Legendary Kichi Kichi Omurice chef is in Singapore to launch a special Tsukimi Hamburg collab!

Forget Gordon Ramsay. Forget Jamie Oliver. Forget Salt Bae. There’s only one celebrity chef we’ve always wanted to meet and that’s the chef of Kichi Kichi Omurice, 69-year-old Motokichi Yukimura.

It seems our prayers were answered since we got to meet chef Yukimura while he’s in Singapore!

Truly, Japanese-food enthusiasts all around the world will be very well acquainted with Kichi Kichi Omurice, an impossible-to-book omurice restaurant in Kyoto, and its larger-than-life chef.

The social media phenom is known for his endearing exuberance and mischievous antics, as well as his instantly recognisable look — his red cap and vibrantly coloured hair are iconic.

Most people would have seen countless videos of him slicing into his sexy omelettes — that always look as smooth as a baby’s bottom — to reveal the most tantalisingly creamy, gooey insides. 

So what brings the man, the myth, the legend to Singapore?

Chef Motokichi Yukimura meet-and-greet

Chef Yukimura is actually in town to bring Kichi Kichi Omurice to our sunny shores.

A version of it, anyway — homegrown Japanese chain Tsukimi Hamburg is collaborating with Kichi Kichi Omurice to make his beloved recipe available on its menu here.

This is your chance to try the viral omurice in Singapore, without having to jostle for a coveted seat at the 14-seater in Kyoto.

But what’s the omurice without chef Yukimura to serve it to you? 

Tsukimi Hamburg is well aware and has specially brought the Kichi Kichi Omurice experience closer to its Singapore fans for an exclusive two-day meet-and-greet.

There was even a giveaway (that has since ended) where customers could snag a spot to experience chef Yukimura’s flamboyance in real-life.

If you were hoping to meet the Kichi Kichi Omurice owner in person, but didn’t get chosen for the giveaway, you can still take your chances at chef Yukimura’s meet-and-greet at &Joy Japanese Food Street Jurong Point.

The one-hour session will be held on Jul 11 and 12, from 4pm to 5pm, where you’ll get the chance to watch the legend dancing his heart out, and maybe even snag a wefie with him!

While there’s no cooking demonstration during this session, the public has the chance to impress the chef with an omurice flip challenge, with vouchers up for grabs!

Luckily for us, we managed to sneak into a media preview, where chef Yukimura was there to showcase his cooking chops and it was fascinating!

We’re not sure if that’s how it always is at the actual Kichi Kichi Omurice in Kyoto, but we were treated to plenty of singing, sauteeing and sizzling as he danced around the kitchen while cooking, often posing for the cameras and also striking up a Salt Bae pose.

He does that all, while carefully minding the heat of the pan and, after the rice is done, he starts on the key component: The omelette.

The whole cooking process consists of the legend masterfully swivelling the egg concoction around the pan, then theatrically flipping the omelette on its side.

He then plates it and, in one swift motion, slices it open to reveal that runny interior — just like in those videos posted on social media.

While we expected all that flair behind the stove, we didn’t quite anticipate what came next.

You know how Don Don Donki has that earworm of a theme song?

Well, here’s a fun fact: Kichi Kichi Omurice also has its own theme song and chef Yukimura has come up with choreography for it, which we got to see.

It was, understandably, kinda goofy, but hey, he’s almost seventy and the performance was full of good vibes.

We don’t know if he was dripping with sweat at the end but he was, definitely and undoubtedly, dripping with charisma.

Kichi Kichi Omurice at Tsukimi Hamburg

When all’s said and done, food lovers’ would probably fixate on the actual food itself — Kichi Kichi Omurice’s hype is stratospheric, after all.

Having never been to Kyoto, we were also excited to try it. First up, we got to try a portion of the OG sliced omurice, as cooked by chef Yukimura himself.

We’ll be honest — it’s good, but probably not “best omurice in the world” good.

The fried rice itself is very fragrant and well-executed, with the grains nicely separated and the veggie components nicely juicy.

On top of that, the omelette is soft with a bit of firmness to it, while also sporting an enjoyable touch of creaminess. 

It’s finished in Kichi Kichi Omurice’s special demiglace sauce, that’s flavourful with a twinge of sweetness.

A very hearty and comforting plate of omelette rice that anyone would enjoy, but the secret ingredient that made the Kyoto restaurant so popular was surely chef Yukimura’s dazzling personality!

What diners will be getting at Tsukimi Hamburg isn’t exactly like the OG sliced Kichi Kichi Omurice version. Instead, it’ll be a spiral “tornado” omelette.

There will be two options available permanently on Tsukimi Hamburg’s menu: 

• Kichi Kichi omurice (S$12.80) 
• Kichi Kichi hamburg omurice (S$16.80)

As far as egg textures go, the difference isn’t huge. This feels a bit thinner and more watery, as compared to the sliced omurice, but it might just be down to difference in execution — the former was made by the maestro himself, after all.

The fried rice underneath, though, tasted just about the same as what chef Yukimura cooked himself — that’s a good sign!

While Kichi Kichi Omurice takes the leading role here, Tsukimi Hamburg’s own hamburg steak is also pretty tasty — delightfully juicy with a nice bit of char and pairs well with the demiglace.

Ultimately, while it’s not mind-blowing, it’s still pretty solid. 

Maybe it’s a bit less spectacular, if you eat it without the usual antics but honestly, there aren’t many amazing places for Japanese omurice in Singapore and this is well worth the try.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on the new cafe at Telok Ayer serving up crispy rosti and Adidas and Milo’s cool new swag collaboration for SG60!