Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing Menu – Esplanade, Singapore

Emporium Shokuhin is organising the Ehime Seafood & Sake Fair 2016 from 2 to 30 September. The highlight in this Ehime fair is the exclusive Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing Menu at Takujo Japanese Dining. Takujo Japanese Dining is one of the 8 restaurants at Emporium Shokuhin. The remaining 7 are Gyuu+ Yakiniku Grill, Umi+Vino Seafood Wine Bar, Tsukeru Shabu Shabu, Senmi Sushi, Burosu Hoten, Kohi Koji and Ready To Eat Section.

 

Little known is Ehime to most of us. It is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. Rich in marine resources and has a long history of fishing culture. It produces some of the best citrus products, sake and fresh seafood in Japan. As such, diners can expect dishes with these fresh produce from Ehime.

 

 

Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing Menu

 

In the Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing Menu, there are a total of 7 course with 3 sake.

 

 

Sakaroku Junmai Daiginjyo Pairing

 

Sakaroku Junmai Daiginjyo was the first Sake served to pair with the first 2 course. This Junmai Daiginjo goes well with grilled dishes and stronger flavour dish. It uses 50% polished Yamada Ishiki and Matsuyama Mii rice and fermented over a longer period of time. Hence expect a dry Sake.

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Sakaroku Junmai Daiginjyo

 

The first course in the Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing Menu is the Jakoten Shioyaki. It is a Premium fish cake cutlet grilled with sea salt. This is an Ehime Specialty. The fish cake is made using the entire fish, from head to tail, including its bone. When I heard that I was quite apprehensive about eating it. As I was thinking that I might be choked by the bone. My worry was unneccessary. I couldn’t feel any bony structure in the fish cake, instead it was flavourful and chewy.

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Jakoten Shioyaki

 

Next is the Tamanegi Pari-pari Sarada, a Japananese Salad consisting with mainly Ehime Potherb mustard (Mizuna) and onion and dressed in Wafu sauce. The bitterness of the greens were masked well by the Wafu sauce. Even those who are sensitive to bitterness taste approve of this salad.

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Tamanegi Pari-pari Sarada

 

 

Hanahimesakura Daiginjyo Pairing

 

Before the third course, a second Sake was poured. Instead of serving it in a shot glass, Tajuko chose to serve the award winning sake in Japan, Hanahimesakura Daiginjyo, in a wine glass. The 40% polished Yamada Nishiki is fermented at low-temperature hence it is sweet, soft and clean aftertaste. It goes well with most dishes.

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Hanahimesakura Daiginjyo

 

Ehime Mikan Dai Aburi no Otsukuri comprises of flamed citrus seabream sashimi slices with red vinegar jelly. The sashimi is lightly in flavour when eaten alone. However, when consumed with the red vinegar jelly, the sashimi was fully emitted with sweetness.

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Ehime Mikan Dai Aburi no Otsukuri

 

The forth course, also a fish dish, Hamachi Kama & Daikon. The fried Ehime yellowtail cheek with a savoury sauce on a braised daikon. The savoury sauce was lightly sweet with citrus flavour hence it was appetising. I wish I have a bowl of rice to go along with the sauce. The essence of the sauce got into the Daikon. As such remember to enjoy the Daikon too.

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Hamachi Kama & Daikon

 

 

Minakuchi Daiginjyo Dogo Kurasake Pairing

 

Finally, the last sake for pairing in the Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing Menu is the Minakuchi Daiginjyo Dogo Kurasake. Brewed with 35% polished Yamada Nishiki rice and good water from Manyoshu, this Jumai Daiginjyo has a delicious aroma and gently rice flavour that goes well with fish and tempura dishes.

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Minakuchi Daiginjyo Dogo Kurasake

 

Therefore Tajuko Dining paired the Minakuchi Daiginjyo Dogo Kurasake with Kurobuta and Yasai Tempura. When I heard deep fried pork, description such as tough, chewy meat comes to mind. In fact, to my surprise, the pork was soft and it melt in the mouth. The Pork was braised before coating with the tempura batter for deep frying.

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Kurobuta and Yasai Tempura

 

Before having the dessert, diner get the Ehime Somen, a chilled handmade thin noodles in light bonito sauce. The purpose of serving chilled noodle was for washing to diner’s palate after the deep fried dish. The sequence of serving was well thought.

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Ehime Somen

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Ehime Somen Closed-up

 

Lastly, dinner was ended with a refreshing and yet creamy Yuzu Sherbet. As it was sourish, it once again boost my appetite leaving me craving for more.

 

Takujo Japanese Dining, Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing at Marina Square, Singapore - Yuzu Sherbet

 

 

Price

 

The seven course meal is at $78++ per pax for member while it is at $88++ for non-member. An additional $28++ for Sake pairing.

 

 

NAHMJ Verdict

 

In the Ehime Seafood & Sake Pairing Menu, expect only the freshest produce from Ehime. The food exceeded my expectation.

 


 

 

 

Takujo Japanese Dining

6 Raffles Boulevard, #01-18, Marina Square, Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6224 3433

Websitehttp://www.emporiumshokuhin.com.sg/dining/Takujo

 

 

Opening Hours

 

Daily  1130 to 1500, 1800 to 2200

 

Getting There

 

By MRT:

  • Circle line – Esplanade, Promenade
  • Downtown line – Promenade
  • North-South or East-West line – City Hall

 

By Bus:

  • Esplanade along Raffles Ave   36, 56, 70M, 75, 77, 97, 97e, 106, 111, 133, 162M, 171, 195, 531, 700A, 857, 960
  • Pan Pacific Hotel along Raffles Boulevard   36, 107M
  • Suntec Convention Centre along   36, 70M, 97, 106, 111, 133, 162M, 502, 502A, 518, 518A, 531, 700A, 857, 868

 

Rating: 8/10