Address: 140 Robinson Road, Chow House, Singapore
Date of visit: 18 February 2008

We seem to live in a parallel world, this country. A la la land. A place of dreams. One in which very little external forces can exert an influence on. We are sheltered, protected, harbored, kept.

Media reports enthusiastically highlight the positives. Negative sentiments are carefully managed. Yes…managed would be a right word. Think of our whole sociological system as you would think of the Human Resource department of a company. The citizens are the employees. The employees are fed information on a need to know basis. Let the top level brass worry about the more strategic stuff. Employees are coaxed, exhorted, driven to work and be productive. Productive… economic value…words that could describe how citizens are viewed in this country. If you are not productive or economically active, you will be a burden. A statistic. No longer useful. Maybe a problem even…

But now and then, pockets of discontentment and disenchantment would surface. People questioning. People asking. People wondering. Most of these thoughts would be put down. Inundated by peer pressure. Still birth. But hopefully, and with time, this pockets of resistance would grow…maybe. We shall see..

Honjin Kushiyaki restaurant probably has made an attempt to create a world when exquisite Japanese cuisine is served by immaculately dressed Japanese courtesans. This illusion is instantly shattered when you spy the slightly pudgy and mature Singaporean females squeezed into their kimono like gear (no skewed visions of Geishas for you here). Reality is further enforced when you hear these Japanese attired waitresses converse in our own country’s unique blend of English.

Thankfully, my purpose here was to sample the food.

We were brought to the 2nd floor of the establishment. Quite a cosy environment I must say.

My partner has a thing for Eggplant (just as most guys have a thing for Japanese girls…wink wink…although this place could provide some sort of rude awakening that not everything dressed in a kimono would instantly be transformed into a delectable sight).

We ordered the Nasu Dengaku (S$18 for the Japanese Style Fried Eggplant with Miso Sauce). For the S$18, it was quite good. Definitely unique in my books.

Our adventurous streak ended with the Eggplant. I ordered my usual Zaru Soba at a more affordable S$8. It was average. This criticism came about as the noodles were slightly soggy. I would have expected the sogginess from the common sushi bars and chain restaurants. Hmm…

To provide the protein, we ordered the Shingen Bento (S$38). It was filled with pretty ordinary items like the California Maki, the Tempura items, the Eel and assorted boiled vegetables and pickles. I think the bulk of the cost went into the box. It was lacquer.

We Singaporeans should learn a thing or two about packing and marketing. If I have the moolah and the resources, I would open my own Japanese restaurant, staff it with hot Japanese chicks, charge a premium on my food items and see the money rolling in. This eatery is already achieving the end goal and without the need for any hot Japanese chicks (emphasizing on the without…).