Izakaya Nijumaru: Japanese food for the Salary Men

Kitsune Udon $8

Coffee shops in Singapore boasts some of the cheapest and nicest tasting foods. It is also a place where people of the Baby Boomer and Generation X demographic will gather over bottles of beer and some finger food to chat and reminisce about the good old days for hours. The coffee shop is an establishment for the working class, families and for people who just want great food at affordable prices.

In Japan, an equivalent of a coffee shop would be an Izakaya, where salary men will gather in the evening after a hard day's work to relax over beers, snacks and food. Drinks like sake, shochu and beer are usually the mainstay of an Izakaya, but food also plays an important role in the shop where sounds of laughter, drunken banter and munching of food like yakitori, sashimi and yakisoba fill the atmosphere. 

Izakaya Nijumaru is a long time establishment at Cuppage Plaza, similar to Kazu Sumiyaki. Having been around for a decade or so, they occupy a quarter of the 2nd level of the seedy but relatively safe Cuppage Plaza. Providing reasonably priced Japanese cuisine to office workers of the neighbouring malls and offices is what keeps this place alive and crowded almost on a daily basis.

Katsu Curry Rice $12

From set meal bentos, and grilled items to sashimi and tempura, an Izakaya is a place where you can have a little bit of everything.

Heading there with friends on a Thursday night, one of them had the Katsu Curry Rice. Steamed rice smothered with a blanket of Japanese curry with generous amounts of diced potatoes and carrots make this a carbohydrate-laden, but hearty meal. Together with the pieces of pork cutlet, it would fill the most hungry of customers. I only wished that they had cut the katsu into strips instead of small pieces, but I guess the rationale behind it is so that you can just use a spoon to shovel it down quickly and efficiently without the need for a chopstick. Not glamorous but it definitely hits the spot.

Nijumaru Bento: Counter clockwise from bottom, Buta Kakuni (Braised pork belly), Assorted Tempura, Grilled Saba fish, Mixed Sashimi. $21

The Nijumaru Bento is a highly popular item due to the variety of food. For $21, you get  braised, fried, grilled and raw items in one bento box. The buta kakuni, braised till tender with a savoury and lip-smacking sauce made from shoyu and mirin is definitely the highlight for me. The tempura is light and crispy. The saba was de rigueur, sad to say. Sashimi was decently fresh and thickly cut. This is perfect for people who want a bit of everything. Items in the mixed sashimi and tempura may vary, but the Buta Kakuni and Saba are constants of this bento box.

Kawa (Chicken Skin) $7.50 for 4 skewers.

I just can't get enough of Kawa. Few things in life are better than chicken skin layered into a skewer and grilled till totally crispy. Seasoned with salt and a dash of lemon juice, it's an indulgence worthy for a king. Compared to Kazu, I would say that this version was a little less crispier and not as smoky. But for the price I pay, I can hardly complain. 

Butabara (Grilled Pork Belly)

Another one of my friends insisted on ordering a serving of the Butabara to share. Sinking my teeth into it, I was instantly hit by the aroma of the garlic bits that was marinated into the belly by the Chef. The juiciness of the meat and fat came after. Once again, I felt it could have been grilled just a little more to give it that burnt edge and crispiness.

Izakaya Nijumaru boasts homely Japanese food located in town, and it has and still continues to feed workers and salary men of all positions. I would highly recommend ordering the grilled items for sharing because they are cooked only by a single Japanese Chef, whose grill station is the only component of the kitchen visible to the public eye, whereas the rest of the food comes from the main kitchen located at the back of the restaurant. 

There have been complaints about service quality lapses. But my experience could not have been more different. Instant service of ocha upon taking our seats, providing a cold oshibori (wet towel) to freshen up, and to really give credit, they kindly provided an extra chair for a friend who joined us at the last minute despite the restaurant being at full capacity.

The waitresses are not smiley subservient Japanese ladies clad in kimonos, but our very own hardworking and often overlooked local aunties who are constantly running around to serve the customers. The place is always busy so there are times where you have to be patient and more tolerant. This is after all, an Izakaya and not a formal restaurant. The food will more than make up for it.

Getting seats here for a meal may be tricky especially during dinner times due to their strict policies. Reservations can be taken for up to a certain time only (tables will be held for a maximum 10 minutes), and all parties must be present before they let you in. Do not be surprised to find yourself queuing for at least 15 minutes (I was lucky on this occasion to queue for only 5 minutes). My advice would be to make sure all members of your party are punctual, or to get someone to start queuing earlier.

Izakaya Nijumaru is a suitable place for a casual and informal meal with friends and colleagues, serving up no-frills Japanese food at inexpensive prices.

Izakaya Nijumaru

#02-10 (Please note that they occupy several shop spaces.)

Cuppage Plaza

5 Koek Road

6235 6693

Operating Hours
Mon - Sat (Lunch)  : 1200 - 1400

Mon - Sat (Dinner) : 1830 - 2230

Sunday (Dinner)     : 1830- 2200

Nearest MRT Station: Somerset