Hanashizuku is one of those restaurants that I always pass by but never have the chance to check it out since it used to be opened for dinner only. I finally get around to try out the food there when it started to open for weekday lunch recently. And I guess I just suss out another well-kept secret hidden in the dingy Cuppage Plaza.
Ambience wise, this place is like an upmarket izakaya and bar due to the posh settings, yellow lights and the jazz music playing in the background. It is perfect for chilling out if one just wants to soak in the relaxed atmosphere and enjoy good food. Great for dates too, due to the romantic soft yellow lights and soothing music.
Starting with the salad of fresh crisp raw vegetables drizzled with sesame sauce, I like the thin shreds of radish that give an extra crunchiness and refreshing taste to this starter.
I order Bento of the Week, which features lots of small dishes for me to try out. The trio of salmon, akami and hanachi sashimi is fresh, with absolutely no hint of the fishy smell. Pumpkin with Sakura ebi is probably one of the best pumpkin dishes I have tried. I have no love for pumpkins, but the dish here changes my mind. Soft yet not mushy, the sweet pumpkin soaks up the unami of the thick, starchy broth that it is suspended in, and with the strong taste of the shrimp, the savoury flavours add dimension to the taste of the root vegetable and balances the sweetness of the pumpkin.
Crab Coquette makes for a hearty treat due to the creamy, lava-like crab filling enveloped by mashed potato coated with incredibly crispy breadcrumbs. And the shredded cabbage salad is a refreshing addition to this deep-fried item. This dish goes very well with the quality starchy Japanese rice sprinkled with seaweed and sesame. Grilled Salmon with Spicy Roe sauce is better than most cooked salmon dishes I had tried because of the creamy spicy roe sauce that neutralizes the strong aroma of cooked salmon. But I will prefer it if the sauce is spicier to further balance the strong flavours present.
Tempura and Sashimi set is really value for money. For $18.00 only, one can get three thick slices of salmon sashimi and an assortment of tempura items that feature very crispy fried batter.
Service is absolutely great due to the attentive and friendly staff. The service does a great part to make this restaurant feels like the perfect place to chill out.
After trying the lunch sets, I am eager to go back and try other interesting offerings on the ala carte menu, like the carpaccio dishes. So stay tuned to this page for updates!
My Thoughts: Very Nice!
Nearest car park: Cuppage Plaza’s car park
Nearest MRT: Somerset
5 Koek Road
#02-01 Cuppage Plaza
Singapore
Contact No: 6733 7498
