Ki Su Shoujin Omakase - Elegant Japanese Melodies of Treasures from the Soil.

The moment I found out about Ki Su Shoujin Omakase, a Japanese omakase dining concept run by the team behind Joie, the best vegetarian restaurant that can win lots of the meat counterparts, I was all eager to come here already.

What I love about Joie and Ki Su is that the dishes can taste meaty due to the masterful preparation of the ingredients, all the while still retaining the natural vegetal flavours and sweetness. They are light on the palates while packed with flavours. Since it is omakase with unconventional ingredients, I have fun guessing what main ingredient is it for some of the dishes. So for the sake of retaining the element of surprise for diners, I will not reveal what is the main ingredient when talking about some dishes.

With wooden frames, Japanese paper walls, Japanese potted plants and Japanese lanterns lining the side of the floor, the interior is of upmarket Japanese Zen style, where I immediately a sense of calm when coming into here. I love the little details here, like the little Japanese paper crane perching on top of the crystal box containing the wet paper towel for me, the lovely box that has a welcome note with my name.

Service is so outstanding and passionate, that I feel like a VIP dining here. After a outing here, I want to bring my family, especially for the ones who don't eat raw fishes, here for the omakase experience with a difference.

The first appertizer of Avocado Taco is nice and creamy. But the true star is next appetizer: Egg Yolk Toast with Air Flown Tonburi Caviar. The Tonburi Caviar, aka caviar of the field, really tastes like the caviar of the sea, showcasing that briny sweetness. The texture of the toast, being crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, is perfect. The egg yolk imparts the creaminess to hold everything together. This is one of my favourites.

First nigiri sushi of the day amazes me in that this really tastes the the sushi I have in lots of omakase Japanese restaurants. Very flavourful and very good in texture. I also like it that special Japanese brown rice is used for that extra sweetness and warmth.The mild nutty flavour and crunchy texture of shimeji really works beautifully to be the neta of sushi.

Aburi sushi features the lovely char on the surface of the neta, highlighting its clean sweetness. The mystery ingredient had been marinated to yield a texture similar to that of raw fish, thus matching so well with the shari (the rice part). Yes, I never know capsicum can taste this good and wholesome.

My favourite of the trio of nigiri sushi is the last one, resembling flounder. Mild and creamy, it is a delight to savour. I usually don't like eggplant, but this sushi totally surprises me.

Truffle Pâté is fully of earthy goodness due to the truffle and the creamy pâté that has the texture similar to that of foie gras. A nice and hearty dish. Cashew nuts are used to ensure the luxurious oily feel typical of foie gras.

Yakimono of the day is mushroom and cherry tomato wrapped with tofu skin grilled over chacoal. This so rich in taste and has that springy texture similar to that of meat. I love this.

Golden Temaki is deep fried oyster mushroom and oyster leaf stuffed into a paper of crispy seaweed. It features the light taste of oyster due to the oyster leaf. And the rim part of the mushroom feels like that of a oyster. Will be better if the oyster mushroom is cut in half or the centre of the mushroom (where the stem was attached to) is removed, for better chewing.

Entrée is braised monkey head mushroom sprinkled with rice popcorn and black pepper sauce as accompaniment. This tastes so meaty that it is unbelievable. The black pepper sauce is excellent, having the right amount of pepper added, to get that kick in taste without overwhelming the palates. The accompanying mash potato is good too.

The soup with leek, citrus and goji  is surprisingly another one of my favourites because it tastes so much like the beloved clear fish soup I enjoy at home. It is so full of umami. The napa cabbage was crafted crafted to bloom like a flower when the soup is poured into the bowl. I love this visual treat.

Dessert comes in the form of sweet rock melon and silky tofu pudding topped with matcha, sesame sauce and nuts crumble. The best part of the tofu pudding, which is like panna cotta, is that it is slight savoury in taste! I love this change from the traditional sweetness of desserts. Corn biscuit in shape of leaf is another highlight because it is so crispy and tasty.

I love the very unique Matcha Umeshu, which is sweet, perked up by the clean, astringent taste of matcha. And I like it that I can choose the sake cup that caught my fancy the most.

So thoughful!

Thoughts: I love Omakase made with dedication and vegetables

60 Tras Street #01-01

Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar

Cool Haus Ice-cream

Dairy-free ice-cream that gives its dairy counterparts a run for their money! Yes, Cool Haus ice-cream is so good that I keep buying them whenever the current tub is emptied out by my family and me. Who could have guessed that such a gem can be found in a dingy little Giant supermarket near the kampong?

The chewy and starchy black sugar boba is obviously the star here. I love its texture that contrast with the smooth, creamy ice-cream. The rich caramel flavour of black sugar make me swoon in delight.

Taro 'N Boba, which is yam, has this floral earthy taste that goes so well with the black sugar. I'm sold at the first spoonful.

Cheeky Top

I brought Hojicha 'N Boba right after Taro, and I actually prefer this, surprisingly. The floral bitterness of Hojicha actually highlights the caramel sweetness of the boba. Perfect match.

Country of Origin: Singapore

Where to get this: Giant Supermarket

Afterglow - Glow with Happiness

This restaurant is no longer in operation

If you think that Vegetarian food is bland and consists of leaves and mock meat, you are in for a surprise here. The food here is packed with lots of natural flavours and natural ingredients–listing the ingredients on this takes me lots of time already–to bring out the meaty taste from the plants. A meal here makes both the body (healthy food) and tummy (yummy food) happy.

The place is very hip, rustic, nostalgic with light Bohemian influences. And the food is very hearty and tends more towards the taste of Mexican food.

Kimchi Avo Rolls is different from the sushi we know because it is made with almond sushi "rice". kimchi topped with avocado, sesame seeds and chilli flakes. This is like crunchy sushi with a multitude of very simulating flavours. I enjoy savouring this a lot. It's a hearty treat that teases the palates. But this is super filling, it's more like a mains than appetiser. Best to share this if you are also ordering something else on the mains menu.

The Veggie Patty of Smoked Stack Burger is made from 11 natural ingredients! Such as broccoli, green beans, shitake mushrooms, beetroot, corn, celery, capsicum and more. Surprisingly, it tastes pretty meaty. It's a good burger. Just that the veggie patty not as firm as the usual meat patty, but the taste can match up to it.

The sweet potato fries taste nice but it is not of the crispy texture that I would have preferred. So if you like crispy fries, you can let the staff know that you don't want this add-on.

Chocolate Salted 'Caramel' Fudge is made from avocado mousse, salted tahini 'caramel', medjool date, walnut crust, agave syrup and cold-pressed organic coconut oil. Lots of ingredients, and it tastes interesting. The super sticky texture of the fudge and the hard crust is though not the texture I like in my dessert.

I love Number 1 Junbucha. This is Kombucha with peach apple, sultanas, rose, marigold, strawberry leaves. Great for the guts and with minimal sugar. The best part is the sweetness is developed when drinking this with the food.

Cute sewing machine being repurposed to be a dining table here 😉

I love the ambience of this quaint little restaurant. It's full of little touches that appeal to the side of me that craves for nature, peace and lifestyle. On a side note, this place is perfect for solo diners or those who want a go at it because there are so many of us dining here. Service is pretty good and friendly. The staffs also make the effort to confirm if the walk-in patrons have any allergy.

But I have to say that since I prefer delicate fine food over robust hearty ones, after an outing here, my favourite Vegetarian restaurant remains the same as last time. With that said, I still like this place a lot. The food is very tasty, so it's the choice I will go to when I am at the vicinity and want to go meat-free for the day.

Thoughts: Veggies can taste super good too!

Sufood - Delicious Soul Food

 

I had been thinking of trying the food here but never had the chance to … until a particular afternoon where I just took leave to try out new food. I decide on Sufood because it is 2:30pm already. With most restaurants closed for afternoon break, and I’m at Raffles City already, I try my luck at Sufood, which closes at 3pm. And yes, the awesome service staff let me make the last order!

Wholesome Trio of Sesame Tofu, Plum Tomato and Matcha Soba starts the meal on a refreshing and simulating note. My favourite of the trio hot to be the sesame tofu. Rich nutty sesame sauce goes so well with silky tofu. Tomato preps and refreshes the palate for what is to come while the matcha soba is very smooth and tasty.

Garlic Mushroom with Vinaigrette Salad is bursting with flavours due to the great combination of garlic and vinaigrette. The well-cooked vegetables fully soak up these flavours. It’s a healthy dish, yet super tasty.

Cream of Pumpkin Soup is so creamy and rich, with a bit of sweetness. Great alternative to the all-time favourite of mushroom soup.

Baked Shell Pasta with Black Truffle is highlight of the meal. It is creamy and filled with the earthy flavour of truffle. A nice indulgence.

Lava Chocolate Cake with Ice Cream gets the thumbs-up from me too. Molten chocolate flows out when cutting into the cake, goes perfectly with the ice-cream and fluffy part of the cake.

Clean, minimalist, this place is really a nice comfortable place to hang out at. And I feel so full, yet refreshed after a meal here. I guess eating wholesome vegetables is more holistic for the body system. This is definitely one of my choices to come for vegetarian food since I love the novelty of presenting vegetarian food in European style.

Thoughts: Very Nice Vegetarian Food!

Nearest car park: Raffles City’s car park

Nearest MRT: City Hall

252 North Bridge Road

Raffles City #02-19

Singapore

Joie - Surprises and Indulgence

After memorable meal at Elemen, I am all eager to check out other similar restaurants that serve European style vegetarian food. So naturally, I got my eyes set on Joie since the courses on its menu look really good. But as I had said about limiting my visits to restaurants this year, I did not get around to patronize this restaurant, until now. We were actually going to check out Misato after watching the viral video, but it is closed today. So we decide to go to Orchard Central. My companion wants to dine at Ban Heng or Tunglok while I insist on Joie. As a meat eater, he balks at trying vegetarian food actually, and he even makes a last effort to change my mind when we are at Level 12 by suggesting the next door restaurant, Tsukiji Fish Market. Well, the more reluctant he is, the more adamant I am at convincing him that there is more to vegetarian food than the stereotypes he has about it. So in we go!

The interior is of classic posh style with armchairs, chandeliers and black tables. So this is definitely a great choice for casual dates if want to impress. At parts of the restaurant, there are full glass panels that overlook the lush garden surrounding the restaurant. So request for a table in these areas if in the mood to enjoy beautiful scenery.

Refreshers, in the form of passion fruit drinks, are the first to come onto the table. Sweet and refreshing, they go pretty well with the baked udon and soba that look like uncooked spaghetti. Seasoned with parmesan cheese and herbs, the baked udon and soba make for quite addictive treats while waiting for the courses to be served.

I cannot wait to try Chef’s Selection of Assorted Platter when it arrives on my table because the trio of dainty, pretty morsels look so good. Recommended to start with the carrot piece at the centre, I carefully use a knife to nudge it onto fork while expecting it to taste like fresh, crunchy, mildly sweet carrot. After I pop it into my mouth, I am blown away by its taste and texture. It feels like salmon and paired with sea grapes, a kind of algae, I taste the umami of salmon! The dollop of cream on top adds extra savoury flavours to this creation, which is all good. Next to sink my teeth into is the rice cracker with dots of wasabi cream and fruit puree that are not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to incorporate some kicks to taste of the cracker. Raspberry sphere is an interesting creation in which the combination of slightly tangy raspberry juice and nutty pistachio works pretty well.

We know that cheese goes very well with mushrooms, and the appetizer of Gratinated Champignon with Morzarella just enforces this notion. The meaty flavours of the buttons mushroom and cheesy goodness of mozzarella hit a wide range on the taste spectrum.

Baby Root Vegetables Garden looks so pretty with edible flowers perching on top of the vegetables, and the taste matches up to its look. Mashed potato with truffle is the winner there. I had tried chawamushi with truffle, fries with truffle, but mashed potato with truffle is the best.

I am expecting Infusion with Cepes and Truffles to be good since it is hard to go wrong with mushrooms and truffles, the two ingredients that are packed with earthy flavours. And this soup meets my expectations. Pumpkin Velouté has the sweet earthy taste of pumpkin, just that it is less bombastic in terms of taste as compared to Infusion with Cepes and Truffles. It can be a crowd pleaser though.

Duo Ravioli Platter is impressively presented with a fancy glass lid put over the dish. When the lid is taken off, I am greeted by the sight of a pretty garden. I love the look of this dish. The filling of pumpkin ravioli tends towards the sweet side due to the use of quality pumpkin, but I find that when eaten on its own, it is a tad too sweet for main course. It tastes good when drenched in the accompanying savoury sauce though. Also helps that the dumpling skin is thin and smooth. Spinach ravioli is more nuanced in taste, so I prefer this instead.

I get to try the wild rice of my companion’s Wild Rice with Eggplant Terrine. I absolutely love its strong aroma of rice husk and the slightly chewy texture. I think the rice was cooked in broth since each grain is so flavourful. Wild rice is now one of my favourite rice variety.

The yoghurt in Yoghurt Pudding is pretty ordinary in terms of taste, but its texture is thicker and creamier, which is how I like it. The real star of this dessert is actually the mix of crunchy puffed rice and wheat flakes, whose texture gives the oomph to the yoghurt. In fact, the mix alone elevates the yoghurt pudding to awesome status.

Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice-cream is a must-order. The dark chocolate cake is bursting with intense flavours. Baked to perfection, it has crust-like top and bottom that we enjoy munching on, and its irresistibly decadent molten filling flows out at a light stab into the cake. This reminds us of our favourite lava cake at Jewels Artisan. So savouring this dessert is like reliving a lovely dream.

Hawaiian Blue, a refreshing concoction of lychee and blueberry, may be saccharine sweet, but I enjoy sipping on it since I like lychee, and this drink happens to have strong flavours of lychee.

The service here is great. The service crew is very friendly and helps to make us feel very at ease despite the mismatch between the place’s posh setting and our very casual outfits.

You will most probably be wondering what my companion think of the food here. Well, he loves the food here, praising it to no end. And he admits that it feels like he is just enjoying exquisitely prepared great food, not vegetarian food in particular. He thinks that this is the best vegetarian restaurant, and I do agree with him.

My Thoughts: The Place I'll bring my loved ones to so as to prove that vegetarian food is delicious!

Nearest car park: Orchard Central's car park
Nearest MRT: Somerset

181 Orchard Road
#12-01, Orchard Central
Singapore
Contact No: 6838 6966