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.

Opened by Chef Raymond Tan—the owner of high-end sushi restaurant, Hiyru—Shinsho Ramen is a new ramen eatery at Singpost Centre. Originating from Malaysia, Shinsho Ramen specialises in chicken paitan (white soup) ramen.

Shinsho’s paitan ramen is made from boiling and simmering a large amount of whole chicken, pork bones, chicken legs, and several kinds of vegetables over more than 8 hours. The result? A creamy, collagen-rich consistency with deep, savoury flavours.

There are 8 ramen on Shinsho Ramen’s menu:

• Aged Soy Sauce Ramen (S$14.90)
• Black Garlic Ramen (S$15.90)
• Spicy Red Miso Ramen (S$16.90)
• Special Black Truffle Flavour Ramen (S$17.90)
• Sakura Ebi & Chashu Curry Tsukemen (S$17.90)
• Pork Ribs Teriyaki Ramen (S$29)
• Half Rock Lobster Ramen (S$48)
• Kuroge Wagyu Ramen (S$54)

For delivery, you can opt for Shinsho Ramen’s raw noodle pack and cook the ramen yourself. The ramen ingredients, noodles and paitan soup broth will be packed separately and all you have to do is to cook the noodles in boiling water and heat up the soup broth which comes in a vacuum-packed bag. It’s a great way to enjoy piping hot ramen at the comfort of your place.

There are also premium ramen options including Half Rock Lobster Ramen and Kuroge Wagyu Ramen.

Apart from ramen, you can also choose from a selection of sides such as Fried Chicken Skin with Spicy Aioli, Homemade Wagyu Gzoya (S$12.40 for 4 pcs) and Roasted Pork Belly Bun (S$6.20).

We absolutely loved the spicy aioli dip which came with the fried chicken skin.

While we didn’t quite like the roasted pork belly which was too lean and dry, we thoroughly enjoyed the Homemade Wagyu Gzoya.

• Order Shinsho Ramen from their website—http://order.tabsquare.ai/ShinshoRamen.
• Islandwide delivery at only S$4 per trip with a minimum order of S$25.
• Free delivery for orders S$100 and above.

Shinsho Ramen
10 Eunos Rd 8, # 01-136, Singapore 408600
Daily: 11am – 8pm

Popular sushi chain Sen-Ryo has opened its first outlet in Singapore at Ion Orchard.

Originating from the Tochigi prefecture in Japan, Sen-Ryo has 13 outlets in Hong Kong and it is brought in by Maxim’s Caterers, the Hong Kong-based F&B group that also runs the Genki Sushi chain in Singapore.

Unlike the original Sen-Ryo in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Japan, Sen-Ryo Singapore will not be offering sushi on a conveyor belt. Instead, it will be offering full table service with dishes prepared a la minute.

The Japanese restaurant prides itself on serving “shokunin” (Japanese for artisanal) Edomae-style sushi.

On the menu, you can find a selection of Sashimi Platter, Sushi Platter, Kushiyaki, Tempura, and Donburi.

To celebrate its opening in Singapore, it is offering 5% off total net spend from now until 30 April 2021.

Sen-ryo Singapore
#03-14 Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6974 6782

Polished, elegant and intimate, Kaunta is a new Japanese restaurant in Tanjong Pagar that aims to provide diners with an authentic and lavish dining experience that’ll leave a lasting, memorable impression.

The modern 20-seater Japanese restaurant is by the same team behind The Sushi Bar—the popular sushi joint that first started at Far East Plaza.

The Sushi Bar is a restaurant for casual dining on a daily basis, but Kaunta, on the other hand, is more upmarket and made for occasions. They pride themselves on using only the freshest and most premium produce from Japan available to create their gastronomic masterpieces.

Allow the skilled chefs to take you on a multi-sensory journey; each and every bite of their meticulously crafted creations will open your eyes to the world of food from their point of view

You know that a meal visually exceeds its expectations when you dread tucking into the dish. It was almost too decadent to eat, especially after watching the chef painstakingly and meticulously assemble the entire dish.

That is how we felt before we began eating these bowls of art; each and every dish was created with so much poise and precision that it almost felt sinful to so much as move a single piece of uni.

Seafood aficionados will appreciate Bara (S$35)—a bara chirashi don featuring a medley of cubed seasonal fish, scallops, anago, unagi and ikura atop a bed of burdock gobo sushi rice.

This vibrant assemble was as pleasing to the palate as it was to the eyes and we love how the kaleidoscopic colours of the fish were further enhanced by a speckling of edible flowers and greens which made the dish almost too pretty to eat.

The seasonal fish, as promised, were exceptionally fresh, and every component provided its own unique element to the dish. Each bubble of ikura also added a lovely burst of flavour while complementing the tastes and textures of the other ingredients.  We also love how the sweetness of raw fish and ikura also paired contrastingly well with the earthiness of the burdock gobo sushi rice.

A special menu item that is available during lunch for a limited period is their A5 Wagyu Beef Bowl (S$50). This divine creation features perfectly seared chunks of the Rolls Royce of all beef, buttery foie gras, white truffle shavings and creamy uni that was balanced on a soft-boiled egg.

The impeccably tender beef paired well with the melt-in-your-mouth foie gras, creating a decadent combination of flavours that were packed full of umami. The uni added a nice briny touch to the dish without overwhelming its other components and together with the soft boiled egg, it provided the entire dish with a creamy texture that pulled all the dishes different elements together.

Kaunta Singapore
11 Kee Seng Street #01-12
Singapore 089218
Tel: +65 8788 3535
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Unless you’re Japanese or an expert on the topic of Japanese cuisine, chances are you wouldn’t be able to differentiate between Japanese sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. Believe us, not even die-hard foodies know the difference so it’s totally understandable that you don’t.

Quit making the mistake of thinking that both of them are the same because they’re worlds apart.

For one, sukiyaki is not hot pot, despite the fact that it is typically eaten out of a pot. Sure, it’s a one-pot-meal (essentially) but there is no soup nor stock involved—rather, a sauce. Shabu-Shabu, on the other hand, bears similar qualities of the conventional hot pot in that raw ingredients are cooked in a pot of boiling water or broth but still, there are some differences.

Sukiyaki is considerably more full-flavoured and robust. Commonly eaten during wintertime, this style of cooking involves raw ingredients, usually raw beef, vegetables and tofu cooked in a shallow base comprising soy sauce, mirin (Japanese rice wine) and sugar.

More of a sauce than a broth, the flavour of sukiyaki is sweeter and more pronounced. It is typically eaten with rice and meat is dipped into a raw beaten egg. The egg provides richness and also smoothens out the intense sweetness of the beef.

Shabu-Shabu, on the other hand, is much lighter and more savoury than sweet. Like conventional hot pot meals we’re used to, shabu-shabu involves cooking raw ingredients piece by piece in the centre of the table in a boiling pot of water or broth.

The broth is much lighter in flavour, sometimes flavoured with no more than bonito, kombu and a bit of salt to taste. The main difference between shabu-shabu and sukiyaki (besides its sweet and savoury rivalry) is that rather than just egg as a dip, shabu-shabu sees a variety of different dipping sauces—allowing diners to appreciate ingredients in more than one way.

From a diner’s point of view, the best way to understand the difference between the two is to know that sukiyaki is sweeter, tastier and heavily reliant on the quality of its base whereas shabu-shabu is milder, simpler yet places heavy emphasis on the quality of the ingredients.

If you’ve travelled to Japan before, you’d realise that some of the restaurants cycle their menus according to the four seasons. This is due to certain ingredients being more readily available than others during specific parts of the years.

JW360°, which stands for Japan Way Three Sixty, took this season-based concept and ingeniously transplanted it to ever-summer Singapore. Occupying a 486 square meter premise that can accommodate up to 140 seated patrons, JW360° is a concept store that consists of three operating divisions: JW360° Cafe, Suju Restaurant and a retail corner called Nomono.

As the focus of the store revolves around the four seasons, their menus and retail items here are switched up every few months, meaning that you will always have something new to look forward to.

Out of the many places around the world, they chose to set up their first outlet at the newly opened Jewel Changi Airport as they believe that this strategic location will enable them to connect with travellers from all around the world and allow them to provide everyone with the full Japanese experience. 

SUJU RESTAURANT 

JW360°’s restaurant segment is operated by Suju Masayuki, a notable Japanese restaurant that has over 200 years of rich history, seven stores in Japan and one store in Orchard, Singapore. The restaurant creates dishes based on the produce that is available in Japan according to the four seasons, so do expect a constantly changing menu!

Suju Restaurant is helmed by Head Chef Atsushi Yamakawa who was previously the Head Chef of Suju Restaurant in 2016. As Chef Yamakawa has had work experience in countries such as Australia, America and New Zealand, many of his dishes are infused with a unique western touch.

Based on his extensive knowledge of both Japanese and Western cuisines, the restaurant’s highlights include Yoshoku, which is essentially a western-influenced Japanese cuisine.

Some Yoshoku dishes to look forward to in the current season are the Hamburg Steak — an outrageously tender and thick beef patty which is glazed in a viscous miso demi-glace sauce. The robust sauce was a perfect complement to the patty and enhanced the umami of the whole dish.

The Mixed Katsu set comes with an assortment of pork, chicken, beef and shrimp croquette. Each crisp piece of katsu is fried to a gorgeous golden brown and every bite lets out a satisfying crunch.

Fish aficionados would appreciate the Gindara Misozuke Yaki, which is essentially a grilled miso-marinated codfish. Do not let its simple plating fool you; the codfish needs no other accompaniment and is absolutely ambrosial by itself. The fish is so insanely tender that it literally melts in your mouth!

JW360° CAFE 

For those of you who are looking for something a little lighter, pop over to JW360° Cafe to indulge yourselves in their decadent array of desserts and tea time treats.

Their gelato comes in an array of different flavours. We were told that it is a must to try their strawberry ice cream as it is made from Amao strawberries—deemed to be one of the highest grades of Japanese strawberries. These strawberries are so premium that they give the ice cream a naturally creamy texture and flavour without the addition of milk or cream.

As it is currently cherry blossom season in Japan, they have an entire selection of seasonal desserts dedicated to the well-loved flower. Prepare to spoil yourselves silly with some pretty pink desserts that don’t just look good for the ‘gram, but taste amazing too. We love their Sakura Cranberry Cakes!

We also recommend that you have a go at their matcha desserts which are made from high-quality matcha. Each and every one of these desserts has a rich, earthy flavour that has the perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness.

NOMONO RETAIL CORNER 

If you love Japanese snacks and trinkets but you have no money to fly all the way to Japan to get some, Nomono will be your saving grace. The retail corner is renowned for procuring snacks and souvenirs from all over Japan and they have three outlets within Tokyo, with Singapore being their first venture outside of Japan.

The colourful store is packed with an assortment of scrumptious, creatively packaged Japanese snacks and sweets. These amazing treats are bursting with flavours of Japanese origins reputably known as ‘Oyatsu Times’ which translates to ‘Japanese Snack Time’.

All the snacks and sweets available here hail from various prefectures across Japan and each of these is a representation of what their prefectures specialise in. We were recommended to get their zesty Apple Chips which consist of raw apples that have been air-fried to preserve its crispiness and natural apple flavour.

For the alcoholics out there, you’d be glad to know that there are also a variety of different sakes available. We love the ones that come in little glass jars that have detailed paintings on them; it makes for a perfect keepsake or a gift!

In celebration of the current sakura season in Japan, Nomono has also stocked up on a range of sakura-themed food items that are hard to resist. From pink-hued pasta shaped like sakura flowers to even sakura salt, you’ll definitely be left spoilt for choice!

Other highly recommended snacks include Hagi no Tsuki Custard Cake, a soft and fluffy sponge cake that is filled with custard cream. The dessert originates from Sendai, one of the largest Tohoku regions in Japan. This dessert is so popular that it would be considered a crime to go on a trip to Japan and not come back with a box of these.

JW360°
#01-223/224/225
Jewel Changi Airport
Tel: +65 6242 8377 (Retail) +65 6243 2466 (Restaurant)
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

This post was brought to you by JW360°.

Japanese eateries are common in Singapore; there are a plethora of them scattered all over our sunny island and their prices can range from wallet-friendly to ‘I may have to eat soya sauce and rice for the next 2 weeks’.

Joining the ranks of the wallet-friendly list is Sora Boru, a brand-new Japanese dining concept in Somerset that dishes out a wide range of Japanese casual one-dish meals at incredibly affordable prices. Sora Boru is conveniently located in the heart of town at 313@Somerset and it is little wonder how it is already so well-received among executives who work in the area as well as students and shoppers.

Playfully named after the way the Japanese pronounce ‘bowl’, Sora Boru’s menu includes customisable chirashi-don, curry rice bowls, soba and their signature Volcano Beef Don and Snow Beef Don. All the mains here come in regular and mini sizes—great for different people with varying appetites.

And from 17 to 30 April 2019, quote “ladyironchef” or flash this advertorial when you order any Regular main and get any Mini of your choice at Sora Boru!

As of August 2019, Sora Boru is officially halal-certified. You can bring your Muslim friends to enjoy Sora Boru’s affordable Japanese meals.

VOLCANO BEEF DON

Aptly named after its appearance, Sora Boru’s Volcano Beef Don (S$11.90) is a glorified beef bowl of Japanese rice topped with your choice of stewed cabbage or seasoned bean sprouts and a massive pile of incredibly tender flame-grilled slices of beef.

The cherry on top is the rivulets of ‘lava’ that run down the sides of the volcano, which is essentially Sora Boru’s special in-house concocted spicy sauce. Coating the heap of beef evenly and generously, the sauce adds that much needed fiery kick that makes this dish deserving of its volcanic title.

SNOW BEEF DON 

On the other end of the spectrum is their Snow Beef Don (S$11.90) where instead of spicy gochujang sauce, the beef is doused in a unique homemade sweet and savoury sauce that is made from whipping cream. This is further enhanced by a generous sprinkling of grated parmesan which gives the dish its snow effect.

In comparison to its spicy counterpart, the Snow Beef Don has a creamier texture as well as a much sweeter flavour that stems from the whipping cream. The contrast of the sweetness from the sauce with the savouriness from the parmesan cheese created a medley of varying flavours that definitely got us hooked!

If we had to choose between the two, we admit that it won’t be an easy decision because we are equally obsessed with both of them. But if you really can’t make up your mind, then get both! We recommend getting the mini versions of both don (S$7.50 each) so that you can have the best of both worlds!

CUSTOMISABLE CHIRASHIBORU 

Fans of chirashi-don would know that a decent bowl of this goodness does not come cheap. Here at Sora Boru, fill your bowl to the brim with juicy cubes of sashimi. Mini bowls are super affordable and are priced at S$6.50, while regular bowls are at S$11.90 and large bowls at S$16.90.

What we also love about their chirashi-don is its customisability. Through a six-step process, diners can pick and choose their preferred bowl size, base, raw fish, add-ons, sauces and garnishes.

Examples of some of the raw fish that you can choose to add into your ChirashiBoru are salmon, scallop, tuna, octopus and swordfish.

BARA CHIRASHI EBIMAYO ABURI DON 

If you want to up your chirashi don game, you can opt for their Bara Chirashi Ebimayo Aburi Don (Mini S$9.50, Regular S$16.90) instead. This bowl of goodness features cubes of assorted half-grilled seafood such as salmon and baby scallops, tamagoyaki, tempura bits and cucumber that are blanketed in an incredibly aromatic blow-torched shrimp roe mayonnaise.

The savoury umami of the shrimp roe mayonnaise was reminiscent of the flavours of mentaiko. Blow-torching the decadent sauce also created a lovely char and an irresistible smoky flavour. Texture wise, the tempura bits added a lovely crunch to the entire dish and provided a nice contrast to the chewy sashimi cubes.

If chirashi and beef do aren’t your thing, you can always try the other dons available which include their Salmon Teriyaki Toji Don (Mini S$7.50, Regular S$13.90), Chicken Teriyaki Toji Don (Mini S$4.90, Regular S$8.50) and Ebi Vegetable Tendon (Mini S$4.90, Regular S$9.50).

CURRYBORU 

Japanese curry has always been regarded as one of Japan’s most well-loved comfort foods, which is why Sora Boru has an entire section of their menu dedicated to this perennial favourite.

Every bowl of CurryBoru here is drenched in a gratifyingly rich curry sauce that is cooked with a secret recipe that has been fine-tuned and perfected for months. Mildly spicy with subtle hints of fruity acidity, this robust concoction packs on a lot of flavours without being too cloying. Based on how much heat you can take, you can also choose between two levels of spiciness.

Each bowl of curry rice is paired with one type of deep-fried meat or seafood. Some options available are the Chicken Katsu CurryBoru (Mini S$6.50, Regular S$10.90), Shabu Beef CurryBoru (Mini S$6.50, Regular S$10.90) and Breaded Ebi CurryBoru (Mini S$6.50, Regular S$10.90).

If you’re feeling more peckish than usual, you can opt for one of their curry combo sets which are the Breaded Ebi with Shabu Beef CurryBoru (Regular S$12.90) and the Breaded Salmon with Shabu Beef CurryBoru (Regular S$11.90).

CHA SOBA SETS 

Sora Boru also has a selection of noodle options for you to tuck into. The cha soba here is springy and cooked to a nice al dente which goes perfectly with the chilled, savoury dipping sauce or warm soup.

The cha soba can also be enjoyed with your choice of accompaniments such as Ebi Vegetable Tempura (Mini S$7.50, Regular S$12.90), Chicken Karaage (Mini S$6.50, Regular S$10.90) and Chicken Katsu (Mini S$6.50, Regular S$10.90).

SCRUMMY SIDES

If you’d like more food for sharing (or if you’re simply ravenous), get some sides to go along with your mains. The recommended picks are Chicken Gyoza (S$8.50 for 6 pieces), Chawanmushi (S$1.90) and Yasai Corn Tempura with Tartar Sauce (S$5.50).

Our favourite of the lot is the Crispy Salmon Skin with Egg Mayo Dip (S$8.50) which features insanely crispy slivers of fish skin fried to a lovely golden brown. The egg mayo dip adds an addictively sweet and savoury touch to the salmon skin and we couldn’t stop ourselves from slathering everything on sight with it.

From 17 to 30 April 2019, quote “ladyironchef” or flash this advertorial when you order any Regular main and get any Mini of your choice at Sora Boru!

Terms & Conditions
- Valid for dine-in only
- Orders and redemptions must be made at the cashier
- Promotion is valid for any Regular and any Mini ChirashiBoru / DonBoru / CurryBoru / Noodles
- This offer cannot be stacked with any other promotions or discounts
- Flash Ladyironchef’s corresponding Facebook / Instagram / blog post to redeem

Sora Boru
313@Somerset #B3-19/20
313 Orchard Road
Singapore 238895
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Sora Boru. 

For the first time ever, East Japan Railway Company (JR East), one of Japan’s most notable railway companies, has come to Singapore to present an exhilarating new project in the station retail facilities of SMRT Experience. The result is an interesting multi-sensory platform “Inspiration Store” over at  Orchard Xchange in Orchard MRT.

Be sure to watch out for renowned artists, craftsmen, and chefs from Japan who will make special appearances to share their inspiring insights into the art they create.

Every few weeks, the store will transform itself, showcasing different Japanese crafts and adoring different themes and displays. The event aims to provide an immersive experience and promote sustainability and community. The current theme for the second phase of the installation—that nicely ties in the spirit of Chinese New Year—is “Spring with Daruma”. Daruma dolls are traditional Japanese dolls that symbolise of perseverance and good luck.

If you’re someone who harbours a deep fascination for Japanese culture, this is one pop-up that you really need to check out to get inspired as well as to learn a thing or two about Japan and its rich heritage.

INSPIRATION STORE 

From now until 30 April 2019, they will have a special pop-up food store that sells local Japanese snacks, comforting bowls of dashichazuke and soothing cups of freshly brewed Japanese tea.

COMFORTING BOWLS OF DASHICHAZUKE 

For the unitiated, ochazuke is one of the most basic and traditional Japanese dishes out there and the Japanese consider this rustic dish an essential comfort food that they turn to when they need something light on the palette yet comforting at the same time.

It comprises simply of rice, various toppings such as meat, vegetables and seaweed and freshly brewed tea that is doused over, creating a porridge-like concoction with a pretty thick consistency. However, for the case of Inspiration Store, dashi stock is used instead of tea, resulting in a richer broth packed full of umami, hence the name, dashichazuke.

Their Onsen Egg Set (Dine-in S$11, Take away S$9) comprises of a bed of warm rice that is topped with seaweed, sakura shrimp and a plump onsen egg. After pouring in the rich dashi stock, we broke the onsen egg and let all that yolky goodness flow out.

The egg gave the entire dish an interesting thick and creamy texture that helped it glide down our throats with ease. The flavours here were simple yet they managed to hit all the right spots, resulting in a comforting dish that really warmed the heart.

For those of you who love seafood, you can opt to have their Shrimp and Scallop Set (Dine-in S$14, Take away S$12). Here, the rice is topped with juicy chunks of shrimp, succulent scallop bits as well as sakura shrimp and seaweed.

The shrimp and scallop give a nice, chewy bite to it as well as a delicate sweetness that was a nice contrast to the savoury and dashi stock. Though the flavours here were more pronounced than the Onsen Egg Set, the various components of the dish still managed to come together to create a soothing medley of flavours that was simply addictive.

Don’t let their Wasabi Set (Dine-in S$12, Take away S$10) scare you away; fret not as this dish is not one that will leave you in tears. Instead, the wasabi here comes in a small dollop that is placed at the side of the bowl, giving you full control over how much wasabi you’d like to have in your ochazuke.

Aside from wasabi, the dish is topped with a colourful array of vegetables. When mixed together with the dashi stock, everything comes together to create a light-tasting concoction with lots of crunchy components. The wasabi provides a heated punch of flavour and the seaweed gives the overall dish a deep umami flavour.

Sashimi aficionados will be thrilled to know that Inspiration Store also has an ochazuke option which features sliced tuna. The  Zuke Maguro Set (Dine-in S$15, Take away S$13) features rice that is draped with generous slices of fresh, tender maguro slices that come pre-marinated in soy sauce.

The maguro slices added a delightfully rich umami flavour to the entire dish and each perfectly sliced piece of tuna was a melt-in-your-mouth treat that definitely elevated the simple flavours of the ochazuke.

FRESHLY BREWED JAPANESE  TEAS

Just for this event, Inspiration Store has flown in a premium type of tea from Shizuoka, Japan called Gyokuro (S$8). This aromatic, high-grade tea is considered one of the most precious and noble types of Japanese teas out there and it has a sweet, soft marine-like flavour.

The optimum temperature of the water to be used in the preparation of the tea is 60 degrees as this brings out the tea’s true essence best. With its rich flavour and soft, delicate finish, the Gyokuro tea goes satisfyingly well with a piping hot bowl of Dashichazuke.

DARUMA CRAFT BOOTH 

Aside from all that scrumptious food, Inspiration Store has a crafts corner where you can get hands-on and decorate your own adorable daruma figurines. Don’t worry about making a mess because gloves are provided!

For the uninitiated, daruma dolls are traditional Japanese dolls that symbolise perseverance and good luck.

To get your daruma figurine, all you have to do is slot one of the provided token coins into a capsule machine that stands at the entrance of the booth, turn the knob and watch your figurine slide out—gashapon style!

The booth also provides a variety of acrylic paint and colourful markers that you can use to decorate your daruma. Once decorated, they’ll pass you a little bag to put it in to bring home. They make great decorations and if you have kids, you definitely should bring them down to let them try their hands out at making their own daruma dolls.

This daruma activity will be available until 18 Feb 2019, after which a new installation will be revealed to take its place.

Keep an eye out for the next instalment via their Instagram and Facebook pages. We already can’t wait for the next phase!

Inspiration Store
Orchard MRT Xchange, #B1-30/ 31
Singapore 238878
Daily: 10.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by East Japan Railway Company (JR East).

Presenting a brand-new space that boasts breathtaking view of Keppel Bay’s stunning architecture and multi-million dollar yachts along with a larger floor space that can accommodate more than 100 diners, dining at Sushi Jiro at Keppel Bay promises a multi-sensory Japanese dining experience not easily forgotten.

Curated and crafted by esteemed Chef Kenji, diners get to savour a delightful mix of seasonal seafood and fish along with other premium ingredients all moulded into gorgeous masterpieces by the chef himself that will target your taste buds in ways that you’ve never experienced before. Promising wave after wave of sensorial bliss, every ingredient is handpicked and air-flown up to 4 times a week from Japan.

Housing a sophisticated repertoire of signature, elegantly crafted items—both classic and contemporary—get ready to be teased by the likes of their Japanese Premium Wagyu A5 Beef Steak along with a bevvy of new creations, diners will be spoiled for choice.

If you’re ever looking to indulge, go to where every single cent will count—go to Sushi Jiro Keppel Bay. From now until 31 Jan 2019, there’s an opening promotion of 15% discount when you dine at Sushi Jiro’s new outlet at Keppel Bay.

Behind every great sushi experience is a master sushi chef with countless years of experience honing his skill. Armed with a passion that transcends all boundaries, Chef Kenji Nakagawa of Sushi Jiro never fails to astound and leave us awestruck every time we visit.

A master in the art of Edomae Sushi, Chef Kenji believes that simplicity is the key to crafting great sushi and that the freshness of every ingredient should be enough to speak for themselves. As such, his treatment of many of his dishes are minimal and relies heavily on his expansive knowledge of Japanese produce.

JIRO SPECIAL SET

When it comes to indulging in champion-quality Japanese food, you either go all the way or go home, and there truly is no better way than to opt for the brand-new Jiro Special Set (S$68++).

A massive culmination of dishes highlighting some of Japan’s greatest produce, the set comprises sashimi, uzaku (vinegared unagi & cucumbers), tempura, ika uni ikura, salad, onsen egg, a half portion of udon, chawanmushi, rice and ice cream. Every course is executed with utmost precision and care, ensuring the flavours are well-balanced, allowing diners to savour every plate without overwhelming the palate.

Lightly battered and deep-fried, the assortment of tempura retained a lightness to it them along with the dish’s signature crunch factor. Neither greasy nor lacking in seasoning, the tempura was prepared very well and the ingredients used were at their optimum freshness.

A shot of pure decadence that comprises ikura and uni carefully placed atop a mound of squid sashimi, this side dish is best enjoyed with slivers of pickled ginger in between. Every mouthful is a culmination of briny, savoury flavours that will literally have you swooning.

A SUSHI LOVER’S PARADISE

Freshly grated wasabi is the standard at luxe omakase joints and besides giving you the real deal, it actually tastes fundamentally better. Here, every piece of nigiri sushi comes dotted with fresh wasabi and licked with an appropriate amount of soy sauce which accents and influences the sushi the way that it’s meant to.

The Assorted Sushi Premium (S$108++) presents a lineup of 10 different nigiri sushi offerings with each one boasting unbeatable freshness as well as its own unique characteristic.

Piling over a generous slice of fresh fish atop carefully pressed mounds of seasoned sushi rice, along with the appropriate seasoning added, Chef Kenji carefully ensures that every piece of sushi is well balanced.

The otoro (fatty tuna) boasts a buttery, almost creamy texture and is one that we always save for last.

ASSORTED SASHIMI

Offering a wide assortment of sashimi ranging from 5 kinds (S$65++), 8 kinds (S$110++) and 10 kinds (S$140++), knock yourselves out with some of the finest quality seafood you’ll ever find.

Using only the best fish that the season has to offer, treated with so much care and precision and displayed in a manner so elegant that it is almost too stunning to tuck into, the various sashimi platters here are truly worth the splurge.

THE ROLLS ROYCE OF BEEF

One particularly noteworthy item includes the moreish Japanese Premium Wagyu A5 Beef Steak (S$64++) that comes from Japan’s Miyazaki prefecture.

Of the four unique Wagyu breeds raised in Japan, Miyazaki Wagyu is easily crowned king. This particular breed is best known for its cherry-red colour, impeccable quality and snowflake-white marbling that is evenly distributed.

Here at Sushi Jiro, they treat it simply with minimal seasoning, using only salt and the garlic to flavour the beef. The steak is served pre-sliced across the grain, revealing its stellar marbling before being topped with shards of fried garlic and garlic oil.

Sushi Jiro Keppel Bay
No.2 Keppel Bay Vista #02-01,
Marina at Keppel Bay,
Singapore 098382
Tel: +65 6252 4333
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

This post was brought to you by Sushi Jiro.

Located on the island of Shikoku, Kochi is rather out of the way for many which are what deters tourists from visiting. But what this humble area in Japan treated us to was nature in its most pristine form and its fascinating yet exciting drinking culture.

Kochi is blessed with beautiful and abundant nature such as the Shimanto River, Niyodo River and the Kuroshio coastline. From clear-blue lakes to autumn leaves and silhouettes depicting a never-ending sea of mountains, Kochi truly impressed us from leaf to pebble.

And when it comes to eating and drinking, these folks are anything but simple. Drinking alcohol is a huge deal here and eating good food is more of a lifestyle here rather than a necessity—something we can definitely resonate with. Bonito, a close relative of tuna and mackerel, is also hugely popular here and can be found in literally every restaurant and izakaya.

We had a lovely opportunity to go on a 5D4N adventure through Kochi, seeing and experiencing all sorts of fun things, eating amazing food and even getting hands down to make our own paper and harvest our own sea salt. For the curious traveller, here are 12 reasons why Kochi has to be on your next Japan itinerary.

TOSAWO SHOTEN

Specialising in soba, Tosawo Shoten is an excellent place to begin your trip proper as their delicious yet modest bowls guarantee comfort that nicely combats the cold, and gives diners a proper introduction to some of the prefecture’s local delicacies.

Unlike the soba dishes we’re used to, we had ours in a soupy broth made using a light dashi and further intensified with whitebait—a predominant ingredient used in many of Kochi’s esteemed dishes—with a few slices of fishcake added. This type of broth is commonly used in udon rather than soba.

KOCHI CASTLE

Kochi Castle is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan to have survived both the Edo and Meiji eras and is worth a visit to gain a deeper understanding of Kochi’s history. Much of the castle itself has been demolished but it still remains pretty well preserved nonetheless, in fact, Kochi Castle is one of the only 3 castles left in Japan that still has its main gate fully untouched.

A rather interesting concept, the design of the castle isn’t in any way straightforward. Having been designed by the lord’s wife back in the day, the design of the castle was largely intended to confuse and mislead invaders, which explains its many awkward and random structural placements. Kochi Castle is located just a short walk away from Kochijomae tram stop.

HIROME ICHIBA MARKET

When visiting Kochi, it is paramount to pay a visit to Hirome Ichiba at least once (or thrice) for a meal. Similar to the hawker centres we have back home, this unique market located in Kochi’s city centre that houses over 60 stalls, many of which are either hole-in-a-wall restaurants or izakaya. The vibe and energy here is amazing and literally everywhere you turn, you’re likely to see locals socialising, eating, drinking (a lot) and having a swell time.

Many stalls there serve beer, sake, and shochu in addition to food, so having a drink together with your finger food of fancy is highly recommended.

The food options here are plenty with bonito being one of the more prominent items on display. We went for a pretty good selection of fan-favourites which included grilled Shimanto Pork, Bonito, Tuna Sashimi as well as a local river ebi that’s deep-fried and enjoyed as a beer accompaniment.

YASUI VALLEY – HIRYUU WATERFALL, NIYODO RIVER

A treat for the senses for any nature lover, the Niyodo River is something to definitely check out. The water takes on a blue-hue which is partly influenced by the naturally bluish rocks at the base of the river and the water itself is crystal clear.

Walking through the forest and toward the Hiryuu Waterfall, the experience was one filled with tranquillity and relaxation. Coupled with the autumn breeze on our backs and surrounded by the multicoloured autumn foliage, appreciating nature never felt better. During the summer, many people drive down here for picnics and barbecues and even make it a point to take a dip in the river.

MIYANOMAE PARK – COSMOS FESTIVAL

At Miyanomae Park during autumn, bask in a sea of pinkish beauty at the Cosmos Festival, a celebration of the flowers of the region in full bloom. During the festival, there are also food tents set up, allowing you to get your fill of some local cuisine as well as a series of performances for visitors.

Patronised heavily by young couples, this scenic spot is great for photos and would make for the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous couple photo for the ‘gram’.

TAISHO-KEN – UNAGI RESTAURANT

Just a short drive away from Miyanomae Park is 106-year-old unagi-centric restaurant Taisho-ken. The restaurant is currently run by 4th generation owner, Mr Masahiro Wada, who makes it his life mission to perfect the art of serving proper unagi cuisine the way his family has been doing it for over a century now. He claims that he is still far from achieving that, but we beg to differ.

Choosing the lunch set allows you to savour unagi in 3 different varieties—grilled, slathered with tare and served over rice, cooked within a tamago, and in a salad. Grilled to perfection and glazed in that perfectly balanced tare, we dare admit that their unagi is one of the best that we’ve had. Make no mistake, making the trip down for a meal here is well worth the journey, the time and the price.

HAMACHO – DINE AND BE ENTERTAINED BY A GEISHA

Geishas are a dying tradition in Japan and nowadays you can literally only find a number of actual ones that still exist—under the radar of course. Yet, over at Hamacho, a traditional Japanese high-class restaurant, a number of geishas are still allowed to perform, drink and interact with guests.

The food served here for 1 or 2 people is typically kaiseki, a massive platter of individual small components featuring a host of Kochi’s local delicacies and seasonal produce as well. But should you dine in a bigger group, they would serve a sawachi platter which is much larger.

Our behemoth of a platter comprised several types of fish, seafood and even whale. Fancy the opportunity to play games and drink with a real-life geisha? Feel free to express your interest to any of the staff and they will gladly come over to entertain you. However, language is a barrier so you may need an interpreter.

QRAUD: TOSAWASHI KOGEIMURA – PAPER-MAKING

Paper plays a big part in all of our lives—well, before computers and tablets anyway—but how often does anyone stop to wonder how the stuff is made? In Japan, paper-making is more than just a means of generating income, it’s an art.

If you’re someone artsy and enjoys getting hands-on, we reckon that paper-making will definitely be right up your alley. Over at hotel QRAUD Tosawashi Kogeimura Hotel, they offer a variety of workshops with paper-making being one of them.

KURE-TAISHO MARKET

Perhaps Kochi’s very own, smaller scale Tsukiji Fish Market, what this seafood market offers is truly a treat for any seafood or fresh fish lover. The concept is pretty much the same in that you go around selecting your item of choice and choose whether you wish to have it sliced in sashimi form or grilled with some light seasoning. There are also many other stalls selling grilled meat skewers and other types of tidbits.

Kure-Taisho Market has gained considerable popularity over the years with many people from all corners of Japan flocking over to have a taste of their bonito.

KUROSHIO TOWN – SALT HARVESTING

Salt is such a vital seasoning and is what makes food tasty. Yet, back home we never ever think about how salt is made since the majority of the time we depend on store-bought ones. Over at Kuroshio Town, residing along the vast and beautiful coastline are small family-owned facilities that devote themselves to the craft and art that is sea salt harvesting.

The particular place that we visited called Tosa no Shiomaru specialises in ‘sunshine salt’, which is naturally derived sea salt harvested using only sunlight and the coastal breeze—nothing else. The experience itself was a rather fascinating one as we were taught how about the fundamentals of salt as an ingredient and how different the effects and taste of salt can be depending on the amount of tampering it receives.

MUTEMUKA SAKE DISTILLERY – JAPAN’S FIRST CHESTNUT SAKE DISTILLERY

Everybody knows sake to be a rice-based wine and one synonymous with Japanese cuisine and Japan’s culture. At Mutemuka Sake Distillery in Kochi, they take a slightly different approach to making theirs, using locally grown chestnuts in addition to rice.

The flavour derived from Mutemuka’s chestnut sake is a lot more complex than regular, purer sakes in that it takes on a distinct nutty aroma coupled with a subtle savoury aroma. We had the pleasure of sampling a few varieties of their sake and of course, had to buy a few to take home.

CHIAKI NABEIYAKI RAMEN 

There are so many amazing flavours that one can unlock out of food simply by cooking it in a claypot. For one, its primary benefit is that it locks in heat in for a longer period of time, allowing food to stay hot longer and more importantly, lets the ingredients develop more intense flavours. The same can be observed in many Chinese dishes, and therefore comes as no surprise that cooking ramen in a claypot will guarantee one heck of a rich, multi-dimensional flavour profile.

You will find many places selling nabeiyaki (claypot ramen) all over Kochi but the one that we visited—which we strongly suggest you do too—is Chiaki Nabiyaki. The standard nabeiyaki comprises rather simply, tender yet firm egg noodles, bits of fish cake and an egg cracked over top right before serving.

As expected, the flavour was intense but balanced well enough such that it didn’t become difficult to gulp down and the egg stirred in not only thickened the broth but also added a heightened richness to the overall dish. A brilliant alternative to izakaya-style ramen and one that we highly recommend trying when in Kochi.

This post was brought to you by Kochi Tourism Board

Japan astounds in more ways than just its food and its people and wherever you choose to embark on your next adventure, we’re almost certain that you will not be disappointed. Our wanderlust brought us to Niigata, a coastal prefecture located north of bustling Tokyo. A lovely place untouched by time, and one that proves excellent for road trips.

Boasting the highest concentration of rice plantations and accounting for a majority of the country’s rice exports, there really is no wondering why Niigata is well-known for their excellent quality rice, rice wine (sake) and other rice-based products. Located close to the Japan Sea, fresh fish and seafood are often in abundance and of exceptional quality too.

Yet, as far as gastronomy goes, Niigata’s vast array of food choices come second only to the prefecture’s rich culture and a plethora of scenic views. Like lines in a sketch, the terraced rice paddies littered all over present a view like no place else. Each season brings with it a different ambience and having visited in Autumn, we were treated to stunning spectacles of technicoloured leaves and marvellous views wherever we were brought.

Brimming with breathtaking scenery, awesome food and inherently kind yet down-to-earth locals, you best believe us when we tell you that Niigata is a destination to consider if you crave adventure and new experiences. We’ve broken it all down for you, listing down how you can go about renting a car, where you should visit and what you should eat—you’re welcome.

RENT A CAR AT NIPPON DRIVE RENT-A-CAR IN MURAKAMI CITY

The journey toward Niigata prefecture takes about 2 hours via the Joetsu high-speed bullet train from Tokyo station—located 30 minutes from Haneda Airport. Our journey started at Murakami City, a castle township located just slightly north of Niigata City.

Located right outside Murakami Station, the Nippon Rental Car Depot is where you should first visit to kick-start your Niigata road trip proper. The staff may not be able to communicate in English effectively but they do have pamphlets available in multiple languages. Renting a car for a day is not very expensive either with a decent, standard car costing as little as 7000 yen (approx. S$85) for a day. It comes in mint condition with a navigational device in English.

STOP BY YURURI RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH

Once you’ve gotten your car settled, you could probably do with some grub and located just a short 5-minute drive away is Yururi Restaurant. Off their lunch set menu, you can find anything from rice bowls to soba, each of which features seasonal meat, fish and vegetables—a great way to taste a good variety of what Niigata can offer in terms of its products in just one meal.

We got ourselves the Tendon and Kaisen set, both of which came with a bowl of soba noodles in addition to rice. Fresh-tasting and decently priced, our first meal in Niigata kicked off pretty darn well at Yururi.

VISIT A SALMON SPECIALTY STORE (KIKKAWA)

If you’re a sucker for salmon, you’ll be thrilled to know that Murakami is famous for the stuff due to its proximity to Miomote River—a salmon hotspot basically. In fact, salmon has been a key element in sustaining the city’s financial backbone ever since the Edo period which explains why the people there are insanely proud of it.

Here in Murakami, there are over 100 different ways that the natives prepare salmon with the most common being salting and dry-curing, relying on the natural wind from the coastal breeze.

Don’t be alarmed at the number of salted salmon hanging in and around the houses here because it’s a norm, and scattered everywhere are little salmon speciality stores where you can find heaps of salmon-based products. Kikkawa is one such store and it truly is massive, selling anything and everything salmon-related from snacks, condiments to even salmon burgers which they make fresh daily

VISIT A TRADITIONAL TEA SHOP

The Murakami township is popular for their green tea and black tea varieties and you’re more than likely going to have no trouble finding a tea shop tucked in a corner somewhere. It might seem intimidating from the outside but don’t be shy and just waltz right in, the locals are extremely friendly and will do their utmost to serve you well despite the language barrier.

You can get the full tea-drinking experience with the added bonus of having your tea brewed over charcoal and an expert to prepare, serve and educate you about traditional Japanese tea and the art of tea-drinking.

SASAGAWA-NAGARE TOUR BOAT

For just a small fee, you get to go on a 45-minute boat ride meters away from the coastline to have a better view of the natural landforms as well as feed seagulls while you’re at it. Notable landforms include the Lion Rock, Eagle’s Nest and Dinosaur Rock.

Upon docking, be sure to stop by the fisherman’s wharf, where fresh fish is caught, treated and cooked fresh on an open grill. Fortunately for us, we arrived just in time to savour some fresh local ebi that was literally caught and carried off a fishing boat minutes prior.

DOYUNO: VEGGIE-TIME RESTAURANT

The thought of having a vegetarian meal in Japan might not appeal to many. In fact, some might find it a waste, but over at Doyuno Veggie-Time Restaurant, your impression just might change.

This is a proper as farm-to-table dining goes with all of the restaurant’s menu offerings coming straight from the farm. The experience starts off with a tour of the vegetable garden, of which guests will be educated on the different varieties of vegetables and herbs they grow, before letting you indulge in them all back at the restaurant.

Every recipe is designed specifically to the taste of each individual vegetable so depending on which season you visit, you just might have a different menu every other day.

As history has shown, the people of Tsuruoka have been and are, until today, incredibly reliant on vegetables for sustenance, largely because of their historical ascetic practice of Buddhism which disallows them to indulge in meat-based food.

FIVE-TIER PAGODA IN THE FOREST OF MT. HAGURO

Fancy a scenic trek through a thick cedar forest? The path leading toward Mt. Haguro is excellent and is a popular spot for both locals in search of a spiritual escape or simply just folks who’re looking to get some exercise in.

The lush greenery and the still, tranquil atmosphere is a pleasure to take in and is definitely a spot we recommend if you’re looking to get some solid portrait shots of yourself taken. The spiritual charm of the place comes in the form of shrines and little totems scattered all around the forest with a massive 5-tier pagoda located slightly deeper within.

KAMO AQUARIUM

The Kamo Aquarium in Yamagata Prefecture is in the Guinness Book of World Records for housing the world’s largest collection of jellyfish. Peculiar yet beautiful creatures nonetheless, a trip here will not be wasted. However, do note that the aquarium closes at 5pm so plan your time carefully if you do not want the drive down to be in vain.

LEARN THE WAYS OF THE SAMURAI AT THE UESUGI SHINTO SHRINE

If you’ve always had a fascination for Japan’s ancient warriors, the samurai, then perhaps a tour through the Uesugi Shinto Shrine should be right up your alley. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a quartet of samurai role-players, who, not only looked the part but also sounded and behaved like the proud samurai warriors of Edo-period Japan.

From learning to purify your body, to submit an offering to the Gods, the tour covers it all—if you dare to ask, they’ll probably even let you hold their weapons. The tour ends off with a 15-minute-long skit featuring the samurai warriors.

LOCAL DELICACY AT INAKAYA FURUMACHI OLD TOWN

Craving something authentic and exclusive to the Niigata prefecture, we were brought to try a local delicacy called Wappa Meshi at Inakaya Restaurant at Furumachi Old Town (basically the restaurant where the dish was born).

Wappa Meshi is a steamed dish consisting of steamed rice cooked using dashi that is topped with meat, or seafood cooked. It is steamed in a wooden box, similar to Chinese dim sum and the beauty of it is that the process allows for allows for the flavours of every component to marry well with one another.

The box itself, otherwise known as the ‘Mage-Wappa’ is a kind of container which was used as a lunch box by the folks who worked high up in the mountains and has been a tool of transporting food for over 600 years now.

We had a variety with some comprising chicken, salmon, ikura (salmon roe), local ebi and more. Every Wappa Moshi was cooked to utmost perfection and albeit looking simple, they each boasted incredible flavour.

PIA BANDAI FISH & FARMER’S MARKET

Anyone who’s anyone in the food industry would know of Japan’s highly acclaimed Tsukiji Fish Market—the home of some of the world’s best seafood. Well, in Niigata city, they have one similar called Pia Bandai.

The market stocks a considerable amount of Niigata speciality products such as rice, vegetables, fruits, sake, local fish, tidbits and more but its main appeal would be its wide array of fresh fish and seafood offerings. From unbelievably affordable uni (sea urchin) to thickly cut sashimi prepared fresh upon order, any seafood lover would be excited.

NORTHERN CULTURE MUSEUM + SAVOURING KOSHIHIKARI RICE

The Northern Culture Museum once belonged to one of the wealthiest family of landowners or ‘farmer lords’—as the local people refer to them as—in the Echigo area. However, it has long changed and while the massive complex astounds with its rustic, well-kept furnishings, perhaps one of the more interesting facts to note is that it is the only one in Japan that still stands.

You’d have to go on a tour for the full explanation but we promise you this is far more interesting than some mere museum walkthrough. The owners of the house were huge in the rice farming industry and provided rice of exceptional quality to all parts of Japan.

PONSHU-KAN – A SAKE LOVER’S HEAVEN

Located in Cocolo at Niigata Station, you’re bound to stumble upon a sake speciality store—Ponshu-Kan—right smack in the middle of it. The prefecture is known for their rice, so it is only natural that they’d be home to outstanding sake as well. Skilfully brewed with high-quality rice and spring water from the mountains, much of their sake take on a clean and refreshing taste.

At Ponshu-Kan, visitors can taste and sample their fill of all the major sake brands (¥500 for 5 samples) in Niigata and with more than a hundred labels to choose from, chances are you’ll be there for quite a while.

SHIRONE GRAPE GARDEN

It’s one thing to buy fresh fruits from the supermarket, let alone a farmer’s market, but to actually be able to pick your own fruits with your bare hands? That really is a killer experience. When in Niigata, you should definitely try your hand at fruit picking at the Shirone Grape Garden.

With grapes in the summer, pears in the fall, strawberries and more during winter through spring, this lovely fruit orchard allows you to enjoy fruit-picking all-year round. Their popular gelato is made using the seasonal fruits that they grow onsite too and if you’re a fan of Japan’s esteemed Kyoho grapes, you’ll be glad to know that you can pick those here too (or have them in gelato form).

UWASEKIGATA PARK – CHERRY BLOSSOM HOTSPOT IN SPRING

Considered Niigata’s national park, this vast and beautiful park is popular for numerous reasons. On weekends, the park is open for people to have barbecues and picnics and is also a great place for photographers and fitness gurus.

During the spring season, the park itself is said to boast spectacular displays of cherry blossoms but during other parts of the year, the park also plays host to a myriad of artistic sculptures and the ones that we were fortunate to see were the animal ones made using rice straws.

KOKAJIYA – ITALIAN-JAPANESE CUISINE

When in Japan, to eat any cuisine other than Japanese cuisine would not the most ideal, but we beg to differ, or at least at Kokajiya Restaurant. Fusing together Italian recipes and culinary techniques but relying heavily on local produce derived from Niigata itself. From their pasta to their mains, all of their food nicely tie together the best of both cuisine’s culinary disciplines and flair.

The result? Possibly one of the best Italian dishes we ever had. Period.

YAHIKOYAMA ROPE WAY – STUNNING VIEWS OF THE LAND BELOW

To round off your trip on an epic note, there’s nothing quite as majestic as a stunning sunset view a couple of hundred metres above sea level. At the Yahikoyama Rope Way, not only were we treated to a gorgeous 360-degree view of the land below, but the sunset—coupled with the mountain breeze—marked one heck of a solid end to our 5D4N adventure in the Niigata prefecture of Japan.

This post was brought to you by Niigata City, Murakami City, Tsuruoka City and Yonezawa City.

In Singapore, many of us love a good bowl of Japanese ramen soup and udon. However, there aren’t many places here that serve up Maze-soba.

Maze-soba, when directly translated to English, literally means “mixed noodles”. It is essentially dry, broth-less ramen topped with an abundance of goodies. When mixed together, it creates a unique blend of flavours that you’ll keep craving for even after you’ve polished off the entire bowl.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? And that is why we were so excited to hear that Japan’s most popular Maze-soba chain, Menya Kokoro, has finally landed in Singapore, and they have opened their first outlet at Suntec City Level 3.

The Singapore outlet is helmed by the founder of Menya Kororo’s, Chef Takuma Ishikawa, who trained under the original creators of Maze-soba. This means you can expect some legit bowls of mouthwatering Japanese-quality maze-soba without even having to make a trip down to Japan itself.

Photo Credit: Brandcellar 

Menya Kokoro has five main types of maze-soba on their menu, namely Original Tokyo Maze-Soba, Cheese Maze-Soba, Curry Maze-Soba, Spicy Maze-Soba as well as Vegan-Mazesoba. Aside from those, they also have some Singapore-exclusive creations such as Curry Maze-Don and Maze-Don.

Menya Kokoro
#03-313 Eat At Seven,
Suntec City Mall Tower,
3 Temasek Blvd, 1&2,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6235 3386
Mon to Thu: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade