Looking to treat yourself to some rich and fatty premium Japanese wagyu? Don’t worry — I’ve gotchu.
Despite having opened only in September 2022, modern Japanese joint Wagatomo, along with its crowd-pleasing wagyu-centric dishes, has already become one of the more happening restaurants on the block (in Tanjong Pagar).
As the latest venture of Chef Tomoyuki Kiga from butchery and sando shop Gyu San, Wagatomo specialises in “bolder and smokier” modern Japanese creations, such as premium wagyu beef, meats, and seafood cooked over an open grill with binchotan charcoal.
In the spirit of the holiday season, the restaurant has launched a limited-edition nine-course Festive Omakase Menu, which is available from now till 31 December 2022.
You can expect to be taken on a flavour tour of prefectures in Japan famed for the wagyu; the omakase menu, which is fixed (but still subject to change) presents five different prized wagyu cuts from four Japanese prefectures.
Each course is also available on the regular a la carte menu — with different portion sizes.
Start off on a high with the signature bestselling A5 Wagyu Pizza (U.P. S$32) — atop a thin biscuit-like pizza base sits creamy, perfectly marbled slices of A5 Hida wagyu from the Gifu prefecture topped with ponzu mayo, pickled myoga (ginger flower), yuzu kosho cream, and a drizzle of truffle oil.
Each wagyu course is alternated with a vegetable dish (that cleanses and refreshes the palate), like the Moyashi (U.P S$14), a light and citrus-forward salad of soy marinated bean sprouts, pomelo, and ume dressing.
The strands of dried chilli were unnecessary, in my books.
Moving on to the third course, the A5 Wagyu Tataki (U.P. S$24) features slices of prime beef from the Kumamoto prefecture adorned with roasted negi salsa and savoury garlic cream. Despite being slightly leaner than usual, each slice of wagyu (boasting smoky charred edges) was tender, with a pleasant mellow flavour.
This is followed by one of the simplest yet most comforting dishes on the menu, Eggplant Miso (U.P. S$16). Slices of eggplant are roasted with sesame seeds and dressed with an umami saikyo miso before being topped with mozzarella. Like an eggplant parmigiana, but extremely deconstructed.
Those who enjoy big, bold, and punchy Mexican-inspired flavours will enjoy the A5 Wagyu Senbei (U.P. S$19), soft and tender slow-cooked Hokkaido Shiretoko wagyu topped with charred jalapeno salsa, served on crunchy senbei Japanese rice crackers.
The balance of sweet, savoury, and tangy was absolutely spot-on.
Unlike the usual Brussel Sprouts (U.P. S$15) which are typically served whole (yielding a certain bitterness I do not enjoy), this course comprises deep-fried brussels sprout leaves seasoned with citrus togarashi. It’s a tasty snack that’ll make you reconsider reaching for that bag of potato chips.
The seventh (and my favourite) course, A5 Misuji (U.P. S$98), spotlights the richly marbled Kamichiku Satsuma 4% Miracle Gyu from the Kagoshima prefecture. The prized shoulder blade steak cut is slow-cooked for six hours with a sansho spice rub and served alongside crisps and charred onion puree.
This is the best time to properly appreciate the full-bodied flavour and buttery, melt-in-mouth texture of the prized A5 cut — to me, it was simply sublime.
Also made from the Kamichiku Satsuma 4% Miracle Gyu is the A5 Gyu Don (U.P. S$62), which sees juicy, lightly grilled wagyu slices atop a bowl of fluffy Japanese pearl rice, truffle jus, and a runny onsen egg.
Although the flavour of the beef wasn’t as pronounced as the A5 Misuji, this would definitely sit well with fans of hearty donburi, or just beef bowls in general.
Last but not least, end on a sweet note with the Mille Feuille (U.P. S$12), a deconstructed dessert of yogurt ice cream, figs, chestnut cream, and puff pastry.
This value-for-money omakase is priced at S$98++ per person (with a minimum of two to dine) and once again, will only be available till the end of the year.
Gunning for a taste of Chef Tomoyuki’s beefy creations? Make your reservations ASAP!
@tastesoulsg Very jelat but also very satisfying ???? #tastesoulsg #wagatomo #tanjongpagar #wagyuomakase #A5wagyu #sgjapanesefood #omakasesg #sgfoodhunt #sgdiscover #sgfoodie ♬ Chill Vibes – Tollan Kim
Wagatomo
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???? 5 Wallich Street, #01-12, Guoco Tower Singapore, Singapore 078883
???? 11.30am–2.30pm, 5pm–10.30pm (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sun
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Photos by Christabel Tan
I'm always feelin' either boozy or boujee ✨