Miyuki Izakaya (Sembawang)

The highlight from my dinner is the Bara chirashi. Generous fresh ingredients and only $17.9.
Will prefer more selection of the Yakitori ( a few items sold out when I dine).
📍Miyuki Izakaya.
25 Springfield green #01-13

Fresh salmon, swordfish, tuna, scallops, prawns, ikura with marinated sushi rice

Similar to the regular bara chirashi, except with more salmon/swordfish/tuna, and more variety - fresh, succulent scallops and prawns.

Fresh salmon, swordfish, tuna, ikura over marinated sushi rice

The fish were fresh and cut into thicc slices. I usually like swordfish the most and while their swordfish was good, I surprisingly enjoyed the salmon more than usual - it was juicy, smooth and tasty. Their tuna was not bad too. Ikura tasted different, had a bit of the healthy fish oil taste? My bf’s portion tasted like the typical ikura tho so maybe it’s just my portion. The marinated sushi rice was lightly vinegary and plump, pretty nice.

Portions were generous despite the bowl not looking huge. I was v full for this lunch.

What an unexpected find! Nice to know of this izakaya in the north :) I will be back to try other menu items!

Springleaf has been an area that is made more exciting ever since the opening of Springleaf MRT Station as part of the second phase of the Thomson-East Coast Line that had opened a year ago. Located at The Brooks II within the same compounds as other notable establishments such as Daruma Tavern and Cafe Bakeaholic (both of which being its direct neighbours), Miyuki Izakaya is a fairly new establishment that has open its doors recently — a spot that gives some serious Japanese Izakaya-style vibes where its interior design and decor is of concern. Expect a dimly-lit interior for a start; the walls being plastered with Japanese-themed wallpapers across while other different types of Japanese-esque decor take up the space of the dividers that segregates the “private rooms” away from the “bar seating” area and the main dining area. As with a most Japanese Izakaya, the menu at Miyuki Izakaya features a good mix of items separated into categories such as Appetizers, Salad, Soup, Oysters, Sushi, Makizushi, Donburi, Soba, Yakitori (available only from 5:30pm onwards), and dessert. Being a Japanese Izakaya also meant that there is an emphasis on their alcohol selection — Miyuki Izakaya does serve up a pretty wide range of sake, though they also do offer non-alcoholic beverages such as hot and cold home-brewed green tea (both refillable), as well as canned drinks as well.

Skimming through the menu, it was difficult to skip on the Barachirashi Don after having seen it on the menu; Miyuki Izakaya actually offers three (3) different variations of Barachirashi Don here — the standard Barachirashi Don (i.e. the one that we went for), the Upsized Barachirashi Don, and the Rainbow Barachirashi Don. The Barachirashi Don features elements such as fresh salmon, swordfish, tuna, ikura over marinated sushi rice. We were actually pretty surprised by the quality of the Barachirashi Don that was being served here — priced at $15.90, the Barachirashi Don comes with a reasonable portion of cubed raw fish with rice; one would be able to enjoy each scoop of rice with some cubes of raw fish here. The marinated sushi rice comes at a good consistency here; the short-grain rice being served at room temperature so there isn’t a stark contrast against the chilled raw fish over the top, but we really liked how it was sufficiently sticky whilst also carried a light hint of sweetness from the vinegar and mirin added without being particularly overwhelming. The assorted cubes of raw fish were pretty fresh; liked the fact that they serve up a version of the Barachirashi Don with marinated cubes of raw fish much to the likes of the ones that are served up by Teppei Syokudo and Omote — the one at Miyuki Izakaya being lighter on the savouriness so as to not totally mask up the flavours of the cubes of raw fish. The knob of wasabi on the side provides for its signature kick of numbness that tingles the tastebuds and cuts through all the carbs and the fish, while the white sushi ginger does pretty much the same and provides for some crunch, less the numbness from the wasabi.

With its extensive menu, Miyuki Izakaya does seem more than just being an Izakaya; perhaps more of the Japanese eatery with an Izakaya-esque vibe that services the Springleaf residents for both lunch and dinner. It’s menu is fairly extensive, and does seem to have something for everyone — that is if one is looking either for a full meal (i.e. Donburi, Soba), or that if someone is looking for small plates (i.e. appetisers, sushi, sashimi, Makizushi, Yakitori etc.) to go along with some Japanese sake. Food quality is actually surprisingly good here — we have always been a bit more skeptical of Japanese establishments that are being set up in the neighbourhoods / heartlands but Miyuki Izakaya puts up some seriously well-executed dishes here that is actually worth making the trip especially for those who stay closer to the Thomson-East Coast Line; also probably one of the only few authentically Japanese establishments that one would be able to find in the area. With such chill vibes and great food being served up here, Miyuki Izakaya is likely a spot that we would return to especially given its proximity to us; a spot that would certainly benefit those staying around it as well!