EN Group welcomes another new brand this year; Nikutosake literally translates to “meat, and Japanese rice wine or alcohol”. The 64-seater casual restaurant is an offshoot of Aburi-EN, one of the mainstay F&B chains in the group which was first launched in 2018. Nikutosake shares similar DNA with Aburi-EN as a specialist in grilled meats from $9.50++, and extends the drinking segment further with a comprehensive sake list and 1-for-1 sake of the day deals in a duo concept comprising distinct day and night menus. Alternative plant-based options and non-alcoholic drinks are also available for an all-inclusive dining experience. The full-service restaurant and bar is open daily at PLQ Mall (Paya Lebar Quarter) from 11am – 10pm, except for every Friday, Saturday and eve of public holidays when it closes at midnight.
Where There’s Fire, We Meat & Sea(Food)
Besides the usual chicken, beef and pork belly, the kitchen fires up whole fish and crustaceans, as well as plant-based karubi made from soy for yakiniku or the grill. Using binchotan, a Japanese variety of charcoal that’s white and emits very little smoke, the heat is kept at 250°C to give a lightly charred crust on the outside while keeping the flesh tender and succulent.
When Time Is Of Essence, One-Bowl Wonders Save The Day
For the time-starved working professionals, Nikutosake cooks up one-bowl wonders namely donburi, and tofu & salad from $9.50++. What’s more, every main bowl is accompanied by complimentary miso soup and a mini appetiser from Monday to Friday, opening till 5pm. For just $1.50++ per person, enjoy free flow of genmai tea (hot or cold). The must-try dishes are :
1. Chicken don, $9.50++ – Kubota nanatsuboshi rice heaped with pan-seared chicken thigh cut in thick slices, topped with beni shoga or pickled ginger, and finely chopped spring onions. Have it with spicy miso at $10.50++;
2. Hokkaido buta yakiniku don, $11.90++ – Thinly sliced pork belly imported from Hokkaido are grilled in Nikutosake’s housemade yakiniku sauce on Japanese rice topped with beni shoga or pickled ginger, and finely chopped spring onions;
3. Kimchi plant-based karubi salad bowl, $15.50++ – Opt for less carbs with boneless plant-based “short rib” *soy-based) which is thinly sliced and marinated in yakiniku sauce before grilling over binchotan. Toss them together with spicy kimchi, mixed salad and wafu dressing with tofu cubes. You won’t believe how tasty this combination is!
Unwind After The Sun Sets Over Steaks, For Sake’s Sake!
Watch the sky turn from light to night in the largely alfresco area lighted with lanterns, and standing cooler fans, in addition to a dedicated air cooling system at the six-seater booths which feel just like aircon but outdoors! The evening menu begins from 5pm till closing, and does away with donburi and salad bowls. Sizzling hot teppan, brothless mazesoba with sous vide egg, and more izakaya sides are added exclusively to the existing food line-up. The must-try dishes are :
4. Premium beef teppan, $22.90++ – Australian sirloin beef (180g) is sliced and charred over the binchotan, and then presented on a sizzling hot plate. Done medium well, the unctuous meat is paired with baby potatoes seasoned with garlic soy mayonnaise, sautéed onions and corn kernels. Wafu onion dressing is the finishing touch to this dish.
5. Buta tonteki steak teppan, $14.90++ – Imported from Hokkaido, Japan, the whole pork loin (approx. 160g) is grilled a la minute, and glazed with a citrussy tonteki sauce. Enjoy the succulent meat with baby potatoes seasoned with garlic soy mayonnaise, sautéed onions and corn kernels.
6. Chicken mazesoba, $12.90++ – Handmade har jeong gai or prawn paste chicken wing zings on dry ramen noodles, topped with an onsen egg, corn kernels, black fungus and spring onions. Toss the noodles thoroughly with the egg, then tear the chicken into thick shreds before having them together in one chewy and tasty slurp!
7. Kani miso koura yaki, $14.90++ – The crab, miso and some uni sauce are combined to form crab “butter” with crab roe in its warm shell. Mix them together with quail’s egg yolk and spring onions for a rich, creamy dip. Tuck in using seaweed strips that easily cut through the fattiness. This is ideal for one especially with a beer or sake in hand. After one bite, you wouldn’t want to share!
8. Grilled hokke, $16.90++ – Squeeze some lemon juice over atka mackerel and eat in-between sips of sake. Then lean back and enjoy the company and conversation.
9. Nankotsu yuzu kosho karaage, $7.90++ – Deep-fried chicken cartilage (100g) are lightly seasoned with yuzu kosho and sake in housemade flour batter. Some yuzu pepper seasoning adds a mild kick with every crunchy bite.
The bowl de resistance is of course Nikutosake’s signature dry ramen ($10.90++) that’s available from opening till closing everyday. The egg and wheat noodles (130g) are topped with pork belly slices grilled over binchotan for that smoky flavour. The meat is also glazed with special housemade yakiniku sauce and a hint of garlic. Bright red beni shoga or pickled ginger and finely chopped spring onions should be tossed together with the ramen for an umami-licious mouthful all-round.
For the first time ever in EN Group, Nikutosake offers 1-for-1 sake of the day (price depends on the sake label), available everyday for as much as you want. There is also cherry blossom sake cocktail tower at $48++ (2 litres) that’s sake shaken with orange and cranberry juice and grenadine, then topped with soda with a dash of cherry blossom pink.
You can count on Nikutosake for value-for-money meals and 1-for-sake of the day deals all-day, all night, and everyday. We are the go-to chill-out spot after work, and for milestone celebrations as well as casual meet-up’s for the urban dweller. Come as you are for good vibes and even better company. And of course while you’re here, 1-for-1 classic highball, and 1-for-1 asahi beer from the tap are at your disposal.
