Standing at where the former “The Foundry” is, is a new Japanese makan & drinks place named Ippin Cafe Bar. It has marketed itself as a home away from home, a place where people enjoy Japanese home cooked food while feeling at home. I was invited to a tasting exactly 2 weeks ago.
I found myself walking into Ippin as if I am walking into a mini Japanese shop. Besides selling items such as green tea, Japanese cooking ingredients, Japanese snacks, even paper fiber clothing are found here!
We were first introduced to Kanaya Brewery Amazake Rice Juice (500ml $18). It is a non-alcoholic sake that is made from Hokuriku rice. This light summer drink has this familiar taste which I associated it with a local delight bulor hitam. Janel said she felt very jaded after hearing my description. lol But I like bulor hitam and I enjoyed the natural sweetness from this sake. It is also good to know that this is also considered a beauty drink for many Japanese ladies in hope to have beautiful skin.
Our Japanese host, Ayumi Fujishiro, was very generous and hospitable. Besides the Amazake rice juice, we were also treated to Tsutsumi Brewery Plum wine Kurahachi Umeshu (720ml $29), sake (ranges from $35 to $95 for 720ml) and craft beers ($9).
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| Oyakodon Set ($15 nett) |
One of the classic Japanese dish, Oyakodon, is served in a set with miso soup, salad and hojicha pudding. To be frank, I came with zero expectation of the food as I have heard several bad reviews. But I was surprised that the Oyakodon was decent and I think the set was reasonable priced.
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| Yakisoba set ($12 nett) |
Yakisoba is a staple in Japanese homecooked. Ippin has specially imported the Yakisoba sauce from Chiba Prefecture. No wonder this is a dish well liked by many around the table.
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| Deep Fried Oyster Set ($24 nett) |
The oysters are imported from the most famous area for oyster in Japan, Hiroshima Prefecture and deep fried till crispy in a thin batter. It is then served with rice, miso soup, salad, potato stew and hojicha pudding. I think that the serving is quite generous and can be shared between 2 small eaters.
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| Beef Steak Set ($25 nett) |
With an option to customise your steak with either wasabi salt or Ponzu salt, it does add an element of fun into the food ordering.
If you are someone who likes to have tea after your meal. You will be glad to know that there is a selection of different Japanese teas serve here at only $6 nett. They are curated from Shizuoka, one of Japan’s best tea garden. Besides Sencha (green tea) and Genmaicha (blend of green tea and roasted brown rice), there are also hojicha (roasted green tea). Hojicha is one of the tea that is low in caffeine and high in catechin. So it is suitable even for children. It is good to know that hojicha tea are also sold here. =)
I have also spotted Happy Hour 1 for 1 promotion for Kirin draft beer at $10++! So for peeps who like Kirin draft beer, you know where to go the next time to have your Kirin draft beer cravings satisfied.
There are also Rattsu nuts ($8/cup), flavoured peanuts sold here if you like to have some snacks to go with your beer. They come in three flavours – coffee, strawberry and matcha.
Ippin is not your conventional Japanese restaurant that you usually go to. It is the first home concept Japanese cafe bar. So if you would like to enjoy some shopping while having some Japanese homecooked food, this is the place to go to. Thank you Hazel and Ippin for the media tasting. It was always enjoyable to share the love for food with like-minded peeps. =)
IPPIN CAFÉ BAR
18 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-01 Singapore 238967
Tel: (65) 6744 4794
Email: ippin.cafebar@gmail.com
