NAHMJ have previously reviewed Ippin Cafe Bar New Menu while this was my first time there trying out Ippin Cafe Bar With Taste Japan Menu, hence I researched on Ippin Cafe Bar, as such I knew it was unique since it prides itself as Singapore’s first home concept Japanese café bar.
I was truly astounded when I walked in and saw the variety of products it had on its shelves. And many products did not seem to be readily available in most supermarket in Singapore! It was a truly a good concept that customers could purchase the products that are used for the menu after the meal.
And when I saw the Sake Bar lined up with Sake as well as the variety of fruit sake in the fridge, my eyes lit up. Yes, you guessed correctly, I like sake. When the sommelier told me they offered sake tasting, I was very happy.
Ippin Cafe Bar With Taste Japan Menu
As per the establishment, the food menu is changed every few months. This round, the chef has focused its food sourcing from Kesennuma Shishiori. While enjoying the atmosphere in the cafe, our food came. The food tasting menu at this Ippin Cafe Bar With Taste Japan Menu includes the following:
- Welcome drink – Tateshinapple Juice
- Tidbit – Peanut Prince cracker
- Appetiser – Vegetable Stick ($5)
- Nikujaga (pork and potato stew) ($5)
- Yakisoba ($12)
- Shishiori Ikura Don (salmon roe rice bowl) ($43)
- Ayu sweet fish ($5)
- Mushroom Soup (not in menu)
- Dessert – Mini Houjicha pudding (comes with set meal)
Starters
Of all, my favourite are the Peanut Prince cracker, vegetable stick, mushroom soup, shishiori ikura don and mini houjicha pudding.
The Peanut Prince cracker are crackers made from Chiba Prefecture famous peanuts. It can be rather addictive. If not for the fact that I wanted to save my stomach for other food, i believe i could finish the entire cup of crackers.
The vegetable stick, on the other hand, is a very refreshing appetizer. When dipped into the wasabi mayonnaise and green onion miso sauce, I felt that it was the perfect combination. In fact, I straight away bought a bottle of wasabi mayonnaise back home for my own consumption and used it the very night.
The mushroom soup is not in the Cafe’s menu. I wonder why as it tasted really well. Creamy, smooth and flavorful.
Mains
Nikujaga is an appetiser i usually enjoy with sake. It was good but probably a bit salty compared to the ones I had before.
Whereas, the yakisoba tasted pretty normal.
The Shishiori Ikura Don (salmon roe rice bowl) is one of my favourite. It uses the frozen Ikura from Kesennuma Shishiori fish port, one of the top three largest fish ports in the world. The ingredients were fresh and I enjoyed it very much. However, it will be pricier compared to other restaurants as the ingredients are freshly imported from Japan.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Ayu fish on the menu as I did not recall I have ever ordered this in the Japanese restaurant. The Ayu sweet fish was cooked and stewed with ginger and Tamara soy sauce. When I tasted the flesh, it was sweet and tender.
Dessert
Last, but not least, the mini houjicha pudding which has houjicha tea leaves sprinkled lightly on top like sesame seeds. If you like houjicha like I do, then you will like this pudding. Light and full of houjicha flavour.
Sake
After the entire meal, it was back to drinks. The sommelier brewed and showed us the correct way of brewing green tea. Then she introduced us the various sake:
- Wakazakari Handmade Umeshu (Plum Wine)
- Shiromon Mongai Fujyutsu Junmai Ginjo
- Houjun Umaguchi Mongai Fujyutsu Junmai Daiginjo
- Ramsar Junmai Daiginjo
- Yuuto Masamune Junmai Ginjo
Before the session ended, the sommelier let us try the pineapple and peach sake too.
NAHMJ Verdict
All in all, the food on Ippin Cafe Bar With Taste Japan Menu was generally good. I love the concept of having a sake bar, paired with authentic Japanese food. For me, I would definitely will be going back to try again. Being able to purchase the packaged products / condiments home, is definitely a plus point.
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Ippin Cafe Bar
18 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-01 Singapore 238967
Tel: +65 6733 4794
Website: http://www.ippin-jpc.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ippincafebarms18/
Opening Hours
Monday – Saturday 1200 1500, 1700 to 2300; Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Getting There
By Bus:
- alight at UE Square or opp Mohd Sultan Road along River Valley Road 32, 54, 139, 195
- alight at or opp Shell House along Clemenceau Ave 64, 123, 143
By MRT:
- North East line – Clarke Quay station
[Board 54 at the bus stop at Clarke Quay station along Eu Tong Sen Street and alight at UE Square along River Valley Road]
Rating: 7/10
*Disclaimer: This is an invited media tasting.