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Time Out: Savouring The SAGA Experience

A food experience like no other

There’s beef, and then there’s Wagyu Beef.

So it was with great anticipation that we headed to the “The SAGA Experience” at the exclusive Tower Club located at the penthouse of the Republic Plaza for a private tasting of the famed Saga-Gyu and other delightful agricultural products from the Saga Prefecture of Japan, courtesy of ADiRECT Singapore, a premium Japanese food distributor who counts Michelin star chefs and five stars Hotel and Casino Resorts such as Joel Robuchon, Alinea, Wolfgang Puck, Marina Bay Sands and Wynn Resort among its clients.

Behind the SAGA experience in Singapore

Saga-Gyu, a premium brand of Japanese Wagyu from the Saga Prefecture — which is surrounded by lush mountains and seas in the Kyushu province at the southern end of Japan, sandwiched between its better-known neighbours Nagasaki and Fukuoka — is prized for its highly marbled and extremely tender texture resulting from the region’s mild climate that boasts an average temperature of 16°C, clean waters and fertile plains that make it an ideal place for farming Wagyu cattle.

Fresh beef and vegetables from Saga Prefecture

An assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables air-flown from the Saga Prefecture also vied for attention at the event, featuring the Saga-Honoka Strawberry, Mandarin Orange and Kouju Tomato — we learned that besides livestock, Saga Prefecture’s environment is prime for farming agricultural produce as well.

Orchestrating the tasting session were General Master Chef Shimoyama from Kira Restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo — a chef of French cuisine since 18 years old, with stints at a 3-Michelin star restaurant in France — and Executive Chef Frank Kilian from the Tower Club, who cut his chops at several award-winning restaurants, including three-hat The Pier in Sydney and London’s Michelin-starred Zafferano.

The food

On to the food. The vegetables fared well — the lightly sautéed asparagus and broccoli were crunchy, fresh and sweet — making their presence felt in several of the beef preparations, but the star of the event is still the Wagyu beef. Of all the beef dishes, our vote went to the flavoursome medium-rare roast beef done juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender — the evenly distributed fat lending an ambrosial umami rarely found in normal beef.

Another rendition that delighted was the refreshing Saga A5 Wagyu Sirloin, simply seared and served with crunchy pickled Japanese cucumber, Red Radish and Ice Plant. The richness of the meat was well-balanced by the zest and crispness of the vegetables.

Left: Seared Saga A5 Wagyu Sirloin; Right: Tom Yum Somen

It’s hard to say no to a bowl of steaming noodles. We couldn't resist the beckoning of the Tom Yum Somen topped with sliced Wagyu — the rare beef gently simmered by the mildly spicy and tangy hot broth that cut through the coyness of the fatty meat, especially if you were having seconds like we did.

A couple of refreshment selections at the SAGA Experience

Saga Prefecture’s mountain ranges create a source for pure spring water, which in turn feeds the growth of high-quality rice — all the ingredients essential for the production of premium sake. The few Junmai and Daiginjo Junmai sakes we sampled ranged from the very dry to sweet, with varying acidities, but marred by the fact that they were not served chilled. Rather, we found the Umeshu (梅酒) or Plum Wine — a golden Japanese liqueur made by steeping fresh Japanese plum in shochu and sugar — delightfully sweet yet refreshing, but probably not the best thing for the waistline.

ADiRECT Singapore is an exclusive distributor of Saga-Gyu in Singapore. Besides operating Meatlovers, an online store at meatlovers.com.sg, it also retails at Premium Butcher Shop at Cold Storage in Takashimaya at Ngee Ann City, and the First Premium Japan Farmers Market at Changi Airport Terminal 3.

27 Feb, 2018 by Roger Yuen

Read more on this topic: The SAGA Experience, ADiRECT Singapore, Saga-Gyu, Saga Prefecture