Japanese Dinner at Chikusen, 311 Tanjong Katong Rd, Singapore 437094

I was kindly invited by Chikusen Japanese Restaurant at Katong to try out their new 7-course Spring menu which is $138++ for 2 pax that will be available until June. I arrived there on a slightly drizzly weekday evening, but the red lanterns outside the restaurant were hard to miss!


The restaurant decor is simple and comfortable. Just what you'll want in a Japanese restaurant! It has been around for 2 years, and I'm glad I knew about it now (better late than never).


Me and my dining partner sat at the counter, where we can see all the action. It is really an authentic Japanese experience to be near the glass fridge and see all the fresh seafood that is supplied to the place at least 3 times a week! They also serve other ala-carte items of course, and there are plenty of regulars that popped in for dinner after I arrived. 


And here's the menu. I was initially worried that it might be too much for two people, but found out later that the portioning was quite alright! But doesn't it sound sumptuous!


This was off the menu, the leatherjacket fish strips - but they were heavenly as beer/sake snacks and tasted quite similar to the pufferfish dried strips I like to order at Botan.


We were all treated to some very delicious sake that went well with the dishes - it was not too strong in taste, very kind to the palate yet refreshing.


And now, the 7 courses. The appetizers were really fun, and not what you would normally get in a Japanese restaurant!


This is a grilled bamboo shoot. Actually very crunchy and dry-sweet, if you know what I mean.


Super adorable and sweet - momotaros! They are baby or peach tomatoes? Very delicate and dainty.


The sashimi plate! Filled with loads of seasonal fish variety that you don't normally get - bonito, halfbeak and bream. The yuzu shoyu dip there was a refreshing twist to the normal soya sauce.


There was also the braised rockfish, with a slice of foie gras just beside/inside it! Apparently it has to be braised in a certain way so that the fishy smell is properly removed. Well they did a good job, but to be honest I really don't like fish with bones, so it was an average item for me. I won't order this if its on ala-carte.


The sukiyaki pots were awesome though. We were served wagyu beef...


and the black pork. The soup was actually more like a gravy, and apparently that is supposed to be the way for traditional sukiyaki, instead of the ones we have typically. Interesting. It was a sweet dashi type gravy, and complemented the tender and juicy meat perfectly. Give me a bowl of rice and that could be a meal on its own!


Instead of rice, we got a Yaki Somen to finish off the meal - and surprise surprise, I really loved it! It's cold, plainly tossed and so simple, but I liked the texture of the noodles and the combination of a somewhat smokey flavour in the dressing.


And lastly, some plum jelly with a slice of melon. Again, something you might not have typically, but it fitted the Spring theme so well. The plum jelly sure packed a sour-sweet punch that gets rounded off with the melon!


Here's my plus one, @stooffi. She did as usual!


Chikusen is your best bet along the Tanjong Katong stretch if you are hankering for some Japanese -- and their Spring menu is worth a try if you are sick of just ordering salmon and tuna sashimi. 




Chikusen
309/311 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437094
+65 63481966
Mon - Sun: 11:30 - 14:30, 18:00 - 22:30

Post a Comment