Savour Fugu ‘Pufferfish’ with other delicacies from Yamaguchi Prefecture At Gordon Grill, Goodwood Park Hotel
From 12 to 18 November 2022, Goodwood Park Hotel’s premier fine dining restaurant, Gordon Grill is offering an exceptional menu showcasing ingredients specially flown in from Yamaguchi prefecture in the Chugoku region of Japan.
Savour different renditions of the fugu (puffer fish) – the mysterious and appealing Japanese delicacy that is renowned to Yamaguchi Prefecture, as well as other prized ingredients such as nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) and monkfish.
We were elated to be invited to the grand opening and lunch preview event on 12 November 2022. Chef de Cuisine, Shahnaaz Russell Wong presented several fugu dishes in yōshoku style with modern European finesse. The ala-carte menu includes Fugu Ceviche, Fritto Misto, Trio de Poissons Bouillabaisse, and Yamaguchicha Panna Cotta.
Elevate your dining experience by pairing each dish with an exclusive curation of Japanese sakes and green tea, imported from Yamaguchi to Singapore for the first time.
Fugu Ceviche $22
Source: Gordon Grill
For this appetiser, fugu is sliced paper-thin, served raw like sashimi. The slices are elegantly arranged in a circle to resemble a flower. The plate is garnished with avocado salsa, yuzu citrus marinade, red onions & serrano pepper, to enhance the umami of the raw fugu.
This eye-opening sashimi starter brought out the fugu’s distinct yet subtle flavours and unique chewy texture. The garnishes were light on the palate, only adding slightly acidic notes to uplift the overall flavour profile of the dish. It was truly memorable for first-time fugu diners like us.
Fritto Misto $22
Source: Gordon Grill
This crunchy starter featured puffer fish fillet & prawn tempura, with garlic aioli. Chef Shahnaaz cleverly presented the best of both worlds in this dish, classic English beer battered fish fillet coupled with renowned Japanese tempura.
The fugu and prawn were deep fried to perfection, with a crispy batter outside and juicy meat inside. This is certainly a delightful rendition of the dangerously beautiful puffer fish.
Trio de Poissons Bouillabaisse $48
Bouillabaisse- a humble French fish soup with seafood is elevated using premium seafood and ingredients such as puffer fish, monkfish and blackthroat seaperch, fennel-saffron fumet & rouille. The slice of bread was dipped in rouille– a Provençal mayonnaise-style sauce which delivered a perfect balance of garlic, lemon and saffron.
We enjoyed the different textures of each fish type in this comforting bowl of goodness. Fugu remained the star ingredient in this rustic fish stew, its light and chewy texture was not to be missed. Enjoy savouring each of the fish fillets between hearty sips of the flavourful broth.
Yamaguchicha Panna Cotta $16
Source: Gordon Grill
The perfect ending to your Yamaguchi food adventure is this glorious matcha dessert. It features milky Japanese rice cake (made from Yamaguchi rice), matcha ice cream, matcha cookies & yuzu gel.
Chef Shahnaaz nailed the texture of the rice cake, a cross between mochi and sticky rice. The matcha ice cream and cookies added a tinge of sweetness while the yuzu gel packed a wonderful tangy fragrance.
A selection of premium sakes and green teas
It is recommended to pair the appetisers with Chomonkyo Daiginjo ($15 per shot)- a light, dry Japanese sake from Yamaguchi with a rich fruity aroma. Next, pair the Trio de Poissons Bouillabaisse with Chomonkyo Junmai Daiginjo ($13 per shot)- a medium-dry Japanese sake with a full-bodied fragrance, balanced flavour and umami finish. For dessert, pair with Yamaguchicha cold brew ($9 per cup)- a richly-flavoured green tea with a natural bitterness tinged with sweetness, from the Ono district. Last but not least, have a shot of the digestif, Chomonkyo Daidai Liqueur ($11 per shot)-a sweet and sour sake blended with the juice of oranges from Hagi city), served on the rocks and if preferred, with a splash of soda water.
Reservations
Make a reservation online, contact Gordon Grill at 6730 1744 or email: gordon_grill@goodwoodparkhotel.com to have a taste of fugu, the king of winter produce.
About Yamaguchi Prefecture
Yamaguchi is a prefecture in Japan's Chugoku region, on the southwest side of Honshu Island. Besides its mild climate, the region is blessed with unique natural landscapes like the picturesque scenery of the calm Seto Inland Sea, the eroded coastal beauty of the Sea of Japan, and Japan’s largest karst plateau, Akiyoshidai.
At the end of the 19th century, the ban on eating fugu was first removed in Yamaguchi Prefecture, credits to Prime Minister Hirobumi Ito. The ban was then gradually lifted across Japan. Now, you can eat safely eat fugu, an appealing delicacy for the Japanese since ancient times.
Visit Inbound Tourism Promotion Office, Yamaguchi Prefecture website for news and information on tourist attractions, gourmet food , events and directions to Yamaguchi.
Gordon Grill
Location: 22 Scotts Rd, Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore 228221
Opening Hours: Lunch from 12pm to 2.30pm, Dinner from 6.30pm to 10pm
Reservation | Phone | Email | Website
*This is an invited media tasting event.
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