December is a hectic month for many but more so, for us. Preparation for Christmas and shopping for gifts are interspersed with lunches and dinners with our dearest friends. You see, both darling wife and I celebrate our birthdays in December. We have had umpteen meals but I guess the one I should write first about, is my dinner for Lyn at Japanese Dining Sun, CHIJMES.
This restaurant gets a listing in practically every food blog that I know of. Most are rave reviews. Personally, I don't understand what all the hype is about, although I must agree that it does deserve mention for 2 things - its minimalist decor and food presentation. Quality of food, however, does not measure up to the reviews I have read.
Since we were celebrating darling wife's birthday, I was so looking forward to enjoying a kaiseki meal but this was, sadly, not offered. However, they did have a Hokkaido promotion which promised the freshest ingredients air-flown from Japan.
We ordered several dishes for sharing - tuna sashimi, a beef uramaki (or western sushi), Zensai Mori, and a mixed grill platter. Darling wife ordered the Ishikari Nabe from the Hokkaido promotion menu. For dessert, we had 2 servings of Milk Shu Cream with azuki bean paste on the side.
The sashimi maguro was fresh, leaning towards a 'melt-in-the-mouth' texture. This could be because we were eating tuna in winter (in the northern hemisphere) which is the best time for harvesting the fish when its body has a natural built-up of fats. Though Sun's sashimi was not the best we have eaten in Singapore, it was definitely better than what an average Japanese restaurant has to offer.
Served together with the sashimi was the beef uramaki. We liked its presentation especially the minimalist-design crockery. Regrettably, it did not stand out beyond its presentation. It wasn't all that bad but it just didn't excite my palate as much as it was visually attractive. I wish they didn't add so much mayonnaise on top!!!
The one dish that was truly a feast for the eye was the Zensai Mori or selection of appetizers. Had it not been for the fact that the cheek of pork was over-done, I would have given this dish full marks. Still, the saving grace was that the pork was well marinated and therefore, very tasty. The other items were very good with varying degrees of complexity in preparation. The edamame beans, though plain and straightforward in its preparation, provided relief from the robust onslaught of different flavours from the fried crispy shrimp, sauteed Bunashimeji mushroom, black-peppered cheek of pork, and sesame-mayonnaise fried chicken. The Zensai Mori was our favourite dish.
The mixed grill platter was a let-down. The only item on the platter that we enjoyed was the grilled kurobuta pork in thick caramelised sauce. Everything else was overcooked!
Birthday gal enjoyed her Ishikari Nabe (salmon soup with fresh picked seasonal vegetables) prepared using the freshest ingredients airflown from Hokkaido. The salmon was fresh and cooked just right. The soup was tasty.
The highlight of the meal has to be the dessert - Milk Shu Cream (fresh cream in puff) served with traditional azuki bean paste on the side. We ordered 1 to share but ended up ordering a second serving because it was really that good.
It was very thoughtful of the management to present darling wife a tofu cheese cake with a candle on top. We appreciated the gesture and it made for a very pleasant end to the meal.
Japanese Dining Sun was crowded even on a Monday evening. But I gather that it has become so popular mainly because of its affordability. Our tab for two persons was, surprisingly, under $120.
This restaurant gets a listing in practically every food blog that I know of. Most are rave reviews. Personally, I don't understand what all the hype is about, although I must agree that it does deserve mention for 2 things - its minimalist decor and food presentation. Quality of food, however, does not measure up to the reviews I have read.
Since we were celebrating darling wife's birthday, I was so looking forward to enjoying a kaiseki meal but this was, sadly, not offered. However, they did have a Hokkaido promotion which promised the freshest ingredients air-flown from Japan.
We ordered several dishes for sharing - tuna sashimi, a beef uramaki (or western sushi), Zensai Mori, and a mixed grill platter. Darling wife ordered the Ishikari Nabe from the Hokkaido promotion menu. For dessert, we had 2 servings of Milk Shu Cream with azuki bean paste on the side.
The sashimi maguro was fresh, leaning towards a 'melt-in-the-mouth' texture. This could be because we were eating tuna in winter (in the northern hemisphere) which is the best time for harvesting the fish when its body has a natural built-up of fats. Though Sun's sashimi was not the best we have eaten in Singapore, it was definitely better than what an average Japanese restaurant has to offer.
 |
| Sashimi Maguro |
Served together with the sashimi was the beef uramaki. We liked its presentation especially the minimalist-design crockery. Regrettably, it did not stand out beyond its presentation. It wasn't all that bad but it just didn't excite my palate as much as it was visually attractive. I wish they didn't add so much mayonnaise on top!!!
 |
| Beef uramaki |
The one dish that was truly a feast for the eye was the Zensai Mori or selection of appetizers. Had it not been for the fact that the cheek of pork was over-done, I would have given this dish full marks. Still, the saving grace was that the pork was well marinated and therefore, very tasty. The other items were very good with varying degrees of complexity in preparation. The edamame beans, though plain and straightforward in its preparation, provided relief from the robust onslaught of different flavours from the fried crispy shrimp, sauteed Bunashimeji mushroom, black-peppered cheek of pork, and sesame-mayonnaise fried chicken. The Zensai Mori was our favourite dish.
 |
| Zensai Mori |
 |
| Cheek of pork |
 |
| Fried crispy prawns |
The mixed grill platter was a let-down. The only item on the platter that we enjoyed was the grilled kurobuta pork in thick caramelised sauce. Everything else was overcooked!
 |
| Grilled kurobuta pork in thick caramelised sauce |
 |
| Mixed grill platter |
Birthday gal enjoyed her Ishikari Nabe (salmon soup with fresh picked seasonal vegetables) prepared using the freshest ingredients airflown from Hokkaido. The salmon was fresh and cooked just right. The soup was tasty.
 |
| Ishikari Nabe |
The highlight of the meal has to be the dessert - Milk Shu Cream (fresh cream in puff) served with traditional azuki bean paste on the side. We ordered 1 to share but ended up ordering a second serving because it was really that good.
 |
| Milk Shu Cream |
It was very thoughtful of the management to present darling wife a tofu cheese cake with a candle on top. We appreciated the gesture and it made for a very pleasant end to the meal.
Japanese Dining Sun was crowded even on a Monday evening. But I gather that it has become so popular mainly because of its affordability. Our tab for two persons was, surprisingly, under $120.
Japanese Dining Sun
#02-01 CHIJMES
30 Victoria Street
Ambiance: 7.5
Service: 7
Food: 6.5
Pricing: $$$
Recommended dishes: Zensai Mori, Ishikari Nabe, Milk Shu Cream, Sashimi maguro
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