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Fresh out of the kitchen in May 2019, Gaijin Japanese Soul Food has delighted the souls of the hungry patrons who live in and around King Albert Park Residences Mall.
I’ve always heard my friends rave about Japan and its wide array of delicacies. Although the typical food courts tend to carry a Japanese stall here and there, it’s difficult to find one that truly exhibits Japan’s flavour.
Gaijin Japanese Soul Food is strategically situated in a residential estate, meaning that they cater to a dynamic crowd of expats, as well as students from nearby institutions.
The Japanese food joint has launched a new menu, with the sole purpose of providing affordable and fuss-free dining.
You can even get sake in-store, from renowned brand, SAITO. The bottles are priced from S$25 onwards.
Gaijin’s interior sports a modern Japanese vibe, with the classic bar table and traditional door curtains. Newly-renovated, the second floor provides for additional seating, and its own manga story. The manga tells the story of a protagonist who is a foreigner looking to serve local food in Japan, and his journey to success. It pays homage to the backstory of Gaijin itself.
The store currently only has one chef, and nope, he’s not Japanese either. He’s an avid lover of Japanese cuisine and travels to Japan at least once a year.
Each time he returns, he aims to incorporate the memories of the Japanese flavour into Gaijin’s dishes.
We had the Shoyu Tonkotsu (S$13) first. The clear soup uses shoyu, Japanese-style soy sauce. Surprisingly, the shoyu broth held its own, as I’d almost thought it was just plain soup. But its unique taste came out in an underdog kind of way.
It’s best as comfort food on a rainy day, even more so with their homemade shrimp-base chilli.
Gaijin also sports the shio version of the dish. This time the broth was light-coloured and was a tad saltier than the shoyu broth.
The Shio Tonkotsu (S$12) definitely packed a flavourful punch, with a slightly thicker soup.
Both dishes included tender cuts of pork, as well as the staple ajitsuke tamago (ramen egg).
And ooh, do I love a good ramen egg.
When we bit into the Karaage (S$8/S$12), it was crispy, despite being only lightly fried. It’s a healthier option for sure.
The plate is garnished with a slice of lemon and a dollop of Japanese mayonnaise. I actually got some lemon juice on my karaage by accident but dipped it into the mayonnaise anyway.
Wow, the lemon isn’t just there to look pretty. The combination of lemon juice and mayonnaise on a juicy portion of lightly fried chicken really excited my taste buds!
Next, we had the Tori Katsu Curry Don (S$12). The plate was piping hot, and the rice was smothered with Japanese curry.
We were told that the curry was a mix between two types of Japanese curry — the sweet apple style, and the slightly spicier style. Butter is also added to increase the smoothness of the curry.
The chicken katsu was laid on top of the rice in thick slices. It’s always a joy to bite into chicken that’s not dry in the least.
We were served our next dish, the Ebi Tempura Don (S$13). The presentation featured Black Tiger Prawn Tempura, with Gaijin’s secret custom-made udon.
Their special udon is slightly thicker and flatter than the usual. This is so that the noodles can soak up more flavour, making each mouthful a burst of satisfaction.
Gaijin’s menu boasts its Gyu Don (S$14), a signature bowl of fragrant rice topped with premium USDA Angus beef slices, and the perfect onsen egg.
The beef slices are sautéed together with sweet strips of onion, doused with their house blend yakiniku sauce.
I think amongst all that we tried, this bowl definitely gave me the warmest, fuzziest feeling.
Without fail, every dish lived up to Gaijin’s motto of being affordable and casual. It stays true to its namesake, bringing joy to the soul, one dish at a time.
Expected Damage: S$10 – S$15 per pax
