The setting of the place is open concept, so it is a great place to see and to be seen in a posh environment. Service is prompt and responsive despite the restaurant having an extra wing on the side that does not have service staff stationed there. Just look towards the direction of the cash register counter and wave the hand, a staff will promptly come over.
This restaurant serves usual Tonkatsu fare consisting of pickles, shredded cabbage salad and pork cutlet. The goma sauce, aka sesame sauce, provided to drizzle over the salad is creamier in taste as compared to the goma sauce in other establishments. Whether one thinks this is better is up to personal taste. What is interesting is that there are three kinds of dips for the pork cutlet. One is salt, another one is the familiar sweet plum sauce and third choice is the slightly spicy version of the plum sauce. I prefer the spicy sauce since it has the extra kick, but I feel it will taste better if it is spicier.
We have ordered aged Hokkaido pork cutlet and Kurobuta cutlet. Texture wise, they are perfect: crispy exterior with no cutting edges and the pork is easy to bite. Hokkaido pork is drier than Kurobuta pork due to the lack of thick layer of fat, but this option is great for those who is more health-conscious. Kurobuta is juicier but the thick slab of lard attached to the side of the meat may not be everyone’s cup of tea. These cutlets also go well with grated radish soaked in ponzu sauce.
This is a nice place to enjoy pretty unique pork cutlets—it is not like one can find Hokkaido aged pork and Kurobuta everywhere. But be prepared to shell out more money than usual as each set is thirty dollars plus.
My Thoughts: Nice!
Nearest car park: Mandarin Hotel's car park
Nearest MRT: Orchard
333A Orchard Road
Mandarin Gallery #02-35/36
Singapore
Contact No: 67334541
