Chinatown is a bustling enclave filled with some of Singapore’s best eats, like hotpot, ramen, ice cream, cha chaan teng fare, and so much more. Although options are aplenty, there’s only one thing you can do when cravings for yakiniku come a-knocking — and that is to hit up Waku-Shin Yakiniku.
The well-rounded Japanese restaurant located at Cross Street Exchange may offer an extensive selection of sashimi, tempura, and grilled specialities, but they’re best known for their premium yakiniku.
Here’s an ideal platter for wagyu lovers who can never decide on just one cut of beef — the Premium Beef (U.P. S$188), which will only set you back S$132 for ala carte, and features nine different cuts of Hokkaido and Miyazaki wagyu.
The type of cuts vary, but you can look forward to the likes of Prime Karubi, Regular and Special Rib, Chuck Flap, Sirloin, and Today’s Special (Wagyu Cubes, in our case).
I particularly enjoyed the Regular Rib and Chuck Tender for their exquisite marbling, but every cut pretty much ticked all the right boxes, in terms of being tender, juicy, and fatty.
Grill your own meats over binchotan and be prepared to swoon — all I can say is that you’re definitely gonna have more than a few “melt-in-mouth moments”.
Each table is equipped with two sauces — a buttery miso and a sweet-savoury yakiniku — but plain ol’ salt is available upon request.
Don’t worry about feeling all beefed out as you can also order and grill up a la carte portions of Kurobuta Belly, Kurobuta Collar, and my favourite, Kurobuta Jowl, alongside all the vegetables and seafood your heart desires.
If you want to get the most bang for your buck, opt for the S$150 set, which comes inclusive of the Premium Beef platter, along with salad, rice, yakitori, and cheesecake.
Serving as a palate cleanser in between bites of buttery wagyu is the Wakushin Salad (U.P. S$15.90), consisting of fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, salmon cubes, and crackers drizzled (a little too liberally, I might add) with creamy and tangy yuzu dressing.
The set also comes with five assorted Yakitori (U.P. S$16.80), but you’ll have to leave it to the chef to decide.
Regardless, you won’t be disappointed with classics like Salmon Belly (U.P. S$6.90), Uzuru Tamago (quail egg, U.P. S$4.90), Shiitake Mushroom (S$4.90), and the unassuming Tsukune (U.P. S$5.90), which ended up being my favourite skewer of the lot!
We also recommended adding on a couple of grilled items from the a la carte menu, such as the signature Surume Ika Teriyaki (S$22.90) or grilled Hokkaido squid, a must-order.
The tentacles are particularly fun to snack on, and when paired with a squirt of mentaiko mayo, make for an excellent bar bite.
Speaking of alcohol, those who order the set are also given the option of an exclusive sake pairing (S$25 for six). Keep an eye out for the uber-refreshing yuzu sake (that’s concocted in-house) my dining partners and I absolutely couldn’t get enough of.
In fact, there’s even an unofficial “secret menu” with fresh and luscious Japanese oysters from just S$2.50.
Enjoy ’em Plain (S$15 for six), with Ponzu (S$18 for six), or even topped with Ikura (S$24 for six).
Oysters, wagyu platters, and sake? Say no more —you’re all set for a memorable evening at Waku-Shin Yakiniku!
Reservations can be made here.
Waku-Shin Yakiniku
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???? 181 South Bridge Road, #01-02 Cross Street Exchange, Singapore 058743
???? 11.30am—2.30pm, 6pm–10pm (Mon to Fri), 5.30pm–10pm (Sat), Closed on Sun
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Photos by Christabel Tan
I'm always feelin' either boozy or boujee ✨