After a long and tiring day, I cheated...on my diet. But it was all worth it. A little bit of sake goes a long way.
We've been meaning to try Tsukune Ichigo for the longest time. Every time the taxi stops at the traffic lights in front of the restaurant, we always comment "We need to try this one day". Well one day finally came. It's an added bonus that it's walking distance from home.
Those daunting doors loom before you and I used to envision pulling them open or using the big knocker and being led to a magical area. Ok, no such drama. On the contrary, when we pulled the doors open, there was only one other family there and the place was pretty much empty. Granted, it was Tuesday and we were early. The rest of the patrons (mostly Japanese) started to arrive at about 7.45pm onwards. When we left the place was 80% full. For a Tuesday night and a small restaurant with about 50pax capacity, I would say that they are indeed doing fairly well.
To start with we had the Torikawa Kyuri (chicken skin and cucumber with mustard sauce), I like the way the skin was nicely boiled and didn't feel like skin. The cucumber gave it a nice fresh crunch and the mustard sauce lightly coated the dish without being overwhelming. We also had some of the Yakitori which was normal and nothing to rave about.
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| Top: Torikawa Yuri, Bottom L: Momo with Mentai Mayo, Bottom R: Momo with Original Sauce |
They are most popular for the Tsukune (Japanese chicken meatball, cooked yakitori style) so I ordered a set which gave us a variety of 5 different sorts of Tsukune: Okonomi Yaki, Cheese, Original Sauce, Black Pepper and Avocado Mayo. My bf and I couldn't decide which one was better. He said to start in the above direction because one tastes better than the next. I beg to differ, I thought they all tasted different and therefore deserved their own merit. I order two more Tsukune after: Ume Shiso and Shiso Mentai. Again, both were just as good and worth a try. All Tsukune dishes cost from $5-$8.
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| Left: Tsukune Set, Top Right: Ume Shiso, Bottom Right: Shiso Mentai |
We also ordered the Soboro Don which was recommended but I wasn't overly impressed. Quick tip- let the rice stick to the pot a little after its been mixed if you like that crunch and texture in your rice. The one thing I WILL RAVE about is the Saba Aburi (lightly grilled vinegar mackerel). I love that fishy mackerel taste and this was done to perfection. Not too vinegar-y and so fresh! The slices were nice and thick...Oh the thought and I am drooling here.
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| Top: Soboro Don, Bottom: Saba Aburi |
In the end, we paid about $112 for two persons which included 2 orders of the Hot sake ($11each). I thought it was reasonable and I'm already deciding what to order for my next visit there. Ordering there is also much simpler because you have a menu that has a nice selection of food but you are not spoilt for choice. Point to note- when I first opened the menu, I nearly broke out in cold sweat because everything was in Japanese...fortunately, either the page beside or the following page has a description in English! Phew! Saves me from being an annoying patron.
Tsukune Ichigo
399 River Valley Road (beside Tony's Pizza)
Tel: 6736 1340
I went back during the week with a group of friends, the bill is still arguably reasonable. We ate like royalty, the staff were accommodating of a fairly rowdy bunch and everyone in the group loved the food.
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