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It's not everyday that you will be able to chance upon a unique restaurant or bar that serves fantastic food (unless you are the sort who really goes and hunt them down). And I was rather thrilled finding a fantastic buffet in an almost obscure part of Newton.
Just a 3 minutes walk from Newton MRT Station, my family and I went to Sheraton Towers open concept styled restaurant for lunch.
You have to admit that not every restaurant comes with a waterfall embracing the scenery. The beautifully landscaped garden really does wonders by creating a soothing ambience.
I went for this buffet 2 weeks ago but only have time to put them up now because of my examinations. So I can't really remember all the names of the dishes (though I try), but I guess I should really allow the pictures to speak for themselves as much as possible.
Skewered Teriyaki Chicken
Ahh this was good. I enjoyed the smooth and tender chicken glazed with the teriyaki sauce on it. Served with pickled radish by the side, YUMMY!
Fantastic Roast Beef
Now, its not everyday you come across a giant slab of roast beef all waiting to be carved, don't you?
Ask the chef for at least 2 servings when you order this. The meat has been perfectly roasted on the outside creating that all too good crispy brown texture for you to savour.
Though my only gripe about this dish was that it should have roasted a little longer. It was too rare for my liking, but then again that is a personal preference.
Left - Soba Noodles served with Eel and topped with salmon eggs
Right - Fresh prawns, quail egg with a garnish of black caviar
Now this is what I rave about at this buffet! The appetizers are superior!
I literally had about 4-5 servings of the appetizers. They are very well presented and each one its a unique creation in its own right. It's not your everyday fare at a buffet.
P.S I relished the prawns served nice and whole. *Craving for more....*
Salmon Appetizer served with fruit
Roast Duck served with jellyfish
Serving of Fresh Sashimi from the counter
Ok, this is like the standard fare for all buffets in Singapore. (*At least to the ones I've been to and excluding Carnivore [ meat buffet ], vegetarian buffets...etc. etc.)
I presume most Singaporeans would grade the quality of a buffet by the quality of the sashimi served. If that were the case, I would give this place a 3.5/5 based on sashimi alone.
Maybe I am particularly biased because while they serve the usual Salmon, Tuna, and swordfish, they also serve the Sweet Prawns(Amaebi) which I so deliciously savour.
However, I would have expected a wider range of sashimi and their sushi selection was not actually fantastic. Hmmm, I think this is one area for improvement for them. Oh I so dream of the days when I was in Himawari Japanese Restaurant for that fantastic Sashimi buffet.
Creamy Seafood Pasta
Number one on my list! I am easily satisfied when pasta is around, especially good pasta. But my more discerning buffet lovers will all go like "OH MY GOSH, YOU DO NOT, EAT PASTA AT ANY BUFFET. IT FILLS YOU UP! GO FOR THE EXPENSIVE STUFF"
Haha, well that being true, I will stick to my sashimi (expensive) and caviar (expensive) more often, but I still want my pasta!
The creamy seafood pasta was well...creamy and the best part was that each morsel gave you that cheesy sensation in your mouth. Mmmmm, that lovely kick to the dish!
Mini Chicken Pies - Burpp.
Vietnamese Beef Noodles
Another surprising fare at the buffet. It's ok if you love noodles, and the broth was nicely done. However, I feel that if they really want to serve Vietnamese food, serve more! Not just one little noodle counter enshrined in some far away place hidden next to the cashier.
A perfect little Christmasy Picture. Ring any bells to you?
Are these desserts enough to tempt you?
While nearly every buffet will have the standard fare of tiramisu, chocolate cake, chocolate fondue, I particularly enjoyed the fresh serving of cocktail desserts.
There was ice jelly, even little cups with jelly and berries inside sprinkled with silver icing powder (left). I thought that the dessert section was really there to impress, though it would be better if they served berries alone as a fruit.
I believe that would be a fine way to end such a delectable buffet experience and at a price for approximately $30++ per person, fabulous!
Ambience Rating : 4/5
Food Rating : 4/5
Overall Rating : 4/5
This buffet is the Weekend High Tea Buffet served on Sundays 12pm - 4pm
For reservations and enquiries on price please call +65 6839-5621
The Dining RoomSheraton Towers Singapore Hotel
Thirty-Nine Scotts Road
Hidden Hainanese Cuisine - Do you know that it is even there?
2 comments Posted by Justin D. Pereira at 10:10 AM Mooi Chin's Hainanese Chicken - Gratifying and Sumptuous Not too far from the busy urban streets of Bugis lies an almost deserted shopping centre whose heyday was in the 80's. Golden Landmark Shopping Complex, with at most slightly more than half its shops open at any time, surprisingly boasts an authentic Hainanese Cuisine Restaurant located in the Golden Landmark Hotel adjacent to it. The chicken can be summed up in one word - good. It was not too dry like the ones usually found in hawker centres and coffeeshops nor was it too rough. I enjoyed the wholesome texture of each piece of meat with the light soy sauce mixed with sesame oil being a perfect compliment to the overall taste. Together, the meat seemingly just slides down your throat. Hainanese Chicken Rice - Fragrant, though it came to me as a tad dry. While there is good chicken, there ought to be good rice. I found the Chicken Rice fragrant but apart from which it was a little too dry and grainy. It would have been better for a softer variety of rice to be cooked. Somehow, if there was better rice, there would have been a better rating. Price : $12.00 Overall Rating for Hainanese Chicken and Hainanese Chicken Rice : 4/5 The two sauces served (Chicken Rice Condiments on the left, whatever not Sambal Chilli on the right) is perhaps a must for the meal. Arguably, the chicken went well with the spicy looking red chilli sauce which turned out to be quite sweet and not blazingly hot. It might be an idea to mix the Chilli, Ginger and Sweet Black Sauce all up for that savoury taste, Also, the Sambal Chilli is perhaps one of the freshest which I have seen in a restaurant setting. The chilli is not too hot and with the squeezed lime, the tangy taste really added flavour to the dishes. I must comment that the spices used in Mooi Chin's have been toned down (obviously...) for the foreigners and tourists visiting the establishment. So you might want to ask for that Sambal Kang Kong of yours to be spiced up! Sambal Kang Kong The Sambal Kang Kong was perhaps a disappointment for my tastebuds. Though it was nice and crunchy with the occasional spice in it, I felt that the chefs have been slightly too skimpy in the sambal. It was a dish that really needed more hotness for that kick in it. Once again, ask for more sambal when you order (I learnt that to my disappointment) Price : $10.00 Rating for Sambal Kang Kong : 2.5/5 
Hainanese Mutton Soup - The mutton simply melts in the mouth!
Its not everyday you are able to come across Hainanese Mutton Soup. This particular one at Mooi Chin's is in a class on its own. Served generously with a wide variety of mutton meat and tendons, bamboo shoots, black wood ear mushroom and beancurd skin, in addition to that herb infused broth, this soup aims to please. The meat was tender and the fat (yes fat...stop running from it) simply melted in the mouth. Pair this with the Sambal Chilli provided and it will taste exceptionally great! One point to note is that this soup won't leave you sweltering with perspiration as I suspect that they (once again) reduced the quantity of herbs used to suit the tastebuds of the foreigners.
Price : $12.00
Rating for Hainanese Mutton Soup : 4.5/5
Sambal Deep Fried Fish Fillet - An Definite Award Winner!
Now this is what I call fantastic! Crispy on the outside, fresh, tender and cotton smooth on the inside, with an absolutely delicious fried sambal chilli topping to boot - the Sambal Deep Fried Fish Fillet is perhaps what you can call a gift from the heavens. Each bite leaves you with a tantalizing desire for that next piece of fishy goodness and by gosh, this may turn you into a Sambal Fishatarian. (if there was ever such a word)
Price : $10.00 per piece of Fish Fillet
Rating for Sambal Deep Fried Fish Fillet : 4.5/5
Yam Paste ("Orh Nee") with Pumpkin
Hidden below the whitish goodness (I suspect Coconut milk) lies the purplish Yam Paste with smooth Pumpkin mix in it. This is by far one of the better Yam Pastes I have tasted and after such a heavy meal, what more to end it with a heavy dessert. I particularly enjoyed the white 'cream' on top which presented the otherwise rather plain looking Yam Paste in a different light. The pumpkin added is also something new to me and was a great compliment to the yam. Not too sweet with a gratifying feel at the end. One Word again - Delicious!
Price : $4.00
Rating for Yam Paste with Pumpkin : 4/5
Overall Conclusion
Mooi Chin is by far one of the most authentic Hainanese Restaurants I have been to. Originally from Purvis Street (a haven for Hainanese Cuisine), this establishment has a significant history to its name. The dishes served while not always at the top of its class, still provide that warm, home cooked goodness of Hainanese food in comfort. You might also want to try some of its other Authentic Dishes such as the Hainanese Pork Chops.
Thinking of throwing a dinner party for that grandma of yours? Mooi Chin might just be the place to go for the enjoyment of everyone! Just take note that the dishes have been toned down for tastebuds more than ours.
Mooi Chin Place Pte Ltd (Hainanese Cuisine Specialist)
Situated at Golden Landmark Hotel
390 Victoria Street, #03-12A, Singapore 188061. Adjacent to Golden Landmark Shopping Complex.
Tel : 6392 1600 Fax : 6392 2633
You've haven't Himawari, if you haven't been to Himawari.
5 comments Posted by Justin D. Pereira at 9:51 AM
Sashimi Extravaganza 1 - Tuna (back), squid (front right), salmon (front left)
I discovered this nifty little restaurant a couple of months ago while surfing the net for quality Japanese Buffet restaurants in Singapore. I have never heard of Himawari Japanese Restaurants amidst the popular and established ones like Sakae Sushi, Ichiban Sushi, Hanabi, etc. etc. In fact, I am decided to put my heart into action and finally present to everyone the best Japanese buffet restaurant I have been to so far. (It's my 4th time there, including today)
Himwari serves up A-La-Carte Japanese Buffet at affordable prices for a quality and satisfying meal throughout the entire week. I have only been to the Neil Road branch (there is another at SAFRA Mount Faber) but it seems to me like a home away from home.
The ambience is very cosy and relaxing with Japanese music being played in the background over the in-house audio system. But enough of the ambience! I am sure the food is what we are all here about still=)
You'd really want to read the whole article, click the link below to read the whole post about this excellent quality restaurant
The Sashimi
The sashimi served at Himawari boasts excellent quality and freshness. Though the pieces are sliced a tad too thick for that perfect mark, each piece actually gives that melt-in-the-mouth feeling. My biggest applause goes to the Ika Sashimi (squid) which is served up nice and translucent. [see Sashimi Extravaganza 1 for the Ika Sashimi]
Sashimi Extravaganza 2 - Salmon (front left), octopus (front right), Sword fish (center), tuna (back right), salmon (back left)
I have discovered that the more translucent that Ika Sashimi is, the fresher the dish. Judging from what I have eaten at the well-established Japanese buffet restaurants elsewhere, this is the freshest I have tasted so far. Each bite proved to be crunchy and sweet, with a smooth aftertaste.
The salmon (sake), tuna (maguro) and octopus (tako) sashimi are also of commendable praise. Quality is sincerely not compromised in the restaurant and I believe you have to try it to believe it =)
Rating : 4.5/5
Shabu Shabu - Beef Slices
Shabu-Shabu
Also included in the A-La-Carte buffet menu is the Shabu-shabu (Japanese hotpot). My general preference of the meat for the hotpot is the thinly sliced beef slices. Once again, freshness of the beef is guaranteed. You can actually see the lovely red colour of the meat!
Shabu Shabu - Before cooking
The hotpot comes with a wide variety of vegetables plus the slightly sweet and salty stock. Combined with the beef slices, they make up one excellent soup that is healthier and yet appetizing.
Shabu-Shabu - Ready to eat! Oh My Gosh, look at that beef!
It doesn't take long for the vegetables to get cooked and for the beef it takes even lesser time than that. I believe I placed the meat in for approximately 2 minutes and its ready to eat.
The beef was another melt-in-the-mouth winner and it complimented the base very well.
As a dip, the Shabu-Shabu comes with chilli and soy sauce. I'm wondering where the 3rd sauce went. Can't remember it but it tasted something like yellow bean paste.
Rating : 4/5
Wakame (Seaweed)
Appetizers
There are 3 different kinds of appetizers at Himwari. Namely, wakame (seaweed), hotate (scallop), and kimuchi (kimchi: Japanese name for the Korean preserved vegetables)
My recommendation would be to try the Wakame and the Hotate. The seaweed provided to be nice and crunchy and not too salty like those available outside.
The Hotate (Scallop)
The scallop too is equally as delicious, with the slices going very well as a snack between the main courses of the meal. *I reckon that my mum had actually ordered the hotate 4 times in one of my visits!*
Rating : 4.5/5
Agedashi Tofu - One of the oldest and most well known dishes in Japan
The Agedashi Tofu
I particular enjoy the Agedashi tofu available at Himawari. The silken firm tofu is cut into blocks and thereafter deep-fried with a light batter coating. There is another version of the Agedashi tofu and that version is coated entirely with a thicker batter and deep-fried to a golden brown colour.
However, this agedashi tofu (as you see above) is light and crispy on the outside with the broth surrounding it not too salty. Just right =)
Rating : 4.5/5
Left - Ebi (Prawn) Tempura, Right - Yasai (Vegetable) Tempura
Tempura
Available at Himwari as per standard of Japanese restaurants is the Tempura. Himawari's take of the Japanese style of deep frying resonates very well with whatever filling they use.
I must applaud the person behind the Tempura batter at Himawari as when served up, the coating is light, fluffy and crispy - with no overpowering taste or texture. You actually get to enjoy the stuff inside with the tempura acting as an excellent companion to it.
Kisu (White Fish) Tempura
The Kisu Tempura is a rare dish I have yet to encounter in other Japanese restaurants. The white fish is lightly flavoured with no unique taste such as the salmon or tuna. However, when this fish is paired with Himawari's tempura batter, it leaves you with the desire to take the second bite.
If I am not wrong, my family also buys this fish at the market (but it is seldom available). A rare dish that you must order!
Rating : 4/5
Gindara (Cod Fish) Teriyaki
Gindara Teriyaki
Another dish seldom seen elsewhere on buffet menus is the Teriyaki Cod Fish. Cod has and always will be expensive. Prized for their smoothness and cotton like texture, cod is perhaps one of the most premium fish available in the market.
Now you must be thinking how will a buffet earn when they offer cod! *They surely must have some reason...but let's not dwell on that* Rather, enjoy the serving of cod like you have never before.
The fish is wonderfully glazed with Teriyaki sauce, though it can be a bit too salty if you are not used to it. Prefer a lighter variant? Ask for less sauce!
Rating : 4/5
Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab
Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab
Oh my gosh, doesn't the list end with all these premium stuff? No!
The soft shell crab is excellent. That is my comment! Crispy and yet not coated with some heavy batter, you get to enjoy the crab in its entirety. Dip it with the light sauce that comes with it, and you are almost sent to Nirvana!
Rating : 4/5
Creamy Corn Croquette
Creamy Corn Croquette
My last dish for today's visit was the Creamy Corn Croquette. I don't know how any deep fried dish can get any better than this. It is simply creamy, with that hint of corn sweetness, deep fried to perfection. If not it classified as a deep fried dish, I would label it as a dessert!
Rating : 4.5/5
Mr. Yoichi Nakaoka - director of Himawari (right) with one of his young chefs at Neil Road's branch
In overall, a visit to Himawari with a small party will be an extremely pleasant affair. You get to enjoy the cosiness together with excellent service and quality food. It's no wonder that the restaurant was awarded the Wine and Dine 2007 Award last year. The food featured on this blog is just some of the premium stuff I recommend you to go for. There are many many more which even I have yet to discover. So don't forget to check the rest of the menu out=)
Now and then, Mr. Yoichi will come out and even ask his customers on feedback for the food. An act rarely done in Singaporean restaurants.
The dining area at Himawari's Neil Road Branch
Intending to visit Himawari? You won't be dissapointed =)
I'll be back! (for my 5th, 6th, 7th,.......visit)
Overall Rating : 4.5/5
SAFRA Mount Faber
2 Telok Blangah Way #01-10 Safra Mount Faber Singapore 098803
(Junction of Henderson Road and Telok Blangah Way)
Business Hour: (Monday - Friday) 1130 - 1500, 1730 - 2200, (Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays) 1130 - 2200
Telephone: 62787778 Fax: 62760680
Neil Road Branch
114 Neil Road Singapore 088852
Business Hour: (Monday - Friday) 1130 - 1500, 1800 - 2230, (Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays) 1130 - 2230
Telephone: 64380925 Fax: 64380926
How to get there to the Neil Road Branch by train?
Take the MRT train to Outram Park station, walk towards the Police Cantonment Complex and head towards Chinatown Plaza. The restaurant is just opposite Chinatown plaza.
Look at that Beef!
How can anyone not want that Beef? Thinly sliced and freshly prepared, the beef is the real deal of the The Sliced Beef Udon at Shokudo.
I have been to Shokudo for a couple of times and they are always bogged down by an extremely extremely extremely............long queue. The restaurant boasts a "hawker style" concept where restaurateurs go in with a restaurant issued "debit" card of $100 to buy the food. Once inside, there are authentic and unique stalls to choose from ranging from traditional Japanese food to the more creative Western infusion of it.
The Sliced Beef Udon
One way to beat the queue is to order takeaway from the restaurant. That's how my mum did it and all the dishes you see in this article are takeaways. (So the bowls and plates are not part of the concept)
Still, The Sliced Beef Udon which my mum ordered remained as tasty as ever. The beef was nice and soft, not overly chewy, and each bite would leave you craving for more. The udon (Japanese noodles) itself were not over cooked and had the nice springy texture to it. Both meat and noodles complimented well with the broth which gave a memorable feeling, though the broth can be a tad too salty for some. But I like it that way=)
Price For The Sliced Beef Udon : $6.80
Rating For The Sliced Beef Udon : 4/5
Crispy Skin of the Grilled Saba (Pickled radish not included =)
The Grilled Saba with Salt is perhaps another highlight of the restaurant and perhaps any other Japanese food. To me, I think that this is one authentic dish simply served in all its natural glory. No added sauces or anything, its just the fish grilled with salt.
Since this is takeaway, the fish loses some points on its crispiness on the way home, but the meat remained tender as ever. If you eat it there, prepare to enjoy nature's best - Japanese style.
Price for The Grilled Saba with Salt : $5.80
Rating for The Grilled Saba with Salt : 4.5/5
The Kani Seafood Omelette Rice
A new addition for me is The Kani (Crabmeat) Seafood Omelette Rice. I have seen this style of serving fried rice is other restaurants, where the rice is wrapped in a nice bag made of Omelette.
Shokudo's variant of the dish had a good serving of mayonnaise on it with some herbs. The rice itself was nice and light, with that hint of curry powder in it if I am not wrong. While it's concept of the dish is nothing unusual, the excellent addition of some spices (I still insist its curry powder) into the rice mix itself, boosted the dish up to a 3.5/5
Price for The Kani (Crabmeat) Seafood Omu Rice : $8.80
Rating for The Kani Seafood Omu Rice : 3.5/5
Looking for Authentic Japanese Food and its fusion variants, perhaps you might want to try Shokudo. In its hawker like ambience, it brings an entirely new feel to the idea of restaurant dining.
Restaurant Name : Shokudo
Location : #B1-44E Raffles City. Take the train to City Hall MRT Station and enter Raffles City Shopping Centre. The restaurant is in the extended section of the basement in the shopping centre.
Syukou Rakuyu Saki Ika (Dried Cuttlefish Pieces) from Japan
I don't know what has come over my mum to buy these little bits of dried cuttlefish pieces (which has an overly pungent smell) from Jasons Marketplace. She told me she had been "eyeing" this for quite some time and finally gave in to temptation!
Not really a big fan of dried cuttlefish, I still took the dare to taste it and surprisingly it wasn't that bad after all. The pieces were slightly sweet and salty, albeit a bit chewy (but that's ok) and it really left me wanting more.
*I told myself to stop at a few pieces, but went on eating and eating, until my mum snatched the packet back from me. hmph.*
Quite a good snack, though for the price, it leaves one to faint.
Price for 1 packet (200g) : $14.15
Pomelo...The Pink
I've shown you all the pomelo in my earlier post (Click here to see the post) and this is the Pink variety. While the white one was slightly soury sweet, the pink breed of the pomelo presented us with a nice, sweet and juicy flesh. It tasted almost like honey, but if you want to buy only the pink pomelos, you would have to ask the fruit seller for its expertise. (It's just luck that the pink pomelo appeared=)
Price for 1 pomelo : $5.50
Available at : JASONS MARKET PLACE. Raffles City Shopping Centre Basement 1.
