#ue square

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Asuparagasu Be-kon Shioyaki (Grilled Asparagus Bacon) - Who doesn’t love BBQed salty cured meat and crunchy shoots of asparagus. I know we all do. And they forgotten my order of Asuparagasu Be-kon Kuro Kosho (Grilled Asparagus Bacon with Black Pepper).

The Gyoza (Pan Fried Dumplings) were not too bad but I had better elsewhere.

Ebi Miso Yaki (Miso-Glazed Grilled Prawn) were addictive with the added smoky overtone over the lightly salty miso flavour. The prawns however could be a tad fresher and that will be perfect. Though I still hate to be peeling shell and taking photo at the same time.

The plump Teba Karaage (Deep Fried Chicken Wings) was amazingly delectable, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Of course we had second helpings.

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Everyone was famished so I started ordering through the tablet. The Chuka Idako (Seasoned Mini Octopus) and Chua Ika Sansai (Seasoned Squid Salad) came in no time. Most of us love the sourish sweet taste of the squid salad which opens up our appetite.

I have not seen the Kabocha Chawanmushi (Pumpkin Egg Custard) offered elsewhere other than the normal Chawanmushi (Steam Egg Custard). The pumpkin sauce gave an earthy sweet flavour to the silken egg custard.

Nooooo, my favourite Mekajiki (Swordfish) sashimi was out of stock when we were there. :( So our plates of Sashimi Moriwase (Assorted Sashimi) came with only Maguro (Tuna), Shake (Salmon), Hamachi (Yellow Tail), Tako (Octopus) and Ika (Cuttlefish). Not sure of it is due to the shortage of swordfish, they included a portion of Salmon Belly in the order as a compensation. The slices of fish were so fresh and sweet that they barely need the soya sauce and wasabi to complement it.

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The Tori Teppan or simply chicken as labeled in the menu came under the Teppanyaki section. Much like those Korean fried chicken with sauce, this one was boneless with a savoury taste. But it was the crispy fried garlic slices that stole the thunder from the chicken. Overall, I would rate this dish excellent.

Both the Ebi Tenpura (Prawn Tempura) and Kisu Tenpura (Fish Tempura) were freshly deep-fried so they were hot and crispy. Would have like more but subsequent orders never materialized.

Did someone ordered ice creams? Nope, it was Jagaimo Sarada (Potato Salad). Actually, potato mash with bits of carrot and other vegetables mixed together. More sweet than I would have preferred but it was good nonetheless.

Gyuniku Shogayaki (Beef with Special Sauce) had thin tender slices of stir-fried beef and onion in special sauce. The meat was fatty enough without being oily and the sauce was well, special. A dish that goes well with white rice.

My guess this would be the Tori Hatsu Shioyaki (Grilled Chicken Heart with Salt) but I don’t remembered even ordering it. Anyway, I ended up eating it as I had thought it was beef. :D

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Shake Teriyaki (Grilled Salmon with Sweet Soy Sauce) – In most places, the teriyaki sauce was too coyly sweet/salty but not here and the salmon was not overcooked, retaining the moist flaky flesh.

Normally I love most food items grilled but this Tebasaki Shioyaki (Grilled Chicken Wing with Salt) was a tad dry as they had butterflied the mid-wings. I will sticks to the deep-fried wings instead.

If you don’t appreciate raw garlic then this Ninniku Shioyaki (Grilled Garlic with Salt) might win you over. Gone are the pungent sharp flavour, now replaced with a milder and sweeter taste with a hint of smokiness.

Saba Teriyaki (Grilled Mackerel with Sweet Soy Sauce) was equally good, just like the salmon that came before it. Crispy skin and moist succulent flesh inside.

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So was the Ika Karaage (Baby Cuttlefish); deep fried to golden brown yet so wonderfully tender with a well-seasoned crispy shell.

The picture of the Kani Tenpura (One Mouth Crab Tempura) in the menu gave me the impression that the crab pieces are of decent size but alas, they were such tiny crabs. Order this if you need more calcium in your diet. :D

I think this was the Tori Karaage (Marinated Chicken Pieces) I asked for though in the menu, it doesn’t comes with sauce. Actually the sweetish sauce gave this dish a bigger depth of flavours than if it was to come without.

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I placed the order for Aburi Shake Sushi (Seared Salmon) but was served this instead, for which I could not find in the menu. The sauce was sourish at best and doesn’t complement the fish at all. None of us like it.

Luckily the Fancy Unagi Sushi (Grilled Eel topped with Cream Cheese, Crab meat & Tempura Bits) saved the day. The strange combination of toppings actually works like a charm giving the plain unagi a boost in the taste department.

Then came the Spider Temaki (Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab Handroll) that did me in. Someone secretly submitted an order for two more pieces making a total of six. When no one came forward to claim ownership of the two orphaned hand rolls, it’s up to me “disposed” of them and I had to eat three of them. Taste wise, the lack of sauce gave it a rather bland flavour profile.

Crispy Ton Katsu (Deep Fried Pork Loin Chop in Bread Crumbs) but on the dry side. A fattier cut of pork would do wonders for this dish.

To end the lunch buffet, a scoop of Matcha Red Bean Ice Cream for dessert. Too bad this one is not free flow. You can opt for fresh cut fruits if you don’t have a sweet tooth.

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For a gathering, my colleagues suggested we go to Shin Minori Japanese Restaurant (新稔り) for their ala-carte buffet. Went to their webpage to make reservation and just nice the restaurant is having its 12th anniversary promotion, offering S$12 off every Omizu buffet.

Shin Minori Japanese Restaurant (新稔り) 81 Clemenceau Avenue #03-15/16 UE Square Singapore 239917 Tel: [phone]

Opening Hours: Lunch (Mon to Sat, Eve of PH) 11.30am to 2.30pm (Last order 2.15pm)

Lunch (Sun, Public Holidays) * 12pm to 3pm (Last order 2.45pm)

Dinner (Mon to Sun, Public Holidays & Eve of PH) * 6pm to 10.30pm (Last order 9.45pm)

* Except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year Eve, New Year Day, CNY Eve, CNY & Special Occasions.

The place was still pretty empty since it was only 11.30am and as the waitress lead me to our table, so told me I need to have the Entertainer app to enjoy free flow drink and a dessert. Told her that the restaurant is having a promotion and she still look or pretended to be clueless until I loaded up the page on my handphone and showed her. Finally she told me you need to show/mention the promotion to enjoy the offer.