[Review]KOAL Grill by Les Amis Group at Shaw Centre; Lunch Set from $22

There is a new grill specialty in town – KOAL, a light to night grill, located in Shaw Centre, is the latest addition to Les Amis Group‘s array of dining concepts across Singapore, such as the newly-opened Cluny food court at Botanic gardens.

Playfully combining Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Western flavours and the Konro grill, KOAL offers a range of grilled meats and seafood right in the city center with mid-tier price points. Order their set meals (starting at $22 for lunch) or go ala carte.

LUNCH MENU

KOAL’s Set Lunch Menu highlights Rice Bowls served with Japanese Rice, an Onsen Egg, Shredded Nori, and signature meat serves from the US Rib Eye ($42), Iberico Collar ($26), Grilled Chicken Leg ($22) for meat lovers, or Salmon Fillet ($30) for diners who prefer seafood.

These Set Lunches come with a choice of a Starter and Dessert; starter options include Beef and Tofu, Japanese Tofu with Chilled Beef & ‘Lao Gan Ma’ Stew and velvety Cauliflower Soup peppered with Deep Fried Cauliflower, Pomegranate & Furikake Crumbs.

For dessert, there is the Hojicha and Whiskey Tiramisu or Freshly Fried Donuts filled with either Raspberry Coulis & Cheesecake Mousse or Nutella & Banana Mousse for dessert.

We recommend the tiramisu which was really light and fluffy. The donuts, especially the raspberry coulis and cheesecake mousse version, can be a little too sweet and cloying, unless you have a big sweet tooth.

DINNER MENU

Transitioning to KOAL’s Dinner Menu, guests can expect signature meat plates, including Grassfed Rib Eye ($25), Hanging Tender ($24), and Iberico Collar ($19).

These succulent, smokey meats can be paired with your choice of three artisanal dipping sauces ($4 each); Yakiniku No Tare with Confit Garlic sauce is a tangy and savory BBQ accompaniment to the meats. For those who like their flavours strong, there’s the Whole Grain Mustard Cream Sauce, but beware that it can overpower the taste of the meat. Our favourite was hands down the Sesame Chimichurri, a fragrant and piquant combination which goes especially well with the Iberico Pork Collar.

Apart from KOAL’s meat dishes, they also serve seafood plates include Pan fried Salmon, served with smooth Kimchi Butter Sauce ($18) and Grilled Tiger Prawns, sprinkled with premium Japanese Ikura, paired with the classic zest of Beurre Blanc ($16).

Beyond their mains, KOAL also prides itself on their starters and sharing plates which include the likes of Chunky Salmon Sashimi with Coriander and Green Chili Dressing ($12), Crispy Pork Riblets glazed with Mala Honey ($16) and for a dinner exclusive, KOAL’s Bread Rolls with Bacon and Grilled Spring Onions, Sour Cream and Chive Butter ($8).

Bacon bits in warm fluffy bread, paired with fragrant sour cream and chive butter. It’s little wonder why KOAL’s Bread Roll is a chef’s favourite.

The crunchy peanut bits elevated this mala honey-glazed pork bites:

A cold dish, the generous topping of fish roe added an addictive crunch to the creamy-soft potato cubes. A thumbs-up from me.

A light and fresh option- scallion leaves tossed in fragrant sesame oil. Scallion lovers will love this:

Sink your teeth into chunky cubes of salmon swimming in Thai-style pesto sauce made with green chilli, balanced with fish sauce and coriander. This is a fresh-tasting dish highly recommended for salmon sashimi lovers!

DRINKS

Pick from sake favorites like Kiminoi Honjozo Josen ($38/Carafe or $73/bottle) – a Medium Dry sake, tagged with flavors of vanilla and cedar, to fruity options like the Dewazakura Junmai Ginjo Tsuyahime ($45/Carafe or $86/bottle) for a sweet kick.

Special mention to an in-house favorite, the Champagne Makgeoli Ehwabaekju ($85/bottle), presenting a refreshing kick to the palate. Cocktails, Yak-jus, White and Red Wines, Beers, Coffee and Tea are also some of the many beverages that diners can opt to pair with their grills.

*To note: KOAL only accepts cashless modes of payments. In addition, prices are subject to service charge and the prevailing government taxes.

KOAL Grill

Address

Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, #03-09/10/11 Singapore 228208

Opening hours

Lunch: 11.30am – 2.30pm (Last order 2pm)

Dinner: 6pm – 9.30pm (Last order 9pm)