My family and I went for Japanese restaurant at Marina Bay Sands for lunch. HY California, a Japanese fusion casual dining restaurant, is part of the Hide Yamamato group of restaurants.
HY California, in short for Hide Yamamoto California, is a more casual dining option than the Hide Yamamoto at level two of Marina Bay Sands Shoppes. Located next to The Art Science Museum and on the street level, the restaurant overlooks the CBD night landscape. The beautiful lightings from Fullerton Hotel and the skyscrapers are breath-taking.
My family loves sushi and we thought why not we have Japanese today. We made a last minute table reservation and made our way there. We were warmly received by their friendly staff. The restaurant was spacious and cool. There was also a great view of the Singapore CBD skyline.
The five of us ate a total amount of SGD430.19 which was absolutely worth it based on the high quality of food.
Maguro (Tuna (鮪)) Combination serves five different combinations - Toro, Akami, Cheek, Tartar and Marinade at SGD38. If you are unsure what the five combinations are, let me try to share with you. The Toro (とろ) is the fatty Bluefin Tuna belly. The Akami (赤身) is the top loin of the Bluefin tune. The tartar is served in a bowl of chopped tuna mixed with onions, etc. It is best eaten like a Bruschetta. The tuna pieces were very fresh. The Tuna Marinade was served as cooked tuna drizzled with tempura-like sauce. The sauce was light and delicious. (Food rating: 4/5)
We also ordered a platter of Salmon Lovers at SGD36. - Loin, Berry, Aburi (Salmon Nigiri), Ponzu (Salmon with Ponzu), Tartar, Ikura (Salmon Caviar), Marinade. I was not able to take pictures of it. But the bright orange coloured salmon sashimi clearly indicates the freshness of the beautiful stripped salmon.
The Boiled Snow Crab Claw with Tosazu blew me away. The Tosazu was a vinegar that Japanese chef used. The 6 pieces of crab claw cost SGD32 and it was worth the try. The meat in every claw was tender and fresh. The meat was easily removed from the claws. Dipping the meat with Tosazu was definitely a must do. I didn't know that the dip was vinegar as it did not taste like one. However, it managed to bring out the sweetness of the crab meat which was mind boggling. (Food rating: 4.5/5).
Our main purpose to dine at HY California is because of its sushi. Of course, I must also agree that the restaurant also serves other fantastic main dishes that will also blow your mind away.
We ordered a platter of Roll'n Roll Combo which comprises California, Salmon Avocado, Spicy Tuna + Prawn Tempura, Soft Shell Crab, Singapore Roll. This 18 pieces platter was freshly prepared and was just nice for the five of us. Priced at SGD35, each piece is about SGD2 each, which is equivalent to eating sushi at other Japanese fast food chains. I tried the Spicy Tuna + Prawn Tempura, Soft Shell Crab and Singapore Roll. All three of them were awesome!
The Spicy Tuna mixed was well mixed and the prawn tempura were perfectly cooked. I could taste the crispiness of the prawns. The soft shell crab sushi was also great. The maki was wrapped with soft shell crab and cucumber bits and then drizzled with tiny roes that gave that popping sensation. Finally the Singapore Roll was wrapped with meat and cucumber stripes and also drizzled with tiny roes. I was not able to try the California, Salmon Avocado but I heard lots of "mmm-s" and "ahhh-s" when my family members ate. (Food rating: 4/5)
We ordered a platter of Roll'n Roll Combo which comprises California, Salmon Avocado, Spicy Tuna + Prawn Tempura, Soft Shell Crab, Singapore Roll. This 18 pieces platter was freshly prepared and was just nice for the five of us. Priced at SGD35, each piece is about SGD2 each, which is equivalent to eating sushi at other Japanese fast food chains. I tried the Spicy Tuna + Prawn Tempura, Soft Shell Crab and Singapore Roll. All three of them were awesome!
The Spicy Tuna mixed was well mixed and the prawn tempura were perfectly cooked. I could taste the crispiness of the prawns. The soft shell crab sushi was also great. The maki was wrapped with soft shell crab and cucumber bits and then drizzled with tiny roes that gave that popping sensation. Finally the Singapore Roll was wrapped with meat and cucumber stripes and also drizzled with tiny roes. I was not able to try the California, Salmon Avocado but I heard lots of "mmm-s" and "ahhh-s" when my family members ate. (Food rating: 4/5)
After eating all the rice and sashimi, we need to have greens too. We ordered a large Caesar Salad with Parma Ham, priced at SGD26. The leaves were very fresh and beautiful. The caesar salad dressing was light, yet delicious. (Food rating: 3/5)
Priced at SGD17, Shrimp and Soft Shell Crab Tempura was a must-have. The soft shell crab was delicious and the prawn was freshly cooked. The prawn tempura was crispy. Dipped with the light tempura sauce, both seafood tempura were absolutely delicious. (Food rating: 4.5/5)
MUST HAVE!! Baked "Hokkaido" Mini Scallop Mousse in Truffle Pie, priced at SGD18.50 for 4 pieces, were another mouthwatering appetiser. The crispy and freshly baked pastry skin was light and delicious. The scallop mousse in truffle was aromatic. The mousse was creamy and the truffle was fragrant. Each mouthful was heavenly. However, you have to be very careful as it is very hot. (Food rating: 4.5/5)
After all the sides, sushi and appetisers, our mains were served. We ordered two bento sets and other mains.
The Oven Roasted Free Range Chicken Leg (Priced at SGD 24) might look very simple but it was very delicious. The crispy and lightly charred chicken leg was fragrant and it was meat was tender. You could even eat it on its own. If you are health-conscious, you may want to order this dish. (Food rating: 4/5)
The first bento - Beef Steak Bento was served with Chicken Spring Roll, Sashimi, Tempura, Miso Soup and White Rice. At SGD26, this meal was very filling. The beef slices were medium cooked and very tender. The prawn tempura tasted exactly the same as the earlier tempura set. They were crispy and freshly cooked. I could taste its sweetness. The miso soup was very rich and flavourful. A Japanese rice buff, the japanese rice was chewy and shiny. It shone in the light. The texture was just perfect. (Food rating: 4.5/5)
Japanese Fried Chicken Bento served with Chicken Spring Roll, Sashimi, Tempura, Miso Soup and White Rice had the same combination as the Beef Steak Bento. The fried chicken was delicious which tasted very much like Kaarage Chicken. (Food rating: 4.5/5)
We had a fantastic dining experience with the food as shown above. However, we were a little disappointed with the two remaining dishes that we ordered.
Spicy Yakisoba Noodle comprised Cabbage, Bonito Flake, Fried Egg, Chilli Bari, and Sambal Sauce (Seafood) tasted very much like the Singaporean Mee Goreng. Priced at SGD24, the noodles were rather bland. Though the restaurant tried to replicate this local dish, it was far from it. (Food rating: 2.5/5)
Sauteed Salmon with Orange Flavoured Teriyaki Sauce (Priced at SGD24) was a little disappointing. The orange flavoured teriyaki sauce was exceptionally sweet and it did not have any orange aroma. However, the salmon fillet was nicely good. Because of the sauce, the dish was merely average. (Food rating: 2.5/5)
Address: Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, #01-86, The Shoppes, Singapore 018972
Price: $$
Rating: 4/5
Stuffness Level (How full you are): 5/5
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