Unatoto - Famous Unagi Restaurant in Japan @ Guoco Tower (Tanjong Pagar) [Singapore]

Dinner venue was at the SBCD Korean Tofu House branch in Guoco Tower and while there wasn't a queue; the situation at its next door neighbor, Unatoto, was vastly different, with about 20 persons in line! 

With that image that continued to pop up in my brain every now and then, I decided to ask my mom to check out the eatery said to be the number one unagi restaurant in Japan. 

Aside from the fact that she loves unagi [Man Man (now known as Unagi Tei) was unforgettable], Guoco Tower was pretty near the temple she regularly visits, Fook Tet Soo Hakka Temple.

Absolutely love the stunning ceiling design of inverted Japanese paper umbrellas! Do you know that the brollies have been in existence for more than 3,000 years old and associated with people of high status in the past? 

Pretty empty on the day of our visit as we went on a Sunday and arrived slightly before the dining establishment opened for business. In fact, we were the first customers for the day! 

Ordering and payment via the QR code; I don't mind the cashless part although I would still very much prefer a physical menu that would be much larger than the phone screen. Plus, presbyopia is a bitch.

The cutleries, the condiments and the sauces. It's nice to see paper tissues being provided for free as restaurants would typically charge for extra income.

Umaki (Half Size) - a rolled omelette with a piece of unagi within; this appeared to be a normal rolled egg that I was capable of making myself in the comfort of my own kitchen. The impact of the unagi was also minimally felt by my taste buds.   

 

Unajyu Premium - since it's been a while since I brought my mom out for unagi, let's indulge by getting one entire unagi that cost a hefty S$35.00! Those who just wanted to sample can get the smallest that was priced at just S$9.50 a bowl.

Mom was happy to see such a large piece of unagi! 

That didn't stop me from stealing a section though! My expectation heightened due to the queue I chanced upon while having dinner at SBCD Korean Tofu House. With high expectations come great disappointment. the meat of the grilled unagi was not firm, mushy even, and failed to feature that thin, crisp crust that was the norm at Man Man (now known as Unagi Tei).

Add Set A - I topped up the meal with chill tofu and unagi liver soup. Former tasted pretty rough and dry and would benefit a sesame dressing. Latter was plain soup that I thought was a bit too bland. 

Hitsumabushi - this would likely be the cheapest hitsumabushi I ever had at just S$13.50, and I can't wait to go for my favorite style, rice soaked in dashi broth, with pieces of unagi! 

I am a traditionalist; shall go with the first style which was to eat the unagi with just rice drenched with Japanese sauce. Again, the unagi failed to impress. 

Sadly, even my favorite hitsumabushi style didn't manage to better the meal. I expected a smoky aroma in every mouthful but it wasn't as intense. Saving grace was that I did manage to clean up the bowl of rice, and I am not going to waste the unagi!

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To be fair, the unagi was decent but I had set too high an expectation and mistakenly assumed this would be compared to Man Man (now known as Unagi Tei) and Uya Unagi Restaurant. Would I be back? Likely not though as I wouldn't mind paying slightly more for better quality unagi. 

Address

7 Wallich Street, #B1-03, 

Guoco Tower, Singapore 078884

(Connected to Tanjong Pagar MRT Station)

Map

As above.

Menu

As above.

Instagram Page

https://www.instagram.com/unatoto_sg/

Pricing

Umaki (Half Size) - S$3.00

Unajyu Premium - S$35.00

Add Set A - S$4.00

Hitsumabushi - S$13.50

(Subject to GST and Service Charge)

Bánh Mì Hòa Mã - De-constructed Banh Mi @ Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

My second banh mi in Vietnam and the Great Kon brought us to Bánh Mì Hòa Mã! It was only about 1.3 kilometers from Vien Dong Hotel, but we had to GRAB over as the eatery closed at 11.00am, and could be earlier if items were sold out! 

Knowing we were foreigners, the friendly staff directed us to  the front where there were normal-height tables and chairs. I am actually quite neutral to the typical low table, stools setup since I am not tall although it can be quite strenuous having to bend down constantly to eat. 

Locals had no issue though and it was a typical way of life in Vietnam! Anyway, the eatery appeared relatively popular with almost all tables being occupied; we managed to grab the last one in front of the shop space.

Iced Coffee -  I was just telling my colleagues that I am not a big fan of iced coffee, until I visited Ho Chi Minh City and fell in love with it! The above was the best so far; thick in coffee, rich in milk, not sinfully sweet, and an absolute must under the hot weather! 

Banh Mi Kep Thit - this would be what I called an almost deconstructed banh mi where meats were placed within the bread and other companions were be at the side, depending on whether you want them or not. 

Personally, I prefer to have everything in one so that it's more 'efficient' and doesn't result in any wastage. Nevertheless, it was ultra satisfying to chomp down the "completed" banh mi! Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa was generous with their meat ingredients; however, do note this cost 40% lesser. 

One thing I can't resist from any Vietnamese banh mi would be the pickled vegetables; they added a delicious and crunchy layer of vinegarish sour-sweetness that my taste buds go mmmmmmm with evert bite! 

Banh Mi Op-La Du Thu - the iconic banh mi for Bánh Mì Hòa Mã and it's even more deconstructed! Op-la means eggs and I frankly had no idea how to eat this! One mouth bread and one mouth egg and meat? Isn't this then a Vietnamese version of a typical American breakfast? 

Maybe to differentiate, there were these pieces of fish-cake stuff. 

First step would be to use your spoon to break apart the crispy baguette, right in the middle so that you can provide a cavity to stuff all the rest of the ingredients. 

It wasn't easy; not for butter fingers like me who would have a higher chance of making a big mess out of ingredients like a sunny side up with runny yolk. Compared to this, I am better off eating the normal Vietnamese banh mi. Taste wise, I couldn't get away from the fact that I have had better American breakfast and it came with toasts that were easier to hold and eat. 

Before and after; Alex literally had the Banh Mi Op-La Du Thu like a Western breakfast and only took  few small bites of the baguette; I was too stuffed with bread to help him and I usually don't have breakfast back in Singapore! 

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Address

53 Đ. Cao Thắng, Phường 3, Quận 3, 

Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Map 

As above.

Menu

As above. 

Pricing

Iced Coffee -  12,000 dong

Banh Mi Kep Thit - 58,000 dong

Banh Mi Op-La Du Thu - 38,000 dong

Click here for my 6 Days Itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) - Pearl of the Far East @ Vietnam

Zen Spa Foot and Body Massage @ Ho Chi Minh City [Vietnam]

I am always craving for massages although stingy me would hesitate due to a few factors like pricing, whether the service would be authentic (some will provide extra services, which I am uninterested) etc. The above Zen Spa Foot and Body Massage was recommended by the Great Kon, a frequent visitor of Ho Chi Minh City. 

Prices were reasonable at least than S$20 for an hour of massage. Best of all, tipping was included which means what you see on the pricing should be NETT. However, nothing shall stop you from tipping more if the masseur exceeds your expectation. 

Two other branches, all in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City! To me, having branches infer a certain level of reputation although I had to admit than quality control will suffer when there are too many branches. 

Opted for the one-hour foot, back and shoulder massage! 

She was good; my sore feet was thoroughly pampered after a day of walking and my back and shoulder were equally relaxed at the end of the session. I regretted not coming earlier to Zen Spa as this was the last night for us at Ho Chi Minh City! 

Strangely, there weren't that many customers and this specific branch was near Bui Vien Street. Well, maybe because everyone was out celebrating Halloween Night. 

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Address

244 Đ. Đề Thám, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Dist 1, 

Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

Map

As above.

Operating Hours

10am till midnight

Price List

As above.

Click here for my 6 Days Itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) - Pearl of the Far East @ Vietnam