Today we are going to have a buffet dine-in at Tokyo Shokudo. The establishment is a Japanese inspired halal-certified hotpot buffet restaurant with a casual setting to boot located inside Plaza Singapura, a central mall in Singapore. They are known for serving halal-certified Japanese dishes. It has gradually become a popular dining spot for groups and families. Let’s check them out.
Tokyo Shokudo grew its reputation by offering Japanese favourites adapted for local tastes. Here, their buffet comprises of a mix of cooked, fried foods as well as some raw vegetables you can use for your hotpot. Notably, the brand was introduced in Singapore by Japan Foods Holding. It is the same company which brought you household names such as Ajisen Ramen, Maze Soba Hototogisu, Menya Musashi, Yakiniku Shokudo to name afew.
A tale of 4 soups
Furthermore, Tokyo Shokudo buffet ordering methodology revolves about ordering a main $24.80 soup-based dish which serves as your main hotpot. This forms your “staple dish” which is supplemented by a self-help buffet. You order your initial soup base using the table QR code.
There is a choice of 4 flavours, Mt Fuji Beef sukiyaki, Tokyo Shio Chicken and Seafood Chanko, Hokkaido Chicken and Seafood ishikari Nabe and Sapporo chicken and seafood curry soup. You can’t go wrong with either chicken broth options and the beef sukiyaki if you are a sliced beef lover.
Also, this method of ordering is tad synonymous to the buffet style for Astons Steak and Salad and Xing Wang Western buffet we dined at previously too. Here, your main soup dish grants you buffet access. Your soup is kept boiling by a small portable mini wok lit by a gas canister. Do note the wok could run out of gas, so do check if your fire is running throughout your meal.
A cooked food counter greets you at the entrance of the restaurant. Here you can find counters of cooled raw vegetables, seafood, desserts and a self-help sauce condiment counter probably inspired by hotpot restaurants. There is free flow of soup top-up for your pot as well. Just make sure you inform the staff your soup base so they can get the right refills for you.
Value for money buffet
Moreover, for the $24.80 asking price per adult, with half price for children from 5 years old offers great value for the offerings. Moreover, buffet cooked selections here include free flow of thin crust pizza, chicken karaage, omelette, gyoza and sushi maki.
I particularly liked the omelette which pairs well with the Japanese curry rice as a side. Also, there is also a sushi platter as well as a dessert counter with fruits and some assorted sweet cakes.
Notably, the buffet does offers quite a full course selection of starters, mains and desserts at one go on top of your ordered soups.
The wok, the beef and chicken are fresh and quality of the foods are generally good value for the sub $20-25 asking price. The foods are cooked well, not burnt and are of good quality for the asking price.
Also, the beef slices are thin and freshly served. The chicken is large chunky and full of flavour and gets my pick for your hotpot regardless of your soup broth. Also, the buffet spread is replenished promptly with freshly fried foods whenever they run out too.
Also, you won’t be needing the ordering tablet after you order your buffet main, as most of the buffet spread is available on the self-help buffet counters. However, do note you can only top up your hotpot raw food like chicken and beef slices manually ordering via waitering staff and not via the ordering tablet.
Desserts and fondue
When you are done and still have space for desserts, interestingly, the desserts counter also has a chocolate fondue. This is on top of fruit platters, cakes and soft-serve ice cream machine for desserts. You can use the fondue for the provided marshmallow sweets or with your fruit.
Do watch the 90 minute buffet time
Do note in-restaurant dine-in fixed for 90 minutes. Though it is flexibility not strictly enforced if the restaurant is not full with queues. Notably, unlike Jianghu buffet at Orchard gateway we dined in previously, the QR code ordering system does not lock out orders beyond the time limit. Also, the dining time limit of 90 minutes does result in a pretty quick table turn-over during peak times, with queues not exceeding half an hour on peak periods.
Also, it is notable that the restaurant also offers some a-la-carte dishes on their menu. Selections includes the 4 buffet soups at a cheaper $15.90 each. There are also Ramen, Don (rice) dishes and Tendon dishes, typically also priced under the $20 range per dish. It is worth noting the buffet’s close $24.80 price point does make their a-la-carte dishes less favorable to patrons here.
Wrapping up
Ambience-wise, the restaurant position itself as a casual eatery. When you step inside, the ambience feels like a modern Japanese diner. You get warm lighting, wooden furniture, and a menu display at the entrance. The place is not huge, but the seating is efficient enough for both small groups and couples. There is a mix of tabled and booth seating good for groups up to 4.
The dining experience as a whole is straightforward. Service is efficient, though not particularly personal. You place your order quickly, food arrives in a reasonable time, and staff clear plates promptly. During busy hours, the dining space can feel a tad tight during peak hours, and the restaurant gets crowded and a little noisy, but that is expected in a mall setting. Service is generally fast and prompt, and managed well even on peak weekends.
All in all, that wraps up our dine-in at Tokyo Shokudo at Plaza Singapura. The establishment offers great value for a filling and quality buffet priced under $25 per head even for dinner. The restaurant is located at 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839, on Level 6 of the mall. You can get halal-certified Japanese food in a central location without needing a reservation, with queues on peak weekends hardly exceeding 15minutes wait. That convenience is part of its appeal. If you want refined Japanese dining, this is not the place. But if you want reliable comfort food with a Japanese touch, Tokyo Shokudo works well for one to try out when you are in town.
This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.
Verdict:
Must Go! | Actually pretty Good | Worth Trying | Shortlist Optionally | Should Avoid
Tokyo Shokudo Makan Place Locality Map
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Rd, #02-35,
Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: 11:30am– 10pm daily
