Latha Teo
Hatsumi opened their third outlet in the newly expanded space in West Mall. For the quickest route, take the escalator down from the POPS outside Subway, make a U-turn to the right and you are there 👍🏻 The Halal certified eatery is a casual space, order, eat and go. All prices are nett. Takeaways are an additional 30¢. We had the Chili Shoyu Karaage Don, Chicken Katsu Curry and Grilled Miso Chicken Don. Takeaway an order of Mentaiko Salmon Don for my brother. Food is good for the price and many tables ordered sides, miso soup and genmaicha (refillable at the front of the store with your empty cup given with food). The Chili Shoyu Karaage could do with more seasoning, as in getting tossed in the sauce. I had a feeling the sauce is drizzled after assembling the bowl and sprinkling with the negi and chili. Therefore, the karaage is a bit on the dry side. The chicken katsu curry came in the biggest bowl among us. It carries a scrambled egg omelette and is drenched in Japanese curry. Help yourselves with the fukujinzuke as a relish for an authentic experience. The katsu batter tastes different but I can go with that. My dad only has praises for the grilled miso chicken which he initially thought was teriyaki chicken, like so many other common offerings. The chicken was expertly grilled with miso marinade and it didn't overpower the dish. The takeaway mentaiko salmon has a generous portion as well. The mentaiko is potent and has a mild spicy kick. The salmon is also prepared upon order unlike our dine in orders, so it took a little longer. All in all, we are happy with the food. Service could improve as tables were not wiped after patrons leave. Diners are also partly to blame, as there is an indicated tray return area. My mum had to ask for serviettes and condiments tray after getting our food. The strength of Hatsumi is being able to cater to our Muslim friends and enjoy quality Japanese fare that can rival some other stores.
