We don't know if it's just us, but the chilly weather and rain gets us hungrier than usual. Both of us were around Orchard Central and since it was storming outside(and we forgot to bring our umbrellas, yes both of us forgot, together) we had to settle indoors for lunch. We were both craving something hot and there was nothing better than some hot Japanese food! We both have been Ootoya fans for quite awhile because of their wholesome, fresh meals that are light to the palate, yet satisfying all the same. I think you might be able to identify with meals that leave you feeling greasy, and thirsty and bad after eating it.
Well, not at Ootoya, a Japanese restaurant that prides itself in serving up Authentic, Japanese home-cooked fare.
We both went with their Weekday set lunches (offered on weekdays from 11am-5pm) this time around. I had the Oyako Don (a rice bowl with Charcoal Grilled Chicken and Egg) while Brendy had the Hokke Yuan and Aji(Charcoal Grilled Atka Mackerel and Horse Mackerel) priced at $15 each.
Each set meal came with Chawanmushi, miso soup some seasonal fruits and preserved vegetables, and we both settled for Gokuku rice(out of the 3 choices that the restaurant offers of Japanese white, Hijiki or Gokuku rice) Hijiki rice is seaweed rice, while Gokoku rice is a mixture of brown rice, barley, black sesame, white sesame and corn. You would be glad to know that Ootoya offers free flow of green tea and rice as well!
We thoroughly enjoyed the lunch as we expected. The meats were fresh, the rice was hot and nutty tasting, the chawanmushi was surprisingly good(let me admit that I never liked the Japanese steamed egg dish) and needless to say, we left feeling satisfied with the meal.
Ootoya Japanese Restaurant
#08-12, Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road
12pm – 9.30pm (Daily)
Tel: +65 6238 1051
We decided to settle down somewhere to laze around sit down and I was actually in the mood for something sweet. We both noticed a new Maccha cafe at Orchard Central where we were at and decided to check it out.
When we were in Japan, we visited quite a number of Macha cafes because we couldn't get enough of the Macha desserts and drinks served there, which were, some of the best desserts we ever had. A few months have passed but the Macha soft serves and Anmitsu desserts we enjoyed in Tokyo remain fresh in our memory. The thing about Japanese Macha that sets it apart from off-the-counter green tea is that it is so full of flavor, and so fragrant. Even when served with milk(macha latte) you can still taste the roasted flavor of the tea leaves infused in the drink.
Our first visit to Kyoto restaurant chain, Maccha House was pretty good. The hot Macha Latte($4) we ordered was rich, creamy and slight hints of the roasted tea leaves came through with each sip. It definitely was very much needed while we were in the freezing cold mall(and rainy weather outside) though we both felt it was alittle on the sweet side. If you're a macha lover or looking to try some Japanese fare and desserts at a new place, you might want to give Maccha House a go the next time you visit Orchard Central. They are pretty popular for their desserts(think doriyaki, green tea ice cream and mochi balls) and they also serve a pretty wide selection of main courses as well including crowd pleasers like Ramen, Udon, Rice bowls.
Maccha House
#B1-40, Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road
11am – 10pm (Daily)
Tel: +65 6636 5830
