Romankan Yokohama; Food Republic

I had an awesome lunch on friday at Takashimaya basement (yes... the food basement). I guess in future, u guys can move in a little bit further towards the back of the basement rather than stopping at the ehm ... foodcourt. There are alot of nice stalls around and this entry features *drum rolls....* ROMANKAN YOKOHAMA! A little Jap cafe patronised by a lot of Japanese (what does this suggest?) As can be seen from the signboard, I think their sandwiches should be a must-try but I only noticed the signboard after I'd placed my order. On the menu, besides (if memory hasn't failed me...) 2 types of sandwiches, there's only 6 rice sets to choose from. Very little variety so I wasn't truly turned on as yet den lol~ The rice set ranges from $9.50 to abt $16 I think and the prices are nett! Each set comes with the main dish (chicken/pork katsu/tenderloin etc), rice, 3 potato wedges LOL, veggies, pickles and a miso soup. Ehm my companion chose the Chicken Katsu set. Me wanna take chicken but I can't for fear of developing pus [yet I ate triple chicken cheezbite pizza LOL! courting death~] So me randomly chose my Fillet Pork Katsu [see below]!
[click to enlarge images]

My companion took her 1st bite of her katsu and she was so satisfied. She said the chicken was tender and broke off at one bite. They were fried to light golden brown and actually I thot the color was a little too pale. First bite into my katsu.... ME STUNNED LOL. SO VERY NICE! It was so crispy on the outside and inside, the pork was so tender and here I quote my companion: It broke off at one bite. LOL. Well, on a closer look at my fillet the crust was slightly thick but it was so crispy and aromatic... the pork, tho thin, was fresh, really tender and well flavoured and it wasn't dry at all. It looked a little pinkish and my companion said that it wasn't 100% cooked. Some restaurant deliberately undercooked the meat to maintain the tenderness... but the pork here... THUMBS UP :) And I really like their rice, was fragrant, fluffy and moist enuff lol. Miso soup was above average and even the pickles were nice as the taste was moderate, not too sour. My companion said the wedges were soft, I think they were average and the carrots and brocolli were slightly on the raw side. The portion was really big lol.... I couldn't finish and was stuffed!

Personally, I'm full of praises for Romankan Yokohama especially for their rice and katsu. Thumbs UP! Oh one thing here... they only accept cash so do bring cash there :)

I'm definitely going back for more.
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U bet... ya, my companion wanted a korean dinner and when u are in orchard area and wish to have affordable good kor food, where do u go? Let me tell you ... FOOD REPUBLIC, 4th Floor at Wisma and the foodcourt at Meridien Shopping Centre [I also recommend the thai tom yam xxx (I forgot the name) its really good. The foodcourt features alot of authentic foreign food like thai, viet, kor etc Its rather easy to find seats there even at meal times probably due to its bad location ba~ But, I like it there.]

We went Food Republic. I opted for Kor food as well cos we couldn't find seats in the foodcourt, so if I were to eat Kor cuisine as well, then we can sit at the kor food stall dining premise. Initially, I thot we would have to pay service charge if we sat in their dining premise cos we'll be waited on wat~ but no leh! LOL. We were waited on but we paid for just the food. My companion chose Bibimbap (hotstone mixed beef rice) $8.00 and me.... again restricted by what I can eat, I chose Mixed Cold Noodle $10.00 ...

The Bibimbap was a brilliant choice! We felt that the rice maintained it moistness and yet not too soggy and the sauce was sufficient and not too spicy. Very aromatic and good to taste. Some foodcourt serves it with a cooked egg but rest assured... u'll get one which is not fully cooked so that u can mix it with the rice. I used to think *TOGI's Bibimbap is good enuff but now, I really credit the one at Food Republic....

The Mixed Cold Noodle ... TOO BIG A BOWL... I think we I managed to finish only about 30% of what was served.... I bet its meant for 2 persons.... A nutritious and healthy choice and rather refreshing.... But I guess they included chilli inside and it became too spicy to taste.... My tastebud was experiencing hot-&-cold at the same time. And I can't find any pear slices inside.... :( TOGI serves them with pear slices u know...

To conclude: MUST-TRY KOR items at food republic: Bibimbap, Kimchi Soup.... (again, its the best kimchi soup I've tasted so far... Strong flavour and real spicy... not for the faint-hearted la) and if u wanna have a go at the BBQ meat, can go my next recommended foodcourt~its value-for-money.

Of course, here I'm talking about affordable kor items... Good and u need not pay for additional tax. It's a 'why-not?' right... But if u wanna find some nice place where u can indulge in some korean MVs or soju .... Here's Togi Korean Restaurant's address:
11 Mosque StreetSingapore 059491
Tel: 62210830 [Closed on Sundays]