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2014-11-05
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While most would be familiar with the stretch of Japanese restaurants along Mohamed Sultan Road, it would be worth paying attention to this inconspicuously located restaurant, Fuku Fine Fugu Kaiseki, which is the first restaurant in Asia outside Japan to serve the exquisite puffer fish all year round!Before you wonder if you misread that statement, you did not. Most people, myself included, would assume that puffer fish (also known as fugu in Japanese) is poisonous but what many did not realise
Before you wonder if you misread that statement, you did not. Most people, myself included, would assume that puffer fish (also known as fugu in Japanese) is poisonous but what many did not realise is that with more than 100 species of fugu out there, there are only 20 species that are edible. Of which, Fuku imports the most prized Tora Fugu (Tiger Puffer Fish) both wild and farmed, twice a week by air from Shiminoseki (the specialty area of fugu).
Under Japanese law, all chefs have to be specially licensed by the government before they can prepare and serve fugu to guests as the fish can be potentially fatal if prepared wrongly. Diners at Fuku can be assured of their safety as all of the air flown fish have to be removed of their internal organs, cleaned and meet the strict regulations by Japanese authorities before they are approved for import into Singapore.
What we learnt also was that there are in fact farmed varieties that are bred without the poisonous organs!
At Fuku, the chefs prepare the prized fish kaiseki style, which is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. It typically refers to a set menu of selected food served on an individual tray to each member at the table or gathering.
Starting from S$150++/person for a six-course meal to S$580++/person for a nine-course wild fugu set which requires a 5-day advance booking, each set promises to impress your dining guests and companions.
Yubiki
Tessa
Interestingly, the paper-thin shavings or usuzukuri ends with a sloping thicker end for an elegant presentation as above where the translucent and intricate arrangements flaunt the exquisiteness of fugu. On its own, the sashimi tasted quite bland though it has an unique elastic texture to its flesh.
Like any authentic Japanese restaurant, you could identify instantaneous the quality of its ingredients starting from the shoyu used and more importantly, the wasabi. At Fuku, the wasabi are freshly grated and you could taste the freshness, almost.
Yaki
Karaage
Tecchiri
For those who enjoy their fugu cooked the right way, I would advise against putting it in together with the bones for that augmented the flavours of the broth. Cook the thickly sliced chunks of fugu as and when you are ready to have some in order not to waste the precious protein as leaving it in the broth for an extended period tends to make the flesh rather rubbery.
Zousui
Shirako
Hiresake
Sushi
To enjoy the prized fish surely does not come cheap with the kaiseki meals starting from S$150++/person but it was truly an experience and cuisine that would not be available anywhere else in Singapore or Asia for that matter apart from Japan itself. It was surely one of the more memorable meals I have had and given an occasion, I would return for an indulgent meal yet!
For original review, please visit us at http://www.makeyourcaloriescount.com/2014/11/sg-fuku-fine-fugu-kaiseki-1st-in-asia.html
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