A recent farewell dinner for a colleague led to my discovery of this izakaya in the Sunset Way dining belt. Two weeks ago, I returned for a simple dinner.
As a relatively new establishment, I was really impressed by the variety of food it had to offer. On the regular menu alone there were over 100 food items to choose from, truly a case of being spoilt by choice. I also appreciated that some of items were very interestingly named, which ironically made our selection process a slow and painful one. Sorry waitress.
Complementary appetizer was served shortly after we got seated.
It was a tough choice between Mizuna Salad and this Tenza Salad ($14.80), their in-house special. The unique sesame dressing was light but very yummy. There was a familiar flavour in it I particularly liked but just can't recall it now.
We also tried a couple of grilled items.
Asparagus Pork Belly Maki ($2.60)
Flavourful juice deposited on springy asparagus. Nice!
Yakitori($1.80)
Ika Sugata Yaki ($8.80)
While checking photos my curious companion asked me why I didn't frame this entire dish, without even realizing that her eager chopsticks moved too quickly that it outran the camera shutter.
The place ran out of cod fish, we had Saba Shioyaki ($7.80) instead. Not that we had anything against mackerel, nor didn't the chef do a good job, but after having the dish, the craving for gindara mentai yaki just grew stronger.
Katsuo Steak ($13.80) easily became my fave dish of the meal.
Skillfully seared to a satisfying texture, the savoury gravy only helped to bring out the best flavours of the fish.
My favourite dish deserves a second shot.
The same night saw two groups of Japanese diners seated around us. From their ecstatic conversations and laughter we both knew that they were equally pleased with their dining experience here.
As we only got to tried a small variety of dishes, future visit(s) is definitely a must. And besides aren't you glad to know that now you don't really have to travel all the way to Demspey for a meal among lush greenery?
Tenza Izakaya
Blk 106 Clementi St 12 (Sunset Way), #01-38D
Tue – Sun, 6pm – 11pm
Closed on Mondays
6773 0093