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.

Shinya Izakaya – A Tasty Izakaya Experience [MEDIA INVITE]

Shinya Izakaya (“Shinya”) is a NEW Izakaya in the Lively Boat Quay precinct specialising in fresh sashimi, kushiyaki (skewers), Agemono (deep-fried dishes), Yakimono (grilled dishes), Itamemono (stir-fried dishes) and Donburi (rice dishes). In partnership with an experienced F&B operator, Shinya Izakaya is set up to deliver a tasty izakaya dining experience.

Shinya Izakaya

The meal started with Assorted Sashimi -Amberjack, Hotate (scallop), Akami (bluefin tuna), Tai (Japanese sea bream) and Salmon ($48). It is nicely presented in Japanese sashimi-style plating. Each of the sashimi is thickly sliced, placed on the bed of crushed ice and complete with refreshing greens. Although the presentation looks good, the sashimi did not match the beautiful plating as we find the taste a bit ordinary.

Assorted Sashimi

For the sashimi, I would recommend that you go for their premium cuts, Salmon Belly ($14), Otoro (premium bluefin tuna belly. $48) and Shima Aji (striped jack). Each of the cuts looks fresh and lively. The shima aji and salmon belly are fatty and chewy; while the otoro just slowly melts in your mouth.

Otoro, Shinma Aji & Salmon Belly

We tried Ei Hire (dried stingray fin, $12) and Gobo Stick Karaage (deep-fried burdock stick, $6) from the Appetiser. The dried stingray is sweet and chewy, serve with mayonnaise dip. It is a good snack to accompany your drinks.

Ei Hire

Ei Hire

This is the first time I tried Gobo (burdock) stick karaage. It has a crispy exterior, followed by a juicy and moist interior. It is surprisingly tasty, like eating sweet potato fries.

Gabo Stick Karaage

Gabo Stick Karaage

Buta Kakuni (stewed pork belly, $12). The presentation is slightly different compared to other izakayas. Usually, the pork belly is served in cube form (like dong po pork), meanwhile, the version at Shinya is sliced like our Chinese braised pork belly style. The pork belly is soft and fork tender. The braising sauce penetrated well into the meat, making it an enjoyable dish.

Buta Kakuni

Buta Kakuni

Chicken Teriyaki ($12). Another unique Shinya style. The outer part of the chicken is well caramelised with teriyaki sauce, giving it a uniquely crisp texture and intense teriyaki flavour. I suggest you eat it with cucumber, tomato and salad.

Chicken Teriyaki

Chicken Teriyaki

Saikoro Steak (pan-fried diced premium beef, $25). The beef is juicy and tender, complete with the unique Meltique beef umami flavour. I find the beef is a bit overcooked and the mushrooms are over-seasoned.

Saikoro Steak

Saikoro Steak

Kushiyaki / Skewers: Tebasaki (Chicken Mid Wings, $3), Enoki Bacon (Pork Belly Enoki, $$3), Tsukune (Chicken Meat Balls, $2.50), Shiitake ($2), Shishito (Japanese Green Pepper, $$2.50).

Kushiyaki

Kushiyaki

When it comes to Japanese izakaya or teriyaki, the benchmark is usually their chicken balls. At Shinya, the chicken ball is sweet, juicy and with a touch of charred on the exterior. Nicely done. The pork belly is crisp, while the enoki is juicy as it absorbs the fats from the pork belly nicely.

Tsukune

Tendon (Crispy Prawn with vegetables on Rice, $15). When it was served to our table, it did not give us a WOW feeling. The bowl is too big for the serving, making all the ingredients seems to be small. Meanwhile, the tempura feels a bit oily, likely because it was fried not the required temperature. Need to re-look at the plating and execution of this dish.

Tendon

Kama Shioyaki (grilled yellowtail collar, $20). The skin is crispy and the flesh is moist and juicy. The yellowtail collar is well seasoned, we just need to drizzle the lemon zest to bring out the flavour. A must-try dish at Shinya.

Kama Shioyaki

Kama Shioyaki

While I do not drink, LD and the rest have Hokkaido Kanjyuku (Junmai Daiginjo) aged sake ($118 per bottle) to accompany the meal.

Hokkaido Kanjyuku (Junmai Daiginjo)

Premium Sake Menu

Sake Menu 1

Sake Menu 2

When we visited Shinya, the restaurant was only open for 1 week. LD and I find it familiar when we first enter the restaurant. We then realise that Shinya Izakaya took over from a yakiniku restaurant, as you can see from the round cover in the middle of the table. The furniture is well-seasoned and hopefully, it will be rejuvenated as it goes.

Food Menu

Overall, Shinya Izakaya will offer something different from the restaurant line-up on Boat Quay. We like their Premium Sashimi, Kama Shioyaki, Kushiyaki and Buta Kakuni. There is still some slight teething issue that needs to be resolved as the restaurant is still in its infancy. Do check them out when you are around the Boat Quay area. Kanpai! Cheers!

Wine List 1

Wine List 2

Food & Drink: 7/10

Value: 6.75/10

Service: N/A (Tasting invitation)

Ambiance: 6.5/10

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

Shinya Izakaya

79 Boat Quay

Singapore 049867

T: +65 8112 8028

W: https://shinya-izakaya.business.site/

F: https://www.facebook.com/shinyaizakaya79

IG: @Shinyaizakaya

OH: Daily 16.00 – 03.00

Menu Available Online

[CLOSED] Nonbei Izakaya – A Gem in The Making [Media Invite]

Meet Nonbei Izakaya, a new concept by the group that runs the successful George Town Tze Char & Craft Beer. Inspired by Tokyo’s Nonbei Yokocho (drunkards alley lined with izakaya and bars). Nonbei Izakaya specialises in fresh sashimi, tantalising Japanese bites, sake and Japanese beer.

Nonbei Izakaya

The Entrance

Part of the Interior

The Sushi Bar

Located in heritage Chinatown shophouses, across Maxwell Market, Nonbei Izakaya offers indoor and outdoor dining areas. The indoor offers a cooling and air-conditioned environment, however, I think the outdoor is the best seat in the house, especially during the cooler weather. From here you can enjoy the buzz and also historical feel of Chinatown, plus the view of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

Al-fresco Seating Area

Al-fresco Seating Area

We started the tasting with Ohitashi (Vegetables marinated with dashi, $6) and Tamago Yaki (Japanese omelette, $10). The vegetables are sweet and cooked with the signature dashi. It finished off with generous shavings of Shaved Katsuobushi. The tamago yaki has a nice texture, solid and tasty with a hint of dashi at the end.

Ohitashi

Tamago Yaki

Sashimi (7 kinds, $58). Hon Toro (Fatty Tuna, top up $18). Served on iced, these beautifully plated sashimi is fresh and generous in size. Totally loved the hon toro, however, the scallop is surprisingly good as well.

Sashimi, 7 kinds

Buri Kama Shio Yaki ($18). Our favourite grilled yellowtail collar. Lightly salted, with crispy skin followed by the fatty and melt-in-your-mouth flesh from the collar. A lemon just enhances the flavour of the fish. Yes, the price is very reasonable for that size of the yellowtail collar.

Buta Kama Shio Yaki

Buta Kama Shio Yaki

Buta Kakuni (Braised pork with soy, $10). Can’t say NO to this delicious pork belly. The pork belly is boiled in a blend of soy sauce, ginger, spring onion, mirin and dashi. The fats just dissipate slowly once you put it in your mouth. The best part is the broth is not as salty as other izakayas.

Buta Kakuni

Kushi yaki (skewers) include: Tebasaki (Japanese Chicken Wing, $2.50), Yakitori (Chicken Skewers, $2.50), Tori Kawa (Chicken Skin Skewers, $2.50), Asparagus Bacon ($3), Mukago (Japanese Yam, $1.50), Ko Tamanegi (Charred Onion, $1.50)

Bottom to Top: Mukago, Asparagus Bacon, Ko Tamanegi,
Tebasaki, Tori Kawa & Yakitori

One of the skewers that catch my attention is the Mukago, Japanese yam. It looks like a mini potato, but it has more depth in flavour and is crunchy compared to a potato. The Tori Kawa is my favourite. The chicken skin is well done to the point of crispy, yet it has a lovely chewiness in it as well.

Left to Right: Mukago, Asparagus Bacon, Ko Tamanegi,
Tebasaki, Tori Kawa & Yakitori

Ebi Tempura ($15) and Kani Croquette (Crab cream croquette, $10) are next. The ebi tempura has a nice crispy exterior, followed by juicy and fresh prawn flesh. Eating the kani croquette can be dangerous since the cream fillings can be extremely hot. I usually poke a hole to test out the cream temperature before I bite through it. The crispy exterior provided a perfect capsule for the creamy and umami pack crab cream. Yummy.

Ebi Tempura

Kani Croqutte

Sukiyaki Beef ($12) is a common dish you can find in an izakaya. The fatty beef sliced is pan-fried with onions and braised with dashi to give it the umami finish. The beef here is tender and juicy. Good side dish for drinking or to eat with rice.

Sukiyaki Beef

Asari butter yaki (Asari clam pan-fried with butter, $10). Fresh clams, seared in the pan briefly with mirin and butter. Soft, chewy and filled with butter and mirin.

Asari Butter Yaki

Chashu Ramen ($12). Ramen is a common dish in an izakaya to end the meal and ensure you have a filled tummy to cushion the alcohol. The portion is half of the ramen house version. The soup base is thick, creamy and robust. While the ramen is bouncy, the chashu portion is generous. The overall flavour is better than average, however not to a ramen shop standard.

Chashu Ramen

Chashu Ramen

Live Oysters (6 pieces, $3 promo price). Fresh, juicy, delicious and a steal for this price. The fresh oysters are served with soy sauce, spring onion and shaved radish. A must-order here.

Live Oysters

Live Oyster

We were served 4 sakes by Charles, the owner. Knowing his knack for serving the highly rated wine and alcohol at Georgetown at a reasonable price, his sake offerings will certainly be at that level as well. The group was served the following sakes: Sake Kiminoi Honjozo Josen ($10 for 120ml), Sake Manotsuru Junmai Ginzo ($48 for 300ml), Sake Sazen Junmai Daiginjo Omachi ($128 for 720ml) and Sake Keigetsu Junmai Daiginjo Sparkling ‘John’ ($128 for 720ml)

Sake Kiminoi Honjozo Josen

Sake Manotsuru Junmai Ginzo

Sake Sazen Junmai Daiginjo Omachi

Sake Keigetsu Junmai Daiginjo Sparkling ‘John’

Overall, this sister restaurant from Georgetown has the potential to be a winner. The food and sake are well priced and taste very good as well. Don’t forget to visit them if you are near the Chinatown area and enjoy their hospitality. Kanpai! Cheers!

The Sake Menu

Don’t forget to check the current promotions.

Choose 1: $3 for 6 Live Oysters OR $3 for 5 pieces of the freshest sashimi air-flown from Japan (choice of either king salmon, bluefin tuna or amberjack)

The Food Menu

Thank you very much Jennifer Yeo Consultancy and Nonbei Izakaya Team for hosting us.

Food & Drink: 7.25/10

Value: 7.5/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)

Ambiance: 7.5/10

Budget per Person: $51 - $80

Nonbei Izakaya

282 South Bridge Road

Singapore 058831

T/WA: +65 8112 8028

W: https://nonbei-izakaya.business.site/

F: https://www.facebook.com/Nonbeiizakaya282

IG: @Nonbeiizakaya

OH: Daily 11.30 – 14.30; 17.00 – Midnight