Located at the heart of CBD area (below Onze condominium, just beside Tanjong Pagar Plaza), I came across this restaurant by chance as I saw a long queue formed outside the restaurant during dinner hours. Curiosity got the better of me as I went back the next day to try it myself.
This restaurant is one of the string of ‘Keisuke’ brand Japanese restaurants in Singapore, with the majority of their restaurants serving Japanese Ramen. This restaurant is a new concept of serving Japanese beef sukiyaki in a ‘don’. The restaurant only offers 2 different options to choose from. One type is the Beef Sukiyaki Don, priced at S$13.90. And the other is their premium Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don, priced at S$29.90. You will have the option to add-on additional beef or rice, at an additional price; additional US Prime Beef (S$10), additional Wagyu beef (S$25), additional rice (S$2).
The US Prime Beef on the left, and Yonezawa beef on the right.
The restaurant has only 14 seats for customers, all of them are counter seats facing the ‘kitchen’. This is intentional as the chef (who wears white jacket and ties) would cook the beef of your order before you as you watch, hear and smell the sweet aroma of the sizzling beef right before your eyes. The chef would ask if you would prefer the beef being prepared well done or medium well. There are only 2 difference between these 2 types. Beef Sukiyaki don uses US Prime Beef and is served in a silver colored bowl. Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don uses Yonezawa beef from Japan and is served in a gold colored bowl. I tried the US Prime beef first and I found it surprisingly tasty and tender. Being already satisfied, I tried the Yonezawa beef next. The beef melted in my mouth! Having to taste and compare both, the difference is more prominent. I later did some research and found that Yonezawa beef is generally recognized as one of the three most famous beef brands in Japan. No wonder…
Beef Sukiyaki don
Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don
Other than these 2 differences, both of them are exactly the same. Other than beef, ingredients in the Don include Tofu, cabbage, enoki mushrooms, etc. Both of them comes with a bowl of miso soup, a half-boiled egg and sesame Tofu with wasabi. The half-boiled egg can either be used for dipping of the beef before you eat, or to pour the whole egg into your Don. Rice are cooked using Koshihikari rice, from Niigata province. Pickles are complimentary.
What we ate: Beef Sukiyaki Don, Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don, and ice green tea
Date/Time/Queue status: 9 Oct 2018 (Tue)/ 5.10pm/ no queue
$ damage: S$56.05 for 2 pax
The Good
Located in the heart of Singapore CBD area, about 8 mins walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT station.
New and interesting beef Sukiyaki Don concept
Their Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don uses Yonezawa beef from Japan, which is generally recognized as one of the three most famous beef brands in Japan.
The Bad
There are a total of only 14 seats for customers at one time.
Price for their premium Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don (S$29.90) is a little on the high side. I can’t really say this is a ‘bad’, as paying this price to eat the top three most famous beef brands in Japan would probably be justifiable. Maybe they could add a little something special other than just the difference in beef?
The Recommended
If you are going with your love ones, I definitely recommend for both of you to order different types, so you can try both and tell the difference. If it is your first time and is fine with the S$29.90 price tag, do give their premium Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don a try. It would be a good experience. If not, honestly just their beef sukiyaki don is tasty enough for me.
In conclusion
Food quality: 4.5/5 (Probably the best beef don I’ve eaten)
Service: 4/5 (The chief was nice and even spend some time chatting with the customers)
Price: 3/5 (Beef Sukiyaki Don is fairly reasonable, but Kiwami Wagyu Don priced at $29.90 is a little on the high side)
Address: 11 Kee Seng St, #01-01 Onze @, Singapore 089218
Website: https://www.facebook.com/KeisukeTokyoSG/
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am - 2.30pm / 5pm - 10pm
Tel: N.A.