The Place Located along Thomson Road, Rubicon Steak House is opened by a Japanese couple in late 2018 focusing on Hokkaido steaks. A rather simple and basic restaurant, it reminds me of hole-in-the-wall establishments in Japan where serving quality food at affordable prices is their primary intent.

Walking into Rubicon, you might be surprised by how popular this unassuming restaurant is, spotting a full house during my visit on a weekend night. I noticed many regulars amongsts the dining crowd, with occasional small talks with the lady owner whom is manning the service with the assistance of another service crew, while the male chef-owner was busy in the kitchen. With a small team of three, Rubicon provides a caveat on their menu that all orders will take 20 to 40 minutes to prepare, so be prepared for the wait.

The Food The highlight here is definitely the Hokkaido steak, and you can browse through the menu with offerings of various cuts, including the likes of Sirloin, Ribeye and the leaner cuts.

We decided to go for the mid-range category and chose the Ribeye (S$110 for 500g) prepared medium rare. My initial thoughts when having my first bite, ‘Heavenly!’. The fats ratio is just right, not too much to make one feel too ‘jelet‘. Well-seasoned and grilled to perfection, the steak drew much praise from even the non-steak-lovers in my dining group.

If you are looking for something non-beef, the Pork Chop Steak (S$39.80) prepared using Iberico pork was recommended to us by the staff. Unfortunately, we found the meat a tad too dry and tough, and perhaps the meat was too thick, which probably required an even longer grilling time. I would personally not recommend this.

The Chicken Karaage (S$12.80) was sinfully enjoyable though. The crispy outside texture and juicy meats made this fried chicken a must order at Rubicon. It comes with 10 pieces, ideal for sharing.

Another popular item here, the Roast Beef Sushi (S$19.80 for 7 pieces) comes in either 3 or 7 pieces. Another item at Rubicon that did not quite work for me though, as the beef was sliced too thickly and a tad too tough for easy chewing as a sushi. Skip this.

If you are visiting Rubicon and looking for a simpler meal, go for the Japanese Curry (S$19.80) which comes with either a side of steamed Japanese rice or Garlic Bread. The beef is very tender, with a very well-balanced curry sauce.

I gave the Corn Soup (S$5.90) a try as well, and I recommend this as a good way to start the meal. Make sure you order a side of their Garlic Bread too which has a generous spread of Garlic bits and butter, making the toast a very satisfying one.

Rants Make very sure you make a reservation before heading down as the restaurant is rather small.

Will I Return Again? We hardly say this, but it is a definite yes. No frills offerings at Rubicon, with quality Japanese Hokkaido Beef at a reasonable price.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 3.5/5
Ambience: 2.5/5
Overall Experience: 4/5

Rubicon Steak House
200 Upper Thomson Road, #01-04
Thomson Imperial Court
Singapore 574424
Tel: +65 8303 4075

Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday: 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Sunday: 5:30pm to 10pm
Closed on Monday

Ranted by The Rantee