Tokyo-based chef, Keisuke Takeda, has opened his 15th restaurant, Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke at Tanjong Pagar. The main focus of this new restaurant is premium beef sukiyaki, and it officially opened on 24 September 2018. The restaurant concept is to marry two classic Japanese dishes — beef sukiyaki and gyu don.
Beef sukiyaki is more of a treat-yoself dish in Japan, whereas gyu don is more of a daily comfort food that you can find all over Japan. Combining these two popular dishes has created a unique blend of flavours.
When entering Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke, you’ll realize that it is a cosy 14-seater restaurant. Just like all his other restaurants, the interior is well-lit and clean.
The seats face the open concept kitchen, which allows diners to experience the Beef Sukiyaki Don through all five senses. You can watch the chefs prepare the dish right in front of you!
In the open kitchen, you’ll notice these pots cooking on the stove. They are actually Donabe rice cookers, a traditional rice cooker that gives the rice a sweet flavour and soft texture because of its double lid that regulates the pressure and temperature of the rice, keeping it fluffy.
On the other side of the kitchen is a shiny meat slicer, where the chefs slice huge chunks of meat upon order. The meat is plated on silver trays with leek and a small piece of chilli padi.
The chef will then introduce you to the don, and present you with your choice of meat before cooking.
Keeping true to the simplicity of Japanese classic dishes, the menu features the Beef Sukiyaki Don in just two variations.
The signature Premium Beef Sukiyaki Don (S$13.90++), topped with US Prime Beef, a Chuck Eye Roll that is tender and rich in flavour.
For a more luxurious option, try the exquisite Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don (S$29.90++), with a generous serving of Yonezawa Beef A4; one of the top three Japanese Wagyu known to the culinary world!
The Beef Sukiyaki Don features succulent premium-cut beef, simmered in a special sukiyaki sauce. It’s served on top of warm fluffy steamed koshihikari rice, shimeji mushrooms, braised tofu in the same sauce, shirataki noodles and cabbage.
The don also came with side servings of handmade sesame tofu in a Dashi Ankake sauce, a savoury onsen egg, traditional miso soup and assorted pickles.
The handmade sesame tofu was really something special. The texture felt more like mochi, instead of the firm tofu that we usually get. Because it was handmade, the tofu was also quite grainy.
The first bite filled my mouth with the rich taste of sesame, along with the mochi-like texture, it tricked my mind into thinking it would be a sweet dish. However, I was proven wrong because the sauce was umami, and the tiny bit of wasabi helped to cut through the flavours with its heat.
If you’re not a big fan of sesame, this side dish might be too overwhelming for you.
I was lucky enough to get to try the Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don, which blew my mind. The tender and juicy beef melted in my mouth, and every bite I took had different textures.
The silkiness from the braised tofu, the crunch from the cabbage and the flavourful beef all add up to a wonderful dish. The assorted pickled vegetables also help to add that extra crunch.
After finishing up the tofu, I made a hole and poured my onsen egg in. Mixing it with my rice gave the bowl a silky and custard-like consistency. I absolutely loved it!
All in all, the food at Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke was great. The ingredients were fresh and they give a lot of meat in one bowl. It’s definitely worth heading down to Tanjong Pagar for!
For meat lovers, you can always add extra meat for that protein boost. Do keep in mind, because Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke can only hold 14 people at a time, you will have to queue.
Expected Damage: S$13.90 – S$29.90 per pax
Price: $ $
Our Rating: 4 / 5
Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke
11 Kee Seng Street, #01-01, Singapore 089218
Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke
11 Kee Seng Street, #01-01, Singapore 089218
