Jap Food

There is authentic jap food and there is really authentic jap food. With its hand lettered menus and none of the crowd favourites that most Singaporeans are used to, it's easy to guess which group Mikoto belongs to. Don't expect to find the usual curry rice and bento sets. But be prepared for some exquisite dishes with mundane names that will wow you with fabulous presentation and authentic flavour.

I was not getting bowled over. The curry was perfect; smooth, tinge of spiciness and sweetness that goes so well with the fragrant rice. The belle of the ball, aka the pork cutlet was good. It wasn't as good as the the premium pork loin cutlet of course; slightly drier and with less fat, but it would be comparing Miss Singapore to Miss Universe. The let down however was the bowl. Normal curry is served on a plate, it lets me determine how much curry I want with my rice. Imakatsu served it on a bowl though, it makes me feel like I'm saving my grains of rice and pork cutlet from the rising flood of curry. I found myself building dykes of cutlet and rice so to keep them dry. As much as I like their curry, not a big fan of eating it porridge style.

Gorgeous. The premium pork loin cutlet was an object worthy of adoration. Tender loin meat between juicy fat was wrapped up in crisp golden batter. I used the word 'was' cause it certainly didn't last long in the physical world; it soon transcended into a very happy place in my tummy. Special mention has to be made of the rice. Plump, fragrant, with none of that stickiness that causes it to congeal into a mess, I now understand why they call this pearl rice. Try it to believe it!

Pretty good & value for money!

One of the things that Hanare does well is bara chirashi and it shows. Mounds of fresh succulent sashimi slathered on top of steaming hot rice and freshly grated wasabi. All for less than 20? Add to the mix a kitschy throwback to a 80s buffet line that somehow grows on you and you will have one of the best value for money chirashi don anywhere.

Decadent slices of sashimi. Nuff said. In fact they should make a new term for it. I present to you: Delices of sashimi.

Worth trying! They don't really skim on the ingredients unlike some places and still it's less than $20 a pop.

Banana ice cream, red bean pudding & plum(?) jelly. Dessert was part of the chirashi lunch set.

So. Good. #yummydieme

What awesome tastes like.