[CLOSED] Nadeshiko: Restaurant-quality red miso pork cutlet & hamburg stew by native Japanese at kopitiam

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An unexpected positive outcome emerged amidst the saying, ‘accidents happen when you least expect them.’ My quest for the acclaimed duck rice at 703 Hougang Ave 2 took an unexpected turn when the stall was closed. Despite initial frustration from braving the rain, my spirits soared as I stumbled upon 1-month-old Nadeshiko just 3 stalls away, casting a bright light on the situation.

nadeshiko - stall front

Occupying half a stall space alongside its neighbour, Tanjong Rhu Wanton Noodle, Nadeshiko has 5 items on its menu. The first thing that I noticed was its steeper price point, with the cheapest starting at S$7 for the Hot Udon.

As always, random thoughts went through my head and I pondered, “Will such pricing be popular in a neighbourhood like Hougang?” It took over the now-defunct The Flying Pan, a budget-friendly Western stall which I wrote about in Dec 2022.

nadeshiko - stall interior

While I waited for my food which needed 15 mins, my eyes scanned the stall, and the label “from our sister branch in Japan” on a box of Drip Coffee (S$2 each) sachets grabbed my attention. I also noticed the stall owner jotting down Japanese characters on a piece of paper as she took my order, sparking my curiosity— I was determined to find out more.

nadeshiko - Rio

Meet Rio, a 30-year-old hailing from Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Having spent the last 7 years as an office professional in Singapore, she now embarks on her inaugural journey into the F&B world, following a dedicated year of training. Rio became a home baker during COVID-19 selling homemade donuts as well.

What I tried at Nadeshiko

nadeshiko - miso

With the cold weather making my stomach rumble, I eagerly anticipated indulging in the first dish, the Miso Katsu Don (S$9). My attention was instantly drawn to the luscious, ebony drizzle of miso crowning the fried pork cutlet. It immediately evoked memories of a Vegemite toast from an Australian cafe in Tanjong Pagar, savoured many years ago.

According to Rio, she made this sauce using a secret recipe inspired by the renowned soybean miso from her hometown, which is fermented with beans and koji.

“We refer to it as red miso, though it appears more like black,” she shared with me.

nadeshiko - miso pork cutlet closeup

The katsu cutlet was incredibly juicy and had a lovely crispy exterior thanks to the breading. The taste of the dark miso was one of those moments where I had no words to describe it as it was something totally new introduced to my palate.

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Besides being savoury, it had a unique and slightly smokey flavour together with slightly nutty notes coming from the sesame seeds.

nadeshiko - miso pork cutlet rice

Rio utilises 100% Japan-imported rice. The rice beneath remains unseasoned with sushi vinegar, providing a counterbalance to the savoury miso pork cutlet on top. The cherry tomatoes, sliced cabbage and pickled vegetables by the side helped balance out the overall richness, making it less jelak.

nadeshiko - miso soup

The miso soup offered a robust flavour without being overly salty, and the pieces of seaweed injected a subtle sea-like essence onto my taste buds.

nadeshiko - hamburg steak

Next, I indulged in the priciest item on the menu, the Hamburg Stew Set (S$12). It featured a hefty beef and pork patty smothered in tomato sauce, accompanied by pickled vegetables, finely sliced cabbage, cherry tomatoes, and a dollop of Japanese mayo. A side of Japanese rice completed the dish.

nadeshiko - hamburg steak insides

The minced meat cut effortlessly, just like melted butter, as I pried it apart with my fork and spoon, revealing the moist insides.

nadeshiko - hamburg steak closeup

My eyes lit up with delight upon the first bite. The combination of minced beef and pork was velvety, succulent, and tasty, with delightful bits of onion embedded within. It was as delicious as my favourite hamburg steak at a popular Japanese establishment at Bugis, but at only half the price!
nadeshiko - sauce over rice
The sauce covering the patty reminded me of a beef bolognese gravy. Rio shared that this is her family’s original recipe which invokes nostalgic memories. Due to the generous amount of sauce, I chose to pair it with my rice as well.
nadeshiko - pickled veg
The pickled trio of sliced Japanese cucumber, cabbage and carrot slices had the perfect balance of sweet and sour, making it wonderful to have in-between bites to cut down the richness of the dish.

Final thoughts

nadeshiko - overview


As I was taking pictures of the food with my light and camera, an elderly man next door took notice and asked me how the food was.
 

Before I could reply, he went on to share, “There are a lot of elderly folk around this area and how many are willing to pay this kind of prices at a coffeeshop?” In some sense, he was spot-on on his analogy. 

He suggested, “She should consider serving chicken wings, as many customers here enjoy beer at this kopitiam.”

Overall, I feel that the quality of the food and portion justified the slightly higher prices. As this is Rio’s first venture in the F&B industry, I wish her all the best and look forward to returning to Nadeshiko for more of the delicious hamburg stew.

Expected damage: S$7 – S$12 per pax

Izumi Japanese Restaurant: Affordable Japanese eatery serving mentaiko takoyaki & $9.90 lunch sets with 2 sides at Bedok

Price: $

Our Rating: 4 / 5

Nadeshiko

703 Hougang Ave 2, Singapore 530703

Price
Our Rating 4/5

Nadeshiko

703 Hougang Ave 2, Singapore 530703

Operating Hours: 11am - 2.30pm & 4.30pm - 8pm

Operating Hours: 11am - 2.30pm & 4.30pm - 8pm
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