Along the narrow lanes of Siglap Road's restaurants and cafes, Megumi resides in quiet dignity amidst other cuisine outlets. Well established for five years and counting, it is common to see a full house almost every other day and especially during weekends. Dishing up a range of Japanese cuisine like sashimi and sushi platters, udon, ramen, rice and nabe mono, this restaurant has a dish for every unique individual.

• The Vibe
  Its simple and clean exterior hints nothing at fine Japanese food within. Two rows of wooden tables surrounded by straw-textured walls and mahogany wood panels make up the restaurant. Illuminated by soft spotlights and basking in cold air-conditioning, Megumi provides a sombre and relaxed background to enjoy a Japanese hotpot in.

• The Food
  Kick off the meal with a sashimi platter, Take Sashimi ($20) with an assortment of sliced raw fish. The lingering freshness of salmon, kampachi and maguro will be thoroughly appreciated by sashimi lovers, with succulent flesh glistening against the light. The choice of sushi for the day was the UFO Maki ($12), an appropriately named dish since the chef chooses the fish within the sushi whilst his guests are left in an air of mystery. One can be guaranteed a good selection despite the lack of choice in this dish, for the surprise element heightens anticipation and delight in guessing at the chef's choice of the day.

  In a cold air-conditioning, indulge in Japanese hotpot, or the Shabu Shabu ($17.80). An equivalent to its sweeter relative, the Sukiyaki, Shabu Shabu serves boiling soup in fish stock filled to the brim with vegetables. Kept warm over a lighted flame, a dish of thinly sliced gyu beef is served alongside the hotpot. Its clear broth is light and simple in taste, yet sweet and refreshing to the palate with due credit to the natural sweetness of vegetables. However, the time it took for the beef to cook was a letdown – the fire went out before the beef was thoroughly cooked, which might pose a problem to those who prefer their beef well done.

  The Tara Miso Zuke ($13.80) is a piece of grilled miso -marinated cod fish, a definite choice for fish lovers. Finely grilled to the point where natural omega oil oozes out from the fish, soft fish flesh flakes off upon a gentle nudge of the chopsticks. The miso marinate gives the overall dish a savoury taste to remember. Another seafood choice features the Age Ebi Mayonnaise ($10.80), a plate of deep-fried prawns with mayonnaise sauce. Equally good in taste, the large and springy prawns blend well with creamy mayo. Although a substantial dish on its own, this dish may hover along the fine line between tasty and overwhelming – perhaps customers could request for less mayonnaise in their order.

  Megumi features their specialty of fried ice-cream as part of the dessert menu, including a delicious Deep Fried Kuro Goma Ice-Cream ($6.80), black sesame ice-cream encased in a tempura-like crust. Add a teaspoonful of miso and this authentic Japanese dessert becomes a crepe-like delicacy – crispy on the outside, chilled at the core.

• The Service
  Staff at Megumi is inexperienced, though they made a conscious effort to please. It was a little odd as they conveniently forgot bowls and spoons when serving the hotpot on several occasions. For the general crowd, service is fine, except during busier periods when it gets a little slow.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Megumi Japanese Restaurant
Megumi offers a decent pricing for good quality Japanese food that satisfies the general population. It would be unfair to place it on the same ranks as more established authentic Japanese restaurants as it does not match up in quality and service, but it provides a good alternative to experiencing decent Japanese cuisine in the heartlands away from the crowds at Orchard or CBD area.