Kinki Japanese Restaurant + Bar
September's L.A. Lunch was held at Kinki, a Japanese restaurant that doubles up as a bar come nightfall. Its brilliant location on the second floor of Customs House ensures an expansive view of the Marina Bay waterfront.
While the quality of the food was generally fair, the prices made this place a no-go for future visits, especially since the portions of the ala carte dishes were quite miniscule. My tip is to only order the set meals as they are a lot more value-for-money. Or else, take a business associate there if an expense account is applicable.
Lunch was kicked off with a Sashimi Platter, consisting Maguro ($24 for 5 pcs), Kajiki ($20 for 5 pcs) and Sake ($18 for 5 pcs) which is essentially tuna, swordfish and salmon respectively. I liked the freshness and natural sweetness of the thickly sliced fish, but thought $62 for the entire platter was shockingly pricey.
The Tofu Steak Set Lunch ($18) comprised a grilled organic incredibly smooth tofu steak slathered in a fragrant garlic teriyaki sauce, then topped off with sauteed mountain vegetables and served with a side of juicy seasoned momotaro tomatoes.
I really loved the Pan-Seared Foie Gras & Scallop Sushi ($88 for 4 pcs) and Wagyu Aburi Sushi ($35 for 2 pcs). I'm not a fan of foie gras per se, but the melt-in-your-mouth goose liver married the fresh scallop perfectly, and the seared beef was also meltingly tender and flavoursome. Ridiculously expensive sushi, but memorably delicious.
The Sashimi Set with Rice ($38) was a favourite with the gals in my firm, fresh, plump sashimi paired with steamed rice made for a healthy and calorie-light meal.
The Sushi Set ($32) was another firm favourite with those watching their waistlines. These were fresh, light and well-made.
The Buta Sushi ($18 for 2 pcs) with a delectable topping of slow roasted pork belly was moist, flavoursome and decadently fatty, with a wrapping of seaweed lending dimension to the sushi. Still, it was a bit painful knowing each mouthful of sushi cost 9 whole buckaroos.
The Salmon Don Set ($26) made up of slices of cooked salmon atop pearl grains of moist rice, was a substantive but tasty set.
The Baked Scallop Maki ($24) was matched with sweet fleshy snow crab, and crunchy asparagus and cucumber.
The Prawn and Spicy Tuna Maki ($22) was a very nice savoury lightly battered prawn tempura roll stuffed with spicy tuna for contrast and flavour.
The Chirashi Don Set ($32), a Chef's daily special of premium seafood on rice was a medley of diced scrambled eggs, salmon sashimi, tuna sashimi, salmon roe, flying fish roe scattered atop sushi rice.
The Sake Teriyaki Set ($22) was made up of a grilled flaky salmon steak brushed with sweet teriyaki sauce.
The Amaebi Sashimi ($35 for 5 pcs) of sweet prawns lived up to its name, very sweet and delicate.
The Garlic Beef Set ($28) featured a U.S. prime grade beef coated in sweet yakitori sauce with golden crisp garlic and sliced onions sprinkled on top.
The beef was juicy and tasty, especially with the aromatic garlic slices.
The California Roll ($16) was very refreshing and light, with cool avocado stuffed together with crunchy cucumbers.
The Kurobuta Katsu Curry Set ($35) with a fat succulent patty of minced black pork cutlet was paired with a lusciously sweetish curry. Diced apples help lift the curry from its heavy peppery elements.
All of the sets were finished off with chewy and mildly sweet Mochi Balls.
This was the most popular dessert because they're just so light, scoops of Black Sesame Ice-Cream ($5), Matcha Ice-Cream ($5) Yuzu Sorbet ($5). My fave is the refreshingly citrusy yuzu flavour for its palate cleansing elements.
The Oreo Sesame ($12) was an indulgent black sesame ice-cream blended with oreos and sesame seeds sprinkled on top.
Kinki Japanese Restaurant + Bar
70 Collyer Quay
#02-02
Customs House
Tel: 6533 3471
Open Mondays to Fridays from 12noon to 3pm for lunches
Mondays to Saturdays from 6pm to 10.30pm for dinners
Closed on Sundays
Website: www.kinki.com.sg
While the quality of the food was generally fair, the prices made this place a no-go for future visits, especially since the portions of the ala carte dishes were quite miniscule. My tip is to only order the set meals as they are a lot more value-for-money. Or else, take a business associate there if an expense account is applicable.
Lunch was kicked off with a Sashimi Platter, consisting Maguro ($24 for 5 pcs), Kajiki ($20 for 5 pcs) and Sake ($18 for 5 pcs) which is essentially tuna, swordfish and salmon respectively. I liked the freshness and natural sweetness of the thickly sliced fish, but thought $62 for the entire platter was shockingly pricey.
The Tofu Steak Set Lunch ($18) comprised a grilled organic incredibly smooth tofu steak slathered in a fragrant garlic teriyaki sauce, then topped off with sauteed mountain vegetables and served with a side of juicy seasoned momotaro tomatoes.
I really loved the Pan-Seared Foie Gras & Scallop Sushi ($88 for 4 pcs) and Wagyu Aburi Sushi ($35 for 2 pcs). I'm not a fan of foie gras per se, but the melt-in-your-mouth goose liver married the fresh scallop perfectly, and the seared beef was also meltingly tender and flavoursome. Ridiculously expensive sushi, but memorably delicious.
The Sashimi Set with Rice ($38) was a favourite with the gals in my firm, fresh, plump sashimi paired with steamed rice made for a healthy and calorie-light meal.
The Sushi Set ($32) was another firm favourite with those watching their waistlines. These were fresh, light and well-made.
The Buta Sushi ($18 for 2 pcs) with a delectable topping of slow roasted pork belly was moist, flavoursome and decadently fatty, with a wrapping of seaweed lending dimension to the sushi. Still, it was a bit painful knowing each mouthful of sushi cost 9 whole buckaroos.
The Salmon Don Set ($26) made up of slices of cooked salmon atop pearl grains of moist rice, was a substantive but tasty set.
The Baked Scallop Maki ($24) was matched with sweet fleshy snow crab, and crunchy asparagus and cucumber.
The Prawn and Spicy Tuna Maki ($22) was a very nice savoury lightly battered prawn tempura roll stuffed with spicy tuna for contrast and flavour.
The Chirashi Don Set ($32), a Chef's daily special of premium seafood on rice was a medley of diced scrambled eggs, salmon sashimi, tuna sashimi, salmon roe, flying fish roe scattered atop sushi rice.
The Sake Teriyaki Set ($22) was made up of a grilled flaky salmon steak brushed with sweet teriyaki sauce.
The Amaebi Sashimi ($35 for 5 pcs) of sweet prawns lived up to its name, very sweet and delicate.
The Garlic Beef Set ($28) featured a U.S. prime grade beef coated in sweet yakitori sauce with golden crisp garlic and sliced onions sprinkled on top.
The beef was juicy and tasty, especially with the aromatic garlic slices.
The California Roll ($16) was very refreshing and light, with cool avocado stuffed together with crunchy cucumbers.
The Kurobuta Katsu Curry Set ($35) with a fat succulent patty of minced black pork cutlet was paired with a lusciously sweetish curry. Diced apples help lift the curry from its heavy peppery elements.
All of the sets were finished off with chewy and mildly sweet Mochi Balls.
This was the most popular dessert because they're just so light, scoops of Black Sesame Ice-Cream ($5), Matcha Ice-Cream ($5) Yuzu Sorbet ($5). My fave is the refreshingly citrusy yuzu flavour for its palate cleansing elements.
The Oreo Sesame ($12) was an indulgent black sesame ice-cream blended with oreos and sesame seeds sprinkled on top.
Kinki Japanese Restaurant + Bar
70 Collyer Quay
#02-02
Customs House
Tel: 6533 3471
Open Mondays to Fridays from 12noon to 3pm for lunches
Mondays to Saturdays from 6pm to 10.30pm for dinners
Closed on Sundays
Website: www.kinki.com.sg
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