Chiso Zanmai 馳走三昧 Japanese Buffet Restaurant Kaiseki style from Osaka opens at The Central, 6, Eu Tong Sen Street,#02-17 Clarke Quay Singapore this month. The Japanese culinary team prepares the Kaiseki dishes consisting of fresh seasonally ingredients prepared in unique ways to enhance their flavours individually while seasonal signature items like Shabu-Shabu and Sukiyaki are served for March and April.
With up to 100 Japanese food buffet seasonal selection ranging from favourites like Sushi, Sashimi, Tempura to Cold Selection, Hot Selection and Desserts, you will be spoilt for choices. The buffet prices starts from S$14.90++ for weekday lunch to $29.90++ for weekend dinner.
Spanning over 8,000 square feet, Chiso Zanmai occupies the previous Fisherman’s Market and offers a scenic view of Clarke Quay and Boat Quay in the contemporary decor with a total seating capacity of 200. Located next to Barcook Bakery, take the escalator up to the land of Japanese Buffet with seasonal favourites!
At the Media Tasting, here are some of the seasonal highlights for the evening :-
Freshly sliced Tuna !
Fresh Octopus
Oishi Sushi prepared by Itamae (Sushi Chef) on the spot right
Salmon are prepared in different styles and served Kaiseki – sashimi, sushi, Salmon Fishhead, crispy fried salmon skin and more !
Other Kaiseki style dishes include Eggplant with Miso Sauce and Spicy Yam, Tuna and Leek with Sweet Miso Sauce and Salmon fillet with roe on rice.
Grilled Yakitori Chicken Skewer from the Yakimono and Agemono section
Live Stations – Tempura and Osaka-styled Okonomiyaki - Japanese style pancake with seafood, shrimp, pork or vegetables. Extremely popular with diners, the prawn tempura is always first to go but plenty of mushroom, eggplant, yam and vegetables tempura. Okonomiyaki with pork was also good.
Speciality for the night : Nabeyaki with Oysters and Vegetable in Miso broth or NabeUdon with tempura, chicken and mushroom.
Pick a pot, ladle the broth, light up and wait for the ingredients to simmer! Eggs are optional.
FAVOURITE : - Braised pork belly in soy and miso sauce from the hot selection was highly recommended by my friends. It is really good and flavoursome. I don't usually take pork belly due to the high fat content but this is so so good.
Chiso Zanmai Chawanmushi is very light in texture, seems popular with the diners.
Matcha tofu, the hand made green tea tofu cold appetizer is one of my favourite as its silky soft with generous amount of matcha but the strong matcha flavour may not appeal to all. The texture is almost like Lao Ban Bean Curd pudding.
There is also a decadence chocolate fountain with fresh fruits, marshmallows, soft served ice cream with DIY condiments, lovely bite sized Cheesecakes, Panacotta, Tiramisu green tea cakes, Matcha Crème Brule, Japanese mochi, puddings and jelly.
There is a good selection of food for the price but popular dishes may not be replenished as soon as its Kaiseki style where the food is prepared fresh and individual.
Weekday Lunch - Adult : $14.90++ Child : $9.90++ Senior : $12.90++ Saturday, Sunday & PH : Adult : $19.90++ Child : $9.90++ Senior : $17.90++
Dinner - Sunday to Thursday and Public Holiday
Adult : $24.90++ Child : $14.90++ Senior : $22.90++
Friday-Saturday, Eve of PH, Adult : $29.90++ Child : $14.90++ Senior : $27.90++
*Free Flow drinks additional at $1.90++ DAILY
VERDICT : A value for money Japanese buffet in scenic, accessible central location, just above Clarke Quay MRT.
Chiso Zanmai Japanese buffet with seasonal fresh food selection and live stations is priced from S$14.90++ for weekday lunch to $29.90++ for weekend dinner and is located at 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #02-17 The Central, Singapore 059817. Open DAILY - Lunch 12pm-3pm /Dinner 6pm – 10pm. Visit Chiso Zanmai Facebook Page for more updates.