Tetsu: Tanglin Mall's Hidden Gem.

I had a rather enjoyable experience at Tetsu, a Kushi-style tonkatsu and tempura restaurant earlier this month.  Invited by Tetsu's team to review the restaurant, it was my first time at this pretty Japanese restaurant located on the top floor of Tanglin Mall.  

Starters of Kajiki Tataki and Kani Tofu (approximately $8.00 per starter)

The seared kajiki resting in a ponzu sauce tantalized my tastebuds as the citrus sauce provided a good foil to the oily swordfish.  The kani tofu (tofu steamed with crabmeat, and topped with preserved egg) had a nice velvety texture, but was otherwise unremarkable in taste.  

Sashimi platter (price depends on the selection)

Tetsu has its sashimi air-flown into Singapore every Tuesday and Saturday. Our sashimi platter had a selection of salmon, tuna, yellow tail and sea urchin, all of which was very fresh.  We also had a separate serving of tai, and even had a separate sauce in which to dip the tai in, which shows the thoughtfulness of the presentation. 

Hire Katsu ($17.50 ala carte, $26.50 for the set which includes salad, pickles, rice, miso soup and dessert)

The Hire Katsu, a succulent piece of pork fillet, was coated with a light panko crust, that melted in my mouth.  It is certainly one of the better versions of the deep fried pork fillet that I have tried, outside of Japan. 

In keeping with the tradition at fine Japanese restaurants, Tetsu also provides you with a pestle and mortar to grind sesame seeds which are to be mixed into the tangy tonkatsu sauce which you dip the pork in.  The freshly ground sesame, in addition to allowing you to participate in the preparation process, adds a depth of flavour to the sauce.   The restaurant also provides a dry curry-salt dip.

Rosu Katsu-Ni($17.50 ala carte, $26.50 for the set which includes salad, pickles, rice, miso soup and dessert) 

The Rosu Katsu-Ni is a piece of deep fried pork loin (which has a smooth layer of fat) simmered in a rich gravy which was delicious with rice.  Eaten alone without rice though, this may be prove to be on the salty side.

Kushi-tem selection (from $1.50 per stick for lotus root, $3.00 for shrimp, and $3.50 for beef.  Also available as part of the Dinner Course Menu starting at $35.00 or Jubako Menu at $32.00, both of which include a selection of 6 types of kushi tem or kushi age)

We had the lotus root, shrimp and beef tempura.  Beef tempura was quite a novelty for me, but the tender and tasty cut of beef made it very enjoyable.  I must admit though, that I found the tempura batter a tad on the thick and oily side.  

Gindara teriyaki/Grilled cod ($20.50 ala carte, $29.50 for the set which includes a small side of salmon sashimi, salad, pickles, rice, miso soup and dessert)

The grilled teriyaki cod had a smooth texture, however, I could have done with less sauce (or a bigger piece of cod), as the teriyaki sauce was a tad too strong for my liking.

Dragon roll ($18 for 6 pieces)

Juicy prawn tempura topped with a dollop of mayonnaise and ebiko- very tasty.

What set this apart from other similar named 'dragon rolls'  was that the sushi was rolled in crunchy bits of tempura batter, which provided a lovely contrast in textures. 

The overall experience

Tetsu is a great place to go to for a great ambience and a good selection of Japanese food.  Despite being touted as Singapore's first "Live" Kushi-style tonkatsu and tempura restaurant (which means you can see the chefs frying your food), Tetsu also provides a good selection of other alternatives on its menu such that you won't be limited to only deep fried items. I would advise you to stick with the sets as they are such great value for the variety of food you get.

Situated further from the main shopping belt, the restaurant is a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Perfect for a dinner date, a week night catch up with friends, or even a family meal, Tetsu has an easy vibe to it.  The service is friendly yet unobtrusive. For private functions, there is also a private room available, with a minimum spending of $200.