HARU-HARU: The Mentaiko Marvel Transforming Bras Basah Complex

Nestled within the newly renovated Shifu Food Court at Bras Basah Complex, HARU-HARU has quietly emerged as one of Singapore's most compelling Japanese casual dining destinations. This unassuming stall, specialising in mentaiko-infused comfort food, represents everything admirable about Singapore's hawker evolution: quality ingredients, skilled preparation, and prices that won't leave your wallet lighter.

The Mentaiko Speciality

What distinguishes HARU-HARU from countless other Japanese stalls across Singapore is its unwavering focus on mentaiko - the delicate, creamy cod roe sauce that transforms ordinary donburi into something altogether more sophisticated. The stall's approach demonstrates considerable culinary intelligence: rather than overwhelming dishes with excessive seasoning, they allow the mentaiko's natural umami richness to enhance, rather than mask, the core ingredients.

Menu Offerings

The signature Mentai Pork Katsu Don (S$9.90) exemplifies this philosophy perfectly. The generously sized pork cutlet arrives with a satisfying golden crunch that yields to reveal tender, well-seasoned meat within. However, it's the generous application of mentaiko mayo that elevates this from standard hawker fare to something genuinely special. The sauce provides a creamy, slightly briny counterpoint to the fried pork whilst maintaining enough restraint to preserve the dish's textural contrast.

The Mentai Chicken Katsu offers remarkable value at S$8.90, featuring a substantial chicken cutlet that achieves the ideal balance between crispy exterior and succulent interior. The mentaiko application here feels particularly well-judged, providing sufficient richness without overwhelming the chicken's natural flavour profile.

The Mentai Unagi Don (S$13.90) is also a stunner. The unagi arrives perfectly grilled with subtle smokiness, whilst the mentaiko sauce provides an inspired contemporary twist on this classic preparation. The accompanying rice demonstrates proper texture and seasoning, absorbing the combined flavours without becoming soggy.

For those seeking something more substantial, the Premium Pork Katsu Curry (S$14.90) represents the menu's most ambitious offering. The Japanese curry base demonstrates proper depth and complexity, whilst the XL pork katsu portion satisfies even the most robust appetites. The mentaiko here could potentially overwhelm less experienced palates, but for mentaiko enthusiasts, it represents exceptional indulgence at an accessible price point.

Exceptional Value-for-Money

With offerings falling comfortably under S$15. HARU-HARU’s pricing offers exceptional value when compared to similar Japanese restaurants elsewhere in Singapore, where equivalent katsu dishes routinely exceed S$20. This pricing ensures accessibility across diverse demographics. Quality is also consistently high across the range, with particular praise for the unagi preparation and the generous katsu portions.

Final Verdict

HARU-HARU's success reflects broader trends within Singapore's evolving food landscape and shows that hawkers can incorporate international techniques and ingredients whilst maintaining accessibility and authenticity.

In an increasingly expensive dining landscape, HARU-HARU demonstrates that exceptional value and quality need not prove mutually exclusive. For Japanese cuisine enthusiasts seeking authentic flavours without fine-dining prices, this Bras Basah gem represents one of Singapore's most compelling discoveries.

Address: 231 Bain St, #01-79, Singapore 180231
Opening Hours: 11am-9.30pm daily