Charcoal-Grill & Salad Bar Keisuke – Grilled Fish Sets & Salad Buffet in Paya Lebar Square

Japanese restaurant magnate Takeda Keisuke has knocked it out of the park yet again. With multiple outlets, each specialising in one type of Japanese cuisine, scattered around Singapore, outlet number 19 is opening its doors at Paya Lebar Square on 1 April.

Featuring a traditional charcoal grill, the aptly titled Charcoal-Grill and Salad Bar Keisuke is every Aquarian’s dream come true, with an extensive range of grilled fish sets available for your picking. From the reasonably priced Charcoal Grilled Homemade Fish Cake Set ($10.90) to the ultra-indulgent Charcoal Grilled Black Cod Sets ($21.90), seafood lovers will be hard pressed to look at Keisuke’s menu and say, there’s nothing in here for me.

Good news for non-seafood fans: there are two charcoal grilled chicken sets available too.

The atmosphere is lively, with cooks grilling stick after stick of fish flown in from Japan. Pick a seat by the bar to watch that live grilling action while waiting for your set meal to arrive.

Or, pick up your salad plate and build your own appetiser of fresh vegetables, tofu, pickles, and even dan dan mian and soba. There’s even an in-house Keisuke sauce for you to drizzle over your salad bowl. Like other Keisuke outlets, appetisers are free-flow, but be careful not to over-stuff yourself before your meal proper!

The signature Charcoal Grilled Dried Atka Mackerel Set ($14.90) is one of the mid-range choices on Keisuke’s menu. The large slack of mackerel, which is sliced open down the middle, yields smoky, tender meat that is worth picking through dozens of bones for. Pro tip: flip over the bones in the middle to enjoy all that yummy flesh without the added hassle of picking through those pesky bones!

Other popular choices include the Charcoal Grilled Salmon Belly Set ($16.90) and Charcoal Grilled Miso Marinated Black Cod Set ($21.90), which feature buttery smooth meat that will have you craving more when you have cleared your plate.

When asked what’s his personal favourite, Mr Keisuke picked the Charcoal Grilled Homemade Fish Cake Set ($10.90). And upon tasting it, it’s not hard to see why! Made in-house by Keisuke’s team, the fish cake yields comforting flavours, and is generously portioned with other ingredients like peas.

Every set is served with pickles, radish, and a block of cheese for added flavour. Mixing the onsen egg with your rice is highly recommended too! The silky texture of the egg certainly heightens the fluffiness of the warm grains.

For dessert, it’s time to hit the free flow salad bar again – this time for a round of cut fruits and coffee jelly. Considering every diner gets three courses with every set, I say it’s real bang for buck. Hurry down to Paya Lebar Square to beat that snaking queue that forms outside most Keisuke outlets!