Hidden at a corner away from the main food street at Tanjong Pagar, Beef Suikiyaki Don Keisuke was located at a small mall that’s a short walk away from the street. With an unassuming entrance and just 1 glass door to enter from, you might even have walked past it without realising what it was.
The restaurant was laid out in a bar setting, with all customers being sitting in 1 row along the bar. The place was fully packed, with a long queue waiting outside for their chance to enter and experience what this place has to offer.
Chawanmushi
We started out with a chawanmushi each and it was served simple, and fuss-free. The egg was steamed perfectly and garnished with a mushroom and some spring onion. Whilst looking unassuming, the chawanmushi did its job as it served to simulate our taste and leave us anticipating what is to come.
Sukiyaki Don Base
With a good look at the bowls before they cooked anything, we could see that the rice bowl didn’t just contain rice, it was filled to the brim with other ingredients as well. Containing cabbage, glass noodles and tofu, we were surprised to see them in there acting as a topping for the don.
Preparing Beef
We had the chance to sit at the front of the prepping counter so here’s a showcase of the staff preparing the meat meticulously and with much care and tenderness.
The meat looked nicely marbled and were laid out in portions. The ingredients that were to be cooked with the meat; carrots, mushrooms, and spring onions were placed together alongside the meat.
As we looked on, the staff brought a pot in front of us and asked us how we would prefer the meat. It was satisfying knowing that the chef would prepare your don directly in front of you. You can enjoy watching the chef cook your ingredients to your satisfaction. Starting with the sukiyaki sauce, they threw in the ingredients one by one and the dish was done in just minutes.
Beef Sukiyaki Don
When the chef is done with cooking the ingredients, you then get to see as he plate your sukiyaki bowl in front of you. The meat were layered in the centre with the ingredients around the sides. Additional spring onion was sprinkled over the dish and added to the colours of the dish to further accent the looks of it. If you believe the dish was just all looks and colours, you’re in for a major surprise. The wagyu beef was really soft and tender. The sukiyaki sauce slightly masked the taste of the beef but the different ingredients complimented each other to form a really wholesome dish.
Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke
If you’re a fan of sukiyaki dons, you need to visit this place at least once as you’re sure to be wowed by the wagyu sukiyaki don. With the drawback of this place being small, do plan to come by earlier to avoid the lunch and dinner crowd. If not, you’ll find yourself having to wait for quite awhile. As it is only a 14 seater restaurant, you’d have to note that it might easily be an hour or two depending on the number of people ahead of you.
