With 5 different Japanese food concepts under one roof, Tsukiji Fish Market is quite a paradise for Japanese food lovers. They offer a wide range of Japanese cuisine at fairly affordable price points.

From hearty ramen to fresh sashimi air-flown directly from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market twice a week, this is one Japanese restaurant in the heart of Orchard Road to love if you don’t already know.

You’d be glad to hear that Tsukiji Fish Market is set to enthral with brand new additions to their vast variety of Japanese fare that they have to offer. From 9th July 2018 until 31st August 2018, you can quote ‘ladyironchef‘ to enjoy 20% off the total bill on the à la carte menu*.

Here is what you can expect on your next visit to Tsukiji Fish Market, in accordance to the concepts that they offer.

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET RESTAURANT

Sashimi lovers will rejoice at the multitudinous options that Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant has to offer for fresh seafood. They are one of the concepts available at Tsukiji Fish Market.

The Bara Chirashi Don (S$21.80) is the ultimate go-to if you want a sashimi-centric meal and it is one value-for-money dish at that—topped with generous portions of diced salmon, tuna, swordfish, crab, salmon roe and tamago. And there is also tobiko and a small portion of uni!

Have a hankering for sashimi? Go for the 7 Kinds of Sashimi on a Ship (S$41.80) which is gloriously presented with fresh cuts of sashimi in accordance to the season. Otherwise, the fresh Oysters is a great option for sharing too—creamy and easy on the salinity, these are oysters we would find ourselves returning for.

EBIZO TEMPURA RESTAURANT

The Ebizo Tendon (S$22.80) from the Ebizo Tempura Restaurant is one hearty bowl that will definitely fill you up. The golden-brown batter which coated the tempura impressed us with its crispiness despite being doused in a sweet soy dressing.

Generously topped with fresh ebi, sea eel, snow crab leg, squid, a tempura egg, and assorted vegetables, this bowl of goodness is sure to leave you satisfied especially if you are a sucker for such deep-fried goodness.

TORI-SHO CHICKEN

Tori-Sho is yet another concept within Tsukiji Fish Market specialising in an extensive range of chicken-centric dishes. Look forward to new offerings by Tori-Sho Chicken such as the Chiritori Nabe, or opt for their classic smoky, charcoal-grilled Yakitori.

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to that of Korean Army Stew, the Chiritori Nabe (S$36.80) is a dish that stands out amongst the rest. Think of it as a massive steamboat with overflowing ingredients such as mushrooms, prawns, squids, chicken dices as well as kimchi—all soaked in a pot of slightly spicy soup.

From the mild spiciness of the robust broth to the plenteous ingredients that the dish constituted, we were sold by the complex harmony of flavours from this dish.

The Tori-Sho Chicken menu also includes an extensive variety of yakitori, such as the usual chicken thigh, wing and fillet section, as well as the more acquired innards and soft bone.

Each yakitori skewer is grilled to perfection—we particularly loved those that were slathered with their in-house tare sauce that well complemented the intense smokiness of the grilled meats.

With prices starting from just S$2.20 per skewer, we’d understand why it is so difficult to say no to these delightful sticks of goodness.

TAKUMEN RAMEN GALLERY

Ramen is undoubtedly one of the most, if not the most, comforting Japanese food. Takumen Ramen Gallery serves a limited but tantalizing range of ramen so delectable it would make you go back for more.

Ramen fanatics will be pleased to hear that Takumen Ramen Gallery has come up with new offerings—Mentaiko Ramen (S$16.80) and Wabisuke Ramen (S$16.80).

For something more unconventional, albeit alluring, opt for the Mentaiko Ramen which features a sweeter-than-average broth.

IKEZAKI STEAKHOUSE

As its name suggests, Ikezaki Steakhouse has a wide range of beef-centric fare which serves as a good alternative if you are not a fan of the usual ramen and sashimi.

Served with cherry tomatoes, avocados, an onsen egg and a huge, thick beef patty is the Loco Moco Don (S$19.80)—the newest addition to Ikezaki’s menu. For those who believe in the notion that thick beef patties will always turn out dry and hard, the one featured in the Loco Moco Don will prove you wrong with its juicy and succulent meat.

The Wagyu Roast Beef Don (S$20.80) is another option to look forward to.

If you are one that gets excited over the sizzling sounds of barbecue and watching fresh seafood grill under your nose, the Hamayaki Grill at Tsukiji Fish Market is one that will win you over. Let the chef in you shine and grill your seafood as you like!

Their à la carte menu features options such as the Grilled Scallop with Mentaiko (S$13.80/ 3pcs), Grilled Oysters with Garlic Butter Sauce (S$12.80/ 3pcs) and the Grilled Sazae with Garlic Herb Butter Sauce (S$9.80/ 6pcs) which you wouldn’t want to miss out on. The Hamayaki Grill is available for à la carte during both lunch and dinner.

Here’s a gentle reminder to quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservations to enjoy 20% off your total bill.

*Do note that this offer is only valid from Mondays to Thursdays, excluding public holidays and eve of public holidays, from 9th July 2018 until 31st August 2018. This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, vouchers or offers.

Tsujiki Fish Market Restaurant
181 Orchard Road, #12-02
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Daily : 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun High Tea: 3pm – 5pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant.

It is hard to pass up on Japanese food—let alone Japanese buffets where you are free to indulge in endless fresh sashimi, maki and other Japanese delicacies. While we can never get enough of Japanese buffets, it is sometimes hard to decide which Japanese restaurant  we should patronise in Singapore (not that we are complaining).

On days when you want to treat yourself to value-for-money Japanese cuisine that will not break the bank, Shin Minori is an affordable option you should consider. Best known for its a la carte buffet offering, the restaurant caters to all sorts of cravings for Japanese food—offering anything from sushi to sashimi, tempura and even heavier alternatives such as soba and udon.

Drop by either one of their outlets at UE Square or Katong Square for lunch or dinner and you will be greeted by the likes of pretty hand rolls, gorgeous slices of sashimi, maki rolls, tempura and more.

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No meal at a Japanese dining establishment is complete unless you have tried their sashimi. Diners can either go for the Sashimi Moriwase, whereby you get a platter of assorted seafood or individual raw fish options including Maguro (Tuna) Sashimi, Hamachi (Yellow Tail) Sashimi and Ika (Cuttlefish) Sashimi.

For the buffet’s price point, we were impressed by the freshness of the sashimi, which came in the ideal thickness that was kept consistent for all the sashimi slices.

For the sushi lovers, there are more than 20 different choices that will please your taste buds.

From chef recommendations such as Karashi Maguro Sushi (Spicy Tuna with Avocado & Tobikko) and Aburi shake Sushi (Seared Salmon) to crowd favourites that include Ebiko Sushi (Prawn Roe) and Crunchy Kani Sushi (Crabmeat with Tempura bits), there is something on the menu no matter what your preferences are!

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Moving on to the Yakimono section, this is where you will find all the scrumptious grilled dishes that taste as appetising as they look. We highly recommend the Saba Shioyaki (Grilled Mackerel with Salt) and Tori Teriyaki (Grilled Chicken with Sweet Soy Sauce) which was aromatic and covered with charred bits, just the way we enjoy grilled meat.

Shin Minori A La Carte Buffet Pricing
Lunch – Sun & PH
Dinner – Mon to Sun, Eve of PH & PH
Adult (S$41.90++), Child (S$31.90++)

Shin Minori
88 East Coast Road
#02-08 Katong Square
Singapore 423371
Tel: +65 6386 7337
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

An omakase course is a Japanese dining tradition where diners entrust their dining experience entirely to the chef who will showcase his culinary skills and creativity throughout the meal. To the Japanese, an omakase course is not to be taken lightly—only chefs with many years of culinary experience are able to dazzle you with the season’s best ingredients and exotic delicacies.

Since omakase is serious business, those who are looking for an authentic experience that is similar to what you will find in Japan have to know about Sushi Jiro at Marina Mandarin Singapore. The reputable Japanese restaurant serves fresh fish and seafood that are air-flown from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo four times a week.

Just when we thought that we had tried the best at Sushi Jiro during our last trip, Chef Kenji Nakagawa took our taste buds on another gastronomic journey with their 8-course and 10-course omakase dinners—comprising fresh sashimi, decadent Japanese wagyu beef and top-grade nigiri sushi.

Just for our followers, you can now get a free upgrade of your omakase when you quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservation—the price of a 6-course dinner (S$180) will grant you an 8-course menu with better items; the price of an 8-course dinner (S$220) means an upgrade to the best 10-course dinner! This offer is valid from now until 31 January 2018.

To say that this is an incredible deal for such an exquisite meal is definitely an understatement.

Sushi Jiro’s 8-course omakase features starters, a sashimi platter, bonito in ponzu, monkfish liver with ponzu, ikura and uni bowl, Dobinmushi, five pieces of seasonal sushi and a slice of musk melon.

Your omakase course commences with a fine assortment of sashimi—Chutoro, Tai and Kinmedai.

Chutoro is the medium fatty underbelly of a tuna that is highly sought after for its slight marbling and supreme texture. Tai is essentially sea bream sashimi and the one we got to try at Sushi Jiro was marinated in seaweed to give it a slight boost in flavour. What really stood out, though, was the Kinmedai sashimi—the fresh red snapper came torched to a lovely pinkish shade and had a hint of sweetness in it.

Our feast continued with some crowd-favourites such as the bonito served in a pool of ponzu sauce, monkfish liver with zesty ponzu sauce (that is not for the faint hearted but if you can get past the fact that you are eating an unusual fish’s liver, this creamy dish is actually very memorable with its sophistication) and dobinmushi.

‘Dobin’ refers to ceramic teapot while ‘mushi’ means steam—that would give you an idea of how this light, yet flavourful teapot soup is made. The flavours were all harnessed with the premium ingredients, hence expect a soup that is simple in flavour yet very complex in layers.

The five seasonal nigiri sushi varieties we had were otoro (fatty tuna), hirame (flounder), ika (cuttlefish), buri (wild yellowtail) and torched kamasu (Japanese barracuda). Chef Kenji tickled our taste buds with the luxurious fatty tuna belly; the burst of umami flavours and ultimate freshness once again reminded us why we are such big fans of this Japanese restaurant.

Although nothing else can beat the otoro in our hearts, a close contender had to be the kamasu—which was blow-torched to form a slightly crispy skin on the surface. All it needed was a touch of the chef’s homemade shoyu sauce to make it even better!

One notable dish to look out for is Sushi Jiro’s signature Ikura and Uni Bowl. Expect a combustion of complex flavours from two highly-prized ingredients you can find in all prestigious Japanese restaurants—ikura (roe) and uni (sea urchin).

Thanks to the generous portion of ikura, every mouthful was sensational and we were blown away by the refined texture of the rich uni. Have it with just a small dab of wasabi to enhance the natural flavours even more.

The 10-course omakase dinner gives you more reasons to indulge. Luxuriate in the expanded selection of high-quality ingredients that further elevates Sushi Jiro’s omakase repertoire. Be treated to a splendid feast showcasing seasonal fish comprising fresh sashimi and sushi.

The 10-course omakase dinner also starts you off with sashimi, followed by a series of dishes that are similar to the 8-course omakase dinner such as the monkfish liver with ponzu, ikura and uni bowl, five pieces of seasonal sushi and a slice of musk melon for dessert.

What really differentiates the 10-course omakase dinner s the addition of fresh Japanese wagyu beef cuts and a large, juicy oyster. Mind you, the oyster was as big as our palm! It was slightly briny, very juicy and the freshness was unbelievable; we could even taste nuances of the ocean saltiness.

These two are showstoppers in their own rights and heightened the entire omakase dining experience to perfection.

Sushi Jiro also has an exclusive range of premium Japanese whisky that makes the perfect companion to these succulent beef steaks.

Do keep in mind that seasonal delicacies at Sushi Jiro may vary from time to time as it depends on their availability during different periods of the year.

Once again, just for ladyironchef’s readers, enjoy a free upgrade of your omakase when you quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservation—the price of a 6-course dinner (S$180) will grant you an 8-course menu with better items; the price of an 8-course dinner (S$220) means an upgrade to the best 10-course dinner! This offer is valid from now until 31 January 2018.

Sushi Jiro Singapore
6 Raffles Boulevard
#04-600 Marina Mandarin Singapore
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6445 3055
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

This post is brought to you by Sushi Jiro Singapore. 

The Bettership, a sashimi-centric eatery, has recently opened up on the ground floor of The Cathay. This humble Japanese eatery serves up boats—yes, boats—of fresh restaurant-standard sashimi as well as show-stopping donburi.

Priced decently at no more than S$20 for a sizeable donburi, this makes it a rather affordable option as opposed to many restaurants. And if you happen to be in the area during noon time, take advantage of their set lunch promotion. Available from 12pm to 6pm on weekdays, their Chirashi Don goes for only S$15.90 with the addition of a bowl of miso soup and green tea.

If you happen to be looking for a bite either before or after a movie or simply just an affordable alternative to satisfy your sashimi cravings, The Bettership is a great spot to check out.

The Bettership adopts a rather simple hole-in-the-wall concept with an open kitchen where diners can watch as their food gets prepared. Sticking true to its name, you will also notice that the shape of the dining counter is shaped like the front of a ship.

Their menu is pretty straightforward, either you pick from their wide selection of donburi potions or simply go for their variety of sashimi options that can be served in the form of a Basic Don, Premium Don, or in the classic Sashimi Setting.

Served in a tiny wooden ship-like bowl, the Chirashi Don (S$17.90) comprises diced salmon, tuna, tamago, cucumber and a variety of other fishes—all of which were laid out neatly atop a bed of tasty Japanese rice.

As with any good chirashi don, the ingredients were fresh, chunky and plentiful, allowing the unique flavour and textural qualities of each individual item to shine through. The addition of nori, although intended as more of a garnish, provided a lovely umami note to the dish which bolded well with the robust fishy flavours.

An alternative to consider should you wish to enjoy sashimi at its textural best is the Kaisen Don (S$17.90) which is served in a sashimi boat. This dish features thick slices of salmon, maguro (tuna), hamachi (yellowtail), swordfish, scallop and is accompanied by tamago, radish, jellyfish, inari (beancurd) skin, and ginger slices.

Overall, we were very impressed by the quality of food here and the sheer hospitality of the staff also helped make our lunch a very pleasant one.

The Bettership
2 Handy Road #01-03,
The Cathay
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 6835 9006
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

Sushi Jiro at Marina Mandarin Singapore is home to one of the finest Japanese dining experiences in Singapore. This quaint sushi restaurant does not disappoint with its fresh fish and seafood options, which are all air-flown from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo 4 times a week.

Helmed by Chef Kenji Nakagawa, who has had many years of experience under his belt, the sushi set lunch set is truly one to behold.

Expect a lavish feast comprising seasonal fish that make up their fresh sashimi and sushi—and even some rarities that cannot be found in conventional sushi restaurants.

From now until 09 Dec 2017, treat yourself to a quintessential sushi experience at Sushi Jiro at only S$80++ per pax when you like Sushi Jiro on Facebook and quote ‘ladyironchef’. This is an incredible deal and you will be guaranteed an unforgettable sushi meal.

Famed for being a sushi restaurant that values tradition, the restaurant’s interior is palatially designed to provide a cosy and comfortable environment to enjoy an unpretentious Japanese meal—much like the traditional Japanese sushi eateries of old. The sushi counter is only able to seat 10, making the experience a truly intimate one where you can feel free to converse with the chef as he prepares your lunch.

The sushi counter also features an open display where diners can marvel at some pretty exotic seafood items from a variety of shellfish items to even shirako (cod sperm sac).

SUSHI JIRO SINGAPORE’S SUSHI COURSE 

Sushi Jiro Singapore’s Sushi Course (S$100) consists of a starter, chawanmushi, 8 pieces of seasonal sushi, negitoro and ikura rice, miso soup and dessert.

The 8 sushi varieties we had were Hirame (flounder), Kinmedai (sea bream), Buri (wild yellowtail), Ebi (prawn), Kamasu (barracuda), Maguro (tuna), Kohada (anchovy) and our personal favourite, Chutoro (medium fatty tuna belly). Note that the variety might differ because every day’s highlights depend on the fish they import from Tokyo.

Each course was unique with a mix of delicate and fresh flavours. Chef Kenji handles each item with care, ensuring to not overwhelm your palate nor have one particular item outshine another.

Some—like the Chutoro—were served as it is, allowing you to savour the sheer decadence that is its rich and fatty contents while others such as the Maguro and the Kamasu were either seasoned with a gentle lick of their homemade shoyu, freshly grated wasabi to better bring out its natural flavours.

Going through the painstaking process of making their own shoyu right down to grating their own wasabi, you just know that Chef Kenji is the real deal. Most, if not all of the fresh fish and seafood served here are seasonal and deliberately chosen during specific seasons where they are the most delicious.

They are specially bid for and air-flown over to Singapore 4 times a week from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo!

The sushi course ends off with the Negitoro and Ikura Rice which is easily a crowd favourite on account of the perfectly struck balance of flavours and textures. Labelled as a ‘small bite’, the Negitoro donburi—which is traditionally made up of Negi (green onion) and Toro (fatty tuna belly)—features a generous serving of ikura, minced fatty tuna, sushi rice and a tiny smidgen of fresh wasabi.

Our recommendation is to include a bit of everything in a single bite to fully enjoy the flavour and textural components—from the gentle popping of the ikura, the rich and bold flavours of the fatty toro, right down to the tiny hit of wasabi which provides a nice touch of heat.

And you get the absolute discount if you quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservations. Instead of S$100++ per pax, pay only S$80++ per pax for this sushi lunch set.

CHIRASHI DON

Here’s an insider tip: You probably will not be able to find the Chirashi Don among Sushi Jiro’s menu offerings but make a simple request to have it made and Chef Kenji will be more than delighted to prepare it for you. The dish comprises generous servings of thickly cut sashimi and ikura that is all neatly placed atop premium Japanese rice.

Each individual fish boasts its own unique quality, from the fatty tuna to the umami-packed uni. For individuals who adore fresh sashimi, this is the ultimate indulgence.

The Chirashi Don is available at S$38++ per bowl.

STELLAR TEMPURA

Should you find yourself craving for something fried, the Assorted Tempura (S$18++) off the a la carte menu promises to hit the spot. The dish is an assortment of ebi, fish and a variety of vegetable tempura—all of which are thinly coated in a light batter and deep-fried to crispy perfection.

S$58++ LUNCH SETS 

Sushi Jiro also has several lunch sets at S$58++.

Our favourite has got to be the Gindara Teriyaki which features a fillet of grilled Silver Cod that is given a lick of Sushi Jiro’s homemade teriyaki sauce. The oily fish had a robust and deeply charred flavour which the savoury, sweet sauce complemented very well.

The lunch set is served with several slices of sashimi, tofu, pickles, chawanmushi and miso soup.

PREMIUM JAPANESE WHISKY—YAMAZAKI AND HIBIKI

For whisky connoisseurs, Sushi Jiro will be your haven. Boasting an impressive selection of Japanese whiskies from Hibiki to the world-renowned, Yamazaki, we went crazy with all the rare editions! If the finer aspects of Japanese culture can prove elusive to the Western psyche, much of the same could be said for the country’s whisky that boasts clean and very approachable flavour notes.

Your Japanese meal at Sushi Jiro will be complete with a glass of whisky.

Sushi Jiro Singapore
6 Raffles Boulevard
#04-600 Marina Mandarin Singapore
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6445 3055
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

This post is brought to you by Sushi Jiro Singapore. 

Japanese food lovers, you need to know about this secret Japanese restaurant on the rooftop of Orchard Central—Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant! It houses 5 different restaurant concepts in one, serving up flavourful Japanese fare in generous portions at fairly affordable prices.

Dishing out a vast variety of Japanese food options spanning from sushi and sashimi, ramen, tempura and an assortment of chicken dishes and wagyu dishes, to say diners will be spoilt for choice is an understatement. And the best part is being able to order from any of the 5 menus and having them served and billed together!

Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant takes pride in providing diners with a variety of fresh seasonal fish and sashimi and you’d be happy to know that most of their seafood products are all air-flown from Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market twice a week.

With such a stellar array of Japanese eats at a fairly reasonable price point, this larger than life Japanese Restaurant is a sure-fire hit among foodies everywhere. Here’s the cherry on top: simply quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy a 20% off during dinner with a minimum spending of S$30 in a single receipt.  This offer is valid from now until 30 November 2017.

Located at the rooftop garden of Orchard Central, experience the pleasures of traditional Japanese cuisine presented to you in a fresh and exciting way. With 5 different dining concepts including a separate sake bar under one roof, it really does not matter what your heart desires because you can have them all in one seating.

At the Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant, diners have the freedom to choose from a wide selection of seasonal fish and seafood—prepared in the form of maki rolls, sushi, sashimi and even donburi—most of which are imported directly from Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo twice a week!

Let’s move on to the other three separate concepts to look forward to.

Ebi-Zo Ebi Tempura Restaurant specialises in tempura that is made only using fresh ingredients. Moving on, as its name suggests, Tori-Sho Chicken Cuisine presents diners with various chicken dishes from fried chicken to chicken hot pot.

Finally, Takumen Ramen Gallery centralises the most popular and mouth-watering ramen from all over Japan in one convenient location. From the classic chicken and pork based ramen to the more experimental versions featuring Italian flavours, there is bound to be something for all palates.

FRESH SASHIMI & DONBURI OPTIONS

If there is one dish worth getting at the Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant, it is the Tsukiji Special Bara Chirashi Sushi Don (S$19.80++)—a cornucopia of salmon, swordfish, tuna, salmon roe, and uni sashimi, this is an affordable option and you get a generous bowl of fresh fish and premium rice!

To turn it up a notch, the Hokkaido Don (S$29.80++) is truly worth the splurge with uni, jumbo prawn, scallop, salmon, salmon roe and crab.

Or if you would rather do away with the carbs and head straight for the good stuff, the 7 Kinds Of Tsukiji Sashimi On A Ship (S$39.80++) comes elegantly presented with all your favourites.

HEARTY RAMEN FOR THE SOUL

The menu offerings from Tori-Sho Ramen features three sumptuous ramen bowls with unique flavour characteristics. First, the Bigiya Ramen (S$16.80++) which comprises a springy special whole wheat noodle that swims in a rich, tasty stock made with fish and chicken, a marinated egg and two thick, tender slices of chashu.

The Sakuta-ya Ramen (S$16.80++) is an authentic home-style ramen that boasts pork and chicken as its main flavour components. The result is a robust and flavourful soup that is good enough to gulp down.

The Due Italian (S$16.80++) is made using a special noodle that is blended with rich cheese. This innovative bowl comes with two balls of mozzarella cheese, a whole marinated egg, as well a thin sheet of prosciutto. Mix in the cheese together with the delicious golden chicken broth and prepare your taste buds for something truly amazing.

SPICY MISO CHICKEN HOT POT

From the chicken-focused Tori-Sho Chicken Cuisine comes the Spicy Miso Chicken SUMO Hot Pot (S$28.80++), that although bears a similar resemblance to the iconic Korean army stew, boasts something entirely different.

It arrived at our table boiling hot and what you can expect to find in this pot of goodies are chicken, meatballs, assorted vegetable and mushroom varieties and a savoury spiced miso broth.

CRISPY TENDON

If you love tempura or basically anything fried then Ebi-Zo Ebi Tempura Restaurant has got you covered.

We had their highly raved Ebi-Zo Special Tendon (S$20.80++) which came with fresh ebi, sea eel, snow crab leg, squid, a tempura egg or onsen egg, and assorted vegetables. Although it may not take the cake in terms of being the best tendon around, it sure hits the spot.

TASTY FUSION ROLLS

The Salmon & Sea Urchin Truffle Roll (S$22.80++) is probably one of the most luxurious rolls on their menu. It comes with uni that rests atop the aburi salmon. The gorgeous roll is then given a generous drizzle of truffle oil for that extra hit of umami.

GRILLED CRAB AND MISO RICE IN A HALF SHELL

Perhaps one of the most savoury dishes on the menu is the Queen Crab Miso Rice Grilled In The Shell (S$9.80++). Fresh crab meat is mixed together with a mixture of miso-infused rice, topped with cheese and grilled over charcoal. Each mouthful is a hit of savoury and salty with an assertive, almost milky-like richness from the cheese providing a nice balance to it.

As mentioned earlier, quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy a 20% off during dinner with a minimum spending of S$30 in a single receipt. This offer is valid from now until 30 November 2017.

Tsujiki Fish Market Restaurant
181 Orchard Road, #12-02
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Mon to Thu, Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant. 

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With its extensive array of succulent and high-quality Japanese Wagyu beef that is specially curated from different regions of Japan, Fat Cow is one of the best steak restaurants in Singapore and our go-to place whenever our carnivorous urges kick in.

Presenting the new Chef’s Table Omakase headed by Chef Shigeru Kasajima—a seasoned Japanese chef with many decades of French culinary skills under his belt—allow your senses to take flight as Fat Cow takes you on an edible trip like you have never experienced before.

Every item on the Omakase menu is specially curated and designed by Chef Kasajima himself. From delicate and bright tasting starters to a stellar line-up of sashimi and sushi options, what you can expect from this dinner situation is an array of alluring flavours that will have you drooling between courses.

For foodies looking for a lavish and elevated gastronomic experience, Fat Cow’s Chef’s Table Omakase is available at S$120++ per pax during lunch and S$280++ per pax during dinner. Only eight counter slots are available per session so you better snag those seats quick—especially since that from now until 31 March 2018, you can quote “ladyironchef” upon making your reservations to enjoy a 10% discount off Fat Cow’s omakase menus.

High ceilings and a heavy emphasis on wooden elements and bright amber lights give this space a rather warm and cosy vibe.

Helmed by Chef Shigeru Kasajima, the Omakase dining room offers an exclusive and intimate dining experience for discerning guests. With a sleek counter that sits just eight, guests are able to witness his culinary prowess that embodies the very best of Japanese precision and French flair.

With the opportunity to interact directly with the chef, each guest gets to enjoy a highly personalised dining experience and the calming ambience also allows diners to marvel at Chef Kasajima’s intricate preparations with minimal disturbance.

FAT COW’S CHEF’S TABLE OMAKASE DINNER

We had the Chef’s Table Omakase Dinner (S$280++ per pax) and our sensorial gastronomic trip commenced with four different starter items—each boasting delicate yet refreshing flavours that helped ease us into the heavier courses.

The first tasting platter that greeted our eyes consisted of three different components, of which the stand-out was undoubtedly the marinated egg yolk. For a better idea of how it tastes, think tasty and luscious ramen egg without the egg white.

Served in a martini glass, the Japanese Fruit Tomato Cocktail comprises a chilled Japanese tomato, sweet and sour jelly (Tosazu Jelly), white fish, uni and Oba leaf pesto sauce. Every mouthful was a combination of bright flavours that were nicely underscored by savoury and umami notes.

The Yude Kani (crab) features sweet flakes of handpicked crabmeat mixed with earthy Kani miso. The crabmeat is complemented with Chef’s Kasajima’s special sanbaizu sauce and a tiny dollop of yuzu foam that sits neatly above it. The citrusy qualities helped to balance out the robust flavour of the crabmeat nicely, resulting in a surprisingly refreshing starter.

The tai fish head soup was a much-needed soul booster—hot, comforting and a great palate cleanser.

The sashimi offering is a line-up of Shima-aji (Striped Jack) sashimi with Himalayan pink salt freshly grated over top, Tsubugai (whelk) sashimi and Kinmedai (snapper) Sashimi. Each sashimi item was fresh and we also appreciated the chef’s use of freshly grated wasabi instead of the conventional powdered version.

Depending on the day’s catch, look forward to the delightfully succulent Botan Ebi. Large, clear water prawns come served with a ponzu dipping sauce infused with umami-packed truffle oil. Before you lower the prawn into your mouth, you are first hit with the robust aroma of truffle, followed by the salty, citrusy profiles of the ponzu sauce.

This was easily the best item of the omakase dinner menu.

Lightly-grilled Grade 4 Ohmi Wagyu ribeye comes served with Chef’s “secret recipe” ponzu sauce and a creamy goma dare sauce. The dish comes with three slices of beef, allowing you to savour the experience with each dipping sauce or simply on its own to soak in the natural beefy flavours of the Wagyu.

The Chef’s Table Omakase dinner comes with 10 pieces of nigiri sushi. The sushi selection encompassed a smorgasbord of fresh ingredients that were each carefully executed so as to not overplay one another.

The sushi line-up featured Aburi Otoro sushi, grilled foie gras sushi, baby leeks, sour plum paste and bonito flakes sushi, Maguro Zuke (marinated tuna) sushi, Anago (fresh water eel) sushi as well as the astonishingly refreshing Hotategai (sea scallop) with yuzu foam and grated lime zest.

The uni (sea urchin) sushi was phenomenal and a true luxury to behold. Generous spoonfuls of uni are neatly placed over sushi rice and upon that first mouthful, flavours of the ocean come bursting through.

One of the highlights was the Chef Kasajima’s insanely decadent signature ‘Surf & Turf’ sushi that heaved Wagyu beef tartare, uni, amaebi and ikura. While it seemed at first like a flavour overkill, we were surprised at the different textures present—from the light popping of the ikura to the chewy amaebi, every component could be felt (and tasted) prominently.

The omakase dinner ends off with a hot, hearty bowl of miso soup, a sweet tamago egg (branded with the initials ‘FC’) as well as sliced Japanese pears.

FAT COW’S A LA CARTE MENU ITEMS

At S$98++, the Fat Cow Premium Donburi is possibly the most decadent Japanese rice bowl out there. Served on a bed of rice is a perfectly grilled slab of Wagyu steak accompanied by pan-seared chunks of creamy foie gras, uni, Ikura, caviar and an onsen egg.

This extravagant dish seduced us with its heady aroma of truffle, smoke and vibrant colours. The Wagyu stood up well against the fresh uni, caviar and ikura and although this rice bowl is by no means affordable, it certainly lives up to its price point with each component being executed perfectly. On the contrary, if you think about it, it is actually very value-for-money for all that premium ingredients you get in one bowl!

If you love cod, then the Gindara Saikyo Yaki (S$48++) is sure to get you reminiscing about it for days. Miso-licked black cod is grilled and served alongside pickled ginger root. The miso added a sweet and savoury quality to the fish and its charred exterior provided a secondary depth of flavour.

Fat Cow’s Chef’s Table Omakase Dinner at Fat Cow (S$280++ per pax) comes with starter, appetiser, fish soup, crab, wagyu, seasonal sashimi, 10 pieces of nigiri sushi, Akadashi Miso Soup, Japanese omelette and Japanese fruits; what you will be paying for is fresh and seasonal produce of the highest quality.

Otherwise, you can also go for the Chef’s Table Omakase Lunch (S$120++ per pax) which consists of a starter, appetiser, 8 pieces of nigiri sushi, Akadashi Miso Soup, Japanese omelette and dessert.

From now till 31 March 2018, reember to quote “ladyironchef” upon making your reservations to enjoy a 10% discount off Fat Cow’s omakase menus.

Fat Cow
Camden Medical Centre #01-01/02,
1 Orchard Boulevard,
Singapore 248649
Tel: +65 6735 0308
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by Fat Cow.

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/11/fat-cow-omakase/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/08/chijmes-japanese-restaurants/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/08/chijmes-japanese-restaurants/#comments Wed, 10 Aug 2016 01:00:13 +0000 ladyironchef http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=97038 Continue reading →]]>

Do you know that there is a little Japan Town in the City Hall precinct?

CHIJMES is home to 7 great Japanese restaurants. The central area of CHIJMES sits a beautiful cathedral and surrounding it are lush flowers and greenery. Within the area, there are your Japanese restaurants and bars.

This includes popular names such as Tatsu, Gyu-Kaku and Ikkousha Ramen. The Japanese restaurants in CHIJMES focus on different things – some specialise in ramen, others in healthy Japanese dishes. You can also find a traditional sushi bar with the freshest catch of the day.

With just a minute’s walk away from City Hall MRT and many surrounding bus stops, CHIJMES is easily accessible via public transport. If you drive, parking rates are reasonable too. Here are 7 Japanese Restaurants in CHIJMES to love.

#1 ASHINO

For an authentic sushi bar experience, visit Ashino at CHIJMES. Do not let the 10-seater restaurant’s obscure location deter you!

A multi-course lunch at Ashino ranges from S$120++ to S$250++ per pax, but what you get return is aged sushi prepared by Japanese Chef Taku Ashino who previously fronted Hide Yamamoto at Marina Bay Sands.

Over here, guests get to savour “shari–sushi rice” which has been cooked in an iron kettle with air-flown Mt Fuji water. The succulent Botan Ebi – sourced from Hokkaido – has been aged for three days and the end result is an insanely delicious shrimp sushi with a subtle sweet aftertaste. The aged chutoro and grilled nodoguro were unforgettable too. Quality sashimi always enhances a sushi experience.

#01-23 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6684 4567
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#2 GYU-KAKU

Gyu-Kaku is a reputable Yakiniku restaurant chain with over 600 outlets in Japan and five stores across our sunny island. The grilled meat specialty Japanese restaurant is perfect for those with a carnivorous appetite – but of course, healthy greens such as Horenso Spinach Salad (S$6++) are available too.

But we say focus on the meats.

Order the 180-gram Kagoshima Wagyu Premium Loin Steak (S$78++) – a premium well-marbled delicate Kagoshima beef that has so much fatty goodness to love.

Fancy a feast? Why not get the Gyu-Kaku Premium Set($61++ per pax, min. orders of 2 pax required) which includes Australia Wagyu Thick Tongue, Australia Wagyu Karubi, Kagoshima Wagyu Chuck Karubi, Kurobuta Belly, Kimuchi, Soup, Rice and more.

#01-01/02 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6333 4001
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#3 IKKOUSHA RAMEN

Ikkousha Ramen resembles a very authentic Japanese ramen bar with a cosy and intimate seating, complete with counter seats. The menu is pretty extensive and there are many different ramen choices to pick from.

The most popular one is the Tonkotsu Special (S$16.50), and it is also the most value-for-money bowl here. The pork broth is very creamy and extremely flavourful, and it comes with springy thin ramen noodles, soft flavoured egg and a generous amount of pork cha-shu.

Also, try the God Fire Ramen (S$14) – which is a spicy ramen option where you can pick your preferred spice level (level 1 to 4). But be warned that even level 2 is extremely spicy!

#01-07 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6338 8460
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#4 ON-YASAI

This is for all Japanese hotpot lovers. On-Yasai’s Buffet course represents great value when you are super hungry (adults – S$39.90++ per pax, kids/ seniors – S$29.90++ per pax) represents great value when you are super hungry.

The buffet includes five types of meat – beef karubi, beef chuck, pork collar, pork belly and chicken thigh – and unlimited dishes under the seafood, sushi, tempura, sides and vegetables section.

Customers are entitled to two types of soups;  the selections include  Golden Truffle Soup, Hokkaido Miso soup, Herbal Paiton Soup, Homemade Sichuan Soup, , Secret Sukiyaki Soup or Soya Milk Soup. A complimentary dessert is included in the buffet too.

You now know where to head to the next time you and your loved ones find yourselves craving for a crazy Japanese spread!

#01-03/04 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6336 4002
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#5 TATSU

Boasting a 28-seater restaurant with sushi bar and a teppanyaki counter, Tatsu is the ideal venue if you are after a gastronomical Japanese experience. Sit back, relax and watch in awe as the teppanyaki chefs cook up a theatrical storm!

Do not leave Tatsu until you have had their Flambé Wagyu Beef (S$168++) and Live Lobster (seasonal price).

The former is a high-quality marbled Japanese beef with intense marbling while the latter is a superbly fresh chef-recommended sweet crustacean. Both aromatic meats have been cooked till fork tender and are absolutely scrumptious.

To get more bang for one’s buck, order the Teppanyaki Course instead (from S$68++ to S$158++ per pax) where you get to indulge in a plethora of Japanese delights such as cod fish, wagyu steak, king prawn, scallop and lobster.

#01-08 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6332 5868
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#6 SHIROKIYA

Shirokiya focuses mainly on healthy Japanese dishes, with many of their menu items featuring Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen. While many go for their sumptuous hot pots, they also have great lunch options that are wallet-friendly.

Each of their lunch sets come with rice, salad, miso soup and pickles as well. Our favourite ones are the Luxury Salmon and Salmon Roe Rice Bowl (S$25) and Unagi Rice in Hot Stone Bowl (S$20).

If you are a salmon lover, treat yourself to the Luxury Salmon Bowl – filled to the brim with raw salmon, lightly torched salmon, fresh salmon roe and more. Lots of salmon goodness indeed! They also have a tuna option with a huge dollop of negitoro (chopped salmon and leek).

#01-05/06 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6337 5188
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: City Hall

#7 TONKATSU & SAKE BAR TONZAEMON BY MA MAISON

TONKATSU & Sake Bar Tonzaemon by Ma Maison has nailed it with their fragrant breaded deep-fried pork cutlets. Crispy on the outside, soft and juicy on the inside; these beautiful golden brown tonkatsu have successfully achieved an excellent texture thanks to the carefully aged and marinated meat used.

Lunch sets are very affordable and start from S$17.80++.

We highly recommend the Kuro Buta Katsu Set (S$31.80++) – diners can opt for either pork loin or pork fillet – which is essentially a Japanese heritage pig breed specially raised for its flavourful fatty meat. Note that every set is served with rice, tonjiru soup and pickles.

Itadakimasu!

#01-09 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6338 5907
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

This post is brought to you by CHIJMES.

Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar takes centre stage at SCAPE as an edgy fusion restaurant with signature tapas conveyor belt. It is uncommon to see anything other than sushi on conveyor belts, and Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar sure wins for novelty.

This very modern restaurant boasts a funky interior with colourful neon lights. The spacious cushioned booth seats make it very intimate and comfortable to hang out at, and ordering is made convenient with e-menus via iPad.

Here’s other tidbit – the fusion tapas conveyor belt items are all at a flat price of S$1.50 per plate.

Besides tapas, Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar also serves classy fusion mains with equally reasonable price tags. Think risotto, duck confit and so much more. Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar is surely a new restaurant in Singapore to love and check out in 2016.

FUSION TAPAS ON THE CONVEYOR BELT

The belts are lighted up with colour-changing neon lights; very fun, very trendy. And the selections on the conveyor belt will not “disappoint you” with the usual options of sushi and sashimi; instead, expect unique creations and interesting tapas that feature both Asian and Western ingredients. Some of our favourite tapas items were Duck Rillette Tartlet, Mushroom Tartlets with Feta Cheese, Salmon Tartlet and Iberico Ham with Fresh Melon.

All these bite sized treats are priced at S$1.50 per plate – regardless of what they are!

SUSHI & SASHIMI OPTIONS

This is not a fusion restaurant without sushi; you still get your Japanese food fix, in unconventional ways. The King Salmon Belly Aburi with foie gras (S$4 each) was to die for. Everything just melts in your mouth; delightful to say the least. It is one of those one-bite-wonders that really hits the spot, and you bet everyone at the table went gaga over it.

Another contender (especially for those who do not take salmon) was the Hamachi Belly Aburi (S$4 each).

Torched and slightly fatty, this winter fish sashimi is less fishy and easier to eat for all of you who are not huge fans of raw fish. Hamachi is Japanese amberjack, or more commonly known as yellowtail tuna.

DRINKS

We had both the Matcha Miruku (S$13) and the Iced Lemon Tea (S$7). And of course, being huge fans of matcha latte, the former worked better for us. The matcha did not reek of the generic processed taste and was a very pleasant drink alongside the dishes at Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar.

A-LA-CARTE MAINS & OTHER DISHES

The mains here really surprised us as we did not think that the mains could top the tapas dishes. The Ikura with Blinis (S$10) – was a surprising hit with everyone. The ikura (salmon roe) was generous and the mini blinis really balanced out the saltiness of the roe. The portion is also just right for sharing.

There was something about the perfectly cooked soba noodles that was simple but so refreshing; this dish of Cold Yuzu Somen (S$8) is good for days where you prefer light meals.

We know foie gras is not for everyone, but we have to point out that Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar’s rendition is our idea of temptation.

The price is not only reasonable, this Miso Foie Gras (S$14) was beautifully pan-fried and the presentation is the cherry on top.

Chirashi-don is not hard to find, but at Nouvelle, we have the Chirashi Tartare (S$12). Essentially diced sashimi atop sushi rice, this presentation is ingenious.

It is served with Yuzu/Shoyu foam on the side (which also comes as an add-on version for the sashimi platters), and this dish has redefined how chirashi-don can be enjoyed.

On to the main stars, which are the risottos; you’d be surprised by the renditions. The Truffle Cod Risotto (S$22) was stunning.

Every grained was cooked to perfection with a lovely truffle aroma, and the cod comes in a substantial portion that makes the dish so value-for-money.

The Curry Chicken Risotto (S$18) sure wowed us for its creativity and brilliant layers of flavours. The chicken was made into a roulade with ham and cheese, then battered and deep-fried to a golden brown.

Served on top of a bed of tasty curry risotto rice, which strangely reminded us of the Singaporean-style curry chicken rice, this risotto is one hearty and homely dish with a unique twist.

From the crisp skin to the tender meat inside, Nouvelle’s Duck Confit (S$22) is one of those dishes that will totally keep us coming back for.

This Matcha Fantasy (S$8) is such an adorable dessert dish that we can’t help falling in love with. Well, matcha anything always works for us, and the mini ‘watermelon’ mochi on the top only added to the likability of the dish.

For the latest updates, go to www.nouvellefoodconcepts.com, and like Nouvelle on Facebook and Instagram.

Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar
Scape, #03-03,
2 Orchard Link,
Singapore 237978
Tel: +65 6834 4063
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar.

We had one of our best Japanese meals this year at Ginza Yoshihiro.

And this is one new Japanese restaurant in town that you definitely must know about. With over 30 years of history, Ginza Yoshihiro first started their family legacy at Ginza, Tokyo. Priding themselves on their signature specialty oden, the Japanese restaurant enjoys great popularity and is now spreading the love of Japanese food in Singapore.

Ginza Yoshihiro at Marina Mandarin Hotel is everything we want in an authentic Japanese restaurant, and if not, more. We dare say it is one of the best new Japanese restaurants in Singapore.

As mentioned earlier, Ginza Yoshihiro sits within Marina Mandarin Hotel. One might be influenced by the common perception that restaurants sitting within a hotel property is “bad and touristy”, but Ginza Yoshihiro will defy this social misconception.

There is almost no restaurant in Singapore that specialises in oden – a healthy dashi broth with different ingredients such as boiled eggs and fish cakes – and Ginza Yoshihiro might just be the first. And the best.

Ginza Yoshihiro boasts a modern-cum-traditional facade. There is a stylish bar area where you can indulge in premium whiskeys and sake, and you can have your meal the traditional way – either at regular tables or at the communal sushi counter where you can watch the chefs in action, or in a private room (which requires advanced booking).

Helmed by Chef Nishioka, who was formerly the chief sushi chef at Hide Yamamoto, the Singapore outpost of Ginza Yoshihiro will not disappoint you.

We had one of the best Japanese meals here, and because Chef Nishioka has such a flare with performing with his knives and whatnot, we were entertained throughout lunch as he prepared our dishes and chatted with us about Japanese cuisine.

Here at Ginza Yoshihiro, the oden is a definite must-try. With zero fat content altogether, the broth is a light one that comes with a distinct sweetness, and the classic serving (served with every set meal) comes with a stunning centrepiece of a tomato.

Yes, it is a tomato! By smashing the tomato and pressing it into the soup, the oden is naturally sweetened and has a tinge of tanginess. The oden comes in different variations, and if the classic one is not enough to satisfy you (which we doubt), opt for the a la carte ones which feature add-on ingredient choices such as king crab legs, Kagoshima beef and a variety of fresh fishes.

It is brilliant how a simple oden can be glorified when cooked with premium ingredients, and that is the beauty of Ginza Yoshihiro’s signature oden – that the broth base is sweet, and can be transformed to just about any flavours with your preferred choice of ingredients while still retaining the distinct dashi aftertaste.

Now, bring your attention to the lunch sets. They may not be the “cheapest” sets, but they are definitely superb value for quality Japanese food.

If you are feeling particularly hungry and want to treat yourself to an exquisite meal, we suggest the Sushi Gozen (S$88) set. All of the set meals here come with an appetiser, the signature oden and dessert of Japanese ice cream. You get a big variety of Nigiri sushi that ranges from Bluefin tuna maguro to fresh and creamy uni (Sea Urchin). No fuss; just classic sushi prepared with fresh imports from Tokyo’s Tsukiji market, with the finest slicing skills by the sushi chef.

The Tempura Gozen (S$52) set comes in a generous portion. With a tempura platter that comes with their signature jumbo prawns (they are really huge and meaty!) and vegetables, the tempura is served with a side of matcha salt that is quite the best complement for the deep-fried goodies.

How good does the Oden Wagyu Gozen (S$58) look? The signature oden is prepared with strips of Kagoshima wagyu, daikon and konnyaku. You do the same – smash the tomato in to the soup, then eat them altogether for a lovely sweet and tangy taste.

And of course, our love for chirashi don never dies. The Bara Chirashi Don (S$38) is our favourite lunch set – with a bed of extremely fresh cubed sashimi atop sushi rice, this bowl is really worth your money. Lunch is definitely satisfying with this bowl, oden and dessert.

When Chef Nishioka whipped out the huge piece of Bluefin tuna to be sliced into sashimi, we stopped eating and just stared at him while he swished his knife. He perfectly ‘dissected’ and produced three perfect sections of Ootoro, Chutoro and Akami; the first being the fattiest and most prized, and the last being the leanest and most common cut.

Have a hankering for fresh tuna sashimi? Now you know where to head to. The fish are flown in every 2-3 days, and prices here for sashimi are also kept reasonable so that patrons have access to the best from Tsukiji Market.

Dinner at Ginza Yoshihiro is most befitting with their Omakase sets. ‘Omakase’ simply means to let the chef decide. The dishes served vary all the time, but they are often creative presentations and interpretations of the season’s ingredients. You can choose from a couple of sets starting from S$148 per person.

You get a total of 9 courses including desserts, and we guarantee you will be so pampered by the chef and his generosity.

On the month that we went, the seasonal ingredient was shirako, or in layman terms, cod fish sperm. Sure, it sounds every bit intimidating, but this odd dish was surprisingly tasty with a delightful creamy texture.

That is what we love about omakase – that in the sheer unpredictability lies excitement and anticipation, and the dishes and ingredients will surprise you. It is like signing up for a mystery present and discovering new favourites that you wouldn’t otherwise order on your own.

The sushi platter was one of the highlights of our omakase meal. As with the Sashimi platter, it features generous strips of various in-season sashimi atop vinegared rice.

You see, omakase need not mean anything scary or out of the norm. The dishes can come in the simplest form of Japanese cuisine, with the aristocracy simply lying in the most forgotten aspect of Japanese cuisine – the art of slicing.

Ginza Yoshihiro has won our hearts in every aspect. And it is going straight into our list of all-time favourite Japanese restaurants in Singapore.

Ginza Yoshihiro
Marina Mandarin 04-600
6 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039594
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6am – 10.30pm
Tel: +65 6734 8842
Nearest Station: Esplanade

This post is brought to you by Ginza Yoshihiro.

Sushi Rolls are a prominent dish in most Japanese eateries or restaurants, or what we otherwise know as ‘maki’. These delightful rolls comprise amalgamations of flavours that can never go wrong, and the combinations are endless.

What we love about sushi rolls is the palatable fillings and toppings, often drenched with sauces that are absolutely addictive.

Without further ado, here we share with you 7 Creative Sushi Rolls That Taste As Good As They Look.

#1 ROLLIE OLIE - BOLLYWOOD SUSHI ROLL  

Rollie Olie serves up speciality sushi rolls which includes interesting fusion flavours. The Bollywood (S$14.95) features curry prawns and avocados cushioned in tasty sushi rice, topped with the most amazing tempura crunch and curry mayonnaise – proving that both Indian and Japanese flavours can triumph together.

The Star Vista
1 Vista Exchange Green, #02-05
Singapore 138617
Tel: +65 6316 5710
Daily: 11:30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

#2 MAKI-SAN - DIY SUSHI ROLL 

Maki-san sets itself apart by encouraging patrons to customise their sushi rolls and salads. At S$7.90, diners can create the Little San from an array of 27 toppings with your choice of rice, wraps, essentials, sprinkles, specials and house sauces.

Former Cathay Building
2 Handy Road, #B1-17/18
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 6737 8772
Daily: 11:30am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

#3 SUSHI BURRITO - HOT CHICK 

Sushi Burrito delivers sushi rolls that work as a quick snack or meal. At S$5.90 for a Half Roll and S$10.90 for a Full Roll, the Hot Chick is one of the bestsellers with pan fried spicy chicken as the highlight.

100AM Shopping Mall
100 Tras Street, #01-06
Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 6543 6860
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#4 KINSA SUSHI - HOTATE MENTAI MAKI 

Kinsa Sushi’s maki rolls are prepared using healthy purple rice – a good switch from your regular sushi white rice with its distinct nutty textures. The Hotate Mentai Maki is wrapped with French scallop slices, with deep-fried radish situated in the sushi centre that gives it a hearty added crunch. Wasabi-infused tobikko are then added atop the maki for a gorgeous finishing touch. What’s not to love about this?

4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
PH, Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

#5 MAD NEST - OISHII MAKI 

Even though Mad Nest is not a specialty Japanese restaurant, their sushi rolls still wow the crowd. The Oishii Maki (S$16) features grilled eel, roasted salmon and avocado, served with delicious homemade mayo and a generous dollop of ebiko. The soft and creamy flavours interplaying in our mouths made it immensely satisfying to savour.

370/380 East Coast Road
Singapore 428986
Tel: +65 6348 6861
Mon to Fri: 4pm – 1am
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am – 1am
Nearest Station: Eunos or Kembangan

#6 KOH GRILL & SUSHI BAR - SHIOK MAKI

Okay, this is it. If you are looking for the ultimate sushi roll to have in Singapore, then the Shiok Maki (S$16.80) at Koh Grill & Sushi Bar is the only answer. The Shiok Maki needs no introduction by now – that special blend of mayonnaise generously drenched on the sushi is something we can never get sick of.

Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
435 Orchard Road, #04-21
Singapore 238877
Tel: +65 9180 3805
Daily: 11:30am – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#7 THE SUSHI BAR - SALMON ABURI SUSHI 

The Sushi Bar is famed for their signature Salmon Aburi Sushi (S$16.90) that consists of salmon sashimi, tamago, crab stick and avocado, then wrapped with lightly grilled salmon slices and finished off with torched mentaiko. However, the standards are inconsistent and they vary from day to day.

Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road, #04-28
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 9653 6464
Mon to Fri: 12:30pm – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm
Sat: 12:30pm – 9pm
Closed on Sunday
Nearest Station: Orchard

For more recommendations, read our guide to 16 value-for-money Japanese restaurants in Singapore.

It is hard to resist a beautiful bowl of Chirashi-don that is filled to the brim with fresh, premium seafood. Apart from the fact that it is completely colourful and photogenic, a good bowl of chirashi-don does wonders for the soul with all the goodness in one serving.

Chirashi-dons come in many shapes and sizes. The most popular serving in Singapore is the classic chirashi-don, where big slices of sashimi are served atop vinegar-ed Japanese rice, and more often than not comes with a premium price tag. On days that we need our sashimi and rice fix without burning a hole in our wallets, we turn to ‘bara chirashi-don’, which typically refers to diced sashimi – sometimes marinated with mirin or soy sauce.

Thankfully, we have several affordable chirashi-don options in Singapore and most of the ones on this list are so affordable that we are not even kidding! Here is a guide to Chirashi-dons In Singapore That Are S$20 And Under.

#1 BABETTE

Served with plain Japanese Niigata rice, Babette’s Chirashi Donburi (S$19) first impressed us with the colourful assortment of sashimi, tamago and even mini carrot cubes that added a nice textural variety to the dish.

The sashimi blocks were marinated in a light soy dressing, so the donburi is good to eat on its own. Finished off with tobikko, Babette’s Chirashi Donburi was love at first sight, until the last bite.

165 Tyrwhitt Rd
Singapore 207569
Tel: +65 6341 7727
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 1am
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

#2 GINZA KUROSON

There are many restaurants along Robertson Quay, but most of them come with relatively higher price tags. If you are in the are during lunch hours, why not drop by Ginza Kuroson for some sweet deals? At S$20, you enjoy a serving of “fisherman’s bowl”. We do think this is a pretty darn value-for-money deal, because will you just look at the number of slices of sashimi, on top of a whole prawn?

Topped with ikura, the bowl’s variety may differ from day to day, but you will always be guaranteed a reasonable portion for S$20.

30 Robertson Quay
Singapore 238251
Tel: +65 6737 5547
Daily: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#3 HINOKI

Hinoki is known for their fresh sashimi, served in a semi-fine dining setting. A lesser known fact is that during lunch, they serve a chirashi-don for only S$16.80 in a set with salad and soup.

Besides just cubed sashimi, Hinoki also adds other ingredients such as pickled jellyfish. Upgrade your accompanying miso soup to a rich pork broth with tender pork slices for only S$1.50 to complete your meal.

22 Cross Street, #01-50/53
China Square Central
Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6536 7746
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

#4 IKKI

If you live near Buona Vista or work around the area, make sure you make a trip down to IKKI Izakaya, just a stone’s throw away from the MRT Station. For just S$14, you get a half Barachirashi Don with a half bowl of Udon.

On the side, you get a serving of deep-fried salmon, salad and miso soup. For the extremely affordable price, we are definitely loving what IKKI has to offer.

9N Buona Vista Drive, #01-06/07
Singapore 138588
Tel: +65 8138 8578
Mon to Thu: 11am – 12am
Fri: 11pm – 2am
Sat: 6pm – 12pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

#5 KINSA SUSHI

Kinsa sushi has just introduced a special Purple Fusion menu which consists of 8 maki rolls, 1 sushi and 1 #ChirashiCupcake – all of which are prepared with purple rice. Just to clarify, there is no cake nor icing in the Chirashi Cupcake, and it is actually just a beautifully plated chirashi-don, using purple rice and freshly sliced sashimi.

The rice is dressed with a nice sesame ponzu sauce and sandwiched with some denbu (pink fish flakes) for an extra oomph to the dish. We loved how, in this dish, you could taste the distinct yet subtle nutty flavour of the purple rice, which reminded us of a classic local dessert, Pulut Hitam.

This is a great choice especially for lunch and it comes at an affordable price of only S$15.80 per bowl.

4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

#6 KOJI SUSHI

Tucked in China Square, along Nankin Row, Koji Sushi gets naturally packed with people during lunch hours. Most people would have a bowl of the Chirashi Don (S$17) on their table, and we can safely say its popularity is due to its friendly price tag.

The main plus point of this Chirashi Don is the dollop of fatty negitoro and use of Japanese ginger flower for a unique and fragrant touch.

3 Pickering Street
#01-42 Nankin Row
Singapore 048660
Tel: +65 +65 6225 6125
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

#7 SUMIYA

We dare say that this is the most value-for-money chirashi-don in Singapore. The Bara Kaisendon (S$18.80) is a lunch-exclusive item at Sumiya, Orchard Central and this beauty features extremely generous cubes of sashimi, crowning a bed of perfectly cooked sushi rice.

The sashimi cubes are dress in a Japanese sesame dressing and is mixed in with Ikura, Tobiko and avocado pieces. The set comes with salad, soup, chawanmushi and a dessert too – definitely an amazing deal you can’t find anywhere else.

181 Orchard Road
#12-02 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6509 9618
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#8 SUSHI AIRWAYS

Also another lunch exclusive, Sushi Airways’s Bara Chirashi Sushi Set (S$15) surprised us with how fresh the sashimi were. Avocado cubes were also mixed in here and we loved how it added a nice creamy texture to the dish.

The set comes with a side of soup and for just $15, it is definitely worthwhile. Sushi Airways has a whole list of other lunch donburi sets, but we say skip the rest and dive right into this beauty.

20A Baghdad Street
Singapore 199659
Tel: +65 6291 1151
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#9 TEPPEI SYOKUDO

The Teppei group has had their loyal fans since they first started, has ventured out into other concepts, and now, even a takeaway counter. A mainstay in all of their outlets is the Barachirashi Don or Kaisendon (S$16), as it is referred to at Teppei Syokudo.

The marinate on the sashimi is possibly one of the best you can find in Singapore and the thick cubes of sashimi feels more satisfying.

391 Orchard Road
#B2 Takashimaya Food Hall, Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best chirashi-don in Singapore.

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

Updated on 09 June 2016: Ginzawa is no longer in operation. 

When was the last time you had a really impressive Japanese meal that left you breathless?

We are in love with Japanese cuisine and it is no secret. Sashimi, sushi, yakiniku, soba, unagyu, ramen… you name it, we love it. Like how Pooh is always searching for honey, we are on an eternal quest to suss out the best places for Japanese cuisine, and adding a next to our list is Ginzawa (formerly known as Sushi Kuu) – a hidden gem in the heart of the city – at Palais Renaissance, one so elegant that you definitely need to check it out.

Ginzawa has also got one of the best chirashi-don – with 11 types of premium seafood – in town! Lunch set dons start from S$35, and they include the Kurobuta Zaku Don, Tempura & Sashimi Set, and Tokusen Bara Chirashi Don.

#1 SAKURA EBI MIZUNA SALAD

A light salad featuring crunchy cherry blossom shrimps (dried and fresh), Japanese water greens and dried beancurd from Japan with a dressing of mirin, dashi and soy sauce, this Sakura Ebi Mizuna Salad (S$22) will make a colourful start to your meal.

#2 SAKE KINUYA MAKI

Salmon wrapped in delicate slivers of pickled daikon and topped with seaweed and chrysanthemum petals, dressed with an egg yolk sauce – sounds and looks complicated, but the Sake Kunya Maki (S$12) is really very simply an elegant salmon appetizer served cold.

#3 WAGYU TATAKI

Now, this Wagyu Tataki (S$30) is a must-order from the menu. The wagyu beef slices are lighted seared with a very faint smoky taste, leaving a chewy texture that is well complimented with a tart ponzu sauce.

#4 TOKUSEN HOKKAI CHIRASHI DON

The star dish is, without a doubt, the Tokusen Hokkai Chirashi Don (S$50). If we could only choose one item on the menu, this is it. It is a work of art – eleven kinds of premium sashimi beautifully plated and served atop sweet, vinegared rice.

The fish variety may differ from day to day, depending on the catches of the moment, but you can expect most of these – otoro (fatty tuna), kinmedai (alfonsino), shima aji (striped jack), hirame (flounder), tai (sea bream), uni, ikura (salmon roe), botan ebi (botan shrimp), akami (red tuna), scallop (hotate), zuwai kani (wild Alaskan snow crab).

For those who do not want to splurge so much, Ginzawa also has a basic Chirashi-don option.

#5 TAI MOTO TAKI

Chef Donny totally nailed it with Tai Moto Taki (S$22). What is essentially just grilled snapper is brushed with his signature egg yolk sauce; like a touch of magic and a sprinkle of fairy dust, the caramelized egg yolk sauce elevated the fish dish to god level and it was SO. DAMN. GOOD. It comes with a squid ring stuffed with shishamo roe on the side.

#6 KUROBUTA TSUKE SOBA

This is by far one of the best soba dishes that we’ve had in Singapore. The Kurobuta Tsuke Soba (S$20) features icy cold buckwheat noodles served with thinly-sliced black pork and yuzu-perfumed dipping sauce. Not your usual predictable soba, and sure was so utterly delicious.

#7 TEMPURA MORIAWASE

One of the most value-for-money Tempura Moriawase (S$35 for deluxe) in town, Ginzawa’s rendition is surprisingly light and does not make you feel with its greasiness – if any.

In the deluxe version, you can expect premium items like the Uni Tempura (crispy pillows of seaweed stuffed with uni then flash-fried), Amaebi Hotate Kakiage (Deep-fried sweet prawn and scallops) and Anago Ippon Age (deep-fried sea eel).

#8 KUROBUTA ZAKU DON

There will always be times that call for fuss-free, one-dish meals. Comforting and remining us of home, the Kurobuta Zaku Don (S$35) is a pork-with-rice dish that we’d like to think of as our Chinese-style braised pork over rice. Also available only during lunch, the Kurobuta Zaku Don is flavourful, very hearty and all that you’d need to lift your spirits.

#9 WAGYU SAIKORO 

Need more beef? Go for the Wagyu Saikoro (S$48) to share. Grilled cubes of A5 Wagyu beef with crispy garlic flakes and stir-fried bean sprouts, we loved the creamy goodness of the premium meat and how the fragrance of the garlic complemented the beefy goodness so well.

#10 ABURI NIGIRI 

Any time is a good time for aburi sushi. Flame-seared sushi (5 pcs) that changes regularly based on Chef’s preference, this is one platter to look forward to when dining at Ginzawa. Fresh fish slices set atop a pillow of plump Japanese rice and torched to order, the Aburi Nigiri is every bit indulgent and delicious.

For the latest updates, go to www.ginzawa.com and like Ginzawa on Facebook.

Ginzawa
390 Orchard Road
Palais Renaissance #01-07
Tel: +65 6736 0100
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by Ginzawa.

If there was only one kind of cuisine that we could live on, it would be Japanese food. There is no one reason why; if we really have to, the list will never end.

You see, there will always be something to love. Sashimi, sushi, ramen, tonkatsu… whatever you have a taste for, Japanese cuisine will answer that. And a Japanese meal need not necessarily burn a hole in your pocket. While it is true that the premium quality ingredients come with a hefty price tags, sometimes, all we really want is a quick and fast Japanese meal in between meetings, or to simply lift our moods, yes?

Yes, we hear you and we feel you. Here, we share with you our favourite haunts when we need an affordable fix. Enjoy our list of 15 Value-For-Money Japanese Restaurants in Singapore and eat to your heart’s content! Itadakimasu.

#1 AKASHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Among the many mid-tier Japanese outlets in Singapore, we love Akashi for its consistency. The menu is neatly categorised, and whether you are looking for sushi, sashimi or teishoku, there will be something to please. Or you can sit by the sushi counter and do an omakase meal while interacting with the chefs to understand more about what goes on your plate.

290 Orchard Road
#B1-01 Paragon
Tel: +65 6735 8887
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#2 BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP HOLLAND VILLAGE

The usual Bar Bar Black Sheep has Northern Indian, Thai and Western kitchens. But at the all-new Holland Village outlet, expect a large Japanese menu of comfort snacks and main courses.

Staying true to Bar Bar Black Sheep’s philosophy of serving affordable comfort food in a casual and chill-out setting, every dish on the Japanese izakaya menu is well priced under S$15. It is fuss-free, and the prices are unbelievably affordable, you’d do a double take and wonder if you were really at a bistro or a coffee shop!

17D Lorong Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 2161
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#3 CHIKUWA TEI

This is our all-time favourite. We LOVE Chikuwa Tei at Mohamed Sultan Road for their chirashi-don. So good that we have to use Chikuwa Tei’s Chirashi Sushi Set (S$25) as the benchmark for a good sushi rice bowl. Parking around that area may be a challenge, but we always find ourselves returning to Chikuwa Tei. Apart from chirashi-don, they have many other value-for-money sets like the Saba Teishoku (S$14), Sukiyaki Teishoku (S$24) and Tencha Soba (S$14).

Chikuwa Tei’s chirashi sushi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s Best Chirashi-don.

9 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6738 9395
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#4 GINZA BAIRIN

Tonkatsu – or deep fried breaded pork – is not a cheap dish to begin with. And of course, the bigger the price tag, the more premium quality you get. If you are not too fussy and you just want a simple and comforting tonkatsu option, stop by Ginza Bairin at Ion Orchard. Sitting within the food hall at Basement Four, this casual outlet has pretty decent tonkatsu with most options not costing more than S$20.

2 Orchard Turn
#B4-39/40/41/42 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 8101
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#5 ITACHO SUSHI

Salmon skin sushi for S$0.40 – everyone will know Itacho Sushi because of this. And more than that, they are a favourite because of the wide variety of sushi creations at very friendly prices. When dining at Itacho, treat yourself to a selection of makis, rolls and nigiris made with fresh ingredients. They have very value-for-money lunch sets, too.

Itacho Sushi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s Affordable Sushi Restaurants.

#03-03/31 Changi Airport Terminal 3
65 Airport Boulevard
Tel: +65 6241 8911
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Changi

#6 KINSA SUSHI

Nestled in the quaint HillV2, Kinsa Sushi is made for the heartlanders and all who love a simple Japanese meal. Prices are not at all intimidating to say the least, and the menu is well-covered with the usual Nippon favourites prepared with premium ingredients. Dishes that we love include the premium Wagyu Don at only S$24.80, Grilled Prawn Mentai (S$9.80), Kinsa Roll (S$14.80) and Tempura Bento Set Lunch (S$11.80).

It is not every day that we need to sit down for a lavish and aristocratic Japanese meal, because more often than not, what we seek is comfort food that will not have our wallets take a beating. A recent lunch at Kinsa Sushi fits this bill exactly, and we are so adding this to our list of all-time favourite inexpensive Japanese eats.

4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm

#7 KOH SUSHI GRILL & BAR

This place needs no further introduction, right? Koh Grill & Sushi Bar is a small eatery that sits within Wisma’s Food Republic, and they serve honest Japanese food at affordable prices. And the one dish that makes everyone go back again and again is the Shiok Maki. This is surely one place to head to for a quick fix of Japanese food in between shopping at Orchard Road. Be prepared to queue though; an hour’s wait is the norm.

Koh Sushi Grill & Bar is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s Affordable Sushi Restaurants.

435 Orchard Road
#04-21 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 9180 3805
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm

#8 MARUTAMA RAMEN

We do not usually fancy chicken broth for our ramen, but Marutama is an exception. Deserving exception, surely. For so many years, they have been serving diners nothing but the tastiest chicken broth ramen. At S$12 per bowl for the default ramen, you get a hearty serving of springy noodles with a few slices of chashu. There is also a spicy option at S$12 too.

Marutama Ramen is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen.

#03-90 The Central
8 Eu Tong Sen Street
Tel: +65 6534 8090
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#9 MIHARU SAPPORO RAMEN

The first few brands that we fell in love with when the ramen trend hit Singapore was Miharu Sapporo Ramen. The new outlet at Millenia Walk is slightly bigger and very comfortable, while your favourite ramen with the famous Nishiyama noodles specially imported from Japan, and rich miso broth is still flavourful as always. Our favourite ramen is most definitely the Tokusen Miso Ramen with a special miso blend (S$14.80++).

Miharu Sapporo Ramen is also listed in our guide to 7 affordable Japanese restaurants at Millenia Walk.

Millenia Walk #01-06
9 Raffles Boulevard
Tel: +65 6733 8464
Daily: 12.00pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Promenade

#10 RAMEN KEISUKE TONKOTSU KING

A good bowl of tonkotsu ramen is all we need sometimes. Keisuke is a fuss-free outlet that we turn to when the craving kicks in. There are various combinations for you to pick from – black, spicy and original – and they are all built on their famed tonkotsu broth. Rich, creamy and very porky; just the way we like our ramen broth to be. The ramen ranges from S$10.80 to S$15.80 per bowl.

Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen.

#01-19 Orchid Hotel
1 Tras Street
Tel: +65 6636 0855
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#11 RAKUICHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Rakuichi Japanese Restaurant has been around for a few years, and its much-lauded aburi sushi deserves a special mention. The Tokubetsu Set (S$28.60) – includes a salad, an assortment of 6-piece aburi sushi, stir-fried fish head with teriyaki sauce, seafood & vegetable tempura, miso soup, and sesame ice cream – is extremely value-for-money. There are also cheaper lunch sets like saba shioyaki, shake teriyaki and katsu don at S$18.60.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

10 Dempsey Rd
Singapore 247700
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#12 SYUN

An upmarket fine dining establishment by a celebrity chef usually comes along with hefty price tags, but we were pleasantly surprised by how affordable Syun’s set lunches actually are.

While prices are considerably higher than the other restaurants (mentioned in this guide), it is actually reasonable for the quality that you’ll get. The Sashimi Set Lunch (S$28) comes with three kinds of sashimi, as well as rice, miso soup, chawanmushi and a salad. Our favourite is the Bara Chirashi Sushi Jyu (S$32) - generous chunks of sweet sashimi and ikura atop plump Japanese rice drizzled with a ginger-like sauce.

Festive Walk, Resorts World Sentosa
8 Sentosa Gateway
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#13 TEPPEI SYOKUDO

Teppei first rose to fame with its super value-for-money chirashi-don at its nondescript outlet in Tanjong Pagar. Over at Millenia Walk, Teppei Syokudo is a hassle-free outlet where you can choose to eat in the outlet or takeaway your favourite sashimi rice bowl, and it is simply perfect for days when you need to pack lunch back to the office. Everyone’s favourite Kaisen-don is at S$16 for a serving, and if you do not want raw fish, sure, there is the Katsu-don (S$15.80) and Saba Miso Bento (S$12.80).

Teppei Syokudo is also listed in our guide to 7 affordable Japanese restaurants at Millenia Walk.

Millenia Walk #01-105
9 Raffles Boulevard
Tel: +65 6238 1945
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Promenade

#14 THE SUSHI BAR

The Sushi Bar at level four of Far East Plaza serves the standard dishes like sushi, sahimi, Japanese-style pastas and donburis, but if you only have room for one dish, you must try the much-lauded Salmon Aburi Sushi (S$14.50). It is one of the best rolls we’ve ever tasted, and you will see that every diner orders this when at The Sushi Bar.

The Sushi Bar’s chirashi don is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s Best Chirashi-don.

#04-28 Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road
Mon to Fri: 12.30pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat: 12.30pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#15 YAYOIKEN JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Of course, Yayoiken does not have the most incredible tastes, but its casualness and fuss-free setting is satisfying enough when we need a simple Japanese food fix, and the prices won’t have your wallet take a beating. Set lunches are mostly around S$10, just so you know. The next time you need an inexpensive lunch when you are at Orchard Road, this will be your answer.

313 Orchard Road
313@somerset #B3-33/34
Tel: +65 6884 7550
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

For more recommendations, read our guide to Singapore’s best Japanese restaurants.

We often gripe about the lack of affordable Japanese restaurants in Singapore. Sure, there are the usual household chains, but hole-in-the-wall concepts and humble neighbourhood joints are few.

It is not every day that we need to sit down for a lavish and aristocratic Japanese meal, because more often than not, what we seek is comfort food that will not have our wallets take a beating. A recent lunch at Kinsa Sushi fits this bill exactly, and we are so adding this to our list of all-time favourite inexpensive Japanese eats.

Nestled in the quaint HillV2, Kinsa Sushi is made for the heartlanders and all who love a simple Japanese meal. Prices are not at all intimidating to say the least, and the menu is well-covered with the usual Nippon favourites prepared with premium ingredients. Most dishes are priced under S$15, and the star dish – Wagyu don, served with Grade A4 Kagoshima Wagyu, is only S$24.80!

Here, we share the memorable dishes that we had at Kinsa Sushi, and all that are worth heading back for; every one a reason to love Kinsa Sushi, we’d say.

[ Giveaway ] We are giving away 3 X S$50 Kinsa Sushi dining vouchers. Leave a comment below, and share this post on your Facebook timeline to win. More details on the giveaway at the end of this post.

#1 KAGOSHIMA WAGYU DON

Now, this has got to be the first on the list because the Wagyu Don is unbelievably good! And the best part? It is only S$24.80! This is unheard of, because all the good wagyu-don in Singapore come with exorbitant price tags of at least S$50 and above, so this is a good 50% discount.

No, Kinsa Sushi does not scrimp on the quality. Prepared with Grade A4 Kagoshima Wagyu and prized for its premium marbling, your don will be nothing but divine. With a good 60g of wagyu slices, alongside a runny egg that is best eaten when beaten in and mixed with the rice, the Wagyu Don is a fantastically value-for-money one-dish meal and we already know we will head back just for this dish!

#2 KINSA ROLL – CUCUMBER AND AVOCADO MAKI ROLL WITH ABURI MENTAI

Hands up if you love aburi rolls like we do! Introducing the Kinsa Roll (S$14.80) – cucumber and avocado maki roll, wrapped with torched salmon and flying fish roe, and jazzed up with flamed mentai that adds some cheesiness and saltiness to the fresh roll. We love how the aburi is so well-controlled and that the salmon is left slightly raw and chewy. The warm mentaiko sauce just completes the roll and adds a punch to its overall blend of flavours. We’d love to think of the Kinsa Roll as a must-have Instagram-worthy item. Good to share, but sure, you can have it all to yourself too.

#3 GRILLED PRAWN MENTAI

A whole large prawn that is beautifully flame-grilled with mentai (marinated roe of pollock and cod), the Grilled Prawn Mentai (S$9.80) boasts a melty goodness that compliments the sweet prawn flesh so well. This is grilled to order, so expect a little waiting time. It will be worth your patience, surely. Once again, we were pleasantly surprised by the price tag. So, give us one serving per person, please! No need for sharing!

#4 CHIRASHI DON

We are on a never-ending quest to scout for good chirashi-don in Singapore. Well, another to add to our list is Kinsa’s verion at S$24.80 per bowl. You do not get the most colourful arrangement, but it is surely a hearty bowl with fresh sashimi slices.

If you have any preference, or there are specific fishes that you want or do not eat, just let the chef know and he will be happy to customize a bowl for you too.

#5 FOIE GRAS SOUP

Because drinking miso soup in a Japanese restaurant is too mainstream, we now indulge in foie gras soup. Unbelievable and too good to be true, but that is precisely how pampered your taste buds would be when you dine at Kinsa Sushi. A bowl of Kinsa’s Foie Gras Soup is only at S$6.80!

#6 OOTORO SASHIMI

A plate of good fatty tuna sashimi is always good for the soul. We love biting into a well-marbled one and feel the fats melt in our mouth. That comes with a hefty price tag, of course, and our hearts can’t take that shock too often. But lo and behold, Kinsa Sushi serves a portion of five slices at only S$35.80! There is no strings attached, and the ootoro is definitely fatty and fresh.

If you prefer salmon to tuna, Kinsa Sushi offers a portion of five slices of Salmon Belly at an unbeatable price of S$9.80.

#7 HOUBOU SASHIMI – FISH TANK/ SEASONAL PRICING

Kinsa Sushi flies in a limited batch of seafood and sashimi in a “fish tank” directly from Japan. You can get a whole fish – prepared in any style you like – (Prices range from $30 to $80 depending on seasonality, types/sizes of fish). Just go to the counter to pick the freshest catch; the chefs will advise on the best way to cook the fish.

You may choose up to 2 ways of preparing the fish. Usual methods would be to do a sashimi style and/or grilled. And no matter what method you opt for, no parts of the fish will be wasted. Even if you want the entire fish to be served ala sashimi style, the bones and other remnants can be used to brew a broth. Customers only pay for the fish selected at the tank; all culinary methods chosen are at no extra charge.

#8 GRILLED SQUID

Surume Ika, anyone? This reminded us of our times at Japan, when we would take a stroll along the streets on a wintery night, and street snack stalls would tempt us with their grilled squid on stick. A freshly grilled squid, lightly salted with a smokey flavour always warms our hearts in a very special way. This Grilled Squid (S$11.80) dish at Kinsa Sushi brings a taste of familiarity that we so covet.

#9 TEMPURA BENTO

Now, this is an extremely affordable lunch option if you need a fuss-free meal. For only S$11.80, lunch is a huge serving of tempura assortment with Japanese pearl rice, miso soup and a side salad. A nice, quiet lunch with comfort Japanese food is all we’d need to take a breather from work, yes?

KINSA SUSHI DINING VOUCHERS GIVEAWAY

1. Kinsa Sushi is giving away 3 X S$50 dining vouchers.
2. Leave a comment in this post to tell us which dish you would like to try at Kinsa Sushi, and why we should choose you.
3. ‘Like’ Kinsa Sushi on Facebook.
4. Share the link of this post on your Facebook timeline.
5. The contest starts from now till 23 April 2015, 2359 hrs.
6. Winners will be notified by email.

UPDATED ON 30 APR: The three winners are Angelize, Casy Ang, and Koh Hock Guan.

For the latest updates, go to kinsasushi.com, like Kinsa Sushi on Facebook, and Instagram.

Kinsa Sushi
4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

This post is brought to you by Kinsa Sushi.

Previously from Wasabi Tei, Mitsuba and Chikuwa Tei, Chef Peter Teo is no stranger in the local food scene. Despite his notorious reputation as a food nazi, he has always been known for serving excellent Japanese food.

Kaiware Japanese Restaurant at TripleOne Somerset is his latest venture. It offers a range of Teishoku (S$24 – S$32), Nabe (S$22 – S$35), Sashimi (S$30 onwards), as well as a pretty affordable 8-course Omakase set (S$58++/pax), but the only reason why we made a trip down was to try his famous Chirashi-don.

The Haru Chirashi Sushi (S$28) was decent, but it did not live up to expectations. The sashimi wasn’t particularly outstanding, and the rice could have been sweeter. We also didn’t like the fact that the sashimi was served separately from the rice, which kind of defeats the whole idea of a chirashi-don. At the same price, you can get better chirashi-dons at sushi restaurants like Chikuwa Tei and The Sushi Bar.

What we would return for is the nabemono. There are ten options under the Nabe category including the signature Cod Fish and Vegetables Nabe (S$30) and Steamed Sea Bream Head Nabe (S$32). The Sukiyaki (S$28) may seem deceptively simple, but we assure you that the soup stock was so gratifying, you would crave for more. The beef slices came in a generous portion, as with the veggies.

We would not be rushing to come back here just to have a meal, especially not when Fukuichi Japanese Dining – which offers excellent value-for-money Japanese food – is just next door. But if you have been a follower of Chef Peter Teo, you might want to check this place out the next time you are dining in Orchard Road.

Kaiware Japanese Restaurant
#02-15 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Tel: +65 6735 2345
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Cuppage Plaza is an old and dodgy building in the Somerset area, but it is also home to many fantastic Japanese restaurants and eateries. Kaiho Sushi, a hole-in-the-wall sushi joint, is one of them. It has been around for years and it is where food lovers in-the-know head to for some authentic Japanese cuisine indulgence.

During lunch, it serves nine sets (at S$30) – pick from Anago Don Set, to Sushi Set and Ebi Tendon Set. But the one that you should go for is the Chirashi Set (S$30 during lunch, S$58 during dinner) which comes with an assortment of sliced mackerel, salmon, tuna, scallop, squid, prawn, octopus, and crab meat. Pretty generous servings, we’d say. And the sweet freshness of the fish is such a treat.

If you feel like indulging, go for the 7-course Omakase (S$100/pax) – begin with a salmon head soft bone appetiser; sashimi consisting of toro fatty tuna, red tuna, salmon and scallop; a nameko & mixed mushroom clear soup; grilled fish; deep-fried tempura; 5 pieces of toro sushi; and Japanese ice cream.

The owners aren’t the friendliest people around, so do not take offence if you are not welcomed with hospitality. They might be cranky, but a nice lunch should make up for it all.

Kaiho Sushi
5 Koek Road, Cuppage Plaza, #03-01/02
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 9734 9822
Nearest Station: Somerset

For more recommendations, read our guide to Singapore’s Best Japanese Restaurants.

This guide to Singapore’s Top 10 Chirashi-don was last updated on 28 July 2015. 

Happiness in a bowl – this is how we define chirashi-don, which is essentially slices of sashimi scattered atop a good bowl of Japanese pearl rice. It is fuss-free, offers a myriad of flavours and textures, and more than comforting any time of the day.

What constitutes to a good chirashi-don? We all have different definitions, and one man’s meat may be another’s poison. But it is unanimous that freshness is key. And then, there is the variety of seafood, quality of rice, and temperature when the don is served. Other subjective factors include the presentation and the cut of the fish.

Since forever, we have been on a quest to suss out the best options in town. We spent so many lunches at Japanese eateries and restaurants; some were terribly disappointing that we do not even want to think about them, some are truly impressive and consistently good that we lost count of how much we contribute to the restaurants’ revenue.

So here it is. Our picks on Singapore’s top 12 chirashi-don. Did you spot any of your favourites too?

#1 AOKI RESTAURANT

AOKI at Shaw Centre is somewhere you can go to enjoy good quality Japanese food. The restaurant itself is small, and prices are definitely higher than average, but it is worth paying for. Choose between the Chirashi Sushi Jyo-sen (S$55), or the Bara Chirashi (S$45).

For a more affordable option, Aoki serves a Mazechirashi ($35) set that comes complete with miso soup, pickles, and dessert.

1 Scotts Road
Shaw Centre #02-17
Tel: +65 6333 8015
Mon to Sat: 12noon – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#2 CHIKUWA TEI

We LOVE Chikuwa Tei at Mohamed Sultan Road for their chirashi-don. So good that we have to use Chikuwa Tei’s chirashi sushi (S$25) as the benchmark for a good sushi rice bowl – freshness is top notch, slices are thick enough to bring out the sweetness of the fish, serving is generous and filling, and the cherry on top? Its super reasonable price tag. We always find ourselves at Chikuwa Tei when the craving for chirashi-don kicks in.

Chikuwa Tei
9 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6738 9395
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#3 HIDE YAMAMOTO

At Hide Yamamoto, diners can enjoy four different menus – namely: sushi, robatayaki, ramen and teppanyaki. The Ramen & Dining Bar is the least intimidating of all, with prices as low as S$20 for a maki platter.

But if you are willing to splurge, treat yourself to the Kaisen Chirashi Don (S$58). What you’d get is a large bowl of premium Japanese rice that is cooked to the perfect plumpness with every grain bursting with sweetness, together with a hint of dashi and vinegar. The fish comes in a rainbow of colours – from richly-hued salmon and maguro (tuna), to tako (octopus) and mekajiki (swordfish).

8 Bayfront Avenue
02-05 Casino Side Level 2, Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6688 7098
Daily: 12.00 – 15.00
Mon to Wed: 18.00 – 23.00
Thu to Sun: 18.00 – 03.00
Nearest Station: Bayfront

#4 ISHINOMAKI GRILL & SAKE BAR

Named after one of the municipalities in Japan where reconstruction began after devastation of the 2011 tsunami, Ishinomaki Grill & Sake Bar at Palais Renaissance specialises in izakaya and robatayaki dishes.

During lunch, it has a Barachirashi Ozen which comes with generous slices of tuna, salmon, octopus, sword fish, Amberjack, as well as tobiko. At S$23, it is a steal for the portion. We can see ourselves going back to Ishinomaki regularly just for this.

#B1-02/02A/03, Palais Renaissance
390 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6737 1065
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#5 KAIHO SUSHI

Cuppage Plaza is an old and dodgy building in the Somerset area, but it is also home to many fantastic Japanese restaurants and eateries. Kaiho Sushi, a hole-in-the-wall sushi joint, is one of them. It has been around for years and it is where food lovers in-the-know head to for good and quality Japanese food.

During lunch, it serves nine sets (at S$30) that range from Anago Don Set, to Sushi Set and Ebi Tendon Set. But the one that you should go for is the chirashi Set (S$30 during lunch, S$58 during dinner) which comes an assortment of sliced mackerel, salmon, tuna, scallop, squid, prawn, octopus, and crab meat.

5 Koek Road, Cuppage Plaza, #03-01/02
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 9734 9822
Nearest Station: Somerset

#6 MANZOKU JAPANESE RESTAURANT

By the guys behind Chikuwa Tei, Manzoku Japanese Restaurant is a nondescript Japanese restaurant tucked away in Purvis Street. Many argue about their Chirashi Don (S$25) – some claim that the fish slices are too thick and hard to chew on, some say they are not the freshest, some even pick on the rice!

But we say it is a rather awesome deal because for S$25, you get a delightful serving of sashimi – with each variety in proper, full slices instead of diced.

18 Purvis Street
Singapore 188597
Tel: +65 6734 4436
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#7 MEZZA9

This may come as a surprise to some, but mezza9 at Grand Hyatt serves a fantastic Sakura Denbu Chirashi during lunch. Expect nothing short of a bowl of heavenly goodness that is so visually arresting and beautifully presented. The seafood are sliced equally to perfection, and we really love how there is a generous serving of ikura (salmon roe) to complete.

It is part of their weekday set lunch menu, and you have two options – a two-course lunch (S$32++) and a three-course lunch (S$42++). One of the most value-for-money options, we’d say!

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Mezzanine Level
Tel: +65 6730 7188
Nearest Station: Orchard

#8 RYOSHI SUSHI IKEIKEMARU

Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru may be a kaiten (conveyer belt) sushi restaurant, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that they are but a mediocre joint. They have surprisingly fresh sushi at pocket-friendly prices.

But Ryoshi’s Chirashi-don (only available at the Westgate outlet) is one worthy mention. For S$29, you get a bowl of maguro slices, negitoro (fatty tuna with minced onion), hotate (scallop), tako, anago (conger eel), amaebi (sweet prawn), ikura, gizzard shad, ika (squid) and tamago (sweet egg omelette). Yes, we were pretty mind-blown by the sheer variety.

Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s affordable sushi restaurants.

#03-05, Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

#9 SYUN

The Chirashi Sushi (S$32) is a new-found favourite that will have us returning to Syun – a new Japanese outlet at Resorts World Sentosa – helmed by famous Japanese Chef Hal Yamashita again and again

You have no idea how picky we are about our Chirashi-don, but Syun’s version won our hearts for its generous chunks of sweet sashimi and ikura atop plump Japanese rice drizzled with a ginger-like sauce. The gorgeous flowers you see are edible, too! All Jyu Box Sets are served with Miso Soup, Kailan and Tofu, Steamed Egg Custard, and Green Salad Yuzu Ginger Dressing.

Festive Walk, Resorts World Sentosa
8 Sentosa Gateway
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#10 TATSUYA JAPANESE RESTAURANT

A stalwart of the local dining scene, Tatsuya is where in-the-know locals go for top quality Japanese food. The set lunches are extremely value-for-money, and it explains their evergreen popularity. Go for the Bara Chirashi (S$35.90), and you will not be disappointed.

We are usually not fans of diced sashimi, but this is one version that we dare say is among the bests in town, one that has earned our frequent patronage and loyalty. On a minute note, the different fish seem to always be scattered in an organized pattern, and the reds and oranges and yellows are so appealing that it is probably the most Instagram-worthy Bara Chirashi.

Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6887 4598
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#11 TEPPEI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Teppei Japanese Restaurant at the ground floor of Orchid Hotel has been gaining a steady following because of its extremely affordable omakase (prices start from S$50/pax). Another highly-raved about dish that has earned its regulars’ loyalty is its barachirashi (S$17.60).

The barachirashi is pretty decent and inexpensive – probably the cheapest chirashi you can get in Singapore – but it is not worth the queue. It suffices as an introductory bowl for first-timers, decent enough, but there are many more chirashi-don out there that shout freshness and variety way better.

#01-18, Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link
Tel: +65 6222 7363
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#12 THE SUSHI BAR

We like the idea of a small Japanese sushi bar ala hole-in-the-wall concept that caters to its regular patrons and the random walk-ins, and The Sushi Bar at Far East Plaza is one such place that has won the hearts of many Singaporeans.

The Sushi bar’s Chirashi-don (S$24.90) is one of our favourites, with thickly-sliced and super fresh sashimi. It comes with three slices of salmon, tuna, hamachi, mekajiki, scallop and ikura. For those who are willing to splurge, there is also a premium chirashi-don.

#04-28 Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road
Mon to Fri: 12.30pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat: 12.30pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

For more recommendations, read our guide to Singapore’s best Japanese restaurants.

If there is something that we can eat everyday, it would be Japanese food. Although we have our favourite to-go places for Japanese food, we are always game to try something new. One great place that we ate at is Tomi Sushi Bar in Velocity at Novena Square. 

Tomi Sushi is not fancy. But what you can expect from it is sushi and sashimi of a better quality than any other Japanese restaurant chains in town – it is a good sushi bar where you can go back time and again.

While it may not be the cheapest Japanese restaurant, it offers good value set lunches – prices range from S$20 for a tempura set to S$38 for the sushi bento. It is certainly worth a try if you are working or living in the Novena area. For those of you who prefer a more centralised location, they have another branch at Parco Marina Bay.

Tomi Sushi
#02-76/77 Velocity
238 Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6255 2355
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

#P3-04, Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard
Tel: +65 6333 4633
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Promenade

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best Japanese restaurants in Singapore.

When craving for Japanese food, one of my to-go places is Akashi Japanese Restaurant. It has reliable and pretty good Japanese food. And most importantly, a meal at Akashi is relatively affordable – if you go for their set meals. Most of the sets – served with salad/rice, soup and fruits – are priced below $20 during lunch (additional $3-4 for dinner).

The Sushi Tsuki ($16 lunch, $20 dinner), pictured above, comes with a beautiful assortment of nigiri sushi. Good value for the portion.

The Otsukuri set ($26 lunch, $29 dinner), served with an assortment of freshly-sliced sashimi, is a simple set of classic Japanese favourites for the ladies with smaller appetites.

Tenzaru Chasoba set ($15 lunch, $18 dinner) with gorgeous deep-fried tempura that is not too greasy. The chilled green tea noodle is also one of the better ones, and the tempura moriawase includes ebi, salmon and root vegetables coated with fragrant fresh batter.

The Sukiyaki ($16 lunch, $19 dinner) is also worth a try. Slices of beef and vegetable lightly cooked in a sweet and flavourful broth; so hearty, it is something that I can eat all the time.

If you are not going to Akashi for their omakase, you will still be served fresh sashimi and sushi. But, do not harbour high expectations of the ala carte items – at that price, the quality is decent, but certainly not the gastronomic level you would get when you pay at fine dining restaurants.

The sets are very decently-priced and it works out to be an enjoyable experience that is not too gruelling on the pocket. A meal at Akashi is probably slightly more expensive than your usual sushi chains, but I dare say they have much better Japanese food.

Akashi Japanese Restaurant
1 Harbourfront Walk
#B2-07-09 VivoCity
Tel: +65 6681 6719
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm

290 Orchard Road
#B1-01 Paragon
Tel: +65 6735 8887
Daily: 11am – 11pm

19 Tanglin Road
#01-01A Tanglin Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6732 8662
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm