I remember when i was much younger, I enjoyed going to cafes run by Japanese in the Holland Village and Robertson Quay precincts. Unfortunately many did not survive, and it was not until years later when Japanese cafe chains like Okada and Ma Maison started to make a comeback.
And the latest cafe that debut in Singapore is the fourth stop of Eat at Seven, Nigiro Cafe, a Wafu cafe located in the heart of Marina Bay. With many distinctly Japanese style cafe dishes on offer, Nigiro is however no ordinary cafe. Chef Kensuke Sakai, who founded the cafe in Japan is a celebrity in his own right. At 26, he held the title of the youngest chef ever to participate in the famed Iron Chef competition in the country.
Housed next to the sky patio, the natural lights from the windows are comforting and the wooden interior have a quaint effect on us. We promptly chose the seats next to the window.
As someone allergic to sugar syrups, I always have qualms ordering iced teas in Singapore, as either they do it too bland or too sweet. The Berries Oolong Tea ($6) from Nigiro was nothing like that. Left unsweetened, the oolong tea was simply flavoured by the berries compote, allowing us to savour both the tea and the berries. And I really applaud that way of making flavoured tea. We really should not be encouraging F&B outlets in Singapore to mask our drinks with sugary syrups. If there is anything that they did it right, it is the drinks!
Next we proceeded to have the Nigiro Hamburg Steak ($24). Hamburg steaks in Japan are usually a patty made with a mixture of grounded pork and beef, and served with salad and rice. Here apart from the same way of making the patty, the Nigiro version is served with garlic bread and some cooked greens. While I thought the meat was already juicy on its own, the overtly-seasoned patty certainly did not make sense to me.
The Grilled Prawn Nigiro Caesar Salad ($20/ full portion) was touted the best Caesar salad in Hanako magazine, an influential magazine read mostly by young urban Japanese women. Prima Facie, the salad did look pretty and enticing. Huge prawns and a nicely poached egg lie atop a huge bowl of vegetables. The cheese and croutons that were added were also delicious.
The Short Pasta Melanzane ($19) was our favourite. Lightly cooked in tomato sauce, the fusilli blended well with the gazpacho-like sauce, and never once we felt the tomato sauce was overly savoury. That itself is the hallmark of a Japanese-Italian cuisine done right.
Nigiro is an ambigram of the word Origin. While you cannot expect gourmet food that comes from indie kitchens, Nigiro stays true to its origin, that is to served food with integrity and inspiration.
The above article is written by Guest Writer @ramenking2015.
On a separate occasion, we were invited back to Nigiro cafe for the media launch of Cornell Hello Kitty Appliances. Hello Kitty fans can now rejoice as you need not search further for where to get these kawaii Hello Kitty Appliances. Cornell is the one and only authorized distributor for Hello Kitty appliances.
Cornell has just launched the Hello Kitty Rice Cooker (CRCHK106), which goes at just S$49.90 (Usual Price: $69.90). The rice cooker joins the following line-up of Hello Kitty appliances: Hello Kitty Hair Dryer (CHDHK1600) $29 (UP: $39), Hello Kitty Sandwich Maker (CSMHK503) $39.90 (UP: $59.90), Hello Kitty Pop-up Toaster (CTHK203))$42.90 (UP: $62.90) , Hello Kitty Kitchen Scale (CKSHK50D)$39.90 (UP: $59.90), Hello Kitty Cordless Kettle CJK-HK17SS $49.90 (UP: $84.00) and Hello Kitty Table Fan CFN-HKT12 $49.00 (UP: $82.00).
There was also a live demonstration by Chef Osamu Takashima, Head Chef of Eat at Seven’s Nigiro Café on how to use Hello Kitty Sandwich Maker to make Hello Kitty Mom’s Apple Pie. With its new and revamped design, the wildly popular Hello Kitty sandwich maker comes with cool touch housing as well as non-stick coating plate for easy cleaning. The toasted bread is imprinted with a Hello Kitty motif. Cooking can now be made fun and kawaii. Cornell Hello Kitty Appliances are now available in all major electronic stores.
Kitty Mom’s Apple Pie
Ingredients :
For 1 serving
Apple 2pc
Butter 20g
Sugar 50g
Lemon Juice 15ml
Cinnamon Powder
Frozen Pie Sheet
Melted butter
Method:
- Defrost the pie sheet.
- Cut the apples into small cube shapes.
- Add butter to the frying pan.
- Add the apples and stir fry with sugar.
- Add lemon juice. Stir fry the apples until they become transparent.
- Allow the apple cubes to cool down, then mix with cinnamon.
- Preheat the sandwich maker
- Brush the sandwich maker with melted butter and add the apple cubes.
- Spread out the apple cubes and press.
- Allow to cook for 15 minutes.
- Garnish with vanilla icing or fruits.
Nigiro Café
3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City North Wing #03-315 Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6238 1669
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 11:30 am to 2.30pm (Lunch)
5:30pm to 9:30pm (Dinner)
2.30pm to 5.30pm (Tea-time Sat & Sun)
