Ginza Bairin

Budget Tonkatsu at Ion Orchard

One Monday evening, Yan and I found ourselves undecided on what to eat for dinner. Considering that most of the other restaurants at the Ion Orchard, fetched queues of up to an hour we decided to visit the almost empty Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin, which as the name implies, is a tonkatsu eatery originating from Ginza, Tokyo.

Interesting Logo.

Previously, I wrote about a great tonkatsu experience at the Tonkichi restaurant. Ginza Bairin is a more fast food type establishment though, so while service is reduced, it also means that you’ll be paying comparatively less.

Inside.

After placing orders at the counter, we were given numbered markers that would soon be replaced with our meals. The store was pretty empty so service was prompt. Apart from us, there were only 3 other occupied tables. Yan mentioned something about AKB48, which incited stares from the two Nikkeijin girls sitting in the next table.

Busy preparing the food.

Ginza Bairin is famous for their Katsu Sandwiches. Unfortunately, neither of us had the good sense to try them. Instead Yan ordered this Special Katsudon covered with a sunny side up, while I ordered the Cheese Fillet Curry.

Special Katsudon (SGD$15.90).

According to Yan, the Katsudon was good, especially when smothered with the runny egg, though it came with the side effect of making the fillet soggy. The Cheese Fillet Curry was decent. Depending on preference, some might actually prefer the fillet’s soft and flaky crust, I didn’t mind. Only issue was the generic curry, which was my mistake for ordering curry at a place that specializes in pork cutlets.

Cheese Fillet Curry (SGD$14.50).

I’ll best delay final judgment until after trying their signature Katsu Sandwiches.