We tried Singapore’s worst-rated Japanese meals stall

Established in 1947. Over 200 retailers in Japan. One of Osaka’s most well-known udon restaurant chains. Boasting of such eminent pedigree on their web site, how was Kazokutei in Bugis Junction wallowing at 2.9 stars on Google?

“Food for ants, with restaurant prices to match,” declared one overview, “Paid $19 for my set meal, sat in hunger for 30 minutes amidst an average crowd… finished this serving… within 3 mouthfuls.”

“One of the worst things I’ve ever eaten. Their omurice is not fit to be named omurice,” mentioned one other and I dutifully added omurice to the listing of issues to strive. I learn a criticism of “Very salty soup base”, so soup could be on my menu, too.

This collection on the worst-rated stalls in Singapore has to date coated 2 institutions they usually have each over-performed once I visited to see for myself. Would Kazokutei make it a trifecta of nice surprises? My colleague and I actually hoped in order we made our manner all the way down to Bugis final week.

Kazokutei was nearly abandoned. A gentleman dined by himself on the desk subsequent to ours whereas a trio of older girls occupied one other desk additional away. Always carrying my optimist’s hat for this collection, I concluded this meant quick service and the seats of our selection. Great begin, proper?

What I attempted at Kazokutei

I used to be certainly pleased with the service— our orders had been taken promptly and the dishes arrived inside 10 minutes. It contradicted the “Service was bad – claimed after 20 mins that the kitchen was slow” warning in one among 1-star opinions that aligned with a number of of the others.

Our first dish was the Seafood Tom Yam Nabeyaki Udon (S$14.90), which got here in an outsized bowl. I might counsel to administration that they substitute the present bowls for smaller ones— the serving was average at finest however the huge unoccupied house within the bowl made it appear particularly meagre.

In the bowl with the udon had been 3 cockles, 1 massive prawn, 2 tofu items, a clump of enoki mushrooms and a whole lot of cabbage.

To me, the soup was salty however my eating companion discovered it acceptable. We each agreed that it was diluted, missing the richness we affiliate with tom yum. Perhaps it was this dilution and lack of different substances that made it particularly bitter, too.

I immediately remorse tasting the udon. It had the weirdest texture of any noodles I’ve ever eaten. This dish was a disappointment and we paid S$1 for bottled water, too.

We had been actually hoping that the Pork Cutlet Omu Rice (S$12.90) could be higher, partly to have the ability to say that the meals was common, at the least, but additionally to take away the style of the tom yum udon from our mouths.

It was to not be.

The omu rice was a shocker. What was offered to us as tomato rice tasted like common moist rice tossed in some Heinz tomato ketchup (which might be an insult to Heinz).

Taking a better have a look at the cutlet, we may see a skinny layer of raw batter beneath the crispy pores and skin. One chunk confirmed that it was certainly frozen meat, presumably thawed improperly. When we introduced this to the eye of the waitress, she mentioned that it was regular.

This actually was getting worse by the minute.

Really, how are you going to get french fries fallacious? I’d perceive if the place was bustling, with the chef overlooking the prepare dinner time as a result of orders are flying in by the second. When we visited, the place was nearly empty and the fries had been nonetheless semi-cooked.

The skinny omelette was acceptable, making it the most effective factor on the plate.

Final ideas

In discovering and attempting Singapore’s worst-rated locations to eat, my intention has all the time been to attempt to see the silver lining. Both the primary and second worst-rated locations I visited labored out precisely that manner. I can’t inform if that was as a result of they’d been unfairly rated or whether or not the operators had listened to suggestions and turned issues round.

I’m sorry to say that the successful streak has come to an finish at Kazokutei. Besides the much-maligned service, which proved to be considerably higher than the opinions had prompt, all our worst fears had been confirmed throughout our go to.

Perhaps most disappointing was the nonchalant response to our suggestions. Rather than specific contrition or ask if we want to have the dish changed, the employees’s response was to say that the dishes had been meant to be ready that manner. Unfortunate.

I’d learn the other however, to be truthful, I’ll add that each employees member was well mannered all through the method. If administration at Kazokutei can put money into some additional coaching for his or her prepare dinner employees, maybe they can flip issues round. Fingers crossed.

Expected harm: S$12.90 – S$25 per pax

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