[Review] YEN Social Launches New Yakiniku-inspired Specialities with New Lunch Menu

Helmed by Taiwanese yakiniku master, Chef Jones Chen, YEN Social is the sister concept of Michelin-recommended yakiniku restaurant YEN Yakiniku which was awarded a Michelin plate in 2019. The restaurant group is one of Singapore’s pioneers in dry aging beef and the premium Yakiniku experience. YEN Social’s specialties include their whisky dry-aged wagyu ribeye and Wagyu Taiwanese Beef Noodles.

From 27 June 2023, YEN Social has launched a full lunch service, available from Tuesdays to Saturdays.

Marking a culmination of eight years of R&D and created by Executive Chef Jones Chen and Sous Chef Shane Lai (who has earned his stripes working under a French cuisine chef at a five-star hotel), the lunch menu will offer a variety of chargrilled dishes at affordable prices.

Fans of the YEN Signature Wagyu Burger, which was first launched during Singapore’s 2021 circuit breaker period to sold-out success, will now get to enjoy it during lunchtime as well.

The restaurant will also offer a full dining experience during its lunch service — pair the dishes with specially curated wine options, which are available by the glass. There are also set lunches, with prices starting from $25++ for a two-course meal.

We were invited for a tasting of their new lunch offerings and these were the items sampled:

The Caesar Salad with Wagyu Bits & Shaved Parmesan is YEN Social’s ode to classic flavours, elevated with a yakiniku twist. Crisp baby romaine lettuce takes center stage, adorned with Caesar dressing, while parmesan shavings infuse a delightful hint of saltiness. Chef Jones’ ingenuity shines as the traditional bacon is replaced with indulgent wagyu bits, lending both crunch and depth to the ensemble.

Aromatic and wholesome, this dish combines sliced fennel, toasted pine nuts, and apple thyme quinoa, all dressed in harmony. You can choose to make it into a complete meal with a choice of chargrilled proteins — 4 pieces of prawns (+$12), grilled chicken (100g, + $9) or Surume Ika (Japanese flying squid) (80g, + $9). 

This dish presents a symphony of sashimi-grade Hokkaido scallops smoked over cherry wood. The tangy yuzu oil accentuates the natural sweetness of the seafood, rendering every bite an exquisite delight. This was one of our favourites.

Featuring A5 wagyu braised in soy sauce and five spice powder atop a bed of Akita Japanese rice, this fusion dish is Chef Jones’ tribute to his Taiwanese heritage, adding a twist to the humble Lu Rou Fan, a staple in Taiwanese street food. We would highly recommend this as a comfort food item.

For seafood aficionados, this main captures sashimi-grade octopus, jumbo prawns, and scallops imported from Japan, chargrilled to smoky perfection and bathed in a homemade basil tomato sauce, accentuated by al dente bucatini pasta.

Delectable and juicy, this signature main beckons burger enthusiasts with its tantalising composition. Crafted from a 100% blend of specially selected wagyu cuts, the patty is adorned with a duet of cheeses, mushrooms, and shredded red cabbage, enveloped between toasted milk buns brushed with wagyu fat. A rocket salad and Social Wagyu Fries complete this delightful ensemble.

A testament to culinary dedication, this main requires 48 hours of braising Australian wagyu beef cheek in red wine. Charred to perfection, the tender meat effortlessly slides off the bone and melts in the mouth, accompanied by charcoal-infused mashed potatoes that serve as the perfect canvas for its exquisite flavors. This was another of our favourites.

This dish showcases sous vide-cooked iberico pork jowl, enriched by house-made shiso chimichurri’s tangy and herbaceous notes. The accompanying rice is a canvas for the flavorful fat rendered from the meat, bringing a symphony of tastes to the palate.

Presenting a symphony of flavours, this dish stands as a star of the beef-centric offerings. The prime USDA striploin, meticulously trimmed to the perfect yakiniku size, captivates with its buttery texture, golden-brown crust, and medium-rare doneness. Accompanied by house-made Wagyu Fat Fries, this dish unfolds a savoury harmony.

New Set Lunch Menu

YEN Social’s set lunch menu consists of either a 2-course Meal (starts from $25++) or a Sharing set ($100++). Add on $5 to enjoy a choice of beverages from cold-pressed juice, coffee or tea. Details:

YEN Social

Address: 7 Fraser Street, #01-25/26 DUO Galleria, Singapore 189356

Opening Hours: Tue – Sat: 11.30am – 2pm (1.30pm last order), Mon-Sun: 6pm – 11pm (10pm last order)

Tel: +65 8669 6788