Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant – Plus GIVEAWAY

Maureen
Maureen
July 23, 2012
Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
Liang Court is a heaven for Japanese. Besides the Japanese supermarket MEDI-YA, there are many choices of Japanese restaurants in the mall. Other than the famous Tampopo, there is also Botejyu, Yayoiken, Marutama Ramen etc. At basement one, we found this hidden gem — Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant.
 
They used to have another branch in Tanglin Shopping Mall, but it was closed last year and if you want authentic okinawan food, liang court is the only place to go. Most of the diners were Japanese, which was a good sign!
 
  Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
We didn’t make reservation beforehand so we waited for about 30 mins on a Saturday for a seat. The deco in the restaurant makes me feel like I am transported back to Japan. 
 
Frankly, I came here with zero expectations because I am totally clueless about Okinawan food. If it is the typical Japanese food, it would probably be the sashimi, teriyaki chicken, sukiyaki etc, which was familiar to me. But “Okinawa” is a total stranger.
 
  Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
It took us quite a while to read through the menu because of the wide range of dishes available. Okinawan food is famous for its use of pork so we shared a bowl of Simmered Pork-Leg Knuckle ($10). There was almost no lean meat and what we had are just pieces of fat that simply melt in my mouth.
 
Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
I had the perception that okinawa food is more bland because most of the dishes here are simmered. I was completely wrong. My set of Silk Gourd with Minced Pork & Tofu ($15.30) came, with plain rice, Aosa seaweed soup, vinegared vege dish, fried meat miso and peanut beancurd.
 
The silk gourd was very well simmered in a flavourful miso sauce. Every piece had so much fibre and very well braised, bringing out the sweetness in the silk gourd. You can dip it with the unique sauce, which is a mixture of pork, miso and sake to further enhance the flavour.
 
Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
The boy had the Simmered Bitter Gourd Set ($15.30). Japanese bitter gourd (or goya champuru) is very different from the bitter gourd here. It was slightly bitter but had a more crunchy taste despite it being already braised.
 
If you are a fan of bitter gourd, Nirai Kanai also serve freshly brewed Bittergourd Tea ($3.80) which is not only rich in vitamins and minerals, but also helps reduce fat absorption and lower blood glucose.
 
Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
Okinawa has many kinds of crepes, one of which is brown sugar crepe roll. It is very simple, but really tasty. Wheat flour, glutinous rice flour and brown sugar is used to make this.
 
This is a restaurant that deserved a return visit. There are so many other dishes I have yet to try.
 

Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant (Liang Court)

 
Address: 177 River Valley Road, #B1-01/02 Liang Court Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6339 4811
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Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
After dinner, we went for some grocery shopping in MEDI-YA and bought the last piece of Taiyaki. It is a Japanese fish shape pancake which can be filled with red bean, chocolate and custard. The custard was really sweet and yummy.
 
Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
Liang Court have lined up a series of weekend challenges and workshops for the past two weeks! There is a Kawaii Bento D.I.Y where kids learn how to make their own bento.
 
Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
Cookyn Inc was also giving cooking demo on how to make Seafood Okonomiyaki. Here is the handsome Rayner cooking the Okonomiyaki!
 
Nirai Kanai Okinawan Restaurant
 
From now till 29 July, shoppers who spend $120*^ ($240 at MEIDI-YA & Audio House) can redeem a Sushi Cushion with 4 different designs available weekly.
 
PRIME members only need to spend $70 ($140 in Audio House and Meidi-Ya Supermarket to qualify. HURRY AND BRING A BIG SUSHI HOME!
 
giveaway
 
Giveaway
 
If you are attracted by my okinawan dinner, love the taiyaki or is simply interested in the sushi cushion, here is your chance! Thanks to Liang Court, I am giving away $30 gift vouchers each to THREE lucky readers.
 
You can use these vouchers at any shops in Liang Court without any minumum spending requirement.
 
To win:
 
1. Like the Liang Court voucher photo on Miss Tam Chiak’s Facebook Page, AND 
2. Leave a comment on that Facebook photo and tell me 3 restaurants in Liang Court.  
 
Closing Date: 25 July 2012 (Wednesday), 23:59. 
 
 
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