Ask me if I ever missed my white-collar job and I will gladly reply you with a ‘yes’. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy the challenges of being a writer but there is somehow still a lingering sense of attachment and nostalgia to my old job. That’s probably why, when the opportunity to review Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg popped up, I grabbed hold of it for a chance to revisit the CBD.
The moment I set foot into the basement of One Raffles Place, a sudden realisation hit me. Even as we are gearing to welcome Phase 3 of our country’s re-opening, the effects of the pandemic still persist and we have definitely taken an extreme hit.
Rows of stores which once housed my favourite coffee spots were empty as I made my way up the escalator. While I am saddened by the fact that Raffles Place is no longer how I used to remember it, it is, at the same time, a heartening sight to see new establishments such as Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg working hard to thrive in the area.
What I tried
The brainchild of the same management behind Hong Kong’s beloved speciality yakiniku joint, Syohachi Yakiniku, Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg prides itself as a farm-to-table concept serving premium Japanese A5 Wagyu beef imported directly from Miyagi prefecture in Japan.
Catering to the working crowd in the area, one can expect dishes here to be served fuss-free—convenient for both dine-in and takeaway.
I arrived at 3pm for a late lunch, and the first item that caught my immediate attention was the Syohachi Japanese A5 Wagyu Hamburg Steak (S$16.50 per set). Available only from 11.30am onwards, the steak was served with salad and a bowl of Japanese rice drenched in simmering housemade gravy.
Presentation at Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg might not be the best looking but the moment that beef patty glistened under the natural lighting, all was forgiven. The crown jewel of Syohachi’s menu indeed did not disappoint. It was not perfectly seared to reveal a blush pink centre but the patty still cut like butter and was tender throughout.
The char on the surface enveloped the patty with a subtle layer of smokiness complementing the natural flavours of the beef. All thanks to their brilliant grasp of the ‘golden ratio’ of fat to meat, the patty was a hearty dish with satisfying toothsomeness.
Every bit of this Wagyu hamburg steak was juicy and as exclusive as its name suggests. I might not be a beef connoisseur but at least now I know how a Japanese A5 Wagyu beef patty should taste like.
The bowl of Japanese grain rice sadly felt like a separate dish to be eaten on its own. Here, the beef gravy was a tad bit too peppery to be eaten with the hamburg steak. So let me give you some of my personal tips to approach this dish.
To fully enjoy the flavours, pair your beef patty with the salad to cut down on the richness if it gets too overwhelming at any point. Thereafter, savour the rice by itself. This way, you can fully enjoy the robustness of the gravy without sacrificing that precious piece of A5 Wagyu.
While most of the restaurants located in Raffles Place open only for lunch and dinner, Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg has their grills up and ready for business from 8.30am, serving toasties for breakfast to fuel the CBD crowd.
Aside from the Syohachi Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef Toasties (S$7.70 for a la carte, S$10.70 for a set) which is pretty much a thinner version of the hamburg steak sandwiched in between two toasted white bread, they also have meatless options for those who are looking to kick start their day on a lighter note.
The Japanese Egg Omelette and Cheddar Cheese Toastie (S$6.50 for a la carte, S$9.50 for a set) is one that will never go wrong any time of the day. I mean, just look at that oozy molten cheese trying to escape my grip!
Here, the generously buttered and griddled toast enhanced the entire toastie with its intense buttery fragrance. Not forgetting that subtle sharp pungency from the molten cheese. While some might find it a tad bit too salty and strong, I personally love it for this particular reason as it made this regular toastie more flavourful and indulgent.
How can a peanut butter addict like myself miss out on Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg’s Chunky Peanut Butter with Condensed Milk Toastie (S$5 for a la carte, S$8 for a set)? This Hong Kong cha chaan teng–inspired toastie might seem a little out of place among its counterparts but I guess no one would complain since anything with peanut butter is love right?
As much as I live for that thiccc and gooey spread, my biggest gripe would be that the buttered toast resulted in a toastie that was eventually way too oily for my liking. Diners with a sweet tooth will definitely love this peanut butter toastie, but if I were to choose, I’d rather stick with my trusty Ya Kun.
Final thoughts
Being just a couple of months old, Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg does have its hits and misses, after all, the road ahead is a long one and they are currently still making improvements on all their dishes.
If you are in the vicinity, come for their signature Syohachi Japanese A5 Wagyu Hamburg Steak. It might be the priciest item on the menu but with the use of quality ingredients and a beef patty that is so rich and tender, this alone will make the trip a worthy one.
Expected Damage: S$5 – S$16.50 per pax
Price: $
Our Rating: 3 / 5
Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg
1 Raffles Place, One Raffles Place Shopping Mall, #01-01, Singapore 048616
Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg
1 Raffles Place, One Raffles Place Shopping Mall, #01-01, Singapore 048616