Five Izakaya Bar
5 Changi Business Park Central 1
#01-67 Changi City Point
16 Collyer Quay #01-05B
25 Cuppage Road
1 Pickering Street
#01-03 Great Eastern Centre
https://www.fivebar.sg/
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| Kushiyaki Platter (SGD $24) |
Happy Hour, All Day, Every Day
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 5
Food & Beverage: 7
Service: 7
Value for Money: 9
Spent about SGD $30 per person.
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Established in August 2012 by Luke Lee and friends, Five Izakaya Bar was born out of a crazy idea - to serve quality alcoholic drinks at an affordable price. Since then, Five Izakaya Bar, also known as FIV五, has been serving decent quality, $5 food and drink specials, all day, every day. Being among the few Japanese izakayas in the east of Singapore, Five Izakaya Bar / FIV五 regularly draws the after-work crowd on weekdays.
Ambience at Five Izakaya Bar harkens to the traditional Japanese izakaya. With bright natural lighting during the day, and warm dim lights at night, the place features sturdy dark wooden furnishings, neatly laid out in a tight space. Not too cramped, but conversation will carry. Their seating area is non-air-conditioned, fully outdoors but sheltered and fan-cooled, with smoking and non-smoking areas. There's a stage for live bands to perform on weeknights.
Service at Five Izakaya Bar is polite and efficient. Staff are quick to greet and seat guests, and display good product knowledge on the extensive menu. They're proactive, offering to clear finished plates or top up drinks. I note they quickly clean tables when diners leave. Because of the crowd, it's sometimes difficult to attract their attention, but when you do, they accord you personalised attention. The cashier is rather slow at processing payment though.
Food at Five Izakaya Bar is a mix of Japanese izakaya tapas, and Western and Asian finger food. Generally, quality and taste of dishes here is average at best, passable enough to satisfy. Don't expect gourmet quality. Portions are designed for communal sharing. The main draw is the price; everything on the extensive menu is affordable and wallet-friendly; this is probably the cheapest izakaya I've dined at. Budget about SGD $30 per person.
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| Five Izakaya Bar Facade |
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| Menu Food |
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| Menu Drinks |
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| 5-Dollar Specials Everyday |
The Umeshu Choya (SGD $5) is a traditional Japanese fruit wine liqueur made from ume plum, brewed by Choya Umeshu Co. Ltd., in Habikino, Osaka, Kansai, Japan. It has a pale green colour, with aromas and tastes of almond, marzipan, peach, and plum. The body is thin, smooth, and refreshing, with a delicate zesty tangy sweet sour flavour. It has a short, bright finish. Helps to open the appetite.
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| Umeshu Choya (SGD $5) |
The Umeshu Wakayama (SGD $5) is a traditional Japanese fruit wine liqueur made from ume plum, brewed by Nakano Biochemical Creation in Kainan, Wakayama, Kansai, Japan. It has a pale yellow colour, with aromas and tastes of grass, green apple, apricot, and plum. The body is rich, smooth, and refreshing, with a balanced zesty tangy sweet sour flavour. It has a short, bright finish. Helps to open the appetite.
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| Umeshu Wakayama (SGD $5) |
The Sake Gekkeikan Kasen (SGD $5) is a junmai-shu sake made from only 70% milled white rice, spring water, yeast, and koji / fermented rice, brewed by the Gekkeikan Sake Co., Ltd. in Fushimi ward, Kyoto prefecture, Kansai region of Japan. It has a clear transparent colour, with aromas and tastes of muskmelon, coconut, white rice, and steel. The body is crisp, balanced, and smooth, and the flavour is vegetal earthy sweet. Has a medium clean finish.
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| Sake Gekkeikan Kasen (SGD $5) |
The Beer Asahi Super Dry (SGD $7 / $12) is a Japanese pale lager, brewed by Asahi Breweries in Tokyo, within the Kanto region of Japan. This bright, clear golden yellow brew has a tame aroma of hops, grass, corn, and apples, with a smooth, refreshing, medium body and medium carbonation. Taste is floral bitter sweet, with notes of wheat, rice, malted barley, and lemon citrus, with a super dry, crisp finish. Very drinkable.
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| Beer Asahi Super Dry (SGD $7 / $12) |
The Beer Asahi Super Dry Black (SGD $8 / $14) is a Japanese dunkel lager. It has a chocolate brown colour, aromas of malt, molasses, and smoke, with a medium, smooth, crisp body that has strong carbonation. Taste is of roast coffee beans, nuts, and caramel, sweet and nutty with a tinge of smoky. Finish is quick, clean, and dry. With little bitterness, this is a very drinkable brew.
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| Beer Asahi Super Dry Black (SGD $8 / $14) |
The Tower (SGD $65) is served with 3 litres of beer, which fills about 12 half-pints / 6 pints.
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| Tower (SGD $65) |
The Beer Yuzu Flavoured (SGD $8) is a Japanese fruit beer. It has a cloudy amber yellow colour, with aromas and tastes of yuzu, malt, toasted white bread, and green tea. The body is lively, thin, and refreshing, with a bold fruity grainy sweet bitter flavour. Topped with a thin white foam head, it has a weak metallic finish.
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| Beer Yuzu Flavoured (SGD $8) |
Despite its popular use in cocktails, the Vodka Snow Leopard Original (SGD $15) isn't designed for sipping. Named because they donate part of their proceeds to help these majestic animals, this vodka is also unique because it's made with (expensive) spelt grain, and natural spring water (distilled 6 times for purity), by the Polmos Lublin distillery in Spółdzielcza 6, Lublin, Lublin voivodeship, Poland. It has a crystal clear colour, with aromas and tastes of white pepper, liquorice, vanilla, and grass. The body is clean, dry, and smooth, with a herbal nutty spice earthy flavour. Has a slight lingering burn to finish.
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| Vodka Snow Leopard Original (SGD $15) |
The Whisky Nikka Coffey Grain (SGD $13) is brewed by the Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. Ltd. in Yoichi, Shiribeshi, Hokkaido, Japan, using coffey stills imported from Scotland in 1963. It has a bright brass brown colour, with aromas of bourbon, vanilla, corn, and chamomile. The body is thick, velvety, and fresh, with tastes of honeydew melon, grapefruit, maple syrup, and biscuit. It has a bold fruity sweet bready flavour, with a hint of smoky grainy on the lingering finish.
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| Whisky Nikka Coffey Grain (SGD $13) |
The Wine Envyfol Chardonnay (SGD $9) is a white wine made from 100% Chardonnay green grapes, by the EnvyFol Maison LAVAU winery in the Violès commune, Vaucluse department, Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur region of France. It has a bright pale green colour, with aromas of passionfruit, flint, green apple, and lemon. The body is crisp, juicy, and ripe, with tastes of peach, honeydew melon, daffodil flowers, and grapefruit. It has a citrusy fruity sweet flavour, with a quick finish. Nicely drinkable.
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| Wine Envyfol Chardonnay (SGD $9) |
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| Wine Envyfol Chardonnay |
The Wine Envyfol Merlot (SGD $9) is a red wine made from 100% Merlot red grapes, by the EnvyFol Maison LAVAU winery in the Violès commune, Vaucluse department, Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur region of France. It has a deep rich purple colour, with aromas of strawberry, black olives, oak, and leather. The body is velvety, soft, and dry, with tastes of blackcurrent, plum, tobacco, and black cherry. It has a fruity earthy sweet flavour, with a medium finish. Approachable and easy to drink.
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| Wine Envyfol Merlot (SGD $9) |
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| Wine Envyfol Merlot |
The Mentaiko Fries (SGD $8) were slightly underwhelming, although they were served piping hot. The main quibble is the texture, overly firm and crunchy, lacking the softness I like in potato. At least these were properly salty in flavour, and the creamy rich mentaiko / pollock fish roe sauce is bright with briny salty savoury flavour. Could be improved.
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| Mentaiko Fries (SGD $8) |
Loved the decadent Crispy Butaniku Pork Luncheon Chips (SGD $6), which feature thinly sliced, super crispy pork luncheon meat / spam chips, with bold savoury salty meaty flavour. These crack with a loud, satisfying crunch when bit. Served with a sweet chili dipping sauce on the side. Proper bar snack. Highly recommended!
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| Crispy Butaniku Pork Luncheon Chips (SGD $6) |
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| Crispy Butaniku Pork Luncheon Chips |
The Gyoza Fry (SGD $8) features pan-fried dumplings, with crisp and golden brown skin, crunching lightly to reveal the piping hot, juicy tender fillings. Diced cabbage and prawns / shrimp lend this a lovely sweet savoury salty flavour. Don't expect premium fillings here for this price, but it's decent enough to get by. Could be improved.
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| Gyoza Fry (SGD $8) |
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| Gyoza Fry |
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| Gyoza Fry |
The Takoyaki (SGD $8) is pretty decent, in terms of quality, falling below the delicious morsels you get in Japan, but better than versions you get in night bazaars. These soft, squishy, wheat flour pancake balls are filled with bouncy chewy chunks of octopus, garnished with light wispy shreds of savoury salty fishy katsuobushi / bonito fish flakes, and sticky sweet savoury teriyaki tare sauce. Best eaten when piping hot. Good!
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| Takoyaki (SGD $8) |
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| Takoyaki |
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| Takoyaki |
The Chicken Nanban (SGD $10) features chunks of battered chicken, with a soft, moist, tender texture, topped with chunky juicy diced cucumbers, dressed liberally with creamy Japanese mayonnaise and sticky teriyaki sauce. Equal parts salty sweet savoury milky in flavour, this pairs perfectly with drinks. Worth ordering!
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| Chicken Nanban (SGD $10) |
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| Chicken Nanban |
The Unagi Chahan / Grilled Fresh Water Eel Fried Rice (SGD $8) was enjoyable, with its fluffy sticky grains of fried rice and egg having a smoky savoury salty flavour. Topped with tiny chunks of unagi / grilled fresh water eel marinated in sticky tare teriyaki sauce. The eel has a succulent juicy bounce and sweet savoury flavour, complementing the notes of the fried rice. Good!
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| Unagi Chahan / Grilled Fresh Water Eel Fried Rice (SGD $8) |
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| Unagi Chahan / Grilled Fresh Water Eel Fried Rice |
Loved the value-for-money Kushiyaki Platter (SGD $24), which is perfect for sharing between 2 people. It features a pair, each, of 5 different skewer varieties. These are standard though, you can't swap them for other skewers. Good!
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| Kushiyaki Platter (SGD $24) |
The Skewer Yakitori Momo Tare / Chicken Thigh With Tare Sauce Skewer (SGD $5) isn't as chunky as I'd like, but is still nicely tender and moist. Coated with sticky tare teriyaki sauce, the chicken thigh takes on a bold salty savoury sweet flavour.
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| Skewer Yakitori Momo Tare / Chicken Thigh With Tare Sauce Skewer (SGD $5) |
The Skewer Negima Tare / Chicken Thigh & Leek With Tare Sauce Skewer (SGD $6) has big chunks of moist and tender chicken thigh, paired with crunchy juicy leeks, coated in sticky tare teriyaki sauce. Nicely vegetal sweet savoury salty in flavour.
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| Skewer Negima Tare / Chicken Thigh & Leek With Tare Sauce Skewer (SGD $6) |
The Skewer Tsukune Tare / Chicken Meat Ball With Tare Sauce Skewer (SGD $6) has tender bouncy chicken meat balls which are rather small in size, coated in sticky tare teriyaki sauce. While the flavour is properly savoury salty in taste, this was underwhelming overall.
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| Skewer Tsukune Tare / Chicken Meat Ball With Tare Sauce Skewer (SGD $6) |
The Skewer Butabara Shio / Pork Belly With Salt Skewer (SGD $5) features large succulent chunks of pork belly, sprinkled with salt. With a tender juicy bite that has a slight crunch, and bold savoury salty flavour, this was really appealing.
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| Skewer Butabara Shio / Pork Belly With Salt Skewer (SGD $5) |
The Skewer Bekon Shiitake Shio / Shiitake Mushroom & Bacon With Salt Skewer (SGD $5) was above average. The chunks of shiitake mushroom were juicy and bouncy soft, while the pork bacon was slightly crisp. Sprinkled with salt, I loved that this wasn't dry. The combined earthy sweet salty savoury flavour is nicely enticing.
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| Skewer Bekon Shiitake Shio / Shiitake Mushroom & Bacon With Salt Skewer (SGD $5) |
The Skewer Nasu Dengaku / Grilled Eggplant With Miso Paste Skewer (SGD $4) was delicious. The large rounds of eggplant / aubergine / brinjal have a soft juicy bite, and bright vegetal sweet earthy flavour. The rich miso glaze on top lends robust savoury salty flavour, resulting in a really addictive bite. Highly recommended!
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| Skewer Nasu Dengaku / Grilled Eggplant With Miso Paste Skewer (SGD $4) |
The Skewer Aburi Shake Rosu / Torched Salmon Fish Loin Skewer (SGD $8) was delicious, with large, moist oily chunks of flaky tender salmon fish loin. Rather than just being torched, it's almost cooked through. Each bite is a succulent burst of sweet savoury flavour. Tasty!
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| Skewer Aburi Shake Rosu / Torched Salmon Fish Loin Skewer (SGD $8) |
The Skewer Mekajiki Rosu / Swordfish Loin Skewer (SGD $10) was decently tasty, with the large, moist oily chunks of flaky tender swordfish loin. Each bite has a lovely bounce, with decent savoury sweet meaty flavour, though there was a hint of fishy taste on the finish.
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| Skewer Mekajiki Rosu / Swordfish Loin Skewer (SGD $10) |
The Skewer Gyuniku Tori Ribuai Shio / Beef Ribeye With Salt Skewer (SGD $12) was terrible, because they used frozen beef ribeye, which during my visit, had a slightly foul taste. A shame, as it's beautifully grilled to medium rare, with a tender juicy bite. I wish they'd use fresh beef instead (even if I have to pay more).
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| Skewer Gyuniku Tori Ribuai Shio / Beef Ribeye With Salt Skewer (SGD $12) |
When you've had enough to drink, you might forgive the mediocrity that is the Margherita Pizza (SGD $12). Lacking the fragrance of basil, at least it has the sweet salty savoury flavours of tomato paste and mozzarella cheese. I find the firm crunchy pizza crust appealing though.
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| Margherita Pizza (SGD $12) |
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| Margherita Pizza |
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CONVERSATION