Kotobuki

Decent Japanese Food, But Rather Expensive

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 5
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 6
Service: 8
Value for Money: 3
Spent about SGD $52 per person.





Master chef Yanase Ryo of Kotobuki is dedicated to ensuring that only ingredients of the finest quality are served in his restaurants, by a team of well-trained staff. And while I certainly commend the fantastic service of Kotobuki, I feel that I didn't really get enough value for money.

Ambience at Kotobuki is styled after a casual Japanese home, with themes of wood and dark muted colours, contrasted by bright, warm lighting. Furniture is functional and comfortable, and tableware and serving plates are well designed.

The service at Kotobuki is among their high points; staff are professional, polite and courteous, quietly assisting to clear empty plates and top up drinks. However, I find their menu knowledge to be decent at best, having only a surface knowledge of menu items.

Food at Kotobuki is decent, with taste being above average because of the use of quality ingredients. However, I find prices at Kotobuki to be expensive, with a meal for 2 costing well over SGD $100, and we mostly had side dishes / appetizers. Kotobuki won't be my choice for Japanese food, as I can get similar quality at more competitive prices elsewhere.





Pretty good Potato Salad, with the potato being smooth and creamy in texture, although I can't get over the addition of low quality vegetables to the mix.

Potato Salad

Loved the Unagi Maki, it had little crisp bits that added a crunch to the freshness of the unagi and well crafted, flavourful sushi rice.

Unagi Maki

The Shimeji Butter Mushrooms were lovely and fresh, though quite unhealthy. Goes well with rice.

Shimeji Butter

The Sake Gekkeikan Kyo No Izumi is a Kyoto based sake, very dry but refreshing, with a slight hint of fruits / grapes. Clear, and semi-strong. I also like that it was served in a traditional Japanese decanter, with appropriate chilling glass. The menu has a good range of various sake available.

Sake Gekkeikan Kyo No Izumi 01

Sake Gekkeikan Kyo No Izumi 02

Sake Gekkeikan Kyo No Izumi 03

Sake Gekkeikan Kyo No Izumi 04

Sake Gekkeikan Kyo No Izumi 05

Not used to the Atsuage, which is a basic recipe of fried tofu, without the sauce. Personally felt this wasn't so good, but it really is a matter of preference.

Atsuage

Loved the Garlic Fried Rice, with the crisp bits of garlic that just explodes in the mouth, and the balance of rice and ingredients. Quite a big portion as well, and suitable for sharing.

Garlic Fried Rice