![Entrance Entrance](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3514372007_c3275bb0ee_o.jpg)
Overrated, overpriced, poor quality and bad service.
That sums up my first visit to the much-hyped Manpuku Japanese Gourmet Town at Tampines 1.
I did a quick search online for other reviews written about the place; apparently, most others felt the same way too.
Rachel and I went there on a Saturday night and the restaurant was very crowded. We were given a queue number and had to wait around 15 minutes to get in.
Presentation-wise, the decor wasn’t bad and the plastic model displays of the food on offer at the various stalls do look mouth-watering.
![Visually arresting food display outside the restaurant Visually arresting food display outside the restaurant](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3515180578_7342f35773_o.jpg)
![Plastic sakura flowers decor Plastic sakura flowers decor](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3514372163_e0ee40f73b_o.jpg)
![The sushi/sashimi chef The sushi/sashimi chef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3515182144_27b7c701d3_o.jpg)
![Large variety of sushi Large variety of sushi](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3515181980_b5495b5f05_o.jpg)
![Fresh fish Fresh fish](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3407/3514373461_958de57a6d_o.jpg)
![Other kind of raw seafood Other kind of raw seafood](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3515181726_5574550d59_o.jpg)
![Takeaway sushi Takeaway sushi](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3515181500_b79af77e61_o.jpg)
![Drink stall Drink stall](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3514373125_ba073fedf5_o.jpg)
![Yoshimis Hokkaido Soup Curry Yoshimis Hokkaido Soup Curry](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3514372495_18edd9aeaf_o.jpg)
![Aobas Hokkaido Asahikawa Ramen Aobas Hokkaido Asahikawa Ramen](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3514372617_c5c0b4321e_o.jpg)
![Botejyu Osaka Okonomiyaki Botejyu Osaka Okonomiyaki](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3515181422_a38044c904_o.jpg)
![The okonomiyaki display The okonomiyaki display](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3515181786_9f01f5ab74_o.jpg)
![Toku Tokus Udon and Soba Toku Tokus Udon and Soba](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3515181038_235ee9f100_o.jpg)
![Patrons waiting for their udons Patrons waiting for their udons](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3515180640_b46a1f61ee_o.jpg)
![Udon and soba display Udon and soba](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/3515181624_7338e351c8_o.jpg)
![Sesson Japanese Grill Sesson Japanese Grill](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3514372571_e13c018288_o.jpg)
![Prawn snacks - look very nice, but I didnt try Prawn snacks - look very nice, but I didnt try](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3515181568_57f0bb7d81_o.jpg)
![Fruit Paradise which serves tarts and cakes Fruit Paradise which serves tarts and cakes](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3335/3515180948_3255b684f1_o.jpg)
![Blueberry tart Blueberry tart](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/3515181898_96c7c78315_o.jpg)
We ordered a Hokkaido soup curry; an omurice with tofu patty and a slice of orange and grapefruit tart for desert.
![Rachels Hokkaido vegetable soup curry Rachels Hokkaido vegetable soup curry](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/3515182094_d1b38df520_o.jpg)
![My omurice with tofu patty My omurice with tofu patty](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3514372243_efcfa2fb27_o.jpg)
![Our orange and grapefruit tart Our orange and grapefruit tart](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/3515180750_ff0e9389d6_o.jpg)
The curry tasted awful. It was nowhere near the wonderful soup curry we savoured when we were in Hokkaido early this year. In fact, it tasted like the soup of those curry flavour instant noodle you can buy at the local supermarket.
The omurice was very bland. Tasted kind of like rice smothered with tomato ketchup. The tofu patty was dry and hard, can’t taste the tofu at all.
The only saving grace was the fruit tart which tasted reasonably good. However, it’s quite overpriced at S$7.80 a slice. But the food court wasn’t too hygienic too as there were fruit flies constantly hovering over our cake.
The can of Pokka carrot juice that we ordered cost S$2.90. It costs $1.30 at coffee shops.
With regards to the service, as they adopted a cash card system like Marché, it was essentially self-service for everything. Fair enough. However, I have some issues with the fact that the largely Chinese national staff do not seem to understand English at all.When I asked for “a bowl of rice”, I was greeted with a blank “Huh?” look.
![Manpuku cash card Manpuku cash card](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3514371823_edefb74c21_o.jpg)
My feel is that this place is probably just enjoying good business now because of it’s novelty. Once that dies down, it is likely to close down unless the food quality improve.
Singaporeans are very picky eaters and new eateries probably get at most, one or two chances to prove themselves. My first visit sucks. I am not likely to go back there again in the near future. If I go back for a second visit and it still sucks, then it will be on my list of banned restaurants.
Technorati Tags: manpuku singapore, manpuku at tampines 1, manpuku japanese gourmet town, aoba hokkaido asahikawa ramen, asakusatei, botejyu osaka okonomiyaki, fruit paradise, japanese fruit tarts, hokkyokusei omu rice, kyoto sabo, sesson japanese grill, toku toku, yoshimi hokkaido soup curry, kai sushi shop, ajisen singapore, tampines 1 japanese food, bad japanese food
I almost dined there but got turned off by the queue. Went upstairs to Thai Express instead. Hah…
i quite enjoyed it actually o.o and i had the same thing as you! the omelette rice with tofu patty thing.. hmm..