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2009-03-01
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Have been here a couple of times already as its close enough and convenient. A bit surprised that they seemed to have updated the menu a little bit, also they have some Special seasonal items. As last time reviewed, the food was and still is average - I guess I don't understand the high marks given to here still. For example:Fried Tonkatsu - Great batter, even better than Tonkichi as its more accurate here. The Tonkatsu pork cutlet in Tonkichi is not even good, the Tonkichi batter does not have
As last time reviewed, the food was and still is average - I guess I don't understand the high marks given to here still.
For example:
Fried Tonkatsu -
Great batter, even better than Tonkichi as its more accurate here. The Tonkatsu pork cutlet in Tonkichi is not even good, the Tonkichi batter does not have the trademark 'large and directional breadcrumbs' from using good, freshly grated batter that spread out beautifully. That's why I never rated Tonkichi well as its not even upto Japan's higher end Supermarket tonkatsu specialty shops, let alone restaurants.
Surprisingly, the Tonkatsu here has that correctly fried batter, which is golden in colour too rather than over-fried and brown.
However pork here was really tasteless and a bit dry.
The light yellow MUSTARD that came with the pork together with the sauce, was very bad, powdered type quality with a strange bitter and aftertaste. It is not Japanese Karashi, which is slightly more acidic yet sweet and goes well with things like ODEN and with the Tonkatsu's fruity sauce and the tonkatsu pork. They shouldn't use hot, powdered mustard in my opinion.
Rice -
Very bad Japanese rice in my opinion. No taste, not sticky at all, skinny grains. I had another bowl just to try it again but it was still the same tasteless, too wet rice, just as everytime.
They boasts about using Japanese rice, but unfortunately its very bad quality Japanese rice. Never mind about the unlimited re-fills, I won't even use that option again. Yoshinoya's rice is much much better than here by far, which uses fatter, shorter grains with rice taste and a good texture.
Grilled Hokke Fish -
Fish was under cooked this time whereas it was over-cooked another time. Absolutely no salty taste as it should, it was also fishy. The fish flesh wasn't very fresh at all although that's expected from a slightly dried fish, but because it wasn't cooked well with enough seasoning nor cooked to the desired level, it was very very fishy.
Had to leave it on the dish, unfinished.
Black Sesame Horenso Spinch with Black Beans -
Overly too sweet, not really the right taste for a Horenso Goma-ae dish. Great idea of combining it with black broad beans though, as they are suppose to have a similar taste profile.
Zaru Udon in Timber Box-
Great, as per last time and each time, whether its soba or udon. Great noodle taste, great sauce (although too much bonito flavour in the 'tsuyu' for this visit), great texture.
Can't complain for this price, but I bet if people ate it enough times they will start to discover the problems behind many dishes here, after the novelty wears off. Unfortunately I eat out every day and night and so I'm a bit fussy about the food and look into the smaller details! But generally speaking, this shop is still very recommended, especially for its price and also lack of similar competition shops!
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