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.
OOTORO SASHIMI
KAGOSHIMA WAGYU DON
me me !! Kinsa Roll!
I would love to try the grilled squid because i will alway go crazy with it especially if is real fresh
CHIRASHI DON for me because I absolutely just love fresh sashimi! Who doesn’t?
Hope I get picked!!!
I would love to try their KAGOSHIMA WAGYU DON:))
GRILLED PRAWN MENTAI
KINSA Roll!!!
I would like to try their KINSA ROLL – CUCUMBER AND AVOCADO MAKI ROLL WITH ABURI MENTAI! ^^
Tempura bento. Because I tried this fantastic tempura bento in Tokyo and has been craving for it ever since. I can’t take the flight anytime soon because of my medical condition, much as I wish to return to Japan for another trip.
FOIE GRAS SOUP as it’s hard to believe and imagine this !!
I would love to try the Wagyu Don. I would like to try this fantastic dish.thanks
Chirashi Don! I have never tried one before but I believe it would be great for me to have my first bowl there!
KAGOSHIMA WAGYU DON!!
I hope it feels like I’m eating a live cow!!
Moooooooo.
Definitely Ootoro sashimi. Just came back from Tokyo and am craving for the melt in your mouth, succulent fatty Ootoro!
Tempura bento
I would like to try their KAGOSHIMA WAGYU DON because i seldom try beef in japanese way. U know, always the predictable western way. And i live nearby ????
is this the same shop at Ang Mo Kio?
My twin and I would like to try “KINSA ROLL” because the combination of avocado and salmon are just brilliant. And for someone like us who loves avocado, this is a way to our hearts, I mean stomachs. Dip it into mentaiko sauce, and we could’ve reached sushi zen!
Choose me, as I would like to bring my twin to this amazing restaurant for our birthday celebration!
I would love to try #3 GRILLED PRAWN MENTAI because the serves seem so much better than those normal restaurants serve!
I love to try KAGOSHIMA WAGYU DON. because I love to enjoy beef in Japanese style & my wifey is also a fan of Japanese cuisine =)
Had dinner once recently. Food was superb and awesome. Looking forward to try sashimi n foire gras
I’d love to try the Ootoro Sashimi.
Wagyu Don looks like the bomb here. Would love to try!
Yum yum!
I would love to try the grilled prawn mentai as I love all things with creamy mentai! I hope you will pick me as my family and I are huge Japanese food fans and we stay within walking distance of HillV2 and would love to try out this place.
I would love to try the Kinsa roll! Looks really delicious! ?
I live at bukit panjang and i am so glad that a reputable , value for money restaurant has opened at Hillview. I would love to try the grilled squid as it looks tantalizingly good!
Looks good!
Japanese food is simply aaaamazingggggg! But never ever had it in the west of singapore cuz I live on the other end of singapore! But who knows – this MIGHT be it!!!!
I love to try KAGOSHIMA WAGYU DON.
WAGYU DON DONG DONG QIANG and chirashi don!! Choose me because I stay in the west and my friends ALWAYS refuse to eat around my place just because there aren’t any good Japanese eats around! BUT NOW THERE IS. And with the food vouchers we’ll be able to order more!
Wagyu don please!! just tried once recently at Kenki and wonder if this beats it!
Would love to try the Kagoshima Wagyu Don ! We’ve been looking for an affordable japanese restaurant (which serves quatliy food) to recommend to friends and believe this must be it !
I would love to try KINSA ROLL – CUCUMBER AND AVOCADO MAKI ROLL WITH ABURI MENTAI.
I would love t try OTORO SASHIMIA fatty and fresh.
I should be choose to win I appreciate Japanese food .
Ootoro sashimi!! I am a fresh sashimi junkie!! Where fresh sashimi lies, I go!!
Grilled squid as that’s my wife and mine favourite!
I really really want to try both the Wagyu Don and the Kinsa Roll! I can’t decide on just one haha ????
I would love to try the grilled prawn mentai, I should be choose to win because I never win in your contest before, haha…
I would like to try #6 OOTORO SASHIMI !!!
In love with sashimi ! hope to have the chance to try ! I will fall in love with it.
Kagoshima Wagyu Don
Perfect timing. Was searching for a good Japanese restaurant for my husband’s birthday in end April. This recommendation is perfect as the good variety caters to our preferences: my husband likes whole fish sashimi while my daughters love Wagyu beef and tempura set. There is something for everyone. Thanks for the recommendation!
I would like to try the Kagoshima Wagyu Don… because I’m crazy about wagyu beef! I’ve only ever tried the Wagyu Don at Fat Cow, but that’s too pricey to eat as often as I would desire. I’m so stoked to learn that Kinsa Sushi carries this dish too… And the review here does sound awesomely promising! It’s another plus that there’s a Kinsa Sushi at Jubilee – which is fairly near to my place. I’ve noticed Kinsa Sushi from a distance but never ventured to try it. Winning this $50 voucher would be a definite catalyst… and if the dining experience indeed proves up to mark, I’m gonna urge everyone to try it too!
i would love to try #1 KAGOSHIMA WAGYU DON as
I’m a meat lover!
Wow would love to try all. Love Japanese food. But top on my list would be the Kagoshima Wagyu don!!! Yum yum!!!
Hi!! I would very much like to try the OOTORO SASHIMI with my boyfriend! It would be a great surprise to him for our first monthsary next week!
)
KAGOSHIMA WAGYU DON as so far i haven found a japanese restaurant which does it good and well. hope i can try the kinsa’s version. franklythe fat cow version is not deserving the price tag on it!
I would love to try their kinsa roll, Foie Gras Soup & Grill Squid.
i love to try their Avocado maki & Ootoro sashimi cos my family love to it????
Kinsa rolls
Would like to try the chirashi don! Good jap restaurants will have good and fresh sashimi! I should be chosen as I would like to treat my family to nice jap food without digging too much into my first pay check!