Momoya

Momoya is brought to you by the couple who started (and since sold off) Hanabi, so you can expect the same great value-for-money proposition. Usual staples Food was fresh, very competently prepared, and at $23.60+++ for lunch ($15+++ for kids) is a super deal. There wasn't anything we didn't like -- sashimi, sushi, tempura, shishamo (done 2 ways), udon, zarusoba, chawanmushi,salads etc etc. Handrolls were good because the seaweed wrap was crisp and the soft shell crab handroll in particular was excellent because the crab was crunchy and flavourful instead of being semi-soggy as you often get.

If all the above sounds too mass-market for you, then order some other stuff like grilled hamachi cheek, salmon belly, etc. They also have ice-cream -- apart from the staples of green tea and black sesame, there's also a peach one and yuzu sorbet, nice.

Decor is simple, nothing fancy. Service was attentive and the food came incredibly quickly -- though it's true the restaurant wasn't full.

We are very happy we have another place to get our Jap food fix.

Without having interviewed the owners, one has to believe that the rationale for the concept is the doom and gloom surrounding the economic climate. But if you gotta eat, you gotta eat. All-you-can-eat fun Japanese food for only S$30++ is a pretty darn good idea, especially if you have over 50 menu items to choose from, and things are only prepared upon order. The restaurant was 80% full on a weeknight so I guess they agree with me!

Momoya is new and while there were a few hitches with service, the waiter was astute and spotted my little camera by my side and decided to play the sympathy card. Good on him since he played it well - that he was tired but still happy to be serving and apologised if he was not as attentive as he should be! Score!

For the price one pays, it would be unfair to expect top notch ingredients but if you stick to the well-executed items, a happy meal can be had.

Some of the winners I tried and liked:
* Belly pork braised in soya sauce
* Hamachi sashimi (not the premium grade but fresh)
* Yakiniku beef was tasty (but you must like fatty streaky beef).
* Mentaiko pasta (very good - I had 2 portions)
* Beef curry rice - ends meal on a hearty note.

A place worth popping into if you are in the neighbourhood and just want some Japanese comfort food.

For photos, go to:
http://www.edeats.blogspot.com/

Just went here to try out all the way from AMK. Kinda hard to find as this place indeed quite hulu. But for those who are not driving(like me), you can take a train down to Tanah Merah, exit the control station and turn right to take bus 2,9 and alight just before Jalan Pari Burong along Upper Changi Road which is three stops away. Is one of the shop along the roads so dun walk into the private housing (like I did!)

Coming to the food, I must say for a person who only try sashimi several times in Sakae Sushi and once in Japan. The sashimi is better than normal Japanese chain restaurant. The sashimi mixed platter is a must try if you have not try out all types of sashimi. :) After which, depending on your favourite, you can zoom to one type of sashimi you like. I try California temaki, and other Japanese food which I cant remember their names. (I will try harder next time) Buffet doesnt include the price of drink, special menu and dessert. (It would be nice if they can include the green tea)

Ambience: Cozy and nice place to chit chat with friends. Nothing fanciful and nice place to chill out. And this is on Fri evening. Not very packed and before we left, we saw a bunch of Japanese peeps(7-9) eating here so they must think the food here is pretty nice too.

Value: Think is good value for money for the number of sashimi I ate and many other varieties of Jap food they have here! They gave us a complimentary dish of 1/2 cray fish which I skipped cause it is too small for 4 of us!

Service: Think the service is superb. They keep filling up your green tea without asking. Also for the birthday surprise, they offer to serve the cake lit with candle (they are quite excited about it actually!) I just have one point to add that the serving of sashimi is not consistent. On the 1st time we order salmon sashimi for 4 persons, they came out 8 slices, the 2nd time we order we specify how many slices we want and the 3rd time, we order for 2 person, they serve exactly 8 slices again. Lol.

Overall great place to enjoy your Jap food. Check out my blog for further details. :)