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

Photo credit: Japan Foods Holding

Konjiki Hototogisu—famous ramen shop from Tokyo—is opening in Singapore at Chijmes on 20 June 2018. Founded by Head Chef Atsushi Yamamoto in 1996, Konjiki Hototogisu started with humble origins in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Konjiki Hototogisu’s signature clam-flavoured broth ramen has won numerous awards and it has been listed on Tokyo’s Michelin Bib Gourmand list 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

This famous ramen shop from Tokyo will be having its soft opening on 20 June from 6pm to 8pm. The official opening is on 21 June.

Konjiki Hototogisu Singapore
#01-17 Chijmes
30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

National monument CHIJMES is one of Singapore’s most beautiful landmarks. The historic complex was built in the 19th century and is most recognised for its neo-classic gothic architecture.

The former chapel is now home to a vast selection of dining destinations and this December, its various tenants are offering several exciting Christmas offers.

From Harry’s lavish Christmas Spread for four pax at S$78++ (usual price: S$110.80++), Carnivore’s complimentary glass of wine and free ice cream scoop during festive buffet dinners to The Single Casks’ generous 50% off selected labelled flights, here are 11 Irresistible Christmas Promotions At CHIJMES that you certainly do not want to miss out on.

#1 BERLIN

The Berlin Bar is a popular eatery and watering hole at Chijmes with daily live entertainment. From the 18 to 25 December 2016 you can enjoy their special Christmas cocktail concoction at $$15++.

Enjoy their Christmas menu and end your meal with the delightful Christmas cocktail that makes you want to linger and have just one more.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 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.

CHIJMES #B1-06
30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6333 4036
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3am
Sat: 5pm – 4am
Sun: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: City Hall

#2 CARNIVORE

Enjoy authentic Brazilian churrasco meats under the stars at Carnivore Brazilian Churrascaria. Visit Carnivore on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day for a sumptuous buffet dinner. Prices start from S$60++ per adult and S$20++ per child.

To complement these festive dinners, all adults will receive a complimentary glass of wine. Indulge in free-flow Roasted Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing, Honey Glazed Gammon Ham with Pineapple Sauce and U.S.D.A. Choice Top Sirloin.

Dec 24     Dec 25     Dec 31     Jan 1
S$70++    S$60++   S$75++    S$65++

CHIJMES #01-30
30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6334 9332
Daily: 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#3 GIARDINO PIZZA BAR & GRILL

Giardino Pizza Bar & Grill is a casual Italian restaurant that specialises in handcrafted wood-fired pizzas.

From 14 to 24 December 2016, treat yourselves to a splendid 3-course Christmas special menu affordably priced at S$50++. This festive menu comprises a Roasted Butternut Pumpkin Soup, a choice of either Grilled Seabass or Turkey Roulade and a Chocolate Parfait.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 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.

CHIJMES #01-32
30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6334 2515
Sun to Thu: 5pm – 10.30pm
Fri to Sat: 5pm- 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#4 GYU-KAKU

Japanese restaurant Gyu-Kaku is renowned for their grilled meats. The reputable Yakiniku brand has more than 600 outlets across Japan and four restaurants in Singapore. This December, Gyu-Kaku is offering a scrumptious Christmas Beef Platter (470 grams) with two glasses of red wine at S$170++ (usual price: S$193++).

The platter comprises four different types of beef: Australia Premium Fillet (Cube Cut), Australia Premium Fillet ‘Chateaubriand’, Kagoshima Wagyu Chuck (Steak Cut) and Kagoshima Wagyu Chuck (Yakiniku Cut).

Note that this value-for-money promotion is valid from now till 31 December 2016.

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

#5 HARRY’S

Over the years, Harry’s has established itself as the go-to place for after-work drinks with modern comfort food. The household brand has a scrumptious Christmas Dine-in Bundle for four pax at an unbeatable price of S$78++ (usual price: S$110.80++). This promotion is valid until 01 Jan 2017.

This bundle consists of a choice of your favourite flatbread, the Harry’s Signature Wings, Triple Sausage Platter and a tray of Harry’s Cupcake Shooters (four shots).

CHIJMES #01-14
30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6337 0618
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 1am
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: City Hall

#6 HIGHLANDER

Highlander has specially created a stellar dish this Christmas—the Scottish Salmon Wellington. Salmon and fresh spinach are encased in a soft puff pastry. Sink your teeth into this main dish and a glass of white wine for S$45++.

There’s also Highlander’s Candy Cane Bomb and Eggnog Shooters (from S$15.80++). Note that these items are only available from 19 December 2016 to 01 January 2017.

CHIJMES #B1-05
30 Victoria Street
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6336 1239
Mon to Thu: 3pm – 3am
Fri and Sat: 5pm – 4am
Sun: 4pm – 11am
Nearest Station: City Hall

#7 INDOCHINE CHIJMES

From now until 31 December 2016, IndoChine at CHIJMES will be serving festive dishes with a unique Asian take. Prices of these dishes start from S$28++ each.

Look forward to Asian-inspired yuletide delicacies such as Seared Homemade Laotian Pork Sausage with Herbs and Spices, Chargrilled Seasoned Baby Ribs served with Fresh Lime, Air-flown Whole Roasted French Corn-fed Chicken stuffed with Vegetable Medley.

CHIJMES #01 – 21/22
30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6332 1595
Daily: 11.30am – 1am
Nearest Station: City Hall

#8 ON-YASAI

Up for a luxurious buffet with the most premium ingredients? From now until 31 December 2016, you can relish in a Christmas Special Buffet at S$78.80++/pax.

This all-you-can-eat feast features unlimited Chicken, Pork, Kagoshima Wagyu Beef, Tom Yam Nabe and more meats. You are also entitled to one serving of supreme seafood platter and one portion of Tako Rice.

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

#9 PRIVÉ

Surrounded by lush greenery, Privé CHIJMES is a stunning all-day dining venue & bar where you have the option of dining indoors or al fresco. When night approaches, the breezy al fresco terrace is illuminated by pretty fairy lights—a perfect spot for a romantic date night!

From now until 31 December 2016, check out the menu of limited edition seasonal dishes such as Turkey & Mushroom Roulade, Vodka-Cured Salmon Salad and Wood-Roasted Butternut Pumpkin Soup etc.

CHIJMES #01-33
30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6776 0777
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 12am
Eve of PH & Fri: 11.30am – 1am
PH & Sat: 10am – 1am
Sun: 10am – 2am
Nearest Station: City Hall

#10 THE SINGLE CASK

The Single Cask is an intimate whisky bar located in a quiet corner of CHIJMES. It is also Singapore’s first Whisky Ambassador accredited venue. The space also doubles up as a retail store and boasts over 300 Single malt whiskies, Single cask rums and blended malts. You know, that’s a dream come true for us.

Be entitled to a generous 50% off ‘The Single Cask’-labelled flights from now until 31 Dec 2016!

CHIJMES #01-25
30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6837 0953
Closed on Sundays
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: City Hall

#11 WHITEGRASS

Contemporary Modern Australian restaurant Whitegrass’s interior is incredibly gorgeous. The fine dining establishment is helmed by chef-owner Sam Aisbet who previously worked in Sydney’s Tetsuya. Needless to say, the food served here—which are primarily Australian cuisine with experimental takes and Asian twists—are of very high standards.

An exquisitely curated 7-course festive dinner will be available on Christmas Eve at S$250++ each and a 8-course festive dinner will be available on New Year’s Eve at S$265++ per diner. An exclusive festive cocktail will be included in this gastronomic dinner.

CHIJMES #01-26/27
30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6837 0402
Closed on Mondays and Sundays
Tue: 6pm – 9.30pm
Wed to Sat: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

This post is brought to you by CHIJMES.

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.