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Friday, February 15, 2013

Ajisen Gourmet Town - Botejyu @ Serangoon Nex, Singapore

Recently, I found out through their corporate website that "Botejyu" is not an actual Japanese word. Like the "clinks and clanks" that pots and pans made, or the stereotypical "ching chong chang" of Chinese, the word "Botejyu" is veritably derived from the rhythmic sound of okonomiyaki cooking. "Bote" being the flipping sound of the okonomiyaki using a metal spatula, and the late part - "jyu" comes from the sizzling sound on the teppan grill. It is amazing (with slight amusement) how the Japanese linked the sounds together.
 
Talking about okonomiyaki - the oh-so-good savoury pancake packed with a variety of ingredients, there is no place other than Botejyu if you are looking for good, yet affordable "onokoyamiki" (oh damn, it's so difficult to pronounce.) Established in 1946 in the gourmet city of Tamade, Osaka, Botejyu promises to deliver their dishes, in particular, their okonomiyaki with such care and passion.
 
Most of their set meals consist of a okonomiyaki, along with side dishes and a bowl of Japanese rice. The decorated okonomiyaki - pancake version of takoyaki (in my opinoion) is with no doubt of a certain standard, but ingredients-wise, I thought that they could be more generous. My prefered okonomiyaki comes with fragrant bonito flakes and a sunny side-up.
 

Side dishes were nothing spectacular, but I would definitely recommend Yaki Soba instead of clams, as they weren't that fresh. The total came about approximately S$48 for 3 set meals, with different side dishes. In a nutshell, Botejyu is good to try out, especially the must-try okonomiyaki, other than it's up to one's palate whether they liked it or not.




Ajisen Gourmet Town - Botejyu

Tel: 66347628

Opening Hours
Daily: 11:30 - 22:00

23 Serangoon Central
#03-06/07
Nex