For fans of Japanese-style barbecue, Japan’s famed Yakiniku Like has opened its first Singapore outlet at Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) #B1-28.
It is not quite like your usual yakiniku restaurant. I have tried it, and pun not intend, I LIKE Yakiniku Like.
This is a “fast-food style” yakiniku restaurant that offers INDIVIDUAL and SMOKELESS grills, so you can enjoy this novel dining experience in comfort. If you come in a group, there are also shared grills available for two diners to use.
The quick service concept is also known to serves orders within three minutes, great for those who are looking for a fuss-free and quick meal.
If you have yet to experience yakiniku before, here’s how it works: Upon ordering (by scanning the QR code with a mobile device – no need to download an app), your preferred set would be sent to the table.
The ingredients can then be cooked by on a grill built into the table, several pieces at the time.
All the sliced meats are marinated in their in-house sauces. My recommendation would be to start trying the meats first to appreciate the flavours, then dip in the preferred sauces for the subsequent pieces.
Want to know more? Here are 10 things about Yakiniku Like:
1. More Than 30 Outlets
Yakiniku Like has 24 outlets (and counting) in Japan, and you may have seen a restaurant in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyushu. There are also two overseas outlets in Taipei, four in Indonesia.
The outlet at Paya Lebar Quarter basement is Singapore’s first. More to come, I suppose.
2. “Solo” Yakiniku Restaurant
Don’t have to feel awkward when eating barbecue alone anymore. Plus, you get your own, personal grill so there is no pressure in terms of meat cooking or sharing.
I am the sort who do not mind dining alone, so this works perfect – it is just you and the meats to enjoy some me-dining time.
Even if you come in a pair, you can opt for the shared grill.
This could be for those occasions when you have cravings for barbecue, but do not have intend to jio a big group down.
3. Smokeless Roaster
There are diners who avoid yakiniku (or just any styles of barbecue) due to the smoke and smell, especially during lunchtime for those in pristine office attire.
Yakiniku Like is the first restaurant in Singapore to offer individual electric smokeless grills, which are specially imported from Taiwan and specially customised for the Singapore outlet.
Accordingly, the suction works from the bottom, and so the smoke gets mostly channelled downstairs. True enough, even when I was dining in the packed restaurant, you hardly smell of BBQ walking out.
4. “Fast Food Style” Yakiniku Restaurant
The high-tech, QR-code ordering system, and speedy process ensures that diners get their ingredients within 3 minutes after ordering.
5. Set with Yakiniku, Rice, Seaweed Soup and Kimchi
Unlike traditional Yakiniku restaurants which may serve up Yukke (raw meat dishes) and noodles, Yakiniku Like serves up a complete menu set with meats, rice, seaweed soup, and kimchi (or salad).
6. Top Quality Meats
A variety of top-quality meats are served, with beef imported from the Australia and USA.
Choices include wagyu beef, karubi (beef short plate), harami (beef skirt steak), prime karubi (boneless short rib) to misuji (top blade).
Don’t worry if you do not enjoy beef. Pork belly, pork jowl and chicken thigh are served here as well. The Pork and Chicken Set is priced affordably at $7.80 for 100g ($11.80 for 200g) for a set with pork belly and chicken thigh.
7. Low Pricing of Meats
One thing you would notice would be the inexpensive pricing. Prices start from $7.80 Nett for a set inclusive of meat, rice, soup and a choice of kimchi or salad. (No additional GST or service charge).
For beef lovers, the value-for-money set to get is the Karubi Set with beef short plate priced at $8.80 Nett for 100g ($12.80 for 200g, $16.80 for 300g). It is hard to find that kind of restaurant pricing in Singapore.
When Yakiniku Like first started in Japan, all of the meat used were carefully chosen by the owner who has worked for many years at a fresh meat store. His commitment to offer quality meats at unbeatable pricing continues by working with choice suppliers.
Even the highly indulgent wagyu steak set, with a marbling score of seven to eight (equivalent to Wagyu Grade A4 and above) is offered at 19.80 Nett for 120g ($29.80 for 200g).
The amount of meat that you get for the price is rather substantial, and you don’t have to worry about not getting full.
8. Singapore Exclusive
Love your beef, pork and chicken at the same time? You do not have to order 3 separate sets.
The Singapore-exclusive Trio Set ($11.80 for 150g, $16.80 for 300g) includes beef short plate, pork jowl, and chicken thigh.
My recommendation would be to grill them at different times to better manage the cooking process (not to end up with chao-tar pieces), as the meats take different time to be cooked.
9. Rice
Each portion of rice, be it small, medium or large, goes at the same price.
The short-grain rice has a fluffy texture and moderate stickiness that complements well with the grilled meats.
10. Sauces
Kick up the indulgence with the four available dipping sauces – LIKE Original BBQ Sauce, Garlic Soy Sauce, Sea Salt Sauce, and Spicy Miso Sauce.
My personal favourite would be the Spicy Miso Sauce that is savoury with depth of flavour, and actually not that spicy at all, just adding that notch of kick.
Also exclusive to Singapore is the cut red chillies and Garlic Chilli sauce which pairs really well with the succulent chicken pieces.
Yakiniku Like $2.90 Nett Opening Promotion
To celebrate the opening of its first outlet in Singapore, Yakiniku Like will offer a special one-day-only promotion.
Its best-selling dish in its outlets across Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan, the Karubi Set (200g) with meat rice, soup and kimchi (or salad) will go at a special price of $2.90 (U.P: $12.80) on 3 February 2020, 5pm onwards.
This promotion is limited only to the first 290 customers. (In Japanese, “2” is pronounced as “ni” and “9” is “ku”. Put them together and it makes “niku”, which means “meat” in Japanese.)
Yakiniku Like
10 Paya Lebar Rd #B1-28 Paya Lebar Quarter Singapore 409057
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Last Order 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/yakinikulikesg/
https://www.instagram.com/yakinikulikesg/
(Official opening: 3rd Feb Mon, 5pm)
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Yakiniku Like.