The popular Sama Curry & Café hailing from Hokkaido Japan, has opened its first Singapore store at OUE Downtown 2 Gallery Level 2.
There are 10 stores in Japan mainly in Hokkaido, Sendai, Tokyo and Fukuoka, and one at Gough Street, Central Hong Kong.
If you have tried Japanese curry before, this is not quite the same.
The first thing you would notice upon entering the shop is the many cute bear graphics. That is because the soup curry here is available in 3 different categories of spice levels, labelled as “Baby Bear”, “Adult Bear” and “Crazy Bear”.
Japanese curries are typically thick with a slight tinge of sweetness.
However, Sama soup curry uses a different recipe, with ramen style broth as its base, then mixes tomato, coconut or shrimp to turn it into a full bodied soup before adding curry spices.
The difference is in its texture and depth of flavour.
The very first step you should do is to choose the type of Curry, ranging from Marathon Chicken ($14.90), Oink Oink Hamburg ($16.90), Keema Natto ($16.90), a seafood bowl of Ocean Trophy ($18.90) to Vegetarian Bear ($13.90).
Next is to choose the level of spiciness. While most shops would just have 0-5 to demarcate, this goes from 0 all the way till 30.
The server explained that the average Singapore should be able to take up a Level 15, and for something safe, I could have an 8.
After which, you have to choose a soup base from Tomato, Coconut, Shrimp, or the lightest Japanese Wafu.
I had a Cheesy Bear ($16.90), Level 7, Coconut base.
It turned out to be a pleasant meal, with the curry base flavourful and with depth. In fact, I wished I had ordered something spicier so that it would have more kick.
In terms of texture, the curry was thin, so you could drink it like noodle soup, or mix it with the given Japanese rice.
I liked that there were varying ingredients which kept eating the entire bowl non-monotonous.
The fried chicken provided some juiciness and bite, roasted cabbage crunch and smokiness, cheese some pull and saltiness, and assorted vegetables such as corn, capsicum and lady’s finger helped balance out so that it did not feel too greasy.
Even though Sama Curry & Café specialises in only one item, there are enough permutations and side dishes that keep diners interested enough to want to come back again. Don’t miss the oozy Hokkaido Crab Cream Croquette ($6.50 for 2).
Sama Curry & Café
OUE Downtown 2 Gallery, 6 Shenton Way #03-26 Singapore 068809
Tel: +65 6224 0590
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 9:00pm
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