Onigiri is a Japanese rice ball, typically filled with savoury ingredients and wrapped in seaweed. Simple as it may seem, onigiri can be surprisingly filling. If you’re a fan of this Japanese snack that doubles as a quick, satisfying meal, the newly opened Kyoto Onimaru at Hougang Mall is well worth a visit.
We arrived shortly after opening and found a queue already forming. Thankfully, the wait was brief—Kyoto Onimaru operates as a takeaway-only kiosk, so service moves quickly.
There are over 15 rice balls to choose from, with the cheapest being the Seaweed Tsukudani ($2.20), which wasn’t available yet. We opted for the next best option: the Salted Kelp and Edamame ($2.30), a light, umami-forward snack that we think will appeal to most palates.
For a balance between briny and savoury flavours, the Mentaiko Tuna Mayonnaise ($2.90) does the trick.
It’s filled with flaky tuna and topped with a dollop of mentaiko sauce, though we wished there were a bit more sauce inside the rice ball.
There are heartier options, such as the Chicken Tartare Tempura ($4.90) and Grilled Eel with Shichimi ($6.50), the latter being one of the priciest on the menu.
The Chicken Tartare Tempura features a layer of omelette topped with creamy tartare sauce and two crispy fried chicken pieces.
The Grilled Eel with Shichimi, on the other hand, showcases a generous cut of sweet-savoury grilled eel paired with a slice of omelette.
It hasn’t been long since Kyoto Onimaru opened on 11 January, so please extend some grace if you encounter any hiccups. The kiosk is open till 10pm every day, making for a great spot for late-night snack runs.
For more good eats in the area, read our guide to the best North-East cafes between Serangoon and Punggol. Otherwise, read our guide to the best Japanese restaurants in Singapore for XL don, famous beef cutlet and more.
Address: 90 Hougang Avenue 10, #01-12, Hougang Mall, Singapore 538766
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
Kyoto Onimaru is not a halal-certified eatery.
Photos taken by John Lery Villanueva.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg
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