Kuro Maguro

Raffles Place was a place I frequented even as a young boy and dad used to work there and would sometimes bring us over on some weekends for some nice food or hobby shops there at Change Alley. In those days, there were just a few shopping places in Singapore. Robinsons, at the time at Raffles Place was one of them. Eventually, Raffles Place became overcrowded. Too many people with small spaces.

I like Tanjong Pagar. Not many goes there those days unless you are going to the railway station. Every place that you go to frequently just like you were going home and only less frequently than home is your second home. It could be a work place, a watering hole for some or a favourite restaurant or club. Raffles Place is like Tokyo and Tanjong Pagar is like Nagoya. 

Both places have changed especially so and most recently at Tanjong Pagar. Seasons changed, places change and people change. Time touches and passes all and none is spared. Even the architecture of buildings, style of shops, types of food they are a-changing. When I was much younger, Tanjong Pagar was a really very far away place to go to. Roads were different, there was no highway, there was no train except at the railway station. Except for this and the port, there was not much there. Today, Tanjong Pagar is so vibrant and to some who have not been here long, a totally transformed place. I have been here everyday and saw the transformation, I could literally recognise the trees that grew here and the younger men drinking at pubs who are now in their 40s, 50s and 60s and still drinking at pubs. Only the pubs have changed, withstanding the force of time. Hotels have sprung up like the beautiful award-winning Oasia.

Many new eateries are sprouting up especially Japanese ones and many good ones. I found this to be a very good one.

Modern specialist restaurants do not seat too many so you will have to either reserve or go early.

Maguro is Japanese for tuna.



There are several types of tuna but the most sought after are the Bluefin tuna. If you watch a video of a Bluefin tuna swimming in the ocean of an animation of it you will realise how big, strong and powerful it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGVDK7aTaZw

It is one of the fastest and most powerful fish. It is a super fish.



Of course they specialise in Bluefin tuna but they have others in the menu. You can choose if you want all as otoro or otoro with uni.



There are three types of the Bluefin tuna - Akami, Chutoro or Otoro. The one below is the otoro that comes with uni.

The best parts of the Bluefin tuna are Chutoto and the Otoro. Basically both are fatty tuna from the belly. The Chutoro is found directly at the centre portion of the belly while the Otoro which is the most premium is found just forward of the centre belly, nearer to the gills. This is the most fatty portion. 

It just melts in your mouth.



It is so heavenly that I had to go back for more. This time without uni as I just wanted Otoro. It is more than oishii. It is heavenly oishii! Even the rice here is so well marinated with the distinct taste of vinegar.



It is good that they are just around the corner. So if I need to be happy or to be  happier...



The cheek of the tuna is also a fantastic dish when grilled to perfection here.



In other Japanese restaurants you may find cheeks of the salmon or cheeks of the Hamachi aka yellow tail.



The food here is generally very well done including tempura.

Or if you are not into sashimi. Go for this wonderfully done tuna tonkatsu style and dip in tonkatsu sauce.

Try it and you will not regret. In fact, popping the Otoro into your mouth instantly gives you the sensation of swimming fast and powerfully in the ocean.  Thank God we are at the top of the food chain. Slow learners at the ocean worlds get served as seafood. Buy me a meal when you are around the corner. Don't wait till the tuna sing. 

Kuro Maguro is located at Guoco Tower, ground level.