Address: 5 Straits View, #01-09 Marina One West Tower, Singapore 018935; 1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-188C, Singapore 098585; 2, #01-06 College Ave West, Stephen Riady Centre, 138607
Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:30 am – 8:30 pm, Weekends 12:00pm – 8:30pm
Official Website: waacow.sg
Instagram: waacowsg
I detest mid range restaurants. I have a long love/hate relationship with them, and not a single one has enticed me to come back for the second time… Except Waa Cow!
You can categorize it as lower mid-range given its casual vibe, but its prices are anything but low. But if such a restaurant can deliver high quality donburis that can command second, third, fourth visits, I’d pay premium for it. I hail Waa Cow’s medium rare salmon donburi as probably the best in Singapore. Not a single one has come close to it.
My only criticism is it’s seemingly dwindling portion size at a steep $22.90. Even for a daily lunch in CBD and to high income earners, the price is expensive. But I appreciate how consistent the cooking is from one outlet to another, from takeaway to dine in experience. It is rare for a restaurant that’s over 2 years old to keep this level of consistency for a salmon donburi. And I’ve always talked about consistency in all of my blogs for the past 10 years. Not a lot of restaurants can keep this level.
And while the salmon donburi is my favorite don at Waa Cow, the Wagyu Mentai donburi is so spot on. Tender, well-seasoned, with the right amount of fat, each fillet of wagyu beef is so sinful and magical. I love that I added some wasabi in my bowl for an extra depth and kick to the already umami of mentai sauce. Next time, I note to myself, I shall stick to the original wagyu donburi because the beef is already that good.
Topping up $6 to my donburi gives me six tiny slices of salmon sashimi. It’s a welcome side dish that goes along with a cup of hot green tea (or soda and pokka cold tea if you like). As the bowls are rather small in size, large eaters should grab a side of chicken karaage or salmon sashimi to fill your tank. Meanwhile ladies will get a lot in their tummies with the perfectly cooked onsen egg and beef.
This is one of my favorite restaurant chains in Singapore. I can eat this everyday.