[Singapore Restaurant] New Menu at Saboten Dining at IMM

Fans of Japanese food, particularly Tonkatsu (deep-fried breaded pork or chicken cutlet), wouldn't be unfamiliar with Saboten, the largest Tonkatsu chain in Japan.  In total, it has 500 branches worldwide.

 

 

The IMM outlet in Singapore has recently unveiled a brand new dining concept by adding greater varieties to the menu including shabu shabu and teppanyaki set meals, starting from $14.90.  A total of 18 new set menus have been introduced which includes Salmon Sashimi and Halibut Katsu set.  The variety there is rather overwhelming.  It really took me a while to decide what I'd order and I decided that I shall keep to my favourite deep-fried breaded shrimp and pork cutlet (Teriyaki Chicken and Tenderloin Katsu Gozen).



The starter items, chawanmushi (aka tea-cup steam or egg custard) and cabbage salad, was really good.  The steamed egg custard was  served warm, soft and smooth which tasted like silken bean curd.  The cabbage salad was so finely shredded that it didn't feel too thick and raw.  A simple yet so delicious dish mainly because of the house concoction of the goma salad dressing too.  Goma salad dressing is a mayo based dressing with sesame as it's main ingredients.

Here's my Teriyaki Chicken with Tenderloin Katsu Gozen complete with a piece of deep fried prawn and griddled prawn.  The advantage of the Saboten set meals is that you get to savour a variety of dishes.  My favourite from this set meal was the deep fried prawn and Katsu.  Coated with the house-made bread crumbs, the prawn and katsu was really crispy at the outer layer while the meat remains tender and juicy.  The bowl next to the rice comprises fragrant roasted white and black sesame.  We are supposed to grind the sesame using the grinding stick provided.



When the sesame has been finely grinded, add in the tonkatsu sauce, made from a variety of fruits and vegetables.  Together, this fragrant sauce makes the tonkatsu an amazing dish!

Saboten at IMM is a cosy and contemporary restaurant suitable for business lunch, family and friends gatherings.  The service staff are attentive, knowledgeable and polite.


Saboten Dining
2 Jurong East Street 21 #01-19
IMM Building
Singapore 609601
Tel: 68983432
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm (Last order at 9.30pm)
FB: https://www.facebook.com/saboten.sg

Getting there: Take the MRT to Jurong East Station.  Exit from the station and go towards the direction of Westgate (shopping mall).  Free shuttle buses are available from the pick-up/drop off point at Westgate between 10.30am to 10.30pm daily at 10 to 15-min interval.  The ride to IMM from Westgate takes about 5 mins.

Ginza Bairin (ION)

Ginza Bairin (Japanese website: http://www.ginzabairin.com/)

2 Orchard Turn

#B4-39/40 ION Orchard

Tel: +65 6509 8101

Everyone has got their plate of tonkatsu (deep-fried breaded pork cutlet) and they look really yummy.  The outlet, which originate from Tokyo Ginza, has a strong japanese ambience, from its simple wooden chairs to its deco.

It operates with a fast-food concept ie.  queue up to place order for your food, place the number stand on your table and the waiter will serve the food when ready.  During dinner time, the restaurant, which is not small, is packed.  So, the best thing you could do is, get 1 person to find a seat in the restaurant while the other queue up to place food order.

However, I gotten give the delicious tonkatsu a miss this time round as I wasn't feeling too hungry for the pork fillet.  Instead, I ordered a potato salad and a croquette.

I always love japanese potato salad and this one looks simply "pretty" and yummy.  Loves the pieces of potatoes and carrot bits.

The brown sauce at the background was meant for the croquette.  Except that the croquette was a little too oily and a little costly ($2.50), I have no other complaints about it.

I shall be back again for its tonkatsu another time.  Together with a cup of cold green tea, the meal costs $9.90.

Tampopo Restaurant

Finally get to try the Black Pig Cutlet after hearing many rave reviews... what was so difficult was that I only get to try it only on my 3rd trip to Tampopo Restaurant (177 River Valley Road #01-23/24 Liang Court Shopping Centre). The story went like this...

First visit - I arrived too early on a Sunday morning and the restaurant was not open yet. At the time, it was located at Liang Court Supermarket @ the basement.

Second visit - Went back to Liang Court basement but found out that the place was taken over by another restaurant. It was only after that I realised that it has moved the level 1.

Third visit - it was an impromtu decision since I happen to be ard that area during dinner time.

The menu... the ala carte cutlet alone costs $21.80!! It'd better be good!

The actual cutlet....

Frankly, I think the quality of food has been over-rated and grossly over-priced!! The cutlet was quite oily and perhaps I am just not into meat with lots of fats, which is found in the cutlet...

Don't think I will be back for a second serving...