Tarafuku Japanese Buffet (313 Somerset)

Tarafuku Japanese Buffet is located at 313 Somerset and is part of the Tampopo Group. If you are thinking Liang Court, Shabu Shabu Black Pig, Tonkatsu Ramen and Matcha Chiffon Cake, you are on the right track!

Price List

Visited the restaurant on a Saturday for dinner. So per person it will be $27.80++. They have increased the price as of 18th Feb 2011. Previously, dinner on a Saturday night would have cost $25.80++.

*Edited 29 Nov 2011* New Price List as of 21 Nov 2011

New Price List (21 Nov 2011)

The place was brightly lit decorated with japanese umbrellas hanging on the ceiling.

There is free flow shabu shabu for dinner only.

Hot pot for shabu shabu.

Thinly sliced, this was good! We ordered several helpings of this.

Selection of raw items to accompany the shabu shabu

Selection of vegetables, mushrooms, meat, fishballs and also prawns for the hot pot. Prawns were fresh! Also, there is miso soup at the extreme left of the picture.

Salad Selections

Very few selections for their salad section. The other half of the counter was for desserts. A must try item here is the potato salad.

Sashimi

They have Sashimi, Tuna and in the middle I think it is yellow tail.

Oddly and disappointedly, there was no alasakan crab! What happened to it? I have no idea, but earlier reviews clearly showed that there was alasakan crab. Ironically, with a price increase this item is missing..

Sushi

Chawanmushi

Chawanmushi was soft and smooth. I would have gone for more helpings of this if not for the fact that it was too salty.

Fried spaghetti and fried rice

Shishamo (middle) was not fresh.

The chicken wings (left) was delicious.

Tasty egg with runny yolk only downside was that it was cold.

Soft Shell Crab

You can order Soft Shell Crab which tastes great when it is hot. Ordered several servings of this.

Tofu

You can also order tofu too. Taste great, ordered extra helpings of this too.

Ramen

Ordered a small bowl of ramen. Can’t remember what ramen this was. It was average.

Dessert Selections

The desserts were average. No Matcha Chiffon Cake, maybe the top right was meant to be a small piece of the matcha chiffon cake. But it pale in comparison to the one I ate at Tampopo.

Ice cream

The green tea ice cream was good. The sesame ice cream (not in picture) was way too strong.

Lots of misses and few hits. The delicious items were the potato salad, chicken wings, shabu shabu and its selection such as prawns. Service wise, the staff were mostly foreigners, it was hard to communicate with them. One of them even took our bill to the next table and despite the person saying that he had a ready paid, the waiter could not understand. Overall, I find it a tad too expensive. Not sure if I will be back. If you do try it, let me know whats nice and also if the alasakan crab are being served.

Tarafuku Japanese Buffet
313 Orchard Road
#B3-31/34, 313 @ Somerset
Tel: 6634 0889
Opening Hours: Daily 11.30am – 10pm
Website: http://www.cfc.com.sg/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TARAFUKU/268831277561?sk=info 

Ichi Tei (Japanese Bento & Udon)

Another hidden gem found in Sunshine Plaza.

Ichi Tei is a small eatery that specialises in Japanese Cuisine; Bento and Udon. There is very limited sitting space available. If you are coming with more than 4 people, would highly advise you to eat else where. Inside, there is just 5 tables with a sitting capacity for 14 people. Outside, there are 2 tables for a maximum of 8 people. If you can find a sit outside as inside it is very warm. Outside is cooler and brighter.

Saba Shio Bento

On my first visit, I ate the Saba Shio Bento(pardon the photo as we were eatting inside). It cost about $7.00 if I remember correctly. The mackerel is grilled in a Japanese styled oven whereby the heating element comes from the top. As we were sitted closed to the kitchen, you can notice the chef inside adjusting the height of the pan as the cook the fish and chicken. The mackerel’s skin is very crispy whereas the flesh is tender and soft. It was not dry nor hard. Not easy to cook to this standard!

The potato salad was amazing too, wish that more was given.

Miso Soup

Typical miso soup.

Teriyaki Chicken Bento

If you are not a fish person, no worries. There is Teriyaki Chicken Bento. It should cost around $6.50.

On  my second visit, this was what I ordered. The top layer of the chicken has been grilled till it is sightly charred to provide it with a crispy texture. Beneath it, the meat is juicy and tender. With every bite, you get 2 different texture and a juicy burst of favour. Very addictive, before you know it, you have finished it and wish for more. Again, the potato salad was amazing. The rice has been topped with some type of sauce.

Shishamo Bento

On my third visit, I ordered Shishamo bento. Shishamo is capeline or what we commonly know as pregnant fish. It is very fresh and has been cooked till it was crispy easily near the tail-end. Delicious! 

Overall, Ichi Tei has been surprising delicious. It is certainty value for money, if you haven try it yet, what are you waiting for? The downside is that if you sit inside the eater, it is very warm. If you come with a big group, there is no space available. Do not worry, the bentos are disposable and can be take away easily. There is just 1 chef and 1 lady (taking orders, serving, cleaning and collecting money). Despite this, we still got served promptly and did not wait very long for our food. Certainty, a place to come. Even as I am typing this, I am craving for their dishes! 

Ichi Tei (Sunshine Plaza)
91 Bencoolen Street
#01-52 Sunshine Plaza
Tel: 91391746
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 8.30pm (Closed on Sun)

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