Makan Koryouri: DIY Your Own Okonomiyaki In Singapore!
Located at Kandahar Street, a historical kampong glam district in Singapore, Makan Koryouri serves more than 100 items on their menu! A laidback and cozy Izakaya bar, just right beside the beautiful Aliwal Street (PS: Aliwal Street is known as the Top 10 Best Street Art Spots in Singapore), there’s no reason why you would not visit this place after this read.
Source: Aliwal Arts Centre
It was tough to pick just a handful of dishes to try out of their extensive selection, but read on to find out what we enjoyed! Some are really, hands down, highly recommended!
Potato Kakiage ($9)
New on the menu, this is a potato salad topped with Kakiage - a type of vegetable tempura. The match is harmonious and a perfect dish to match with your pint of Highball or Asahi/Sapporo beer.
Potato Kakiage ($9)
I like that a set only comes in three because you won’t want to feel surfeited from too much of it.
Okonomiyaki Buta Tama ($12)
Not going to lie - it is my first time trying Okonomiyaki, as newb as it sounds, and I was honestly glad my virgin experience was given to Makan Koryouri.
I was never intrigued to try this because of the generous amount of mayonnaise drizzled all over (not a fan of mayonnaise), but this savoury pancake made with flour, eggs, shredded cabbage, and Buta Tama (pork) complement really well together.
Now I’m happy to announce that Okonomiyaki is one of my favourite Japanese food!
What’s even better? Makan Koryouri allows you to DIY your own Okonomiyaki! You can make the seafood/vegetable/pork version with all the ingredients (wheat-flour-based batter, cheese, and mayonnaise) prepared for you at the side! What a fun dining experience!
Iburigakko Cheese ($9)
At a first look, I thought this was some beef topped with cheese. But Iburigakko is actually a smoked pickled daikon radish from Akita Prefecture. This specialty is extremely popular in Japan.
There is a distinct smoky taste to this, and it is also really crunchy, unlike any other kinds of pickled vegetables/radish you may have tried. Iburigakko goes well with any drinks, hence it is an extremely popular cold appetiser in many Izakaya bars in Japan.
Topping it up with cheese makes the dish extra flavourful, though I would have preferred the option of with and without the cheese.
Kisu Tempura ($12)
Sad to say, when we finished snapping all the food items, this Kisu Tempura dish has already turned cold. This factor might have affected the overall verdict of this dish. Perhaps if I have it right after it is out from the fryer, it would be a whole lot better.
Kisu is a part of Hikarimono (shiny, silver fish), and it is many’s classic favourites.
Overall, I felt that having Kisu fried has ruined the original taste of the fish - would have preferred it in a slightly torched/grilled version.
Camembert Cheese Fries ($9)
I am not a very big fan of cheese, but surprisingly enough, I love this dish. They are diced and sliced in the best and rightest size, making each bite very flavourful and satisfying. I like that the Camembert cheese is moist, creamy, rich yet not too overpowering, leaving behind a slight tinge of sweet lingering taste.
Yam Chicken Wasabi ($8)
This dish blew me away. Crunchy yam slices topped with shredded chicken, wasabi, and bonito flakes - a very refreshing dish that keeps you reaching for more. It may look unimpressive, but the combination of these four things made it strangely appetising. A perfect dish to match with your alcohol, but mind you, it can get very addictive!
Dote Yaki ($12)
Small dices of soft beef paired with Konnyaku (Konjac Jelly), a simple yet delicious dish you will adore with your alcohol at an Izakaya bar, exactly why this is an extremely popular dish in Makan Koryouri. This is something I would definitely order at a Yatai in Japan! Oh, how I miss those good ol’days chilling at a Yatai by the canal in Hakata, Fukuoka.
I love how the beef is soft and tender, and the al dente Konjac jelly is really chewy.
Fresh Oysters from Sakoshi Bay (6 for $30)
A newly launched dish on the menu, these plump and succulent oysters are flown directly from Japan and topped with fresh ikura, my love. The owner shared with us that oysters from Sakoshi Bay are well known for their depth of flavour and juicy flesh. Not exaggerating, but these oysters are so fresh - it almost feels like it’s straight out of the sea.
If you’re craving for some oysters - do not miss out on this. Enjoy your oysters the Japanese way at $5 a pop - honestly, well worth for your money.
And if you are visiting Makan Koryouri anytime soon, be sure to order the Okonomiyaki, Yam Chicken Wasabi and Dote Yaki - my top 3 favourites! Thank you Gigi and Toshi for hosting.
Makan Koryouri
32 Kandahar St, Singapore 198891
Opening Hours:
Mondays to Saturdays, 6pm to 1am. Closed on Sundays.
Socials:
Want to have a go? 🥳 Giveaway!
The year is ending so you may have tons of year-end parties lined up.
In collaboration with Makan Koryouri, we are giving away 3 sets of Okonomiyaki + a pint of Sapporo Draught Beer for 3 lucky winners to redeem!
We are picking the winners from 3 different platforms - Instagram, Facebook and Telegram.
Check out how to win at the different socials!
*This article is in collaboration with Makan Koryouri but however, all reviews are independent.
