Waraku at Starhub Center

Waraku Japanese Restaurant
51 Cuppage Road
#01-12 StarHub Center
S(229469)
Telephone: +65 67211123
Fax: +65 67211124


It's been a busy June. Reservist, work and more work. For GF, she has cleared her final year papers. It's been a while since we last indulged in something we love. Food.... Honestly, Japanese food isn't really my cup of tea. While i do love watching Japan Hour and Channel 57 for the wonderful Japanese cooking shows but when it comes to raw meat, it's a big no no for me. I prefer the fried stuffs. GF on the other side, loves her sashimi.


Have been working odd hours these days and more often than not, it drags til into the early morning. Have been neglecting GF more often after i was tasked with the recent assignment. And i went for my in-camp in these period. Anyway we promised to spend some quality time together after my in-camp and that was what we did.


GF suggested Japanese food and after some reading here and there we decided to try Ohsumi at Cuppage Plaza. Actually we are more interested in trying out their shabu-shabu. However we can't seems to locate Ohsumi in Cuppage Plaza. Anyone knows where they are located? In the end we settled for the next best alternative which is Waraku.

Business is good ( Sat night ) and we had to wait for around 20 minutes for a table. Not connoisseurs ourselves,but we both enjoy good food. The exterior of Waraku was excellently designed. Very japanese decor inside and outside. But one have to bear with the noise level inside.


Having a serious craving for shabu-shabu, i ordered the next best alternative the Pork Nabe. There's lots of vegetables, japanese tofu skins, shitake mushroom, needle mushrooms, meat balls and thinly sliced pork. This was a healthly meal in itself! Wow. I was definately blown away by this dish. The sliced pork was very fresh and the meat balls are definately the best i ever had. I'm definately going back for this Nabe.


GF made Tuna Sashima her first order. Seeing her putting piece after piece of fresh tuna sashimi into her mouth, without uttering a single word, it must be that good. We also had Shishamo. This is disappointing. The shishamos were a little overdone and charred. The flesh were very dry. Not good.


Waraku did a good tori karaage. Extra crsipy on the outside, soft trender and juicy on the inside. And the serving is pretty huge. We also made it a point to try the ebi tempura at each places and all i can say about Waraku's is HUGE. 5 pieces of huge ebi tempura, fried to a light golden brown, and still juicy and tender on the inside. This is reason enought for us to go back Waraku again.


Still hungry, we each order a handroll. I had the tried and tested Californian Handroll while GF had her favourite Tuna mayonaise Handroll. Nothing to shout about but the seaweed was kind of soft. It reminds me of the japanese restaurant ( think it was Maro Sushi or something ) at the previous Marina Square near the Arcade at level 2 where the Japanese chef toast the seaweed only after an order was place so the handroll arrives at your table crispy.


We round of the meal with an order of grilled saba. This is a must have for me. They do it perfect here, crispy skin ( lightly salted ), oily flesh. Wow This is very good! Would have down another serving of rice if GF had not stopped me. Bill came up to around $80 plus but it was worth every bit! Try it and let me know how you like it.