Thursday, September 11, 2008

Izakaya Nijumaru

I believe grayness has unraveled. Perhaps it’s a daily ritual, as darkness falls. If the walls could talk, they would have asked to be repainted with livelihood. And the escalators would love to dance once again.

Nagomi, Nishiki, Kushigin, Kazu.

This must be a Japanese enclave.

None of those neon vivacities of Shinjuku nor Shibuya but rather, dim lighting from small restaurants that almost coincides with the fatigued spirits of salarymen, after a hard day’s work. Offering opportunities for baseball talks, Nihon Shimbun and a hearty meal, this is where the heart should be. Home.

We wanted to be a part of home. For a taste of home. So, we referred to the best and just let the beaten soul rest. Hence, Izakaya Nijumaru.

The two thick slabs of grilled eel; though slightly tough, were worth coming home to. With a dense, sweet soy based dressing to coat the rice, every bit was as flavourfully moist as ever. It was part of the Unajyu Bento Set (S$20.00) which also consisted of a mini sashimi platter, miso soup, side salad and preserved radish slices.

When enjoying the freshness of the sea bream, salmon and tuna slices as they melt in the mouth, we should smile and say.....umai.

And when a taste of home calls for commonness, the Nijumaru Bento Set (S$18.00) clearly represents it all. There’s the braised pork belly. The main attraction that definitely did not gain our affection. Soft it was not and the braising sauce could have been slightly saltier. Even a touch of mustard couldn’t perk up the tastebuds.

The grilled mackerel, tempura prawn and mini sashimi platter completed the proportionally satisfying bento set.

Perhaps something that can be done at home, these thick pieces of flaky Salmon Wrapped With Bacon (S$12.00). A solid special of the day.

Nijumaru was home for the generous portions, coziness, authenticity and regularity.

And maybe that’s the reason why we need to eat out sometimes.

Izakaya Nijumaru
5 Koek Road
#02-10/12 Cuppage Plaza
Singapore 228796
Tel: (+65) 62356693/62354857

Other reviews:
Camemberu (with links to more reviews)
KL People KL (and Singapore) Food

20 comments:

J2Kfm said...

that's a steal. If only bento sets at RM20 here consist of similar items.

you're back in KL every wkend? next time I go Spore, you be food tour guide ok? hehe ... but stay for one weekend lah ... no need comeback so often one... =P

ai wei said...

Unagi!!! the most juicy-licious looking!

backStreetGluttons said...

dun eat out so often , bring her in sometimes

LOL !

Kenny Mah said...

Oh! How could you tempt me so, Pak Nic! You know how big of an unagi whore I am... Thick slabs of home indeed. Make that heaven... Hmm... :)

ling239 said...

Salmon Wrapped With Bacon....
can tapao ah ? :P

Ciki said...

i like the sounds of big portions! haha

HairyBerry said...

j2kfm, haha, i thought of that as well..the price i mean.. ;D
sure, let me know if you are coming! sure, one or two weekends are not an issue..let me know lar! ;D

aiwei, yeah, i like the unagi pic as well. and the sauce was good lar! absolutely flavoursome! yumzzz..

backstreetgluttons, hahahahaha! actually, u are so right! as traditional as it gets, MSG is still not a very healthy way to go. will try to dine in more often. then again, cannot blog already leh..hahaha!

kenny, OMG...all the whoring!!! haha! just yesterday fbb said that he is a cake whore! haha! i guess i'll also have to choose one lar. ermmmm, i know!!! hokkien mee whore! haha!

ling239, aiyoh, cannot lah. rotten already by the time i bring back to kl..haha! maybe i should try to make this when i do bbq next time in kl. if good, i tapao for you! ;D

cumi & ciki, definitely. especially the unagi lar...huge! haha! too bad a little tough. or else, it would have been purrrfect! hehehehe...

His Food Blog said...

Love your Unagi pic - looks really succulent! I can imagine the juices gushing inside the mouth with every bite.

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

looks like u r on a jap roll..

yes this r the things that sinfully lure us out of the kitchen...

i mean no comparison between dry chicken breasts and this rite?

Live2Talk said...

That's why I absolutely love japs food :P And why do you always have to be a sweetie and post up the delicious pic?

Xiu Long Bao said...

Nice title given to me.

Didn't feel like at home though, abit commercialised lor.

fatboybakes said...

next time we do a jap party, must have those bacon rolls hor. belly pork no good ah? damn, how belly disappointing.

HairyBerry said...

hisfoodblog, glad u liked it! the funny thing was, i went there for the braised pork belly. ended up liking the unagi instead! haha!

joe, hehehe...true lar about the kitchen bit. not on a j-food roll lar. coincidental only. next post not japanese food already, me thinks..hehehe

live2talk, a sweetie for a sweetie mah! ;D i'm glad i can share the pics! ;D and to remind me of good times as well when i am hungry...haha!

xiu long bao, so when are you gonna change your blog's title ;P yeah, i think the food's kinda conventional. like homemade liddat. hence, the inspiration for this post lor. ;D

fatboybakes, good idea! oh, i can try to make some at home first..hehe...oh oh, can do it at SS as well! it'll be fun! i think perhaps a glaze will give a better texture and flavour.

Christina Kim said...

WOW, $20 for this bento? a great deal...
I always find that stuffs in the Lion City are not as expensive as rumoured;)

choi yen said...

The soy sauce of unagi went really well with Japanese rice~~~Will eat alot without ur notice :P

Big Boys Oven said...

wow! I just cant wait to go out dinner wth you all in SG this december!

Unknown said...

yeah prices seem quite reasonable. and great photos like usual : )

ladyironchef

HairyBerry said...

christy, yupe, i agree! value for money, i think. sometimes, i feel that KL food is even more expensive. even after conversion! hehe...

mimi, hehehe, i think i sapu the unagi in less than 10 minutes...the sauce was really nice! ;D

bigboysoven, you are coming in december? let us know, ok? :D

brad, thanks for the compliment! yupe, i read about it from a few food bloggers and thought it's worth a try. give it a shot! ;D

Jun said...

i thought u din like this place?

yeah, funny isn't it that we sometimes have to go out to feel at home.

HairyBerry said...

jun, yupe! that's why i din rave about the food. especially the tough braised pork belly..hehe..

and yupe, i absolutely agree with you on the eat-out to eat-in thingy. quite ironic, isnt it? ;D