Niku Iku launches new dine-in concept with affordable Japanese grilled bowls from S$7.80

If Wok Hey needs no introduction, then you’ve probably come across its halal-certified sister brand, Niku Iku. Known for its affordable Japanese-inspired grilled meals, the brand has become a familiar takeaway option for many Singaporeans, with outlets located across the island.

Now, Niku Iku is going beyond just takeaway, with two new dine-in outlets at Our Tampines Hub and Lot One, giving both easties and westies a chance to enjoy the experience.

We checked out Niku Iku’s Lot One outlet, conveniently located in the basement level of the mall. Here, diners can watch chefs grill meats and vegetables, fresh, throughout the day.

While simple and functional, the dining area provides a cosy and convenient spot to enjoy your meal fresh off the grill — instead of having to wait till you got home, or find a communal seat — with several tables available for diners.

Familiar bentos, enjoyed on the spot

Much like its takeaway outlets, the menu here features the same line-up of Japanese grilled bowls. You can also watch your order being grilled on the spot at its live show kitchen. Trust us, it’s enough to have you salivating before your food even arrives.

When it comes to customisation, diners can mix and match from a wide range of proteins, toppings, cooking styles, and rice options to create their ideal meal, just as before.

Protein choices include beef, chicken, salmon, and unagi. If you’d like to bulk up your bowl, all add-ons are priced at just S$1 each. Options include eggs, mushrooms, and grilled vegetables such as tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, pumpkin, and more. The vegetables are grilled, too, giving them a pleasant smoky char.

Next comes your preferred cooking style: Yakiniku, which features ingredients grilled over fire, or nitsuke, where ingredients are gently simmered. While the Yakiniku option will likely be the crowd favourite, the nitsuke version is worth considering, too, especially as it comes with a different selection of toppings.

To round off your meal, you can choose between plain rice topped with furikake or gobo rice, a fragrant rice infused with burdock root. While the furikake rice is a solid choice for those who enjoy a little crunch, the latter is our pick. Fragrant and comforting, the gobo rice has subtle earthy notes and a touch of sweetness that elevates the meal, without overpowering it.

One of our favourites was the yakiniku salmon (S$10.80). The salmon was perfectly seared, remaining tender and flaky on the inside, while picking up a light smoky char from the grill. It’s served with sliced cabbage, grilled zucchini, and spring onions, making for a well-balanced meal. 

We also added pumpkin, a sous vide egg, and Brussels sprouts (S$1 each), which made the bowl even more hearty and satisfying.

If you opt for the simmered nitsuke version instead, it comes with shimeji mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and spring onions.

Another hearty option is the yakiniku chicken (S$7.80), a more wallet-friendly choice that doesn’t skimp on flavour. Like the other yakiniku bowls, it comes with sliced cabbage, grilled zucchini, and spring onions. We also added a sous vide egg and cherry tomatoes (S$1 each), along with a ramen egg (S$1.50).

The chicken was tender and juicy, with a savoury grilled flavour that paired well with the smoky vegetables.

If you prefer the nitsuke version, it comes with potatoes, sliced onions, and spring onions instead.

For its beef version, the yakiniku beef (S$8.80) comes with generous slices of tender, well-marbled beef that are grilled until lightly caramelised. To bulk up the bowl, we opted for an additional sous vide egg, broccoli, and pumpkin (S$1 each).

Its nitsuke counterpart is served with braised tofu, napa cabbage, sliced onions, and spring onions. Honestly, ingredient-wise, we think this is the most well-rounded option of the lot.

Lastly, the yakiniku unagi (S$12.80) is the most premium option on the menu, making it a great choice for those craving something a little more indulgent. The unagi is lightly charred on the outside, while remaining soft and buttery within, with a sweet-savoury glaze that pairs well with the rice. We opted for a sous vide egg and baby romaine (S$1 each) to complete the bowl.

The nitsuke version comes with the unagi served on a bed of scrambled eggs, which soaks up the sauce beautifully and adds an extra layer of creamy richness. 

Honestly, Niku Iku serves up pretty solid meals that are comforting, satisfying, and great for a quick lunch or dinner. If you’re looking for something that strikes a balance between healthy and indulgent, this is one spot worth keeping on your radar. And now that it has dine-in outlets at both Our Tampines Hub and Lot One, it’s even easier to enjoy your meal fresh off the grill!

This was a hosted tasting.

For more on what to eat, check out 12 spots for crab bee hoon in Singapore, and Japan’s viral hamburg spot Hikiniku to Come at VivoCity.