FIRST VISIT – MONDAY

Sashimi ($118)

At this price, the seafood needed much better storage. Many types came limp, with slimey film over it. I almost never send food back, but I had to send back the chutoro because it tasted funky. Even my favorite fish species, swordfish, was funny, didn’t have that milkiness it is supposed to have.

My only comfort was discovering a new sashimi variety called white tuna, which tasted fascinating, as if it brought with it the taste of shredded coconut. Buttery and smooth. But after some research, white tuna is actually not tuna, but escolar. Japan has banned the import of it because it causes gastrointestinal problems. The nation that dares to eat their own seafood, putatively full of radiation, bans this particular fish. I don’t think we should be eating it.

Chirashi ($25)

Three quarters through the meal, I felt queasy by the low quality of the seafood. If I am rich, I’d have left them untouched and leave. We paid $168 for two persons, sharing a chirashi and a sashimi.

SECOND VISIT – SUNDAY

White Tuna ($14)

Wanted to bring Mr Fitness to Shibuya Sushi Bar, one of my favorite discoveries. But it was a Sunday and many shops were closed. Beggars can’t be choosers. Besides, I wanted to let Mr Fitness try white tuna here. The seafood was better and fresher this time. Not as slimy. And the waitress wasn’t as grumpy. We had a donburi each, and a white tuna sashimi, and we paid about $68 over for two.

Manzoku Japanese Restaurant

18 Purvis Street, #01-01 Singapore 188597
T: +65 6337 2566
11.30am-3pm, 6pm-10pm
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Value: 5.5/10
Food: 5/10
Service: 5.75/10
Ambience / decor: 6/10
Rating: 2.781/5

Written by A. Nathanael Ho.