Wagyu Jin at Shaw Centre is a new prefecture-focused Wagyu omakase restaurant by the Les Amis Group.

Helmed by Executive Chef Makoto Saito, Wagyu Jin specialises in a selection of premium A5 Wagyu beef dishes from various Japanese prefectures like Gifu, Shiga, Miyazaki, Iwate and Tochigi. The wagyu lunch omakase is only S$118++ while the wagyu dinner omakase starts from S$238++.

Wagyu Jin’s seasonal Wagyu omakase menu will have 7-9 courses.

Wagyu Jin’s lunch omaksae is priced at S$118 per pax and it comes with the following dishes:

• Somen with sea urchin & Hokkaido hairy crab
• Yakiniku – A5 Mizayaki Beef
• Sushi – A5 Hida Beef
• Awabi (abalone)
• Sukiyaki – A5 Tochigi Beef
• Dessert – Yuzu Sorbet

There are two options for the dinner omakase and they are priced at S$238 and S$318.

The S$238 dinner omakase menu features the following dishes:

• Appetiser – Langoustine, sea urchin, caviar and jelly
• Yakiniku – A5 Mizayaki Beef
• Chateaubriand Sando with A5 Ohmi Beef
• Somen with caviar and truffle
• Sukiyaki
• Sushi – A5 Hida Beef
• A5 Tochigi Beef rice bowl
• Dessert – Yuzu Sorbet

If you are still hungry after having the wagyu omakase, you can also add on a la carte dishes including Uni Rice (S$38), Scampi (S$38), Yakiniku A5 Mizayaki Beef (S$27) and Hokkaido Hairy Crab (S$48).

Wagyu Jin
1, #02-12 Scotts Rd, Shaw Centre, 228208
Tel: +65 8940 0741

I Want My Noodle is a hidden eatery in Shaw Centre that specialises in noodles. Known for their egg noodles that are handmade every morning, they contain no preservatives and colouring, and there is this amazing springiness in every strand that we love.

The highlights include their Bak Chor Mee, Asian Duck Confit, Roast Meat Noodle, and Lor Bak Noodle. Most of the dishes are affordably priced under S$10, making it a great spot for a casual meal the next time you are in town.

What you must try at I Want My Noodle is the signature Bak Chor Mee. Quite unlike your usual minced pork noodles, their version is spicy and generously tossed in black vinegar.

The handmade noodles are shaped to be slightly curly, and this allows the noodles to be more evenly coated with the seasoning. Every mouthful is hence robust in flavour with a nice, spicy aftertaste.

We also enjoyed the Asian Duck Confit. Seasoned with herbs, it reminds us of the Balinese-style dirty duck—crispy skin, tender meat.

The owner of I Want My Noodle, Derrick Kuah, has an Indonesian mother-in-law, and many of their recipes come from her. It is safe to say this is a place for some simple and comforting Indonesian food.

I Want My Noodle is also offering islandwide delivery (free delivery for orders S$80 and above and you can order it through their website.

I Want My Noodle
1 Scotts Road
Shaw Centre
#03-14/15
Singapore 228208

There are some restaurants that we frequent because of one particular dish. For instance, I can never imagine myself going to Yan Ting without ordering the heavenly char siew sou. Or La Cantina without getting the lovely crabmeat linguine. Or Antoinette Patisserie without tasting its signature Antoinette earl gray cake. You get the idea.

One of those must-have dishes that I am going to add to my list is the Chirashi – a bowl of sushi rice topped with sashimi – from Aoki Japanese Restaurant by the Les Amis Group.

If you’ve had Aoki’s Chirashi ($35) before, I am sure you will agree with me that it is happiness in a bowl. I’d come back again and again just for this.

Given that this is a restaurant by the Les Amis Group, we had high hopes, and I’m glad to tell you that our lunch at Aoki did not disappoint – if anything, only exceeded expectations.

Besides the chirashi, we also had the Nigri Sushi Jyo-Sen ($30), a beautiful platter of seven types of sushi and one sushi roll served with salad, miso soup and dessert.

Aoki Restaurant at Shaw Centre is definitely not cheap. But I feel that the prices of set lunches are acceptable ($35-50) as it serves top quality Japanese food in a nice environment. Dinner sets are available from $40-80. And if you feel like indulging, omakase during lunch is $100, while dinner is $165.

Given that there are many mediocre Japanese restaurants that tend to overcharge, I’d gladly pay a little more to enjoy a meal at Aoki.

While some people like to dine at the bar counter (which can only accommodate 15 guests) and witness the chefs in action, I like the table seats (there are only three tables) which offers an intimate and cosy experience. Remember to specify your preference when calling to make a reservation.

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

For more recommendations, please read my Guide to Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore.