The recent weather has made it almost impossible to enjoy a meal out in the open. Even though San-Sui Sumiyaki Restaurant offers a very beautiful waterfront dining area, we decided to get into the cool confort of air-conditioning.
Most will know what these 2 Chinese characters mean. "Shan" means mountains while "Shui" means water or the sea. In Japanese, it is referred to as "San" and "Sui"
What is so special about San Sui is that instead of using the normal black charcoal which makes the whole place smoky with you smelling like part of the Yakitori feast after walking out from the restaurant, here they use white charcoal. White charcoal gives out minimal smoke, yet the grilling temperature is much higher than normal charcoal. This allows the food to retain its natural juices while it is thoroughly cooked.
Our appetizer, which is a piece of broiled radish with dried bonito flakes. Simple but flavourful starter.
Tatami Iwashi (S$15) - Lots and lots of tiny fish dried and packed into one square chip which has been grilled to perfection.
Can taste the tiny fish with every bite.
I enjoyed their miso paste, which was placed on each dining table and also around the bar. It's not too salty yet very flavourful with all the grilled dishes.
Ume Suisyo (S$9) - Something sweet and refreshing to company our grille dishes. I like the slightly sourish plum sauce and the special crunch of the vege.
Crispy deep fried shrimps (S$12) - Be careful of the legs as they tend to poke your mouth. Crispy and sweet. No fishy prawn taste here, just the sweet taste of Ebi.
Giri Ginnan (S$10) Grilled ginko nuts with coarse salt rubbed all over. Ginko nuts have recently gained a following all over the world with its unique taste and texture.
Nihon no Wagyu (S$28) - Very tender and juicy.
Asari Saka Mushi (S$15) - Find this clam dish okay only. Perhaps best to stick to the restaurant's grilled dishes and not the other boiled or cooked ones.
Tebasaki - Chicken Wings (S$4.50). Initially, I wondered why did we order this very ordinary chicken wing. But after tasting, I can say this is no ordinary wings. If only the grilled chicken wings sold at our HDB eating places are of this standards.
Tori Tama Don (S$12) - The staff highly recommended us their special "Chicken Rice". Grilled chicken yakitori with Japanese rice, minced pork and a half boiled egg.
Then you mixed it all around, kind of like mixing a pot of Bibimbap. Verdict? While my friend find it ordinary and could not finish his, I like this. The combination of egg, pork, chicken, seaweed and rice went well together.
We were surprised when the staff brough some complimentary sake for us, served in these cute square wooden containers. Thank you!
Kawa (S$3) - The chicken hip skin was roasted till crispy. Most of the oil has already been melted during the roasting, so what's left is a layer of fragrant crispy chicken skin.
Yaki Onigiri (1 for S$6). We were too full for our rice ball. It was good, but as we were too full, I don't think I can give this a good review. Sorry rice ball!
Was it the best Yakitori place in Singapore? Not really. But it was in the top 5. If you are working in the CBD and looking for somewhere to have some nice Yakitori or just to chill out for the evening, San Sui will be a good choice.
San-Sui Sumiyaki Restaurant
One Fullerton Road
#01-05