Tamashii Robataya

Have wanted to try Tamashii Robataya, located on the 2nd floor of a row of shophouses along North Canal Road, for a while and finally made a reservation for lunch on a weekday. It was my dining companion's first time trying robatayaki or Japanese grill served on Samoji, a long wooden oar that Japanese fishermen used to serve their catch centuries ago. Seated at the counter where fresh ingredients separated us from the chefs, we could watch our orders being prepared. Lunch sets come with rice, refreshing salad and pickles, succulent salmon sashimi, mix mushroom in butter sauce that I could not fault and homely Ton Jiro – Japanese soup made with pork and vegetables, and flavoured with miso. There was nothing to rave about its Tsukune Steak (grilled minced chicken with onsen egg) and Sake Teriyaki or grilled salmon with teriyaki sauce. The highlight of our meal was the Maccha and Goma ice-cream, that is, green tea and black sesame flavours.