Yen Social is the new, casual offshoot of Michelin Plate awardee Yen Yakiniku – with a focus on a communal-style menu that is designed to be shared among meat-loving friends. Huddle around the smokeless binchotan grill, and look forward to a selection of wagyu meats.
Under the deft hands of head chef Jones Chen, various parts of the cow – the restaurant favours Australian wagyu – are sliced into various cuts. Try thick chunks of tender 21-days dry-aged ox tongue ($1 per gram), or opt for a curated butcher platter ($109 for two, $488 for eight). Each provides a sampling of cuts that progresses from light to hearty. Start with thinly sliced chuck eye roll, which requires just seconds of cooking, before biting into thick-cut short ribs. Other standouts: intercostal karubi, with a mingling of muscle and meat that yields a bouncy bite; and the ribeye, rich and buttery. Between mouthfuls, let the friendly waitstaff fill your plate with meats served straight off the grill, or get schooled and learn more about various cow parts.
Options from the dry-ageing chamber are also worth the splurge. Australian ribeye can come dry-aged in Kavalan whisky ($58), or sample the massive dry-aged wagyu tomahawk ($308) that almost melts in the mouth with its deep, nutty notes.
Beyond the grill, Yen Social also excels in a humble bowl of noodle soup. Chef Jason taps into his Taiwanese heritage to jazz up beef noodles ($25), creating a slurp-worthy broth that is cooked for over 48 hours with wagyu beef chunks and tendon, daikon, herbs, and spices.
Delivery/ takeaway
From now till August 18, the restaurant has launched a special take-out menu to let diners bring home a meat-filled meal. A special introductory set for two ($68) is a delicious way to get acquainted with the flavours of Yen Social; slurp down its signature beef noodles and graze on watermelon-topped salad. Or fire up the home grill with the Yen Social yakiniku set for two ($160), which features a series of prime cuts (from striploin to ribeye), paired with edamame, kimchi, and beef noodles.
