Finally got down to trying this new kid on the block in SMU.

This small eatery adopts a rather systematic ordering system whereby patrons begin by selecting one protein of choice (honey glazed tofu/teriyaki chicken/shabu shabu beef/salmon), one base of choice (rice with Japanese dressing/cha soba with either wafu or sesame dressing/salad), followed by any additional protein and toppings (mentaiko, fish roe). The kitchen behind the counter dishes out the orders by layering the individual components, before passing it onto the front collection counter whereby the torching of proteins and mentaiko is also done.

Before serving, the staff will also put some furikake on the sous vide egg that’s included as part of the donburi, spring onion, sesame seeds and nori. Hungry patrons can then straddle up when their queue number is flashed.

Highly recommended by my friend to try out the honey glazed tofu, I selected that as my protein of choice, atop a bed of cha soba doused in goma dressing, alongside an additional serving of tofu ($1).

Visually, it looked promising. For my additional top-up of tofu, the portion of tofu was indeed generous. It was glazed in a honey teriyaki sauce which I found too be a tad cloying when paired with the cha soba, which in itself was already seasoned. Perhaps it would go best with just plain ol’ rice.

Onto the cha soba, it was already mixed in with the dressing so the whole pile was just, rich. However, the discerned would also detect that this wasn’t the real deal - it was mere green wheat noodles, but with a strong alkaline taste probably due to overcooking and failure to blanch in cold water after.

The components of the dish just didn’t congeal to produce a coherent rice bowl. Ingredients felt better tasted individually, and sent confusing signals to my tastebuds when married.

The sous vide egg was perhaps the only saving grace as it was done beautifully, revealing a luminous core. Oh yes, not forgetting my favorite Japanese pickled radish that was decent too, but sadly only two slices were given.

For $5.90 this bowl (SMU students/staff get $1 off), no complaints but there are definitely better donburis out in the vicinity.