Imagine being able to enjoy a BBQ in a restaurant without leaving sticky and smelly, or constantly having smoke in your eyes. It’s now possible as specialty fast food restaurant, Yakiniku Like, has opened its first outlet in Singapore at Paya Lebar Quarter. This Japanese establishment with 30 outlets in Asia prides itself with offering electric grills that are smokeless and top grade meats at unbeatable prices.
Here, savour top quality meats, such as wagyu beef, karubi (beef short plate), harami (beef skirt steak), prime karubi (boneless short rib) and misuji (top blade). Non beef options like pork belly and chicken thigh are available too. Prices start from a very affordable $7.80 inclusive of meat, rice, soup and a choice of kimchi or salad. A la carte options are available from $4.90 too. Yakiniku lovers (or anyone who appreciates a good affordable meal, really) would enjoy this place like we did.
Oh, all prices are nett too — extra plus points!
Additionally, individual electric smokeless grills are used here, which is a first in Singapore. Perfect for solo dining! Shared grills are available for two diners.
The 42-seater restaurant also adopts a quick service concept that serves orders within three minutes. Ordering is easy: scan the QR code on the menu with a mobile device, select your choice of set menu or ingredients and hit submit.
We went for the LIKE Set ($15.80) which includes Beef Tongue, Skirt Steak, Beef Short Plate, rice, soup and a side. You can choose the amount of rice you want according to grams at no extra charge. Yes, it’s basically a carb heaven here too.
All cuts are imported from Australia and USA. As promised, they are rich in flavour and superbly tender. It’s obvious that a lot of work went into the marination process as an explosion of butter hits once you try the meat. Sinful, but oh so good. Even the beef tongue was so smooth!
We also went for the Wagyu Steak Set ($19.80). Apparently the wagyu is grain-fed and comes with a marbling score of seven to eight, which is basically an equivalent of Wagyu Grade A4 and above.
And they were right — the wagyu is a must-try here. It’s smooth and tender and definitely not gamey at all. You can adjust your electric grill heat from 1 to 5; to achieve medium doneness for your wagyu, cook it at level 3 for 3 minutes.
Choose from a selection of four dipping sauces ranging from garlic soy sauce to spicy miso sauce, as well as condiments like rock salt and black pepper. Exclusive only to Singapore, red chilli and garlic chilli sauce are available too.
True to what they promise, Yakiniku Like’s smokeless grills indeed live up to expectations. We didn’t experience any smokiness at all and left without a hint of BBQ smell on us. For the quality of meat, accessible price and interesting concept, we think Yakiniku Like is definitely worth checking out.
To celebrate the opening of their first outlet in Singapore, Yakiniku Like is offering a special one-day only promotion. On 3 Feb 2020, the first 290 customers from 5pm get to enjoy the Karubi Set ($8.80) at a special price of only $2.90! Don’t sleep on this.
YAKINIKU LIKE
Location: 10 Paya Lebar Rd, #B1-28 Paya Lebar Quarter, Singapore 409057
Opening hours: 11am-10pm