With the upcoming Singapore National Day, a Japanese Tempura Donburi aka Tendon drizzled over with rich chilli crab sauce seems like a delectable celebratory dish to have.
Kogane Yama which means ‘golden mountain’ in Japanese, started up as a tendon specialist, and has expanded with donburi varieties from Bara Chirashi Don, Pork Belly Shogayaki Don, to Salmon Teriyaki Don.
If you think they only serve up rich bowls, NEW on its menu are offerings of Hokkaido Miso Ramen and Japanese Garlic Fried Rice (Chahan) – both at affordable pricing. The Japanese Fried Rice starts from $10.90.
Chahan is typically served as a ‘side dish’ as part of an extensive menu at many Japanese restaurants here, so great to find this item taking centre stage.
Located at Bugis Junction (#02-50) and JEM (#01-16), here are the NEW dishes that may provide you that element of surprise:
Pork Belly Miso Ramen ($12.90)
Kogane Yama’s Hokkaido-style ramen features springy noodles with fried cabbage in miso soup enriched with pork bones.
Typically you would find loads of bean sprouts in Sapporo / Hokkaido ramens, but their take includes fried cabbage instead.
The vegetables (and then broth) fried under high heat, imparts that touch of smokiness, ’wok-hei’, and natural-sweetness.
Even though the eatery is not considered a ramen restaurant, I thought that the broth was pretty-tasty, moderately rich and slurp-worthy.
Hokkaido ramens added with miso paste are typically thick and intense to suit the cold weathers, and they managed to tone the saltiness down suitable for the local palate.
While I personally thought that the noodles were cooked too soft and would help if there was more al dente bite, the tender pork slices should leave you ‘belly’ satisfied.
Seafood Miso Ramen ($14.90)
If you prefer seafood, this version includes generous serving of prawn, squid, and scallops, complete with soft-centred hanjuku egg.
You can choose to add on $3 to include a Mini Salad or Chawanmushi with green tea (hot or cold).
Chahan, Japanese Garlic Fried Rice ($10.90 for chicken, $12.90 for shirasu, $12.90 for salmon, $14.90 for unagi)
A dish of fragrant Garlic Fried Rice cooked using Japanese rice and house garlic shoyu sauce.
Fact-fun: Chahan (also known as Yakimeshi) originated in the 1860s from Chinese immigrants arriving to Kobe, and is now a commonly-found staple food in homes in Japan. The word “Chahan” (炒飯) is also derived from the Chinese words “chao fan” – literally fried rice.
You may wonder what’s the difference between this and normal Chinese fried rice.
The Japanese Fried Rice is a little starchier, plumper and moist due to the Japanese short grains used; and the garlic used imparts a wonderful aroma and garlicky flavour without being too overpowering or sharp.
Diners can choose from a selection of Chicken, Shirasu (white bait), Salmon, or Unagi as their choice of meat.
While Chicken or Salmon may seem like a more obvious, meatier choice, the Shirasu provides a burst of flavour and light-saltiness throughout.
Add $3 to make this a set meal with Chawanmushi and Miso Soup.
Chilli Crab Soft-Shell Crab Tendon ($15.90)
The Singapore National Day special of tempura soft-shell crab and assorted vegetables with homemade chilli crab sauce on rice.
Kogane Yama’s donburi are all composed with premium Koshihikari short-grain rice seasoned with a special blend of Japanese vinegar and mirin.
As for the tempura, the batter comprises of Japanese tempura flour and fish seasoning, then deep-fried in soybean and sesame oil.
I noted that the batter was crisper and lighter than before, and learnt that the recipe has been further fine-tuned recently.
The eggy chilli crab sauce is then poured over for a luscious finish. As a little suggestion, I thought that a spicier tentsuyu sauce would have made this more shiok.
Salted Egg Tori Karaage Don ($12.90)
The salted egg trend is still going on strong.
A bowl of succulent chunks of boneless fried chicken fried with golden salted egg sauce with curry leaves and chili padi on fluffy rice. The sauce is the grainy type, and chicken crisp and juicy.
Islandwide Delivery: https://kfood.oddle.me
Kogane Yama – Jem
Jem #01-15, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, Singapore 608549
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Last order at 9:30pm (Sun – Thurs),
11am – 11pm Last Order 10:30pm (Fri – Sat)
https://www.facebook.com/koganeyamasingapore
Kogane Yama – Bugis Junction
Bugis Junction #02-50, 200 Victoria Street, Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Last order 9:30pm (Sun – Thurs),
11am – 11pm Last Order 10:30pm (Fri – Sat)
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Kogane Yama.
prawn in ramen? Terribly unauthentic.