A Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef Toastie for $7.70, Hamburg Steak from $9.50. Just so you know, “A5” is the highest grade given only to the finest Japanese beef.
Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg prides itself in specialising in premium quality Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef Hamburgs at inexpensive prices.
Newly opened at One Raffles Place at the ground level, the fast-casual restaurant is a sister-concept of Syohachi Yakiniku which originated from Hong Kong. (For Japanese beef lovers, the yakiniku specialty joint will open soon at Guoco Tower as well.)
So, why so affordable?
A reason why the brand can keep the wagyu prices low is because it holds an exclusive partnership with Japan’s award-winning Hidakami Ranch – located in Miyagi Ken, Sendai City in Japan.
This allows them access to exquisite cuts of Japanese A5 Wagyu beef at more competitive rates.
What exactly does “A5” mean for wagyu?
In short, “A” is superior, “B” is average, and “C” is inferior in the Japanese beef grading system.
The system looks at beef with 5 categories: marbling, meat colour and brightness, firmness and texture of meat, colour and lustre, and quality of fat.
For the numbers, “5” means “superior”, while a “3” would mean “conforming to standards”.
A maximum grade of 5 in each category is necessary to achieve the A5 ranking; even if 1 category falls short of that, the cut is deemed grade 4 or below. So it is very difficult to get a 5.
Diners can expect rich meaty flavour and mesh-like marbling from the beef at Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg which is imported directly from Miyagi Prefecture.
The menu is mainly divided into Hamburgs and Japanese Thick Toasts, but note that different items and combinations are served at the three time slots of the day – which can be slightly confusing for first timers. Here’s more:
Syohachi Japanese A5 Wagyu Hamburg Steak ($16.50 for set; no ala carte option, available from 11:30am onward)
Each Japanese A5 Wagyu Hamburg Steak Set comes with Japanese steamed rice with topped with Syohachi’s signature beef gravy, fresh mixed green salad, and seasonal Japanese pickles.
The star here are the Hamburg, freshly grinded in-house, hand-whacked to achieve that bouncy texture which also adhere to a “golden ratio” of fat to meat.
Diners may need to note that the Hamburg are only prepared à la minute, so do expect some waiting time. In the meantime, you can also get to observe the beef being grilled live over the glass panels.
While diners also cannot choose the level of doneness here, the pieces are charbroiled with a good level of smokiness, beautifully charred and almost-pink on the inside.
The taste was not as ‘beefy’ (you can see this in a good way) as what I would have expected, though the texture was juicy and described as “cuts through like butter”.
Some may find the Hamburg on the saltier side, so good to pair with the rice and salad.
All-in-all smooth and velvety, with rich taste that would linger on the palate.
Syohachi Japanese A5 Wagyu Petite Hamburg Steak ($9.50 for ala carte; $12.50 for set, set available from 8:30am onwards)
This is the petite version of the set, that comes with two smaller-sized patties. The set comes served with a fresh salad, seasonal Japanese pickles and crispy tater tots.
Would be suitable for those who prefer something lighter, and this doesn’t feel as meaty overall.
Syohachi Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef Toastie ($7.70 for ala carte, $10.70 for set)
So I will be honest here: I would come back for more for the Toasties, especially the Wagyu Beef Toastie.
Instead of a hamburg, you get grilled A5 wagyu beef patty sandwiched between two thick fluffy slices of white bread which is generously buttered.
You can choose to enhance their meals with add-ons such as honey baked ham, cheddar cheese, and an egg omelette, so I would recommend adding the omelette and cheese.
Every single slice of bread used are also freshly grilled with generous helpings of butter on the iron pan – on both sides, the style of preparation reminding me of the Korean-style sandwiches.
These are also prepared live on the spot upon order, which eat toastie taking about 7 to 8 minutes from start to finish. The effort.
For those who love conspicuous butter on your breads, this is for you. On the flipside, some may find this a tad ‘oily’.
I loved the feeling of hand holding that soft bread and biting through to the juicy beef.
Remember what I said about the beef being slightly on the saltier side? The bread (do add an egg) helps balance this out, making it a comforting, satisfying snack or meal to have.
The Toasties are available for ala carte and set during Breakfast (8:30am – 11:30am); Afternoon Tea & Dinner (2:30pm – 8:30pm)
Japanese Egg Omelette and Cheddar Cheese Toastie ($6.50 for ala carte; $9.50 for set)
No beef, but this is for those who won’t mind more oozy molten cheese. Therefore, I would say have this for dine-in rather than takeaway to experience that melty feeling.
This comes complete with fluffy omelette and sandwiched between the fluffy and buttery white bread. Not just your usual egg and cheese sandwich.
Chunky Peanut Butter with Condensed Milk Toastie ($5 for ala carte; $8 for set)
This Toastie combines crunchy peanut butter with creamy condensed milk, like what you would experience in a Hong Kong cha chaan teng style.
Good for a tea-time snack, though for first-timers just go for the beef.
Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg Opening Promotion – 23 – 25 Oct (Fri to Sun)
Enjoy 50% OFF with Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef promotion for both dine-in and takeaway.
Selected sets featuring their premium Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef will be on offer at different time periods:
– Breakfast (8:30am – 11:30am): 50% OFF Wagyu Beef Toastie Set
– Lunch (11:30am – 2:30pm): 50% OFF Wagyu Hamburg Steak Set
– Afternoon Tea & Dinner (2:30pm – 8:30pm): 50% OFF Wagyu Beef Toastie Set or Wagyu Hamburg Steak Set
T&C:
– Follow @syohachi_wagyu_hamburg on Instagram or Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg SG on Facebook for redemptions.
– Limited to one redemption per person.
– While stocks last.
Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg
Raffles Place, #01-01, One Raffles Place Shopping Mall, Singapore 048616 (next to Raffles Place MRT)
Tel: +65 6223 0755
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 8:30pm (Mon – Sun)
www.facebook.com/SyohachiWagyuHamburgSG
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg.