Yakiniquest
We review the 'Appetite' lunchtime omakase made for fans of Japanese wagyu.
A lunch time meeting with a friend led me to finally try Yakiniquest, a high-end omakase restaurant on the 4th floor of Mandarin Gallery, Orchard Road, Singapore.
I had been meaning to go to Yakiniquest for some time, but I think for some people this type of grill can be an 'acquired taste' if fatty Japanese beef is not to your preference. Hence, I finally convinced a friend to join.
The restaurant is located right next door to Suju, another kaiseki-style Japanese eatery. The ambience is quiet, with most patrons dining in groups of two. As we were there for lunch, there were two options available: the "Chic" omakase at $88++ or the "Appetite" at $128++. Needless to say, we had an appetite.
Lunch 'Appetite' Omakase:
- Starter
- Japanese Salad
- Wagyu Goma Shabu
- Grill Beef 7 Cuts
- Beef Curry Rice or Cold Noodle
- Dessert
First up was a Japanese-style slow-cooked beef with vegetables, a common dish similar to the stews that you are served at some izakayas.
Yakiniquest Appetizers
This was quickly accompanied by a fresh salad with sesame dressing and a small shaving of ultra-tender wagyu roast beef.
After a short interlude and some green tea for the table, we proceeded with the 7 cuts of grilled beef. These included kamenoko (knuckle), misuji (blade), aburi wagyu sushi, yakisuki, gyutan, and of course their premium A4 wagyu cuts.
Yakiniquest sushi aburi, wagyu
Of particular note, the gyutan was so soft and thin, it would basically disintegrate as soon as it made contact with your mouth. The fattier cuts such as the A4, although not generally my preference, were delicious and didn't have those super oily qualities that too many wagyu have.
The standout for me was the yakisuki, a beautiful pairing of wagyu with sweet, salty sauce and fresh egg. I would definitely order this again.
Yakiniquest yakisuki and A4 wagyu
Our last step of the main course was the choice between a beef curry don or a cold inaniwa noodle.
Craving something more refreshing, I opted for the noodle, which is a thin type of udon in a light dashi, topped with negi and seaweed. This was the perfect way to end a heavy main course.
My colleague chose the beef curry, which he claimed was soft and silky with no overwhelming or intrusive curry taste. Instead, it was a dish that let the quality of the beef really do the talking.
We finished with a hojicha ice cream.
Yakiniquest cold noodle, beef curry don, dessert
Gaijin's review
- Food quality: Excellent quality wagyu, full range of cuts
- Ambience: Quiet, feels like a popular business meeting restaurant
- Value: On the upper end of the scale given the quantity, but the quality fits the price
- Overall rating: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5)
- Price: $$$
Most yakiniku restaurants are not omakase-style, so when you see a venue like this, you know they are trying to appeal to a particular crowd. The quality of the beef was excellent and the service was spot on. All the grilling was done to perfection by the staff. Thanks to the curry and the cold noodles at the end, we were very full by the time we walked out.
This was a great experience, but part of me feels as though it can be a bit of a novelty. Once you have been through the cuts once, you know what you like and what you don't, and from there would prefer to do a traditional yakiniku, à la carte style. In saying that, however, the dinner menu is intriguing and I could see it pairing very well with a few bottles of red if we were to return.
Yakiniquest is for wagyu fanatics seeking to try a diverse range of cuts cooked by pros. This is the perfect venue for a business lunch or a dinner date that you want to impress. I would recommend going for one of the larger omakase experiences to get the most out of the visit.
Yakiniquest
A: 333A Orchard Rd Mandarin Gallery, #04-08/09/10, 238897
