PUBLISHED June 19th, 2013 02:21 am | UPDATED April 14th, 2016 03:14 pm
Finding decent food on Orchard Road can often be a struggle, but look no further than the Mandarin Gallery where I’m sure you’ll be more than chuffed to find a decent Japanese gig under the name of Ito-Kacho.
In my opinion, dining with friends is about sharing and mingling and this place seems to have nailed the concept of fun, integrated dining right on the head with its friendly atmosphere and mini ceramic charcoal grills positioned on each of the tables. If you, like me, are a bit of a control freak, you’ll be right at home as you’re able to cook the meat yourself, right front of you to ensure your beef is of a suitable shade.
The restaurant specialises in chilled Japanese Black Wagyu beef from Kyushu at A4 standard (A5 being the highest). Although the developing Wagyu craze usually means the accompaniment of an equally crazy price tag, this chilled dining experience won’t make your wallet cry.
Now, I’m not sure if you’ve ever had Japanese Wagyu right alongside American Angus beef, as I hadn’t before visiting here, but if not I suggest you get a portion of both just to properly outline the differences between the two entirely different tasting meats. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Wagyu, this comparison will allow you to properly appreciate the standard of Wagyu beef. Among the selction of Wagyu, we sampled Wagyu Toku-Jo Bara (Short Rib $50 – $69), Wagyu Kainomi (Flap Meat $22 – $29), Wagyu Sasami (Flank Steak $50 – $69), and Wagyu Tomo-Bara (Karubi Plate $36 – $49), each with different marbling. Preference for any one of these is a personal choice, but my favourite by far was the Wagyu Tomo-Bara, tender and perfectly marbled.
You’d be silly not to give the beef a try, but other favourites are the Tsubo-Zuke Kurobuta (Black Pork Collar $19 for 180g) and the Kaisen Moriawase (Assorted seafood of Hokkaido Scallops, Squid, Giant Tiger Prawns, King Crab $56). The pork is fatty and tasty, marinated in a gorgeously rich BBQ sauce. The chargrilled crab was a favourite among the seafood, still succulent and a delicious alternative to your standard style crab.
There are, of course, non-meat alternatives which are best to get your pallet prepped. For starters I recommend Namuru Moriawase ($8.90) with neutral, cleansing flavours for a real palate cleanser. For something with more of a kick, try the Kimchi Moriawase ($9.90) or the Dashimaki Tamago ($6.90) served savory as oppose to its usual sweet form – a lot fresher and tasty than the usual Dashimaki Tamago you find.
For dessert we dived straight into the Assorted Ice Cream with Mochi ($19.80) The flavours on offer were Sesame, Vanilla, Chestnut and Green Tea, with the best of the bunch being the seriously creamy Chestnut, just what you need after all that high protein.
If you’re keen on Wagyu and don’t want to have to splash too much cash for serving, then Ito-Kacho’s great quality Wagyu at a reasonable price won’t let you down.
Written by Superpat