Sushi lovers will definitely remember Genki Sushi. Four years ago, they came into our local F&B scene. But during that time, the quality of the sushi were really below satisfaction. They have then withdrawn. But now, Genki Sushi is back again. The good news is, they serve pretty good sushi!
Re-established its presence in Singapore with the Orchard Central branch, Genki Sushi have now opened another branch in Chinatown Point. They have new technology by allowing diners to make their orders on iPads for speedy freshness and service. Once you place your order, orders comes within 2-3 mins
Food is delivered via the Kousoku (Express) system, shaped like a Shinkansen bullet train travelling on a track directly to the diner’s table. This original delivery system is programmed to reinforce the importance of freshness when serving sushi.
Need a cup of hot green tea? You can pour a teaspoon of green tea powder and pour some hot water. All these are found at your table!
Each table will also have a mechanised sushi plate-clearing system where empty round sushi plates can be slipped into a slot and directly to the stewarding area.
For the first month, instead of powdered versions, sushi dishes will be accompanied by fresh Wasabi which deliver stronger and more piquant flavours.
Genki Sushi have introduced new dishes to mark the start of SPRING and have called it the “Haru Select”. They offer gourmet sushi such as Scallop Carpaccio with Rocket Salad.
Cream Cheese Premium Shrimp Sushi ($5.80)
Smoked Duck Sushi with honey mustard ($2.30)
We all love Maguro (tuna). But there are sold as different cuts for the consumers. Here is a list in order of increasing fattiness:
Akami – the leaner flesh from the sides of the fish. This is what you usually get in restaurants if you as for “maguro”.
Chutoro – The belly area of the tuna along the side of the fish between the Akami and the Otoro. Often preferred because it is fatty but not as fatty as Otoro.
Otoro – The fattiest portion of the tuna, found on the underside of the fish.
If you were to order chutoro or otoro in high class Japanese restaurant, you probably need to pay more than 50 bucks. Here, you get good quality of Ohtoro (light pink, $5.80) and Chutoro (red, $3.80) Sushi at an affordable price.
Chawanmushi is my favourite and I order it in every Japanese restaurant. I tried Genki’s Steamed Egg Custard with Crab Meat ($3.80). It was abit too salty, I still prefer Itacho’s chawanmushi.
Inspired by soft shell crabs, Genki Sushi does Soft Shell Shrimp where you can eat the meat and shell altogether!
Using the cartilage of Fluke fish, Seared Fluke Fin (Aburi Engawa, $2.30) Sushi is very soft and tender.
Unagi (Eel) and Anago (Sea Eel) Sushi ($3.80)
Besides the usual sushi menu, Genki Sushi also serves don. To cater to the local market, the restaurant has come up with some asian flavoured don such as this Black Pepper Chicken Don ($5.80). The black pepper sauce is cooked with niri sauce and sake hence it is sweeter. Love it!
BEHIND THE SCENE
I was honored to take a tour around Genki Sushi’s kitchen. Innovation takes the form of sushi robots. Because the strength of moulding and temperature of our hand determines the quality of sushi rice, Genki Sushi invests in sushi robots which perfected the skill of squeezing sushi. Not only it is faster, the quality of the sushi is maintained. They also have a machine to defrost the tuna.
In line with Genki Sushi’s philosophy of staying true to tradition, the restaurants use only top-grade Koshihikari aromatic short-grain rice. This is cooked in purified water and mixed with a special blend of vinegar (Su), exclusively produced using a century old method of distilling in Gifu Prefecture. No manpower is needed to cook the rice. The staff just have to place the rice in a huge rice cooker, set it to their desired temperature and that’s it! Not only does it save labour costs, the staff can also come to work 1 hour later. You will be shock to know that there are only 2 to 3 kitchen staff in the kitchen!
You will also be delighted to hear that upon eating 8 plates of sushi, you will be granted a iPad jackpot game which either allows you to win a free plate of sushi or a 10% discount off total bill. Sushi prices range between $1.80 and $5.80.
With such advanced ideas, the Genki Sushi Singapore will serve as a blueprint for their restaurants around the world! Especially noteworthy is a table near the entrance, which allows a wheelchair to slide comfortably into.
Genki Sushi
Address: 133 New Bridge Road, Chinatown Point #02-33
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am – 10.00pm
