Tetsu Japanese Restaurant

I got friends asking what happen to my food blogging? Have I stopped eating? Hell no. It's just that I have fewer personal time as Xavier gets more sticky to us. Plus the fact that he is sick (yes, again!).

Anyway I got invited by Julia (see her post on Tetsu at AromaCookery) to accompany her to a food tasting session at Tetsu Japanese Restaurant during my MTA. And how could I reject the chance to taste free food (and drinks), both in the menu and out of the menu, plus the opportunity to hone my skills taking food shots?

Well the experience taught me that life as a food blogger is not as easy as it seems. The food came fast and furious and by the time we finished shooting and started eating, some of the food were not as it should have tasted (if it was eaten immediately). Below are my take on the food.

The Renkon (Lotus Root) chips were thin and crispy, a healthier choice to potato chips?

Fugu Mirin Boshi, or more commonly known as Blowfish or Pufferfish, had Julia and I raise our eyebrows (not to the tune of Cadbury commercial though). However Tetsu PR assure us it's dried and 100% non-lethal. The taste? Sweet, it's like a cross between dried cuttlefish and Bak Kwa. Goes best with some beer and some EPL matches.

This dish above is the popular corn tofu. Quite unique to me as I never had corn tofu before. You get bits of corn in it.

The Daikon Goose Liver is one of the innovative dishes. Pairing foie gras with radish, the juicy radish serves to neutralise the sinful goose liver. I do find the goose liver a little overcooked to my liking.

I love bacon. Use it to wrap fat, juicy oysters and grill them and you got yourself a winner.

On to the heavier stuff. Hotplate Wagyu beef, Aji Shioyaki (Grilled Macherel) and Ebi Mentaiko Yaki. I like the grilled prawns. It has that creamy mayonnaise that goes well with the roe and the prawn meat.

Next up is their signature dish, the Katsu Don. The PR highly recommend we try the Katsu Don topped with Japanese curry as its different from the Japanese curry we usually get outside. And true enough, it didn't have the powdery taste to it. The Katsu was also thick and crispy.

If you are a fan of udon, you definitely have to order this. Specially air-flown from Japan, the Hiyashi Udon has a texture that would leave you saying "QQ" after eating it.

Above are the mixed Tempura set and the Dragon Roll Maki. Presentation has been high on the mark and these were no exception.

I had told the girls about how a Japanese sitting next to my wife during our first flight to Japan had insisted on ordering the Yuzu drink for us on the plane. Its a kind of citrus juice that has a light unique taste. He had said that the drink is only available on flight and is not easily available elsewhere. The PR thoughtfully asked the kitchen if they had any and came back with this Yuzu Komachi Sake. Though not the same, this sake version equally delightful to toast to.

Still on the yuzu theme, this dessert had me wanting more. With yuzu sherbet on top and strawberry ice shaving below, this dessert provided a light, tangy finish to a wonderful lunch.

However, if you prefer the more traditional ice cream, Tetsu's black sesame ice cream will not disappoint. Just one spoonful is enough to send you to heaven. Don't believe me, try it yourself.

Milca Hokkaido Soft Ice Cream

My neighbour Alan was asking me for information about Japan as he would be going there with his wife soon. Ever since the day he asked, I can't help but think about going Japan again. There are just so many things I missed about Japan, especially the food, the kawaii girls, the gadgets, the customer service, erm I better stop (as I could go on forever).

One of the things I miss was the Milk Ice Cream I tasted when I was in Hokkaido. You see, Hokkaido is famous for its seafood and dairy products and Hokkaido milk is as fresh as it gets. And it is only in Hokkaido that you get to taste Milk Ice Cream. (The other unique flavour is Lavender Ice Cream.) And I could not find it elsewhere in other parts of Japan.

So I was very excited when I saw one of the stalls in Orchard Ion's Food Hall (at basement 4). So did Milca Milk Ice Cream taste? My first bite had me thinking I was eating the soft serve from MacDonald. But as the Ice Cream slowly melts, the milk flavour began to surface. And the more I ate, the the closer it edge towards the unforgettable taste I had in Hokkaido. The cone is yummy too, thin and very crispy, complementing the ice cream very well.

My verdict, this is as close as you can get besides flying to Hokkaido for the milk ice cream. Its still not the same, but defintely close enough.

2 Orchard Turn
Orchard Ion, Food Hall (basement 4)

Kazu Sumi-Yaki Restaurant

Today's posting is on my favourite "no hold-back, eat all you can and talk about the bill later" cozy meat-lovers paradise. I have been craving to eat here for four months, as the last time I came was with Eric just before Xavier was born. This was suppose to be Rick's very belated birthday treat (since he was busy with his own wedding before).

Anyway, Rick and Zhen was late (as usual, :P) so I got myself a Asahi and started on the cabbage and miso paste.
The cabbage drip in miso paste taste great by itself. Fresh, crunchy and so addictive, I finished all my miso and half my Asahi before Rick and Zhen finally came. Excited like a small boy with lollipop, I started to order the usuals as well as some new items from the menu. The first round of orders went like: cheese pork sausage, fatty pork with apple, quail egg, foie gras, large lamb chop, chicken ball, chicken wings, chicken skin, potato puree (baked mashed potato with foie gras butter) and prime pork belly.

This is Cheese Pork Sausage. Marry it with the seeded mustard (behind). Cheese oozing out of the juicy sausage made Rick's eyes open up (like those participants at those food variety show).

From left to right: Fatty Pork with Apple, Chicken Ball and Quail Egg. Good things comes in double.

Rick made a new friend call Foie Gras. Done to perfection, it just melts right in your mouth. You could see the Foie Gras own "oil" dripping above. Cautious, eat too much and a visit to the doctor would be next (for cholesterol check).

One lamb chop each, no need to fight over it. Grilled just right and lightly salted, the chops taste so juicy yet tender.

Johnson came just in time for the second round of orders. Above is his Cha Soba, complete with the quail egg that is usually only available in good Japanese restaurants. And the gang was up for somemore orders: enoki mushroom wrapped with bacon, prime pork with eggplant and miso paste, avocados and more US and AUS wagyu beef. We were even playing "guess where the wagyu beef is from" as it came togther on 1 plate.

Having space only for desert left, we decided to order all the four flavours (different flavours are available on different days) of the "Snow drop" deserts: Caremal with Pomelo, Banana with Pomelo, Mango with Pomelo and Salty Chocolate with Pomelo. Its bascially ice-cream of the above flavours, wrapped in a soft "muah chee" skin. From what we understand, there are even people who came to eat here just for this desert. Below is a closer look at it. So pretty, it looked almost like an art.

After 50 items (including drinks), all of us left happy and satisfied. Quote from Rick: "This is not one of the best Japanese restauarant I have been to, its THE best." While I wouldn't say its the best, but its definitely my favourite. The photo below are the sticks from the items we have eaten. Remember to call and book in advance or you will probably be disappointed as the place is hugely popular and always packed. Rick did suspect the skinny, petite lady sitting on the table beside us is Stephanie Sun. We didn't approach her though.

5 Koek Rd
#04-05 Cuppage Plaza
Singapore 228796
Tel: 67342492

Dinner only, for opening hours, call to confirm.