Kyoaji Dining Tasting Session 2020

Kyoaji Dining Tasting Session 2020
176A Orchard Road
#04-17 The Centrepoint

111 Somerset Road
#02-05 TripleOne Somerset

Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 11:30am - 3pm (Lunch), 5:30pm - 10:30pm (Dinner),
Sat - Sun: 11:30am - 10:30pm


https://kyoaji.com.sg/


This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session, but I did pay the standard price during subsequent visits.
Attended with representatives from Chubby Botak Koala, msginginly, and Purple Taste.

Chawanmushi Variety

The Taste Of Kyoto

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 9
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $45 per person.


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When we visited Kyoaji Dining nearly 3 years ago, Executive Chef John Phua and team served up well-executed, tasty Japanese dishes, albeit at premium prices. Having moved to their new premises, Kyoaji Dining is almost an institution these days, with regulars visiting frequently for their exquisitely crafted and still delicious Japanese dishes, which are now more affordably priced. Much as it was when they were founded in September 2016, Kyoaji Dining promises a good dining experience.

Kyoaji Dining Signage

Ambience at Kyoaji Dining exudes a quiet, zen, elegant feel. There is a sense of welcoming tranquility here, from the earthy wooden colours to the warm lights. Sturdy, functional wooden tables are arranged in neat rows, with comfortable black cushioned chairs alongside. Seats by the window offer a view of Orchard Road, but regulars typically head for the bar counter where they can converse with Chef, and watch the team preparing meals.

Kyoaji Dining Exterior

Kyoaji Dining Interior

Service at Kyoaji Dining is efficient and attentive, with staff regularly checking up on guests and fulfilling requests quickly. They like to keep the place looking presentable, so tables are quickly cleared and cleaned when diners leave. Staff don't display much product knowledge, however, this is somewhat made up if you converse with the kitchen team or Chef, who can describe in great detail how each dish is prepared.

Seating

Seating

Food at Kyoaji Dining is mainly focused on classic Japanese cuisine, with some modern fusion influences. Dishes are made with fresh ingredients, air-flown in twice weekly, and are consistently well-executed and tasty. There's effort in presentation as well, with plates being visually appealing. Portions are sized for individuals, while sharing plates are good for 2 - 4 people. Prices are comparable to upper mid-range Japanese restaurants elsewhere, but more affordable than before, budget about SGD $45 per person for a meal here.

Private Room

Decor

A decent, straightforward Green Tea (SGD $2), which is refillable. Has a mild earthy flavour. Choose from either warm or cool versions.

Green Tea (SGD $2)

It stands to reason that a place known for fresh sashimi would likely have better quality fish in yu sheng. While not Japanese, the Kyoji Yu Sheng (SGD $68) will still please those looking for quality yu sheng to welcome the Chinese New Year of the Rat in 2020. The inclusion of pine nuts and sunflower seeds lends a nice crunch to texture, while the thick salmon fish slices are fresh and succulent. The use of kombu seaweed also lends a more pronounced earthy flavour, complementing the fresh vegetal sweet flavours from the other ingredients. Available from now till 7th February 2020.

Kyoji Yu Sheng (SGD $68)

Kyoji Yu Sheng

Kyoji Yu Sheng

Kyoji Yu Sheng

Kyoji Yu Sheng

Chef created the XO Chawanmushi (SGD $15) specially for Chinese New Year 2020 as well. This features a base of wobbly soft egg custard, lightly seasoned with dashi seaweed broth, lending a savoury earthy note to the natural eggy sweet flavours of the chawanmushi. But the main taste profile is the topping of tender shredded crab stick, bouncy scallops, a whole juicy deshelled prawn / shrimp, and juicy globules of ikura / salmon roe, which lends some briny sweet notes with a burst of shrimpy savoury salty flavour. A little too intense for me. Could be improved.

XO Chawanmushi (SGD $15)

XO Chawanmushi

XO Chawanmushi

The Zuwai Kani Tama Mushi (SGD $16) features a base of wobbly soft egg custard, lightly seasoned with dashi seaweed broth, lending a savoury earthy note to the natural eggy sweet flavours of the chawanmushi. Garnished with tender straw mushrooms which lend a delicate earthy sweet flavour; crisp garlic chives which contribute a grassy earthy herbal note; tender succulent shredded snow crab leg meat which hold bright briny sweet salty flavour; and juicy globules of ikura / salmon roe which burst with briny salty flavour. Loved every bite of this. Highly recommended!

Zuwai Kani Tama Mushi (SGD $16)

Zuwai Kani Tama Mushi

Zuwai Kani Tama Mushi

The Toumorokoshi Kakiage (SGD $15), or Corn Tempura, is among the better versions I've had. Non-greasy, with a lovely crisp juicy crunch to texture, the corn kernels burst with natural grainy sweet flavour. The tempura batter is crisp and light, breaking off easily. Enjoyed every bite of this, wish we had more. Highly recommended!

Toumorokoshi Kakiage (SGD $15)

Toumorokoshi Kakiage

Toumorokoshi Kakiage

The Gyuniku Aburi Maki (SGD $30) is a filling and delicious sushi roll. This features sticky chewy vinegared sushi rice, stuffed with crunchy pickled daikon radish and tender caramelised white onions, topped with a tender succulent slice of beef seared to a medium rare, seasoned with rough black pepper and creamy thousand island sauce. The result is a bold meaty savoury salty burst of flavour on the palate at the start, followed by a sharp tangy sour sweet note on the end. So yummy. Highly recommended!

Gyuniku Aburi Maki (SGD $30)

Gyuniku Aburi Maki

Gyuniku Aburi Maki

The simply-named Bento (SGD $35) is a filling set meal, available for both lunch and dinner. There's crunchy Pickles, mostly pickled daikon radish, with a tangy sour flavour to cleanse the palate. The White Rice is sticky and soft, with a grainy starchy sweet flavour. The Salad features a blend of crisp lettuce, crunchy purple cabbage, and crisp shredded carrots, coated in a bright tangy zesty sour sweet yuzu dressing, which brightens the fresh vegetal sweet flavours of the vegetables. The thin Miso Soup has bold earthy savoury flavours, and is garnished with chewy kombu seaweed, and soft silken tofu bean curd. The Chawanmushi has a base of wobbly soft egg custard, lightly seasoned with dashi seaweed broth, lending a savoury earthy note to the natural eggy sweet flavours of the chawanmushi.

The Assorted Sashimi features thick, succulent, moist slices of seasonal fish, carrying clean-tasting sweet savoury flavour. The fish during our visit was tuna loin and salmon loin. Completed with a juicy bouncy amaebi / spot prawn / sweet shrimp, with bright enticing sweet notes. There's 3 types of Assorted Tempura, all coated in a light, thin, non-greasy tempura batter which cracks gently. There's firm crunchy sweet potato with starchy sweet notes, soft tender eggplant / aubergine / brinjal with vegetal earthy sweet flavour, and juicy bouncy prawns / shrimp with savoury sweet flavour. The succulent juicy tender fillet of Unagi Kabayaki, or Grilled Eel Teriyaki, has a robust salty savoury sweet flavour, nicely yummy. Overall, a satisfying set meal. Good!

Bento (SGD $35)

Bento

Pickles

White Rice

Salad

Miso Soup

Chawanmushi

Assorted Sashimi

Assorted Tempura

Unagi Kabayaki

Bento

Bento

Loved the prior dining experience from 3 years back at Kyoaji Dining, and this visit lived up to our expectations. From the zen minimalist ambience, the attentive and efficient service, and fresh delicious Japanese food which is well-executed and reasonably priced, Kyoaji Dining continues to quietly impress across all categories. This makes each visit to Kyoaji Dining a consistently above average dining experience, and easily creates regulars from people wanting to return for more.


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