Located in the heart of Dhoby Ghaut at Plaza Singapura, Tokyo Shokudo Bistro serves up Japanese comfort food, including ramen and tendon bowls. We visited their outlet to try the Signature Tendon, a dish that visually impresses with a generous array of battered seafood, vegetables, and rice. At a price point of S$14.90 before GST and service charge, the total cost nears S$20. The question is – does the Tokyo Shokudo Bistro tendon live up to expectations in flavour, quality, and value?
Tokyo Shokudo Bistro Signature Tendon Presentation – Beautiful but Impractical
The Tokyo Shokudo Bistro tendon makes a great first impression with its golden tower of battered prawns, fish, vegetables, and a fried egg piled high above the rice. Each element is positioned with care, promising a hearty meal. However, the presentation comes at a cost: accessing the rice underneath is frustrating. Without rearranging or removing toppings, eating neatly is nearly impossible. For a dish relying on rice to balance the fried items, this design flaw hinders enjoyment.
What Comes in the Tokyo Shokudo Bistro Tendon Bowl at Plaza Singapura
Your S$14.90 (pre-tax) Signature Tendon from Tokyo Shokudo Bistro includes the following: two pieces of prawn tempura, one large piece of fried fish, a fried egg, a crispy nori (seaweed) sheet, assorted tempura vegetables (including brinjal and sweet potato), a bowl of Japanese rice hidden at the base, and miso soup on the side. It’s a full meal in theory, offering multiple textures and flavours – though not all of them are equally successful.
Prawn Tempura in the Tokyo Shokudo Bistro Tendon – Crunchy but Disappointing
The prawn tempura looked promising but proved underwhelming. While the batter was golden and crisp, the prawns themselves were disappointingly small. With too much coating and too little seafood, the texture became batter-heavy. Though not oily, the imbalance made the prawns feel like filler rather than the star attraction they should be in a tendon bowl.
Fried Fish in the Plaza Singapura Tendon – Impressive in Size, Lacking in Bite
The fried fish in the Tokyo Shokudo Bistro tendon was one of the most substantial elements in the bowl. However, the texture was less than ideal. While the outside was crisp, the inside was mushy and lacked the firm flakiness one would expect. It didn’t taste bad, but it failed to deliver the satisfaction that such a large piece should have provided. It’s a case of quantity over quality.
Fried Egg and Rice in Tokyo Shokudo Bistro’s Signature Tendon – A Mixed Experience
The fried egg was a welcome change in texture, providing a soft centre amidst all the crunchy elements. Its runny yolk added some richness to the dish, especially when mixed with the rice. Speaking of rice, it was cooked well and slightly sauced, but the difficulty of reaching it made it less enjoyable. The rice is meant to anchor the bowl, yet it’s buried under layers of toppings, making it functionally and conceptually secondary.
Nori Sheet in the Tokyo Shokudo Bistro Tendon – The Surprise Star of the Bowl
The fried nori sheet turned out to be the most pleasant surprise in the entire tendon. Light, crisp, and packed with umami, it brought a fresh dimension to the otherwise uniform profile of fried textures. Its saltiness balanced well with the rice and enhanced the flavour of each bite. Unlike the other ingredients, the nori didn’t feel like an afterthought – it genuinely lifted the dish.
Assorted Vegetables in the Plaza Singapura Tendon Bowl – Safe but Unexciting
Vegetables like sweet potato and brinjal offered a hint of sweetness and some variety. They were cooked properly and not greasy, which is a plus. However, the seasoning was minimal, and they didn’t leave a lasting impression. These vegetables contributed to the volume of the dish but didn’t elevate the taste. They were neither standout nor poorly done – simply middle-of-the-road.
Miso Soup and Final Touches – Standard Accompaniments to the Tokyo Shokudo Bistro Tendon
The miso soup was warm and mildly flavoured, doing its job without offering much beyond basic comfort. It helped break up the richness of the fried items and added some moisture to the meal. Like the rest of the tendon experience, it was neither memorable nor offensive. It served its purpose but did not enhance the meal in any meaningful way.
Taste Test Rating
From a flavour perspective, the Tokyo Shokudo Bistro tendon at Plaza Singapura earns a 3 out of 5 stars. The dish is competently cooked, with no greasiness and decent texture overall. However, the prawns and fish suffer from quality issues, and the rice gets lost beneath the toppings. The standout nori sheet is a highlight, but not enough to carry the dish. Overall, the tendon tastes average – satisfying for a quick meal but lacking in culinary excitement.
Service Quality at Tokyo Shokudo Bistro Plaza Singapura – Efficient and Friendly
One redeeming aspect of our visit was the service. Staff at the Plaza Singapura branch were attentive, polite, and efficient. Orders were processed quickly, and the team remained friendly even during peak lunch hours. The service added a pleasant touch to an otherwise average meal. We give the service a strong 4 out of 5 stars for professionalism and speed.
Price and Value – Is the Tokyo Shokudo Bistro Tendon Worth Nearly S$20?
The base price of S$14.90 seems reasonable until you factor in GST and service charge. At just under S$20 total, the Tokyo Shokudo Bistro tendon starts to feel overpriced given the experience. With small prawns, inconsistent fish texture, and hard-to-reach rice, the value becomes questionable. While the portion is large and the meal filling, the flavour doesn’t justify the cost. We rate the value at 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Final Verdict – Tokyo Shokudo Bistro Tendon at Plaza Singapura: Worth a Try or Skip?
If you’re already at Plaza Singapura and craving tendon, the Tokyo Shokudo Bistro tendon might satisfy your hunger. The presentation is impressive, the service is commendable, and there’s enough variety to make it feel complete. But if you’re seeking a memorable tendon experience, this isn’t quite it. The dish is more visual than flavourful, with a few standouts like the nori sheet offset by weaker elements like the prawns and fish. Overall, it’s a 3.5-star meal served in a clean, casual setting – fine for convenience but not worth going out of your way.
Tokyo Shokudo Bistro Plaza Singapura Location
Address: 68 Orchard Rd, #02-35, Singapore 238839, Plaza Singapura
