewer

The chicken thigh with scallion has a crispy exterior with juicy and succulent interior. I did not try the scallion, but I enjoy the chicken very much.

Chicken Thigh with Scallion & Grilled Garlic

To accompany your meal at Tora Hachi, the group ordered Asahi Draft ($7.90, 300ml), Asahi Black ($8.90, 300ml). Since I can’t drink, I stick with Ice Genmai Tea ($2.80) and Coke Zero ($2.80).

Asahi Draft & Asahi Black 300ml

The décor of this place will make you feel like you enter an Izakaya somewhere in Japan. The front of the shop is decorated with big sake barrels, and once you enter the shop you will see the red lantern hanging from the wall all the walls are covered with Japanese illustration with red as the predominant colour. The dining tables and chairs are made from wood, complete with the QR code sticker to see the menu and place your order.

Part of the Dining Area

Part of the Dining Area

Overall, we find the food at Tora Hachi to be very comforting. The Hiyashi Udon, Gyudon, grilled vegetables (especially the grilled sweet corn), beef ribeye skewers and pork belly are a must order here. Tora Hachi delivers comforting and reasonably priced food and drink. However, I think there is room for improvements in the menu at Tora Hachi to cater for the more sophisticated clientele in the Holland Village area and stamp their presence there. Kanpai!! Cheers!!

Thank you very much Tora Hachi Team for the invitation and for hosting us.

Food & Drink: 7/10

Value: 8/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)

Ambiance: 7.5/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50

Tora Hachi Japanese Grill & Restaurant

29 Lor Mambong

Singapore 277687

T: +65 9067 3489

W: https://tora-hachi-jp-grill-restaurant.business.site/

F: https://www.facebook.com/ToraHachi8/

IG: @Tora.hachi8

OH:

Sun – Thu: 11.00 – 23.00

Fri & Sat: 11.00 – Midnight

Menu Available Online

Ikura – Fook Hai Outlet Menu Rejuvenation [MEDIA INVITE]

Negi Toro Don

Ikura is a Japanese Izakaya style dining that serves a variety of Japanese cuisine. The food served range from Sashimi, Sushi, Maki, Salad, Donburi, Chirashi, Ramen and many more. The complete list consists of more than 100 over items on the list.

Aburi Miso Maki 

Fook Hai outlet is the first outlet of Ikura Japanese. It first opens its door in 2017 and it has gathered regular loyal patrons over these past 2 years. Thus, it is time for this outlet to refresh its menu, we are honoured to be invited to have the first preview of their new menu.

We started our tasting with appetizer Gyoza ($11); Fugumirin ($11) – Sundried Puffer Fish; Tatami Iwashi ($10) – Dried Baby Sardines; and Wakasaki Karaage ($11) – Deep Fried Shishamo.

Gyoza

The gyoza has a crisp exterior, with juicy fillings. Fugumirin is exotic, but the flavour is on the salty side. My personal pick is the Wakasaki Karaage, which is crispy and bursting with flavour. It is perfectly fried and you can eat most of the part. All of the appetizer dishes will go nicely with sake or beer.  

Tatami Iwashi & Wakasaki Karaage

For sharing, Aburi Miso Maki ($17) and Unagi Maki ($17) are a good choice. A creative invention on both maki, the sushi rice seasoned just nice, while the fillings are generous. The sauces on both maki just elevate it to another level.

Aburi Miso Maki 

Unagi Maki

Buta Shogayaki ($13) – Stir Fried Sliced Pork Belly with Ginger. The pork belly is tender, juicy while the ginger aroma lingers at the back. It will go nicely with a bowl of white rice.

Buta Shogayaki 

Sakura Ebi Chahan ($11) – River Shrimps Fried Rice is a nice carbo dish to have. Each grain of rice is al-dente, with a good bite into it plus the “Wok Hei” aroma is strong. The mini river shrimps added a subtle umami flavour and crunchiness in this dish. One of the best dishes of the night.

Sakura Ebi Chahan

For a luxurious option, you can try Ikura’s Chirashi. We tried Negi Toro Don ($21) and Hokkaido Chirashi ($21). I personally like the Negi Toro (minced tuna). The tuna is chopped to almost smooth and velvety texture plus raw egg topping is more tempting compared to the sliced sashimi.

Negi Toro Don

Hokkaido Chirashi 

Udon comes in two versions, soup base or stir-fried. Beef Udon ($13) is the signature udon soup here. Meanwhile, Gyu Suji Yaki Udon ($16) is the stir-fried version. Surprising, my pick goes to the stir-fried version. The udon is firmer and bouncy, topped with delicate sweet sauce. It looks a bit oily, but it delivers in taste.

Beef Udon

Gyu Suji Yaki Udon

Shima Hokke Yaki ($19) – Grilled Arga Mackerel is a good value from money. The fillet is thick and the fattiness in the fish allowing the flesh to remain juicy and flaky over a long period.

Shima Hokke Yaki

For the ramen here, it is best to go with the stronger flavours like Black Tonkotsu Ramen ($14.80) and the spicy Mala Tonkotsu Ramen ($14.80). I did not try the mala ramen, but the black tonkotsu ramen has a generous sweet black garlic flavour in the broth.

Black Tonkotsu Ramen

Black Tonkotsu Ramen

Mala Tonkotsu Ramen 

Leave space for dessert, as the Japanese Tofu Cheese Cake ($7.80) is not to be missed. It is served cold, the tofu-like texture cheesecake is smooth and just melts in your mouth. The creamy cheese flavour is subtle, yet enough to tantalize your tastebuds. The base is dense yet crumble effortlessly when you bit into it. Yummy

Japanese Tofu Cheese Cake

Ikura at Fook Hai has three dining areas. Alfresco, indoor ground floor and indoor second floor. The ground floor seating is very tight, almost like dining in an izakaya in Japan. Good for 2 to 4 person seating. For bigger group and private functions, you will likely be seated on the second floor.

Overall, Ikura @ Fook Hai has an extensive menu and you will be able to find something that suits you. I recommend Aburi Miso Maki, Unagi Maki, Sakura Ebi Chahan and Japanese Tofu Cheese Cake. Cheers!!

Thank you Alvin for the invite and Ikura’s Team for hosting us.

Food & Drink: 6.5/10

Value: 6.5/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)

Ambiance: 6.5/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50,

  

Ikura @ Fook Hai

150 South Bridge Road

#01-14 Fook Hai Building

Singapore 058727

T: +65 6532 6656

W: https://www.ikura.sg/

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

IG: @Ikura_sg

OH:

Mon – Sat: 12.00 – 14.30; 17.30 – Midnight

Closed on Sunday.

Menu Available Online

Tanuki Raw Kapok – Amazing Donburi

Foie Gras Truffle Yakiniku

Tanuki Raw is a combination of playful Japanese cuisine with no-holds-barred American Street Food. With these concepts in mind, Tanuki Raw present creations that is unique, modern and unbelievably flavourful.

LD and I visited the location at the National Design Centre. This restaurant occupied the same open space as the Kapok, a lifestyle select store originated in Hong Kong focusing on all things related to design.

Green Tea, part of Lunch Set

We started with Raw Oyster ($30 for half dozen). It is plump, briny and juicy. A quick check with the service staff, we found out that the oysters are from New Zealand.

NZ Oyster

Foie Gras Truffle Yakiniku ($19, +$2 for Lunch Set). The plating is definitely awesome. The toppings of sliced Black Angus short ribs, Pan Seared foie gras and onsen egg filled the bowl to the brim.

Foie Gras Truffle Yakiniku with Lunch Set

The foie gras is nicely executed. Crisp externally, follow with soft, creamy and velvety texture internally. The sliced ribs are tender and succulent, with tangy sauce drizzle on top of it. Meanwhile, the onsen egg combines all the ingredients nicely with solid flavourful rice. They also served Japanese pickle to balance the richness in this dish. Yum Yum, Two Thumbs Up.

Oozing Egg

The additional $2 to make it a lunch set is definitely worth it. You get a small bowl of refreshing salad, miso soup and cold green tea.

Flavourful Rice

Chirashi NDC ($21, +2 for Lunch Set). The harvest of the sea in a bowl. Generous load of ingredients, tuna, salmon, hamachi, snow crab, negitoro, spicy salmon, ikura and tamago. The seafood is fresh and the quantity is actually enough to make two chirashi bowl, those popping ikura will definitely overwhelm you in each bite of your bowl your meal. Amazing.

Chirashi NDC Lunch Set

Truffle Nagano Pork Spam Fries ($13.90). Unfortunately, this dish is a let-down. The spam fries are lumpy, together with the sauce the saltiness is just over the top. Definitely, need to cut down on the mayo and make the spam fries crispy.

Truffle Nagano Pork Spam Fries

The restaurant is spacious and the open concept in sync with the name of the building. The transition between Kapok and Tanuki Raw is just seamless. Service is friendly and efficient.

Overall, the donburi here is just amazing. The ingredients are of good quality, fresh and generous. Definitely worth a visit and soaks up the atmosphere. Cheers!!

Food & Drinks: 8/10

Value: 7.75/10

Service: 7.5/10

Ambiance: 7.5/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50

Tanuki Raw @ Kapok

111 Middle Road

#01-05 National Design Centre

Singapore 188969

W: https://tanukiraw.com/

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

IG: @Tanukiraw

OH: Daily 10.00 – 22.00

Food from 11.30 – 21.30

Lunch Sets from 11.30 – 15.00

Happy Hour from 17.00 – 20.00, all day on Weekends

Menu is available on their website.