Ne Ne Neko Izakaya (PLQ) — Restaurant in Singapore

🍚 Okinawa Kakuni Don This bowl was an absolute standout. The pork kakuni—slow-braised Okinawan-style pork belly—was melt-in-your-mouth tender, infused with a rich, savory-sweet flavor that only comes from hours of patient cooking. The fat was perfectly rendered, giving it that luscious, buttery finish. Paired with a beautifully soft Ajitsuke Tamago (seasoned soft-boiled egg), which was marinated just right with a custardy yolk, the dish felt like a warm, comforting hug.

🌶️ Mapo Tofu Don Don’t let the tofu fool you—this bowl packs more flavor than you’d expect. The tofu here isn't just a filler; it's the main event, soaking up a deeply flavorful sauce with a good dose of umami. Mixed in with minced braised pork, the result is a savory and protein-rich dish that carries a subtle but satisfying kick of spice. Each bite was comforting yet bold, perfect for those who like their donburi with a bit of heat and heartiness.

🍛 Curry Katsu Don Set A complete and well-balanced set that really delivered. The curry was wonderfully aromatic and thick, with a deep, simmered flavor that clung lovingly to the rice. The chicken katsu was a highlight—crispy on the outside yet so tender it pulled apart effortlessly. Insanely good with onsen egg. The set also came with sides: a fresh bean sprout salad, a well-seared gyoza, a light soup, a bit of fruit, and a Ice Genmaicha drink—making it a satisfying meal from start to finish. (genmaicha taste authentic)

Final Thoughts: Each dish had its own charm—from slow-braised richness to spicy comfort and crispy satisfaction. Whether you're craving something bold or balanced, this spot delivers with well-executed dishes that showcase both flavor and finesse. I’ll be back soon, especially to try more of those skewers.

🍢 A La Carte Bites I sampled a few extras The Kakiage (vegetable tempura fritter) was a bit light in portion size but delivered on texture and flavor—crispy, not greasy, and well-seasoned.

The Mentaiko Ebi (grilled shrimp with spicy cod roe mayo), with perfectly cooked shrimp generously topped with creamy, savory mentaiko sauce. It’s definitely made me curious to explore the rest of their skewer menu.

The Wasabi Edamame (if you can skip the dish as it can be improved)

———— Cost: 4pax = $90 (excluded edamame) Environment = is outdoor seating. Depends on the weather and so the comfort. Service = good and...

It was one of those days when I craved something comforting, yet new. After a busy morning, I found myself heading to NeNe Neko Japanese Cafe & Izakaya at Paya Lebar, drawn in by the inviting atmosphere and the promise of a flavorful escape. The moment I stepped inside, the warm lighting and the soft buzz of conversation embraced me. The air was filled with the inviting scent of grilled meats and savory broths, making my stomach rumble with anticipation. Today, I decided to try their Unagi Tamago Don set, a dish I had heard so much about. It arrived promptly, beautifully arranged with the kind of precision that made me pause. The unagi, grilled to perfection, was cut into neat, delicate pieces that almost seemed to glisten in the light. The tamago (Japanese omelet) was light and fluffy, resting on a bed of perfectly steamed rice. But what truly caught my attention was the side dish: a thin slice of orange, carefully prepared and placed beside the main dish. While it might seem simple, that slice of orange offered a refreshing burst of citrus that cut through the richness of the eel, creating a balanced and unique contrast. Each bite of the unagi was tender and smoky, the tamago soft and comforting, and the rice fluffy and warm. The orange slice added a bright, zesty note that I hadn't expected, but it was the perfect complement to the savory elements of the dish. It wasn’t just the food that made this experience stand out it was the care that went into every detail. The staff had thoughtfully arranged the dish and side, ensuring that each element added to the overall experience. What could have been a simple meal became a moment of culinary delight, a little slice of peace amidst a busy day. As I finished my meal, I felt completely satisfied not just by the flavors, but by the thoughtfulness of the entire experience. NeNe Neko didn’t just serve food; they served an experience that lingered, long after...

The queue was long and it was somewhat alfresco (non-airconditioned) sort of ambience so I decided to do takeaway. I spent SGD33.00+ here on takeaway and I am angry about it.

The portions were very small. Refer to the photos and you can see the don bowl size is about the same as my KOI bubble tea cover size. Needless to say, I had to eat other food to satisfy my hunger despite paying SGD33.00+ here.

Look at the size of the tofu (Goma Hiyayako) which I paid SGD5 + 9% GST for. It is pathetic. If you want to charge premium price, I expect premium size and premium quality.

The packaging is horrendous. Look at how much spillage was in the bag despite the fact that I was very careful with the packaging while walking. It was very difficult to open the box with the sauce spilling out. Eventually, I opened it with much force and the sauce splattered all over everywhere. How can you put (wet) tofu with sauce in such a flimsy plastic packaging?! It should at least be in those hawker centre beancurd box with cover packaging. The flimsy plastic packaging is for dry food like muah chee. Isn't that common sense? I wanted to recycle the somewhat eco-friendly bag but had to throw it away due to the massive spillage.

1 out of 2 of the potato cheese mochi (Imo Mochi) was burnt to the point of inedible. I normally like to eat grilled food and slightly charred is fine. But this is completely black. Look at the photo, I had to spit it out as it was akin to eating ashes.

I was told that takeaways had to be done via their app and wasn't issued a normal shopping mall receipt despite the restaurant being part of PLQ. Lendlease refused to accept the digital receipt that was sent to my email. Shouldn't the restaurant issue a normal receipt to all customers?

On the whole, this place is overpriced for terrible food in...