Teppan Kappou Kenji Review: Omakase And Value-For-Money Japanese Food In Tanjong Pagar

Directly translating to “I’ll leave it up to you”, this unique form of dining comprises dishes specially selected based on their freshness – a key component of Japanese cuisine. Threw open its doors late last year in November, Teppan Kappou Kenji joins the list of omakase restaurants in Singapore.

Unlike traditional Japanese restaurants which practise a great deal of omotenashi or Japanese hospitality, this cosy restaurant gives off a chill vibe that makes it a casual restaurant to visit on any day. This translates to a wide and expansive selection of food available on the menu.

For this media tasting, we tried a variety of dishes from the grand menu and their most costly dinner-course, the Omakase (from $150++) . The sweetness of the uni is enhanced by rich and creamy beancurd, whetting our appetites for more.

True to the omakase tradition of trusting your food in the chef’s hands, only the freshest produce is served. The A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Tenderloin Steak ($60++) is available on both the grand and omakase menu.

The omakase version is given a slight boost with additions of uni, ikura, and seasonal fish. This Japanese version of clay pot rice features a blend of rice from Niigata prefecture that’s cooked in a flavourful fish bone broth. Mix it up with the sliced fish, and you’ll see how the flavours blend beautifully together.

One of chef Okumura’s signature dishes, the Fresh Oyster and Spiny Lobster (Ise Ebi) is a good test of his teppanyaki chops, with the delicate lobster meat being cooked to perfection. The beauty of this charming restaurant is that it’s not reserved strictly for omakase.

Seafood Garlic Rice ($15++) provides great value for money, with flavourful Niigata rice and a fresh medley of seafood masterfully fried together. Garlic lovers will as well be in for a treat, with the generous helping of thinly sliced garlic chips that give a sweet and robust aroma. Ambience at Teppan Kappou Kenji Located along Tanjong Pagar Road, this cosy restaurant easily blends in with the many Japanese restaurants nearby.

For those who like to watch the chef at work, there are 12 counter seats for you to catch Chef Okumura and his team weave their magic. The verdict Teppan Kappou Kenji would never appear on a list of extravagant omakase restaurants in Singapore.

Along with plenty of value finds in their large and extensive menu, this little restaurant in the corner of Tanjong Pagar road is poised to be a hot spot in due time. The restaurant also offers a wide range of express lunch sets that provide great value for money.

Look out for favourites such as Salmon & Negitoro Don ($12++) and Tempura Soba Set (12++) that come complete with chawanmushi, a side dish, and dessert.