Shima Restaurant Teppanyaki Buffet (Oldest Japanese Restaurant in Singapore)

Shima restaurant at Goodwood Park Hotel was the first teppanyaki restaurant in Singapore, set up in 1980. It is also said to be the oldest Japanese restaurant in Singapore. We tried the Shima restaurant teppanyaki semi-buffet with unlimited servings of chicken and beef tenderloin during the end-December holidays.

Located on the ground floor with direct access from the Goodwood Park driveway, Shima Restaurant has a dark and sombre atmosphere. There are several teppanyaki counters where customers in groups of eight or so can watch the chefs in action.

Shima Restaurant Teppanyaki Buffet Menu (Christmas Edition)

We were there during the festive period at the end of December and there was a Shima Restaurant Teppanyaki Buffet Lunch Buffet (Christmas Edition). The price per adult was $69.90++. The festive editions seem to be pricier versions of their regular buffet menus. According to the CHOPE website today (link provided below), the Shima Teppanyaki Buffet Lunch is priced at $59++ .

Unlimited Orders of Teppanyaki But Note the Conditions

What might attract many people to dine at Shima is the buffet concept of unlimited food. Most of the items on the menu were limited to one order only. Only the teppanyaki chicken and prime beef tenderloin could be re-ordered. Even though it was provided that unlimited re-orders are permited, there were practical limits to how much one can eat. There were two time slots for lunch – 11.30am to 1.00pm and 1.30pm to 3 pm. Given the 90 minute dining duration and the threat of financial consequences for food wastage, one is unlikely to go beyond a second helping. Once seated, we were briefed on the last food order time before the appetisers were even served.

Shima Restaurant Teppanyaki Buffet : Appetisers

Our Shima teppanyaki lunch covers some appetisers including sushi and sashimi items, chawanmushi and some mixed tempura. These were ok but quite ordinary.

Teppanyaki Lobster

The restaurant gave us an option of a complimentary lobster if we chose to pay up in advance at the time of booking. We accepted the offer and this was the complimentary lobster that was served. It was a smallish lobster but cooked and presented very well by the chef.

Teppanyaki Course

After the lobster, the chef started to cook the other teppanyaki items – oysters, chicken and beef tenderloin. The oysters (picture below) were superb and we wished we were getting more than just two each.

The beef tenderloin was also pretty good. This is the size of one serving (picture below). It would be probably enough for a person with an average appetite. But since this was a buffet, we could not resist asking for an extra order to be shared by two persons. A very hungry person can probably have two servings of the beef.

Vegetables were served in between the meat dishes. The amount of bean sprouts was generous. In comparison, the sweet potato must have been a rare commodity. Each of us only had a thin slice (picture above).

Fried rice and desserts were served at the end of the meal. The rice was fine but the desserts were so-so. Overall, we thought that there were hits and misses in the food items. I felt that everything was in a rush as there were so many courses that needed to be prepared and served within the 90 minutes.

Ratings:
Food: 3
Service: 3
Value: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Overall Rating: 3 TOPs

Shima Restaurant
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228221

Mon-Sun: 12-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm

Shima Teppanyaki Buffet Lunch Menu (Jan 2021)