TEN Sushi Tasting Session
60 Robertson Quay #01-09
Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm - 3am
https://www.facebook.com/TENbyMarusaya/
This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session.
Attended with representatives from Jennifer Yeo Lifestyle, Chubby Botak Koala, Emily.EatingThyme, Darren Bloggie, and Food Gem.
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| Assorted Sashimi Deluxe (SGD $58) |
Good Quality Sushi & Drinks
Established in November 2015, TEN Sushi is a relaxed sushi, sake, and whisky bar in the Robertson Quay area of Singapore. This small, cosy bar is named "TEN", because the Japanese word for this number also sounds like the words for "heaven" and "celebration", all of which TEN Sushi embodies. Operated under the Marusaya Group (a Japanese katsuobushi wholesaler), which also operates sister restaurants Monte Risaia, Mai By Dashi Master Marusaya, and the eponymous Dashi Master Marusaya, TEN Sushi is headed by Vice President Hideo Ueda and Chef Hirai.
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| Grand Entrance |
Ambience at TEN Sushi is open, casual, and relaxing. The small area is tightly packed with sturdy wooden furniture in shades of black and brown, with warm lights overhead and powerful fans for cooling. You could also choose to sit at the small bar counter and interact with the kitchen team. I wish the place were slightly brighter though.
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| TEN Sushi Facade |
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| Seating |
Service at TEN Sushi is transactional and earnest. I appreciate that staff are making the effort to accord attention to each table, but it does seem like they were understaffed during our visit, leading to occasional self-servicing. As each plate is freshly prepared to order, there is usually a short wait. What I liked is the opportunity to engage with Chef, and the operating management. There's surely a lot of room for improvement here, and I look forward to a better dining experience on return visits.
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| Table Setting |
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| Drinks Display |
Food at TEN Sushi features Japanese cuisine, with a focus on sushi and sashimi. Freshness of ingredients and skill in execution is key here, along with keeping the dishes cool for as long as possible when served. The menu is small, but the variety of options it has are premium. Chef Hirai puts on a show for customers, finishing plates table-side. Portions are sized for individuals. Prices are high, budget about SGD $70++ per person for a meal with drinks here.
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
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| Menu |
The Green Tea (SGD $5) is refillable, and can be served either hot or cold. They seem to have a variety of different mugs to serve it in, most of which are quite pretty in design.
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| Green Tea (SGD $5) |
Loved the Sakoshi Bay Oysters (SGD $28 for 6 pieces, SGD $49 for 12 pieces). Served over ice with a sprinkle of lemon juice for acidity, these Japanese oysters are plump and meaty, with a big juicy bite that floods the palate with lovely sweet briny flavour. There's 2 types of garnish; big globules of ikura / salmon roe which burst with sharp briny salty flavour, and small globules of tobiko / flying fish roe which have a much lighter sweet salty flavour. Delicious and succulent. Highly recommended!
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| Sakoshi Bay Oysters (SGD $28 for 6 pieces, SGD $49 for 12 pieces) |
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| Sakoshi Bay Oysters |
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| Sakoshi Bay Oysters |
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| Sakoshi Bay Oysters |
I confess that the Home Made Tamagoyaki (SGD $9) is a notch above similar versions elsewhere. This Japanese rolled egg omelette has a much softer, bouncy pillow-like texture, making it a delightful chew. Has delicate sweet eggy flavour. Good!
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| Home Made Tamagoyaki (SGD $9) |
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| Home Made Tamagoyaki |
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| Home Made Tamagoyaki |
The Assorted Sashimi Deluxe (SGD $58) is a beautiful sashimi dish, served over ice, featuring 11 different varieties of raw seafood or fish. The fish varieties include tuna loin, tuna belly, salmon loin, salmon roe, Japanese amberjack / yellowtail, and flying fish roe, while the seafood varieties include squid, prawns / shrimp, octopus, scallop, and sea urchin. Fresh and succulent, each has their own signature texture; tender, bouncy, juicy, or creamy; but all are clean-tasting with bright sweet ocean flavours. However, quality of cut may be inconsistent, some being sliced against the grain, while others have varying thickness. Have had better elsewhere, but this is still a decent dish to order here.
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| Assorted Sashimi Deluxe (SGD $58) |
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| Assorted Sashimi Deluxe |
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| Assorted Sashimi Deluxe |
The star of the Unagi Roll (SGD $18 for 4 pieces, SGD $32 for 8 pieces) is naturally the tender soft grilled unagi / freshwater eel, with its smoky sweet savoury flavour. Each fillet of unagi / freshwater eel is laid over an unusually large, sushi vinegared rice ball which is sticky soft in texture with light grainy sweet sour flavour. Chef finishes this table-side by brushing them lightly with sticky sweet teriyaki sauce. Decent enough, the finishing touch is more memorable than the taste.
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| Unagi Roll (SGD $18 for 4 pieces, SGD $32 for 8 pieces) |
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| Unagi Roll |
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| Unagi Roll |
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| Unagi Roll |
The Aburi Salmon Avocado Roll (SGD $20) here is much better executed than elsewhere, with the sticky soft sushi vinegared rice ball stuffed with creamy soft avocado chunks wrapped in thin crisp seaweed. Garnished with tender moist fillets of salmon loin, crisp red onions, small juicy globules of tobiko / flying fish roe, and spring onions. The salmon fish is lightly torched before serving. Bite in, and you get the smoky savoury sweet salty flavours from the garnish, followed by the light vegetal earthy grainy sweet flavours of the roll. Served with creamy dollops of mayonnaise on the side. Worth ordering!
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| Aburi Salmon Avocado Roll (SGD $20) |
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| Aburi Salmon Avocado Roll |
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| Aburi Salmon Avocado Roll |
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| Aburi Salmon Avocado Roll |
Another showpiece plate, the Wagyu Beef Sushi (SGD $18 for 2 pieces) features a thin yet chewy slice of raw Grade A4 wagyu beef, laid over a small sticky soft sushi vinegared rice ball. Chef torches this lightly tableside, brushes each piece with sticky sweet teriyaki sauce, then tops it with crisp spring onions to finish. Bite in, and you get bold smoky meaty fatty savoury sweet flavours, which is so succulent and luxurious. Good!
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| Wagyu Beef Sushi (SGD $18 for 2 pieces) |
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| Wagyu Beef Sushi |
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| Wagyu Beef Sushi |
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| Wagyu Beef Sushi |
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| Wagyu Beef Sushi |
The house Signature Omakase Sushi (SGD $49 for 12 pieces + 6 roll sushi pieces) is a delightful, luxurious treat. Sufficiently sized for individuals, each piece is chosen by Chef from the range of seasonal seafood or fish that is available. Usually similar to what you'll receive in the sashimi platter. The presentation of this wows, but it has to be eaten quickly, before it warms to room temperature. If you want something more filling than sashimi, get this instead.
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| Signature Omakase Sushi (SGD $49 for 12 pieces + 6 roll sushi pieces) |
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| Signature Omakase Sushi |
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| Signature Omakase Sushi |
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| Signature Omakase Sushi |
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| Signature Omakase Sushi |
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| Signature Omakase Sushi |
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| Signature Omakase Sushi |
Overall, I enjoyed the fresh sushi and sashimi at TEN Sushi. Will be back to sample their range of drinks!
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(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 6
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 5
Value for Money: 6
Budget about SGD $70++ per person.
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CONVERSATION