Beef Bowls have gotten rather popular in Singapore, especially in the CBD area where diners require their portion of protein (especially gym goers) along with a nutritious, fuss-free meal.
There are various versions available in Singapore, some done in the Japanese Gyudon way which which is cooked with simmered onions in a mildly sweet sauce; beef slices piled like a mini-mountain; or with grilled beef pieces typically added with a soft poached egg.
Some have gotten more experimental and it is not difficult to find more luxe ingredients such as truffle and foie gras added.
Here are some of the 18 Beef Bowls you can find in Singapore:
Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke
11 Kee Seng Street, #01-01 Onze, Singapore 089218 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Value-For-Money Quality Beef Bowls
Keisuke does it again, this time with a Beef Sukiyaki Don concept.
The menu is straight forward, with the offering of Beef Sukiyaki Don ($13.90) or Kiwami Wagyu Sukiyaki Don ($29.90). You can top up beef at $10 and $25 respectively.
This is when you deliberate between the cheaper US Prime Beef option, or indulge in Yonezawa Beef A4.
There will be a dedicated chef who cooks the food in front of you. They wear white jackets and ties, which reminds me of those in the higher end tempura shops in Japan.
The marbling of the Wagyu beef was superb for its price, the slices meaty and slightly fatty and could down your throat.
While some diners may frown at “sukiyaki” items because they tend to be too sweet-savoury, the balance was just right for this bowl. Beef Sukiyaki Don Keisuke (Kee Seng Street)
ROMAN.TEI
B1 Jurong Point, Japanese Food Street, 65 Jurong West Central 3, Singapore 648332 (Boon Lay MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
This is found within &Joy Dining Hall at Jurong Point. If you have been to Osaka, you may have come across ROMAN.TEI, known for its savoury cuts of quality beef with special sauces at reasonable pricing.
It is a concept by direct meat specialist and wholesaler – Okayama Food Service Co. Ltd. Similar to its stores in Japan, prices of the beef boxes are kept below $20 nett.
The Double Beef Zen ($17.90) comes highly recommended. This is for those who love your luxurious combo dish of beef steak and beef slices over fluffy rice, in which you can savour tender medium rare steak slices alongside beef broiled in a savoury broth.
The rice is served with a “golden ratio” in a Jyu box, accompanied with a side salad, condiments and extra soup. &Joy Dining Hall (Jurong Point)
Sushi Murasaki
9 Raffles Boulevard, #02-08, Millenia Walk, 039569
Tel: +65 6341 9668
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Sushi Murasaki at Millenia Walk is known for its omakase dining concept and seasonal fish freshly-flown directly from Japan’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market.
But look out for THIS. Yes, this. A Premium Wagyu Don ($85) that spells indulgence, sumptuousness and savour all at the same time.
The Donburi includes Kagoshima Wagyu Beef, WITH buttery foie gras, uni, ikura, black truffle, onsen egg and further drizzled with truffle soy sauce.
Every spoonful, you are consuming something luxe.
Fat Cow
Camden Medical Centre #01-01/02, 1 Orchard Boulevard Singapore 248649
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 3pm (Mon – Sun); Dinner 6pm – 10:30pm (Sun – Thurs), 6pm – 11pm (Fri, Sat)
Reserve Online Now – Fat Cow
Interesting. The word “Fat” in Fat Cow stands for luxury and indulgence, and is also a play on the word “Fatt” which in Mandarin dialect means prosperity. The Japanese restaurant is known to serve handpicked selection of the finest Wagyu from reputable farms around the world.
The Fatcow Premium Donburi is one of its signature items, also at a premium price of $98 – of sliced wagyu steak on rice, uni, caviar, foie gras and onsen egg.
The buttery foie gras which melted in the mouth was surprisingly the best part; I did wish that the steak pieces could be tenderer – for the price paid.
Sora Boru
313@somerset #B3-19/20, 313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Sora Boru is a Halal-certified casual Japanese concept located at the basement 3 of 313@somerset.
The Snow Beef Don ($11.90 for regular) has been one of the best-sellers of Sora Boru since its opening, and it is not difficult to understand why.
The inclusion of grated parmesan and a special sweet-savoury sauce made from whipping cream may remind diners of a Korean-meets-Japanese meal; and I don’t think this style is served anywhere else in Singapore.
The donburi (rice bowls) is constructed with a base of steamed rice, a choice of either stewed cabbage or seasoned beansprouts, then piled with succulent flame-grilled beef slices.
While you would expect donburis to be savoury, this is sweet, creamy and cheesy, and would appeal to those who are more adventurous to try something new and interesting.
Otherwise, you can also choose the Volcano Beef Don ($11.90 for regular), with the name “volcano” comes from the spicy ‘lava’ that runs down the side.
That sauce is created with a spicy, earthy flavour that is like a cross between the Korean gochujang sauce and local sambal chilli (the aftertaste). Sora Boru (313@somerset)
Kogane Yama – Bugis Junction
Bugis Junction #02-50, 200 Victoria St, Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Last orders 9.30pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 11pm Last orders 10.30pm (Fri – Sat)
Kogane Yama at Bugis Junction and JEM offers a Gyu Bowl ($16.80) in which the beef slices were quite succulent, tender and fragrant.
The Gyu Bowl uses wagyu beef slices which are first marinated in a special blend of shoyu sauces.
Instead of stewing (which is more commonly used), the beef is stir-fried with some onion slices, thus you get a bit of that wok-heat. The sauces also help to enhance the natural flavour of the beef.
Mix it up with the oozing onsen egg and fried garlic slices, and you get a slight slippery texture and aroma from the garlic.
Chalong
One Raffles Place #B1-18 Singapore 0486016
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 8pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat, Sun, PH
Chalong is a modern fusion restaurant inspired by Thai flavours serving charcoal grilled meat rice bowls. It’s known for using sous vide cooking techniques and finishing the items off using charcoal grilling.
All the beef used here is air flown from New Zealand, while the pork is sourced from free-range Iberico pigs in Spain that are fed 100% on acorn.
Even the simplest ingredient like salt is specially sourced, as Chalong uses only Himalayan salt. Butter comes from Denmark.
The Roast Beef Bowl ($14) features medium rare sous-vide beef served with a white truffle umami sauce.
All meats and vegetables are grilled in the highly acclaimed Josper Charcoal Oven. Smoked meats are done in-house, smoking them with Applewood to impart more depth in aroma.
All rice bowls are served with mi cuit (half-cooked) egg and Japanese Haenuki rice.
Sandaime Bunji
9 Raffles Boulevard #01-14/15, Millenia Walk Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6333 1516
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 11:00pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 11:00pm (Sat), 11:30am – 9:00pm (Sun)
Sandaime Bunji established in Tokyo Ginza, is an 80 year old family business known for making Kamaboko — a fish cake snack.
What really caught my attention was the Wagyu Round Roast Beef Set ($24.90), which came in a towering bowl with slices stacked above rice.
The portion is generous with 250 grams of beef, tasty and tasty, worth every bit of its price.
Hint: It is even more affordable during lunch time at $19.90! Sandaime Bunji (Millenia Walk)
Gyu Nami – Orchard
Orchard Gateway B2-06 277 Orchard Road, 238858
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
The stall known to sell $10 Wagyu Beef Bowls at Amoy Street Food Centre, has opened a shop in the heart of Orchard Road. (However, there were quite a number of feedback that they used to be better during Amoy days.)
The Signature Wagyu Roast Beef Don is still sold at $10, however there is also a large option at $13. You can top up $2 to make is a set with miso soup and mochi.
The roasted wagyu beef slices continued to be both soft and tender, all reasonably large slices with that beautiful pinkiness on the surface.
The accompanying sous vide egg and creamy yogurt sauce helped ease the dryness, and added that element of stickiness (otherwise could have been a tad dry). Gyu Nami (Orchard Gateway)
Kabuke
200A Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068638 (Telok Ayer MRT Station)
Tel: +65 8822 5525
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:00pm (Mon – Fri)
Dinner 5:00pm – 11:00pm (Mon – Fri), 5:00pm – 12:00am (Fri – Sat), Closed Sun
Kabuke is a 50-seater Sake gastrobar, so named as it combines the art of kabuki and the wonders of Japanese Sake.
I was pleasantly surprised with the Gyudon ($15), which contained grain-fed striploin topped with onsen egg and garlic chips.
Some other Gyudon I tried elsewhere tasted like beef on rice with some sauce, and that was it.
These beef slices had succulent flavour and enough tenderness, made more pleasurable with addition of truffle shoyu which added that tinge of saltiness with subtle aroma. Kabuke (Telok Ayer)
DOCO
International Plaza 10 Anson Road #01-16 Singapore 079903 (Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, Exit C)
Opening Hours: 11 am – 8pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat – Sun
In short for “Donburi Coconut”, the 5-seater shop is actually established by The Fish Sh-nack and SoiCoco. Thus you would find products from both – donburi and vegan-friendly and dairy-free coconut products incorporated in one shop.
I had the Sh-nack Don ($8.90) with almost equal proportion of grilled beef and cajun fish skin.
The fish skin added some variety in both texture and taste, with salty-spiced bits and crunches every mouthful.
The grilled beef had peppery flavours, but you would feel something missing from the overall combination. I reckon pickles or some vegetables could help provide a more balanced bowl.
Rakki Bowl
72 Duxton Road, Singapore 089531
Tel: +65 9730 3598
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
The Signature Truffle Wagyu Don ($12.90, $21.90) is a steal for its portion. For those who get a high from the scent of truffle oil (may it be real or not), you would get yours satisfied from this bowl.
There was a strong smoked garlicky aroma in the midst as well, one of those bowls that worked on the scent element.
I was also pleasantly surprised with the amount and quality of beef used, for that price – thinly sliced, meaty yet tender, in a good meal to rice ratio.
Niigata Koshihikari rice is used, and therefore you could taste that the rice is of better quality and fluffier. Rakki Bowl (Beach Road)
Kinsa Sushi
4 Hillview Rise HillV2 #02-02 Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 67107278
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm -10pm (Mon-Thurs), 11:30am – 10pm (Fri-Sun, PH)
Reserve Online Now
The Wagyu Don ($26.80) which contained pan fried wagyu beef on rice and miso soup, was prepared using A4 Grade Wagyu from Kagoshima Japan. Co-owner Shannon Wong illustrated that it was “fine dining quality beef, heartland price”
Not exaggerating, this was one of the best beef bowl I had.
The glistering slices were luxurious with their marbling, perfectly cut, tender and flavourful that would leave traces of happiness in your mouth and belly. Kinsa Sushi (HillV2)
The Sushi Bar Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road #05-34/35 Ngee Ann City Singapore 238873 (Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9:45pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/thesushibar.sg
Humble and popular Japanese outlet The Sushi Bar from Far East Plaza has a fuller-fledged restaurant at Ngee Ann City.
It is not uncommon to see long queues outside the Far East Plaza branches both weekday and weekends, with a line of people waiting mainly for their coveted bowl of Chirashi Don and Salmon Aburi Roll.
The Wagyu Don ($34.90) was not mind-blowing in taste, thought it needed more sauce or something, but certainly could hold its own with generous portion of beef and a sprinkling of enjoyable fried garlic. The Sushi Bar (Ngee Ann City)
Waa Cow
Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 11 Kent Ridge Drive, Singapore 119244 (Kent Ridge MRT)
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 4.30pm (Mon-Fri), Closed Sat, Sun
https://www.facebook.com/waacowsg
Offering a variety of Japanese rice bowls and udon, the recommended ones were the Signature Wagyu Beef Rice Bowl ($9.90 for petite/ $17.90 for standard) and the Aburi Bara Chirashi Bowl ($16.90 for standard).
The Signature Wagyu Beef Rice Bowl ($17.90) arrived with strips of wagyu beef sous-vide and seared to a pinkish hue with a tender texture. Oishii!
A 62°C egg set on top of the Japanese short grain rice with soy-based beef sauce reminded me of a bowl of “mui fan” (wet cooked rice). Perhaps there’s too much zhup (sauce) in the rice. Waa Cow (Kent Ridge Drive)
Sun with Moon Japanese Dining & Café
501 Orchard Road, #03-15 Wheelock Place, 03-15/16/17, 238880
Tel: +65 6733 6636
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
The Japanese fare created by Executive Chef Toshio Sawai offered here is quite extensive, from Sun Original Kamameshi, Bento sets, Kobachi, Sushi, Sashimi, Washoku combinations, to Steak dishes.
The donburi sets at Sun with Moon Japanese Dining & Café have been popular among lunch-goers, and you can expect Unagi Don ($23.80), Tendon ($23.80) and Buta Don ($22.80) – pan-fried sliced pork served on rice.
I would recommend the Roast Beef Don Set ($25.80) of sliced sous-vide tender roast beef served on Japanese rice with special sauce, mayonnaise, and topped off with a soft boiled egg.
The portion is generous and makes for a satisfying meal.
Nuevo Café
115 Eunos Ave 3 #01-01 Singapore 409839 (Paya Lebar MRT)
Tel: +65 9632 6045
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/NuevoCafeSG
For those working around Paya Lebar who needs a protein fix or a fuss-free meal, you can go for the Yakiniku Beef Striploin ($8.50) at Nuevo Café.
Served during lunch and dinner times, you get grilled beef striploin on a bed of Japanese rice, topped with pickles and sous vide egg, sprinkled with sesame seeds and roasted nori.
The beef used for the Gyudon was grilled quickly and cut thin, giving the pieces a layer of even char and tenderness. I do think they could up slightly on the sauce element, or provide a dip as an option.
On Weekends, they serve the beef bowl as well, but using the ribeye cut instead.
Omoté
301 Upper Thomson Road, #03-24A Thomson Plaza, Singapore 574408 (Near Marymount MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:45am – 2:15pm, 5:45pm – 9:15pm (Tue – Sun)
This used to be called Ryori by Sushiro, and prices still remain affordable.
I opted for the Tokyo Gyuniku Don ($12). When I first tasted a few spoonfuls, I felt the meats were juicy enough. Compared to the usual donburis which are typically drier, their version was more soupy.
The bowl was also overloaded with onions and rice, and I wished that they mixed in more beef instead.
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