Miss airplane food and travelling to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL)?
Travel-themed cafe Japan Rail Cafe and Japan Airlines have collaborated to bring a taste of Japan to Singapore. From now until 31 Jan 2020, diners can experience a taste of JAL's in-flight meals.
The meals will be prepared by SATS, Japan Airlines’ inflight catering company in Singapore. Only 600 meals will be available, coming down to an average of about 20 meals per day.
While the experience isn't quite as elaborate as Singapore Airlines’ Restaurant A380@Changi where you're dining in a plane with flight attendants to serve you, the meals are served true to form on JAL trays with two appetisers, a main, dessert and a drink neatly packed in disposable plastic containers.
We would've loved to see a more extensive menu as there are only two options, Salmon Miso Yaki and Chicken Takiawase Tamago.
Salmon Miso Yaki (S$25)
The first option is served with miso-marinated salmon fillet, shiitake mushroom, carrot, snow peas, shredded omelette and Japanese rice. The flavours are light and pleasant – who said that airplane food is salty?
Chicken Takiawase Tamago (S$23)
Think of this like chicken teriyaki don – chicken thigh slathered with gravy made from Yamasa shoyu, mirin and sake, served with shiitake mushrooms, green beans, sliced red peppers and shredded omelette with Japanese rice.
Both meals also come with Zaru Udon, a chilled udon dish served with wasabi and soba dipping sauce, as well as a side dish of Kobachi – spinach, corn and shimeji mushrooms cooked in a savoury broth. Dessert is a slice of JAL’s signature Earl Grey Chiffon Cake.
You can also have your choice of coffee (hot drip coffee or cold brew) or tea (hot or iced citrus green tea) to go with your meal. Unfortunately, unlike on a flight, the drinks are non-refillable. Other non-alcoholic drinks are also available at a $2 discount.
Diners who order the in-flight meal can also stand a chance to enter the grand lucky draw, where two winners will win one JR East pass each. On top of that, they are also entitled to attractive airfare discounts of up to 28 per cent, valid for travel until 31 Mar 2022.
Customers can also enjoy some "in-flight shopping" during your time at the cafe. Exclusive JAL merchandise such as chopstick holders, notebooks, tote bags and furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth) have been specially brought in from Japan.
On weekends between noon to 6pm, you can even learn the art of wrapping gifts with furoshiki as well as folding origami, from JAL’s cabin crew who will be present at the cafe.
According to a JAL PR rep, the meals have been so popular that they've been selling out everyday quite quickly by lunchtime, so customers are recommended to come at 11am when the cafe opens, or check their availability on their IG page @japanrailcafe before heading down!
Address: Japan Rail Cafe, Guoco Tower, 5 Wallich Street, #01-20 Singapore 078883