My first review is for Nihon Mura. Nihon Mura first appeared on the scene with a very hot deal - $0.99 sushi. Of course, this was a good deal. Where else can you find sushi for under a dollar a serving in a resturant? Even supermarket sushi cost $0.60 each at that time (and they probably cost more now).
While more outlets have opened, Nihon Mura has, unforunately, gained a rather bad rep, if online reviews are to be believed. But in my search, few people, it seems, have tried their tea-time buffet.
This is my second time to Nihon Mura at Tampines Swimming Complex for the buffet. Since my last visit, the price has gone up by a dollar, to $17.90++ ($15.90++ for students), with a slight menu change. Soft drinks are also included in the buffet, as are iced and hot green tea. There is also ice cream for dessert. The grilled enoki wrapped in bacon is no longer offered though.
Service was pretty much excellent. While we were still standing outside, a waitstaff promptly went to the door and opened it for us. The waitstaff were attentive, friendly, patient and polite. With the exception of a server who just dumped our food on the table. We placed a first round of order, and then headed to the sushi conveyor belt. I picked a salmon sushi and unagi (eel) sushi.
Salmon sushi
I felt that the salmon was sliced too thin, and didn't look particularly fresh. Of course, if you consider that plate of sushi cost $0.99, well, then you get what you pay for. The unagi sushi was alright - better than the salmon, but nothing extraordinary.
Next came our ordered food. We started off with each of the six types of sashimi: salmon, maguro (tuna), kisu (sillago), tai (red sea bream), ika (squid) and amaebi (pink shrimp).
Assorted sashimi
The sashimi were all pretty good and tasted fresh. This is especially important for the ika, which must be fresh. Unfortunately, I have had bad experiences with the ika sashimi at Hanabi and Sakura. I am a big fan of ika, amaebi and salmon sashimi, and I had a few more rounds of those!
Assorted sashimi: amaebi, salmon and ika
Soft shell crab hand roll
The soft shell crab handroll was rather good too. It was definitely wrapped upon ordering. The crab and seaweed were crispy. I felt there was a good balance of rice, mayo and crab. Later, I also had the ebi tempura handroll and unagi tempura handroll. Yes, you read it right. Unagi tempura. I'm pretty sure this is my first time eating unagi tempura. It was interesting - the soft unagi with a crispy tempura coating.
Chawanmushi
I loved the chawanmushi. It wasn't too "eggy", and I feel is comparable at least to Sakae Sushi's. Among the grilled dishes, we also ordered teriyaki chicken, shiitake mushrooms, shishamo and iwatako mentai (grilled octopus with roe).
Teriyaki chicken
The shishamo was disappointingly small, shriveled and dry. The first bite of the shiitake mushroom was quite a surprise, because it was hard and chewy. But the remaining two (of a stick of four) were perfectly grilled. I think the grill was hotter at the tip, resulting in the mushrooms at the ends to be overcooked. We also got this for the octopus and the chicken wings, where the ends were significantly more burnt. Otherwise, the grilled items were quite good, especially the octopus.
Iwatako mentai
Next were the fried items. Some of what we ordered included ebi fry (breaded fried prawns), tako yaki (octopus balls), ebi yaki (prawn balls), karaage (fried chicken) and squid.
Tori karaage, ebi yaki, tako yaki, ebi fry
Squid skewer tempura
They were all freshly fried and absolutely delicious.
To end our meal, we had the ice cream - ordinary ice cream, but topped with a bit of fresh cream, a small piece of cherry, and a stick of strawberry love letter.
Overall, it was a very satisfying meal at Nihon Mura, and the really friendly waitstaff made it even better. I would definitely be willing to return again for the buffet. But really, don't go for the sushi.
Pricing
Tea time buffet
2.30pm to 5.30pm (last order at 5pm)
Adult: $17.90++
Student: $15.90++
Child: $10.90++ (less than 10 yrs)
Nihon Mura (website)
Tampines Swimming Complex
505 Tampines Ave 5 #01-03/04 (map)
Singapore 529652
Phone: 6260 8197
Other outlets: See website
Links: HungryGoWhere | Yum.sg
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