Is Sukiya's Popularity All About the Price? My Honest Review

11 days ago

It’s been a while since I had Japanese food, so I decided to visit one of the popular restaurants known for offering a nice variety of delicious food at affordable prices. The name of the restaurant is Sukiya!

I’ve often passed by one of their outlets and noticed that they’re always packed during lunchtime, with long queues forming outside. This is especially true for their branches located near office buildings in the city. Initially, I wondered why people flock to this place during lunchtime—was it because of the nice ambiance or the quality of the food? However, when I looked at their menu, I realized it was also very budget-friendly. I found this intriguing because Japanese cuisine is typically considered one of the more expensive options, especially here in Singapore.

Curious to see if the food was worth the hype or if it was simply about the price, I decided to give it a try last night.

I ordered the Gyudon with Green Veggies combo. According to the menu, this is one of their recommended sets. I also noticed that many other tables had ordered the same thing, which reinforced my impression that it’s one of the more popular and affordable options. The combination of savory beef and healthy vegetables seemed like a good balance.

The set includes a bowl of rice topped with beef, a side of green veggies, and your choice of a drink or miso soup. I opted for the miso soup, as I was already served a complimentary glass of tea upon being seated—something I really appreciated. This small gesture stood out to me because it’s rare for affordable restaurants to offer a welcome drink in Singapore.

One unique aspect of Sukiya is their ordering system. You can either order at the counter or scan a QR code at your table, which directs you to an online menu where you can choose your items. I think this is a smart and efficient way to manage orders, as it reduces the workload for staff and speeds up the process. In a tech-savvy city like Singapore, this modern approach feels natural and convenient.

When my meal arrived, I started with the vegetables. They were sautéed with garlic oil and lightly seasoned, likely with a bit of salt. To my surprise, the vegetables tasted just as good as what you’d get at higher-end restaurants. The seasoning was spot-on, and I thoroughly enjoyed this side dish.

Next, I tried the miso soup. It tasted like the standard miso soup you’d find at any Japanese restaurant—not particularly special, but comforting and healthy. It’s always a great palate cleanser when paired with heavier dishes.

Finally, I moved on to the main dish: the Gyudon. It consisted of fluffy rice topped with tender beef strips, onions, and everything coated in a savory teriyaki sauce. The flavors were well-balanced, and the beef was cooked perfectly. It’s the kind of meal that leaves you satisfied without feeling overly heavy.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Sukiya. It fit well within my budget and tasted just as good as meals from pricier restaurants. The chef did a fantastic job of creating a dish that’s both flavorful and healthy. I can confidently say this won’t be my last visit to Sukiya—I’ll definitely return to try their other dishes.