In October this year, Hong Kong chain Syohachi Yakiniku opened its first eatery in Singapore, an offshoot hamburg steak concept called Syohachi Wagyu Hamburg. It is now expanding its presence here to include its original A5 wagyu yakiniku concept, with a new eponymous buffet restaurant opening tomorrow (Nov 13) at Tanjong Pagar’s Guoco Tower.

A5 is regarded as the top grade for the prized beef, based on its colour and marbling. The beef is sourced from the chain’s exclusive partner farm, Hidakami Ranch, in Japan’s Miyagi prefecture. Whole cattle carcasses are flown in, and used nose-to-tail for Syohachi Yakiniku and its hamburg sister outlet.

The 135-seat restaurant is open till 1am daily (good news for those who want to grab a late meal these days).

The restaurant offers three types of yakiniku (Japanese term for ‘grilled meat’) buffets. The most interesting one is the Premium Japanese A5 Wagyu Buffet, where you can gorge on free-flow servings of A5 wagyu beef for two hours. The buffet is available for lunch, dinner and supper.

There are six cuts offered: Brisket, Chuck, Round, Knuckle, Tri-tip (the bottom part of the sirloin) and Bite-sized (diced wagyu beef). The restaurant provides each table with a beef starter platter comprising all six cuts, so you can sample and order more of your favourite cut after that.

Other than beef, the buffet includes unlimited portions of pork, chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetables. Each diner also gets a free sashimi platter with salmon, scallop and other seasonal seafood. There is also a free-flow selection of side dishes like kaki fry (Japanese-style deep-fried oysters), basil-marinated lamb chops, sesame chicken wings and tori karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken).

Prices for the A5 wagyu buffet start from $63++ per adult for lunch. It’s cheaper to dine there at off-peak hours, as you can see below:

● Early bird lunch (11.30am-2.30pm) - $63++ per adult

● Early bird dinner (5pm-7pm) - $70++ per adult

● Dinner (7pm-9pm) - $80++ per adult

● Late night (10pm-1am) - $73++ per adult

Additional $8++ charge per pax applies on Fridays, Saturdays and eve of public holidays.

There’s also a 90-minute Yakiniku A La Carte Lunch Buffet, available from 11.30am to 2.30pm daily. It’s priced at $30++ per adult (opening promotional price of $22.50++ per adult till Dec 13) for all-you-can-eat pork, chicken, lamb, seafood and veggies.

While it doesn’t offer free-flow wagyu beef, each table gets a complimentary tasting platter with A5 wagyu beef slices, short ribs, Japanese ox tongue, tiger prawn and Japanese oyster with a herby butter sauce. You can top up for additional helpings of items from the tasting platter (the wagyu costs $12 for 60g/ four slices).

If you’re a slow eater, go for the 120-minute Yakiniku A La Carte Buffet (from $50++ per adult), available for lunch, dinner and supper. It’s similar to the lunch a la carte buffet, albeit with more dining time and unlimited American beef.

There are also Suntory draft beers to wash all the nosh down, at $6++ for half a pint or free-flow at $28++ per pax.

To celebrate its opening, Syohachi Yakiniku is offering a promotion where one customer can dine for free with every three paying adults. The offer is valid till Dec 13.

Syohachi Yakiniku opens Nov 13 at #01-13 Guoco Tower, 5 Wallich St, S078883. Tel: 6214-0270. Open daily 11.30am-2.30pm; 5pm-1am. Last order at 12.30am. www.facebook.com/SyohachiYakinikuSG.