Popular modern Japanese fusion restaurant, Omoté is opening a new outlet at Raffles City in Nov 2022.

Formerly known as Sushiro, Omoté is famous for their value-for-money Bara Chirashi Don.

Stacked high, and generously with thick cubes of raw fish, there is no reason why you should give this a miss if you truly love sashimi—or Japanese food for that matter.

Photo credit: Omoté

Do not be fooled by its unbelievably affordable price tag because what you get are insanely thick cubes of fish and a generous amount of Japanese rice.

Photo credit: Omoté

Other than the signature Bara Chirashi Don, Omoté also offers a selection of modern Japanese dishes with an Asian influence and you can find items such as sushi rolls, sashimi, and donburi on the menu.

Omoté
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179103

Established in 2021, Takeshi-San rose to fame in Singapore’s dining scene with its iconic Sushi Kaidan staircase, modern sushi rolls and an extensive selection of Japanese dishes at reasonable prices.

Into its second year, Takeshi-San has expanded its menu to introduce Izakaya-style sharing dishes that are perfect to go with drinks. The beer lovers will love the Kirin Beer Garden, too!

From 1 to 30 July 2022 (Monday to Thursday), flash the post on ladyironchef to the friendly staff at Takeshi-San to enjoy their Seafood Platter/Yakimono Platter at S$48 (UP $68).

Here are the dishes that you must order when you are dining at Takeshi-San.

Located at the buzzing Lorong Mambong in Holland Village, Takeshi-San is a cosy and casual sushi bar/izakaya where you can have a good Japanese meal and drinks without breaking the bank.

From modern sushi rolls, to chirashi don, seafood sashimi platters, and yakitori, Takeshi-San offers a wide array of dishes for everyone and there is always something new to look forward to. Be it for sharing or solo dining, you’d be able to find something to your liking from its menu, we’re very sure of this.

Don’t miss out on Takeshi-San’s innovative take on modern sushi rolls. The signature rolls include the Ebi Tempura with cream cheese and baked eel, Salmon Aburi Mentai roll, as well as the Mexican Roll which features panko shrimp, cream cheese and boiled shrimp.

Pssst. The snobs won’t like these but we were so addicted to the Mexican Roll! The flavours went so well together, and the panko made everything even better.

Another highlight is the incredibly value-for-money Seafood Platter (S$68) which comes with half a dozen freshly-shucked jumbo oysters, salmon, salmon belly, scallops and tuna sashimi.

Yes, you read that right. This giant platter of goodness for only S$68. Scroll up and read the inclusion again; we guarantee it’ll make you want to go to Takeshi-San pronto.

The carnivores can go for the Wagyu & Yakitori Platter (S$48) which includes wagyu slices, chicken yakitori, Saikoro steak, with salad and fries on the side. Best enjoyed with Kirin Frozen Beer, you guys.

If you are having drinks at Takeshi-San with your friends after dinner, go for the Party Platter (S$48)!

We love fried food and we cannot lie. From Tori Karaage, to Ehire, Kawa Ebi, Fried Salmon Skin and French Fries, the Party Platter has a bit of all our favourite fried food.

We are always on the lookout for awesome Happy Hour promotions in Singapore and we are thrilled to report that Takeshi-San has really attractive Happy Hour deals which are available from 11.30am to 8pm daily. Look forward to S$8 wines, S$10 sake and full pint Kirin beers.

Takeshi-San has recently been announced as the first Kirin Beer Garden in Singapore, offering the beloved and sought-after Kirin Frozen Beer and Beer Cocktails.

The next time you are looking for a watering hole in Holland Village to have a great time with your squad, check out Takeshi-San for its modern Japanese dishes, value-for-money platters and affordable drinks.

Yakimono Platter S$48 (U.P. S$68)

1. Surume Ika grilled with Kosher Salt
2. Wagyu Saikoro Steak
3 Tori Yaki
4. Chicken Ball Skewers
5. Mid-Wing Skewers
6. Mini Scallops Skewers
7. Japanese Green Peppers Skewers
8. Black Mushroom Skewers

From 1 to 30 July 2022 (Monday to Thursday), flash the post on ladyironchef to the friendly staff at Takeshi-San to enjoy their Seafood Platter/Yakimono Platter at S$48 (UP $68).

T&C
1. Not valid on Public Holidays or eve of Public Holidays
2. Valid from 1 July 2022 to 30 July 2022
3. Not valid with other vouchers or promotions
4. Special price is limited to one platter per table

Takeshi-San
38 Lor Mambong
Singapore 277694

This post was brought to you by Takeshi-San.

Founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro, and film producer and entrepreneur Meir Teper, the world-famous Nobu restaurant is opening its first outpost in Singapore on 1 June 2022 at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

Nobu has 47 outlets around the world in cities such as Barcelona, London, Milan, Tokyo, Sydney and Hong Kong.

The restaurant will be housed alongside an open-air Japanese garden and bar at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

Nobu Singapore’s menu will feature dishes that will showcase Nobu’s signature style of artfully combining Japanese techniques with South American influences.

Some of Nobu’s signature dishes that you can look forward to:

• Black Cod Miso
• Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño
• Toro Tartare with Caviar

The menu is still being finalised, but they will include exclusive dishes that are inspired by local flavours and ingredients of Singapore.

Nobu Singapore is run by Executive Chef Hideki Maeda and Executive Sushi Chef Takahiro Tim Otomo, both of whom worked in the London and Caesars Palace restaurants.

Nobu Singapore
190 Orchard Blvd, Singapore 248646
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6831 7653

Coated in egg and panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried to golden perfection, a good tonkatsu, served with Japanese rice and shredded cabbage, is one of the simplest pleasures in life and it sure hits the spot every time.

Here is our guide to the best tonkatsu restaurants and eateries in Singapore that everyone should check out when you are craving for tonkatsu.

GINZA ANZU

Ginza Anzu—a farm-to-table concept eatery from Kyushu—is a tonkatsu specialist which features a remarkable range of katsu offerings on their menu.

We’ve been to Ginza Anzu many times over the last few years since they opened in Singapore, and truth to be told, we thought that Ginza Anzu’s regular pork loin katsu was too dry and lean and it lacked fats. Only their special Ginjo Pork Fatty Loin Katsu was outstanding. However, at S$38, it is not something that most people will order on a regular basis.

But on our latest visit, we had the Pork Loin Katsu Set (S$24 for medium) and the tender, moist and succulent pork loin katsu was sublime with the perfect fat to meat ratio.

1 Kim Seng Promenade, #01-113/114
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 6977 9815

TONKATSU BY MA MAISON

As far as real-deal Japanese tonkatsu is concerned, Tonkatsu by Ma Maison over at Mandarin Gallery is one of the best, if not the best, tonkatsu restaurants in Singapore.

Besides the usual crispy-breaded-pork-with-rice combination, they also have a vast repertoire of innovative tonkatsu dishes such as their Mille Feuille Truffle Katsu that sees a massive cult following.

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison’s Kurobuta Rosu Katsu set (S$33.80) is our top pick and you will never go wrong with it.

333A Orchard Road, #02-35 & #02-36
Mandarin Gallery,
Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 6733 4541

TAMPOPO

The OG tonkatsu restaurant in Singapore, Tampopo sets the standard for tonkatsu in Singapore with its Japanese Kurobuta Pork and USA pork cutlets. This is our go-to place whenever we want a solid tonkatsu and you will never go wrong with their Top Grade BP Tonkatsu (S$31.80).

Tampopo’s thick, juicy, fatty and crispy pork loin lives up to all the hype. For something healthier, you can get the Less Fat BP Loin Cutlet Set. But hey, what’s the point of that?

391 Orchard Road, #B2-33,
Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6235 2318
Nearest Station: Orchard

HAJIME TONKATSU & RAMEN

Hajime Tonkatsu & Ramen over at myVillage in Serangoon Gardens is opened by Chef Tan-San, a seasoned tonkatsu specialist with over two decades of experience and the very same man that started Tampopo.

They have increased their prices, but it still remains reasonable for the quality of the katsu. Go for their premium Pork Loin (S$24.9) and you will not be disappointed.

Other katsu options include Nagoya Miso Fillet (S$21.5), Ebi Fry (S$20.5) and Chicken Katsu (S$18.9)

1 Maju Avenue, #02-07/8/9
myVillage @ Serangoon Garden,
Singapore 556679
Tel: +65 6509 9952

KATSUYA

Nestled in the food-driven enclave of East Coast Road, Katsuya is a hole-in-the-wall eatery where you can find top-notch tonkatsu offerings at affordable prices.

Here, diners can choose between pork loin (rosu) or pork fillet (hire) or seafood such as shrimp, oysters (kaki) or fish. Every order is made fresh so be prepared to wait but make no mistake that the wait will definitely be worth it.

85 East Coast Road
Singapore 428787
Tel: +65 6344 8183

KIMUKATSU

Kimukatsu—Japan’s Famous Mille-Feuille tonkatsu restaurant with outlets in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Sendai—has opened in Singapore at Takashimaya basement 2 food hall.

Kimukatsu is known for its tonkatsu which is made up of many thin layers of pork; think of it as a pork mille-feuille. Unlike the usual tonkatsu, Kimukatsu uses thinly-sliced pork and they are stacked into 25 layers. The layered cutlet is covered with fresh breadcrumbs and fried slowly in low temperature for 8 minutes.

In addition to the original tonkatsu, the other flavours are cheese, black pepper, Ume Shiso, garlic and Yuzu Kosho.

Kimukatsu
391A Orchard Rd, B2 Food Hall Takashimaya
Singapore 238873

MARUHACHI

Opened in November 2020, Maruhachi Donburi & Curry is a hawker stall that offers restaurant-quality tonkatsu at very affordable prices.

The chef-owner is Indonesian-born Singaporean PR August Wijaya, 38 who used to be the head chef of the now-defunct Ginza Bairin—the famous Tokyo-based tonkatsu restaurant at ION Orchard—for almost nine years.

The Tonkatsu set (S$11.80) comes with a pretty huge slab of tenderloin that is evenly breaded with panko and deep-fried to a beautiful golden brown. Premium Japanese rice is also used, and there is also a side of freshly-shredded cabbage. Honestly, we have nothing to pick on this straight-forward classic Tonkatsu set. And we would go back for it again and again.

They have opened 8 outlets across Singapore over the past two years and you can easily find a stall near your neighbourhood.

Maruhachi Donburi & Curry
671 Edgefield Plains, Singapore 821673
Tel: 9176 5750

SABOTEN

With more than 500 outlets worldwide, Saboten is a popular tonkatsu chain that uses only selected grain and barley fed pigs.

Be spoilt for choice with their menu that features all sorts of breaded goodies from their signature Pork Loin Katsu Gozen to their Grated Radish Loin Katsu.

9 Raffles Boulevard, #02-14 Millenia Walk
Singapore039596
Tel: 6837 3432

TONKICHI

One of the more well-known tonkatsu restaurants in Singapore, Tonkichi has garnered many supporters over the years.

We have dined at Tonkichi over the years and the standards have dropped significantly. The basic tonkatsu sets are just run-of-the-mill and nothing to shout about. The Premium Rosu Katsu (S$32), on the other hand, still deserves a special mention. We had the Miyazaki Rosu Katsu which was juicy and tender, with the right proportion of fats.

Simply put, there are much better tonkatsu restaurants in Singapore unless you are willing to splurge on the premium cuts. Nonetheless, we have included Tonkichi in our guide to tonkatsu restaurants in Singapore because there are many people who still patronise Tonkichi and swear by their tonkatsu.

350 Orchard Road
4F Shaw House
Tel: +65 6835 4648

Ohayo Mama San is the newest and possibly most chic restaurant in Somerset. Very conveniently located on the first level, just right beside the entrance for 313@Somerset, Ohayo Mama San is a sexy and modern Japanese fusion restaurant & bar with an enthralling menu.

You will not miss this swanky space, for sure. Decked in vibrant-coloured furniture that are so tres chic, Ohayo Mama San is an extremely comfortable and inviting place to be for a meal, for a catch-up with friends, or just a spot to rest your aching feet after a day of shopping in town. Prices are extremely reasonable, too.

On its menu, you will find a spectrum of offerings from all-day brunch sets, Japanese tapas and sushi rolls, Jap-fusion mains and afternoon tea sets. We don’t deny that we were a bit mind-boggled by the extensive menu, but this also means more reasons to go back to Ohayo Mama San. Here’s everything we tried and loved so far, and we are sure there are more yummy dishes awaiting our discovery!

Ohayo Mama San is situated strategically beside the entrance and is right across the MRT station exit, making it the go-to spot when you are in town. Its inviting interior includes cosy booth seats, high tables, and small tables for smaller groups/ couples.

The menu is a comprehensive one and it definitely has something for everybody – from all-day brunch sets, afternoon tea sets, mini rice bowls and riceless sushi, Japanese Tapas and fusion light bites, Jap-Indo fusion mains, sashimi platters and sushi towers, and more.

To begin, there are sharing items such as canapes and Japanese Tapas. Choose from a range of Jap-style pizzas, wagyu bites, oysters, carpaccio and Jap-style tacos.

For the brunch lovers, Ohayo Mama San also has a brunch menu which runs from 11.30am to 2pm and 6pm to closing daily. Served on a classic Japanese wooden tray, with an assortment of light bites and mains, think of these as Japanese bentos in a light-hearted, Modern take. Prices start from S$18 per set – how attractive is this?

For the raw food lovers, Ohayo Mama San also has several sashimi platters, but we have to say there are two that really stood out – the Salmon Obsession Platter (S$58++) and Uni Garden (S$228++, available with pre-booking).

Now, can we look at this Salmon Obsession Platter? It is massive and will make any salmon lovers delirious. You have salmon done in many ways, and it is a good platter to share between 2-3pax. The price is unbelievable, to say the least.

The Uni Garden (S$228++, available with pre-booking) is for the ones who are willing to splurge a little. The uni is flown in multiple times a week to ensure its freshness, so no matter which way the uni is done, you get really good, plump and creamy fresh uni direct from Japan.

It features a variety of premium Uni and ingredients including Oyster Uni Ponzu Citrus Shot, Shiro Ebi Uni with Umami Sauce, Uni Shiro Ebi Wasabi Ebiko, Uni Chop Toro, Uni Shiro Ebi Dashi Jelly, Uni Chop Toro with Ikura and Nori Sauce, Uni Snow Crab Meat with Nori Sauce, Narabi Bafun Uni Toro, Botan Ebi, Aka Mutsu with Uni.

Fancy some sushi? Go for the Temari Sushi Kyuden Set – a cute tower of sushi that symbolizes good luck and happiness, usually enjoyed during celebrations in Japan. At S$48++ per set, these hand-crafted ball-shaped sushi feature exciting mish-mash of ingredients that are pleasantly surprising with every bite.

Otherwise, if you prefer something simpler, there are also basic sushi sets starting from S$18++ for 8 pieces of sushi. Told you their food is very affordable!

You should also try the Bocconcini di Buffala al Sashimi (S$28++) which features thick slices of Toro, Salmon, Salmon Belly, Hotate, Akami and Akamutsu on top of Bocconcini Cheese and sprinkled with a touch of Truffle Shoyu.

Onto the mains, you can choose from ramen, and donburi. And on top of that, Ohayo Mama San will be introducing several new Japanese fusion mains from 2 April 2022. You would never imagine Indonesian flavours to go so well with Japanese ingredients, but Ohayo Mama San did it, and boy, were we impressed.

The Onion Baked Rendang Wagyu with Garlic Rice (S$26++) was beyond imagination. Imagine buttery, tender A4 Mizayaki wagyu cubes pan-fried to perfection with a beautiful red center, complemented with homemade Indonesian rendang that is slightly spicy but still super palatable; the explosion of flavours was one so unexpected, it left us salivating for more.

Then, there is the Creamy Sambal Ljo (Green Chilli) Fish with Garlic Fried Rice (S$24++) that totally won our hearts and we would totally return to Ohayo Mama San for this. The star isn’t even the fish, but the freshly-made jalapeño with white wine sauce. The fiery kick and aromatic pepper taste is one so fragrant and so addictive that we would go back to Ohayo Mama just for this!

There is also the Sweet & Sour Balinese Sambal Matah Seafood Medley with Garlic Rice (S$24++) featuring housemade samabal matah. For the uninitiated, Indonesians love their sambal and there are hundreds of different sambal. Sambal matah is a raw chilli and on its own a broad category, but by and large, they are made with garlic, chillies, shallots, lemongrass and shrimp paste.

At Ohayo Mama San, they take pride in their sambal matah and make theirs from scratch. And with the local diners in mind, their sambal matah is given a slight sweet and sour twist so that the heat is not so overpowering. This comforting seafood dish is nothing but pure goodness and top-notch quality.

All of the three main courses above are served with a portion of garlic fried rice.

Ohayo Mama San offers a wide selection of Japanese sake and cocktails at very reasonable prices and the daily happy hour starts from 11am.

Tea Party Sets are for the afternoon tea lovers, and what is a shopping day out without stopping by for some sweet treats, right? Ohayo Mama San’s tea sets begin at S$38++ for two, and comes with a pot of tea too. Top it up to S$58++ for 2 pax and you get two glasses of Passion Mimosa; top it up to S$65++ for 2 pax and there will be house sake. Absolute deal, we must say.

Ohayo Mama San
313 Orchard Rd, #01-29, 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 8875 2777

This post was brought to you by Ohayo Mama San.

A clever play on the word ‘chateaubriand’—which is a prime tender cut of wagyu—Shatoburian is the most talked-about Japanese yakiniku restaurant in town now. Famed for their extensive menu of prized Hida wagyu cuts, this contemporary Japanese BBQ restaurant is a heaven for wagyu aficionados.

The restaurant sits within Palais Renaissance and is already a regular hangout spot among celebrities, socialites, wagyu connoisseurs and pretty much anyone who wants a good yakiniku meal.

Shatoburian sits on the second level of Palais Renaissance. The elusive restaurant is decked in a predominantly-dark interior with wooden partitions, and it is a cosy, intimate space for any special occasion. You may choose to enjoy your meal at the counter or sit at the tables for your own privacy.

It is wonderful to know that Shatoburian is all about sustainability. Their cattle hail from the Gifu prefecture and the restaurant adopts the nose-to-tail method of importing, hence offering all types of cuts of wagyu on its menu. The culinary team are so confident in their meat quality and flavours that they go easy on the seasoning and artificial flavourings.

You may not know where to start, and we will tell you go to for the Signature Yakiniku Don which comes in three variations—Kurobuta Pork (S$85), Japanese Wagyu Beef (S$118) and Chef’s premium selection of Japanese wagyu beef (S$188).

The Japanese Wagyu Beef Yakiniku Donburi is presented with foie gras, uni, caviar, onsen egg and topped with shaved truffles. Luxurious and indulgent, this heavenly bowl of treasures will make your day, regardless of which variation you go for. This is, hands down, one of the best wagyu donburi in Singapore.

There is this claypot rice dish that is good for sharing, and it is the Truffle Mushroom Gohan (S$98). A mix of French and Japanese mushrooms are cooked to order and topped with shaved truffles—simple but very earthy flavours with a splendid aftertaste of the fragrant truffle.

On the yakiniku menu, you can choose from thin-slice, normal-slice as well as steak cuts.

Our ultimate favourite is definitely the Shato-suki (S$80)!

100g of Sirloin is BBQ-ed over big flames only until medium-rare, leaving the slices of heaven still soft and tender, before it is served in a Japanese raw egg.

Other cuts to love are the Misuji (Oyster blade, S$52), Rib Shin (S$70) and Pork Jowl (S$28), as well as Chateaubriand (S$150)—Shatoburian’s prized cut—which is 120g of the most tender and best cut of the tenderloin.

Most of the meats are available in Shio or Tare (Barbeque sauce) and the steaks are served with Himalayan salt and condiments.

It goes without saying that a meal at Shatoburian doesn’t come cheap. But is it worth splurging on? Definitely! This is the place to head to if you are willing to pay a premium for quality wagyu yakiniku.

Shatoburian
390 Orchard Rd, #02 – 08, Singapore 238871
Tel: +65 6904 3308

Ashino is an omakase restaurant at Chijmes that’s famous for their aged sushi, and the 8-seater restaurant is so popular that there is a waitlist for a seat.

But is it really worth the hype? We waited 2 months for a seat, and finally got down to trying the S$250 omakase served by Chef Taku Ashino himself—who was trained in Tokyo for more than a decade, and worked at Hide Yamamoto before he opened his own at Chijmes in 2015.

There are 4 options for lunch: S$120, S$180, S$200 and S$250. We went for the S$250 Omakase lunch, because why go for the S$120 one when we already waited 2 months for a seat, right?

Ashino At Chijmes prides themselves on using air-flown Mt Fuji water cooked in a traditional iron kettle for their shari-sushi rice, and a great range of his fish is aged for extra flavours.

We started out with two sushi—marinated tuna in soy sauce and botan ebi—and were a little puzzled as to why we went straight into sushi instead of appetizers. Then came along more sushi, but nothing exactly stood out, rest for this piece featuring merikari (shining eyes)—a very lightly sweet white fish that was firm to the bite.

There were more appetiser-like bite-sized dishes (such as a single deep-fried hotate with lotus root) were slotted in between the sushi pieces.

In between, you may expect pieces such as hokkigai (surf clam), budai (parrot fish) and chutoro. Notably, Chef Ashino has a penchant for the very uncommon fish, but perhaps, one who gravitates more towards the simplicity of natural flavours would appreciate his omakase more.

And the most memorable ones were the sea perch that was prepared with citrus and pepper as well as the one with Uni.

Oh, we loved the fukugi tea. Made from camphor wood, smoked branches and leaves, this caffeine-free tea served at the end of the omakase meal was lightly aromatic and very palatable.

Ashino
30 Victoria Street #01-23 Chijmes, 187996
Tel: +65 6684 4567

Established in 1980, Shima at Goodwood Park Hotel is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Singapore which is known for its traditional teppanyaki. It is frequented by Japanese expats and those with has a discerning appetite for fine Japanese cuisine.

Freshly grilled food (yaki) on an iron plate (teppan), Shima offers teppanyaki courses in a slightly aristocratic yet traditional setting. In short, you can expect nothing short of the finest quality and dedicated service.

The beef tenderloin steak came with a smoky exterior and medium-rare interior. Accompanied with deep-fried garlic chips and yasai-yaki, this main course was a true stunner.

Other than its signature Teppayaki menus, Shima also offers sashimi and sushi which is air-flown at least once a week from Japan.

Every grain of rice is coated with the oil used to fry the garlic, with pepper added to elevated the overall fragrance of this dish. It was, hands down, the best garlic rice that we’ve had in Singapore.

Shima Restaurant
22 Scotts Rd
Goodwood Park Hotel
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 6734 6281