#tripleonesomerset

Since we were there for Chinese New Year, we had to start with Fukuichi's "Japanese" version of yu sheng - the ubiquitous raw fish salad (available from now to 14 February, $68++).

Fukuichi replaces golden crackers with bonito flakes, and is packed with sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and flaked almonds for a crunchy Vitamin E boost. Healthier, but no less delicious. I could totally eat vegetables prepared like this.

Tofu with pitan (century egg) sauce

This is becoming a rather common dish in Japanese restaurants (we first tried it in Chikusen), and it's easy to see why the savoury century egg blend over soft tofu is growing in popularity. Fukuichi ups the amp by mixing in good quality shredded crabstick in their tofu. 

Sashimi Moriawase

A beautiful platter that needs no description. I could have easily wolfed down a couple of these by myself (beware, all sashimi buffet restaurants). 

Baked prawn topped with mentaiko sauce

While this was a crowd pleaser, I thought the delicate flavour of the extremely fresh prawn was overwhelmed by the salty cod roe. Ironically, I'd have enjoyed it more if they weren't so generous with the sauce, but cream-lovers would lap it up.

Wagyu beef cubes with goose liver sauce

While I adore foie gras, the "liver" flavour of the sauce was rather weak, and it's texture strangely gelatinous. In any case, it just seems like a crime to put anything but a sprinkle of sea salt on good beef. 

Aburi white flounder-wrapped sushi roll

This "inside-out" sushi marries the best of both nigiri and maki worlds and is fast becoming my favourite kind of sushi. You get that tender fish texture on your tongue immediately like you would in nigiri, followed by a crunchy nori sheet and a plethora of flavour from the ingredients jam-packed into the maki centre. To top it off, it's also aburi-ed! Absolute perfection.

With delicious items like these on its menu, you can imagine our relief at having an affordable yet tasty dining option finally along Orchard Road.

Fukuichi is located at TripleOneSomerset, #02-11/12.

This art exhibit of 4 "paintings" made of edible components such as marshmallow crème, pink sea salt, painted chocolate and even curry powder, invites you to touch, feel and taste the works. Representing Spring in various forms - the most obvious being the yellow of sunshine, these edible artworks are definitely an unusual dessert.

The painted chocolate sheets:

The curry powdered-marshmallow:

And the staff on site pinching off a piece for me to try.

The piece de resistance of the whole display is this huge horse covered in marshmallow crème, blueberry-flavoured gummies, dragees and assorted chocolates.

Very Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this amazing centerpiece greets you the moment you step into the TripleOne Somerset atrium.  

TripleOne Somerset's "Spring in Whimsy" continues with events including homegrown fine artist Ron Wong creating a painting of a giant art horse right in front of all shoppers on 18 January 2014, from 11am to 8pm, and a public colouring contest for those inclined to join in the artistic festivities.