Xi Man, a New Unagi Speciality Restaurant Helmed by Chef Ryosuke Deguchi, Opens at Penang Road

Introducing Xi Man, a brand-new unagi specialty restaurant located in the heart of Singapore’s shopping and commercial hub. Heading Xi Man is Chef Ryosuke Deguchi, who before coming over to Singapore was personally trained by a chef of a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Kyoto — the latter is also the restaurant’s Principal Partner.

Chef Deguchi has been in the trade for over a decade. He began working at Fujiya Hotel, Hakone, in 2009 when he was just 18 years old. In 2014, Chef Deguchi joined Kyokaiseki Kichisen, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Kyoto, before moving to Kyoto Hotel in 2017.

The restaurant uses fresh eels that are imported from Miyazaki, Japan. Compared with other variations that are used by other restaurants in Singapore, the eels from this region are firmer in texture and have a lesser chance of turning mushy during the cooking process.

To cook the eel, Chef Deguchi uses the Kansai method instead of the usual Kanto method, which requires a steaming step. The Kansai method calls for first grilling the unagi on its own before brushing on the tare and grilling it again to a crispy finish. The method also ensures that the eel has a firmer bite, whereas the Kanto method results in the eel taking on a mushier texture and oilier finish. 

Accompanying the unagi is a bowl of fluffy rice, which is procured from Niigata prefecture -  the prefecture best known for its superior quality rice and Sakes. Diners will also be served three sauces along with their unagi bowl: Original Tare, Sweet Tare, and Spicy Tare. All the tare uses the time-honored Marunaka Shoyu as the base. The history of the handcrafted and all-natural Japanese soy sauce spans two centuries. The meticulous production of each batch of soy sauce takes three years.

Unseasoned Grilled Eel ($70) 

Xi Man’s menu mainstays include the Grilled Eel and Rice (Half - $40; Full - $78); Unseasoned Grilled Eel ($70) which comes with a dollop of wasabi. There are also other unique offerings such as Roasted Eel Wrapped in Rolled Omelette ($24), Vinegared Eel, and Cucumber ($12) as well as Savoury Steamed Egg Custard with Grilled Eel ($10). 

  

Roasted Eel Wrapped in Rolled Omelette ($24)

Vinegared Eel, and Cucumber ($12)

Vinegared Eel, and Cucumber ($12)

3 seasonal obanzai

Elevating the experience, Xi Man also offers a 3-course set menu (Half - $58; Full - $95) – consisting of grilled eel rice, a platter of 3 seasonal obanzai, and eel liver soup.

Address: 9 Penang Road #01-02, Singapore 238459 

Contact: 8828 2280

Opening Hours: 11.30-2.30; 6.00-1000 (last order: 9:30pm)