My gosh, it's taken me two years to come to Ootoya (大戸屋). I did not want to join the long queues earlier, even though everyone I know who has tried Ootoya said it was good. Now with no queues and more outlets, I finally went to check it out with some friends today.
This is my "Butakurozu" or Black Vinegar Pork set (S$17++) which comes with rice, pickles, an appetiser, miso soup, and shredded cabbage salad. It's sweet and sour pork Japanese style, with more tangy kick than cloying sweetness. The exterior has been deepfried to a crisp, but the meat is still tender within. I love the vegetables too - lotus root, eggplant, potatoes and peppers. All so colourful and tasty.
They have a chicken version too, which seems to be one of their signature dishes (it's featured upfront on the menu, with its own dedicated page).
Yee Leong had the Char-grilled Chicken with Miso and Negi (S$15.50++). I think they do their char-grilled items beautifully. You can see caramelised burnt parts (yum!) and yet the meat is still juicy.
Cherie and Eunice had the "Oyakojyu" (Grilled chicken and egg on rice) set (S$15.50++). Quite nice too. Look at all that runny egg.
We were at the Suntec City branch. There is a huge U-shaped table with chairs on one side and tatami-lined platform seating on the other. Booth seats take up one wall on the left.
Ootoya specialises in "teishoku" or set meals, but you can have the items a la carte as well. The focus is on homestyle Japanese dishes, with emphasis on tasty but healthy dining options. Shokuiku (食育) or food education seems to be one of the tenets of its philosophies.
I like that the food is simple, unpretentious, and generally delicious. While a certain number of the items are deep-fried, there is still an emphasis on health (with caloric values stated on the menu, and a good serving of vegetables in the sets). Best of all, it's easy on the wallet! I can see why it has been so popular.
181 Orchard Road, # 08-12
Orchard Central, Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6884-8901
Open daily: 12pm – 9.30pm
3 Temasek Boulevard #B1-057
Suntec City Mall
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6837-3718
Open daily: 11am – 9.30pm
#03-53 Clementi Mall
3155 commonwealth Avenue West
Singapore 125988
Tel: +65 6659-2644
Open daily: 9am – 11pm
I've been a fan for 2 years now, I think. Hehehe. It's a great alternative to the other more famous (and crowded) Japanese chains around. The black vinegar pork dish is simply delicious. I was skeptical at first, thinking that nothing beats our local sweet and sour pork. It is something else, BUT equally delish. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Nic! お久しぶりね！Yeah, it's definitely a great alternative to the other chains. The butakurozu is, as you say, quite something else! Different but so very good.
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