Sushi Tei: More Than Just Sushi
This long overdue post was borne out of my insatiable craving for Japanese food. Finally getting some downtime, I browsed through my laptop's pictures folder and realized I hadn't posted this yet. Amazingly, I had only sampled one Japanese restaurant here in Singapore after all these months.
It's not that there is a paucity of good quality Jap joints here. In fact, the locals are quite crazy over Japanese food, especially sushi. So, the long queue I often see just outside ANY branch of this restaurant was of little surprise. Still, I was curious to taste what they had to offer, having been craving good old comforting Japanese food I so thoroughly missed.
Sushi Tei seemed an obvious favorite among locals. Luckily, we went to the Vivo City branch early to avoid the long queue. Nestled on the second floor and fronting the harbor, the place was large and brightly lit. Bamboo fixtures adorned the facade and the interiors, recreating an authentic, oriental feel. Naturally, a whole section was devoted to an open kitchen featuring fresh sushi and sashimi being prepared by their chefs. We picked a cozy spot overlooking the harbor, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sunset.
The menu was expansive, which was a delightful surprise. Sushi Tei was a full board Japanese restaurant, offering Jap treats from appetizers down to bento boxes. It wasn't just about the raw stuff. We weren't in the mood for gobbling sashimi, and we missed real tempura. Those quick fried ebi in hawker courts were simply just too cheap imitations.
Choosing our orders was therefore easy. Nevertheless, it was hard not to compare the prices with those back home. We stuck to our all-time favorites, just to get an idea how Japanese food fares in Singapore.
Ebikko Tempura Maki, SGD 6.20 (approx. PHP 220), +10% service charge
To start off, we picked a non-raw maki. The Ebikko Tempura Maki was a scene-stealer, with the prawn tails jutting out from two of the rolls. It was a nice visual treat, but noticeably the two rolls holding up the fins appeared to crumble easily. It was a portent of things to come.
As I proceeded with my first bite, the whole thing came apart easily. It was reflective of the skill and manner of how they prepared this dish. The sticky rice wasn't holding up, the salmon roe falling off easily. It was a shame, since the prawn was quite good, tasting plump and fresh. The tempura breading remained crunchy though, saving this dish from a crumbly end. To be honest, I've had better back home, for a much lesser price tag.
Ebi Tempura, 5 pcs, SGD 10.60 (approx. PHP 380), +10% service charge
As if we weren't getting enough of ebi, we still ordered for actual prawn tempura. The five piece collection was reasonably sized and priced. However, it still paled in comparison to what Kenji Tei and Jozu Kin boasted of. But this was definitely better than the average ebi tempura in food courts.
Crunchy goodness.
Taking cue from its maki cousin, the breading was crunchy but not too thick. It was fried perfectly, leaving very little traces of oiliness. The average sized prawns within were fresh and juicy, a bit briny but complemented well by the ever reliable tempura sauce. Satisfying, yet a bit falling short in terms of value for money.
This poor fella saved the day.
The highlight of the meal though, was snagged by another all-time fave. As I've previously mentioned, I often believe there are a few dishes that define the quality of a Japanese restaurant. One of that, of course, is the tempura. The other is how well they deliver on their salmon teriyaki.
Salmon Teriyaki, SGD 12.80 (approx. PHP 460), +10% service charge
This sizable chunk of fresh salmon arrived at our table, its fragrance slowly wafting upwardly. The scent of grilled seafood was really enticing. The outer skin was charred beautifully, contrasting with the freshness of the salmon meat it wrapped within.
The flesh was flaky but not dry. The teriyaki glaze was sweet yet not overpowering, coating the salmon lightly and infusing deep into the meat itself. Despite a rather hefty price tag, the dish was worth it, and conjured memories of the salmon teriyaki from the now defunct Origami restaurant back in Greenbelt, Makati.
Sushi Tei's other dishes should receive more attention, especially the salmon teriyaki. They offer more than just the usual sushi and sashimi, for which the locals go gaga over. I'm quite sure there are other hidden gems on their menu just waiting to be discovered.
Overall, my first experience of Japanese cuisine in Singapore was okay but not mind-blowing. Sushi Tei appeared to cater to the mid-level crowd, and for the price, it seemed reasonable for the locals but not for foreigners like me who couldn't avoid comparing stuff back home. Nevertheless, a testament to Sushi Tei's success and popularity are the long queues and numerous other branches all over the island. I could find myself back in Sushi Tei, but I would rather try out some other joints. Although that salmon might be enough temptation.
Jones
Sushi Tei
1 Harbourfront Walk
#02-152/153, Vivo City
Singapore
Written by Jones
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