Student Buffet @ Nihon Mura

Earlier this week, I made plans to visit my favorite Japanese restaurant due to the Campus Care Network Event being held on Friday in school. Sadly I later confirmed that I still had lessons… even so to “Conveniently Commemorate” my 1st post on this Blog. I went ahead with my plans nonetheless.

!!Non-Halal!!

Nihon Mura

High Tea Buffet (2.30pm – 5.30pm) 5pm last order
Not available on weekends, Eve of Public Holidays and Public Holidays

Adults - $17.90++ after “++” = $21.06

Students – $15.90++ after “++” = $18.71

Kids(Below 10yrs old) - $10.90++ after “++”=$12.82

http://www.sukigroup.com.sg/website/nihon-mura.htm

“++” includes 10% service charge and another 7% on top of the 10%.
*Take note that I have done the calculation for the actual amount you will need to pay for Adults, Students and Kids. The final price is in Blue*

I’v been dining faithfully at this restaurant for the past 2 years. The thing that keeps me coming back for more, is that their buffet has a Free Flow of Sashimi at a student rate!! Their salmon sashimi slices are fresh, thick and succulent. This simply whets my appetite for the fried stuff that this restaurant has to offer. As well as their entrée of sushi. I try not to eat much of the sushi cuz you’re better off just ordering the stuff on the menu. The rice in the sushi will fill you up fast. Just go ahead and place orders for items in the menu.

I highly recommend the Fried Ebi, Chawamushi, Tako Yaki balls and the Iwatako Mentai.

The Fried Ebi(Fried Prawn) has never failed to disappoint, it is flakey and crisp on the outside and yet soft and moist on the inside. It gives the tongue a comfortable texture to feel while you’re chewing on it. Its taste of prawn just simply blends in with this mix of textures to give a memorable craving if you’re thinking about fried prawns. This is definitely one of the best fried prawns I’v had thus far.

Fried Ebi & Tako Yaki Balls

The Tako Yaki balls are small and bite sized, they’re taste is slightly above average and they tend to be slightly crisp in comparison to other outlet’s tako yaki. They best complement the fried ebi and if you’re lucky, there should be generous amounts of fish flakes to go along with them as well. This is something you should try and if you don’t like them, you definitely wouldn’t be missing out on the experience of it.

Chawamushi
(Courtesy of Winsonkoh@Yebber who is also studying in the same school as me)

Chawamushi is served in a small cup. Its taste and texture is by far average. Because I’v become accustomed to always having it whenever I dining there, its become a sort of appetizer that warms up your palette when transitioning from cold to hot dishes. Its gentle and warm taste are overall satisfying though not fantastic.

Now, the best I shall save for last….

Iwatako Mentai

Iwatako Mentai, to any squid or sotong and even seafood lover. This is definitely something you gotta try!! Basically this is squid skewered on a small tooth pick. I’m not sure how it is prepared, but I think it’s grilled or something.. Anyways, a single column of fish eggs and cheese is topped off on it. It’s the first of its kind that I’v ever come across, and it tastes awesome!! The squid is tender and the fish eggs and cheese are like the cream on top of it. You get a tender, salty and creamy taste in your mouth. I can’t describe the texture of it but all I know is that it leaves me craving for more. I can only comment that its simply in a league of its own.

As for drinks, there’s free flow of coke, sprite, diet coke, ice lemon tea, ice green tea, black current juice, hot green tea and Hot/Warm/Ice water to go along with your meal.I recommend the hot green tea. It takes away that pudgy feeling you get after you know you’ve overeaten. This really helps to relax your stomach too ^^v.

Now comes to the pricing and service. The service has proven itself to be slow, but don’t bother to complain about it and expect things to get faster. I’v tried it before. Instead my solution to this, is to place a very large order. For example this is what I did earlier on Friday…( I ordered: 10x Salmon sashimi, 2x Fried Ebi, 2x Tako Yaki, 1x fried tofu, 4x Chawamushi, 2x hot green tea, 1x ice green tea & 1x coke). Understand that there was my girlfriend and 2 other friends as well, 4 people in total. While we were waiting, we got some sushi from the sushi belt to keep ourselves occupied. Just nicely when we had finished our sushi, our orders came just in time, one at a time. At $18.71 per student, with all the thick succulent free flow of sashimi and tasty assortment of fried goodies. I think its definitely value for money and affordable for students.

10x Salmon Sashimi!! Eat Your Heart Out ^0^!!

In comparison with places like Sakae Sushi, their student rate doesn’t include the free flow of sashimi. To my knowledge Nihon Mura is the only place which has free flow of sashimi at a student rate. This is what really draws me to Nihon Mura. Just to note, their Salmon sashimi is normally priced at $4.90 per plate.

In conclusion, to all students. If you’re thinking to come and dine at Nihon Mura on a daily basis, it wouldn’t be possible. It’s the sorta place u come regulary, like once a week or twice a month. There’s an outlet at The New Cathay Basement 1, which is a quick walk from Dhoby Ghaut interchange. That Outlet has very nice ambience, both me and my girlfriend like going there to hangout and eat. If you’re from Temasek Polytecnic, the nearest outlet is just outside the Tampines Swimming Complex. That was the outlet I went to earlier this Friday. The service may be slow but the staff are always friendly and accommodating. So enjoy your meal at Nihon Mura!!

Thus concludes, The CuddlyGoldFish's review of Nihon Mura.