Kimoto Gastro Bar is a quaint little Japanese kushiyaki bar at The Sail @ Marina Bay that offers pretty traditional Japanese bites at a fairly affordable price point.

Set in the busy Marina Bay area, this humble joint exudes a certain rustic charm reminiscent of local eateries off the busy streets of Tokyo. Not just that, the staff here display exceptional politeness and hospitality which gives you a familiar sense of Japanese hospitality.

They serve up an exciting array of caramelised, gorgeously charred kushiyaki (grilled skewers) pleasures along with a decent selection of small plates, salads, donburi and tempura. If you happen to be around the CBD area, this would probably be a good spot to check out.

The restaurant boasts a small and cosy space with a relaxed vibe. You get an amazing view of the open concept kitchen where you can see the chefs work their magic.

The menu here may not offer a huge selection of dishes but for what it lacks in variety, it compensates in quality—you will not be disappointed, we guarantee it!

Each lunch set comes with a simple salad drizzled with a sesame-based dressing and miso soup.

The serving for their Kushiyaki Don (S$14.90++) was modest with a mixture of 3 meat skewers, 2 vegetable skewers, a fried onsen egg and a good measure of the same of Japanese rice providing the cushion for the grilled skewers.

We really enjoyed the pork belly-wrapped asparagus, mushroom and zucchini skewers as they were delectably tender and brimming with a smoky, flame-licked flavour. The chicken breast skewers, however, were a tad bit dry.

Pop a few glances left and right and you will probably notice the Special Tempura Don (S$14.90++) being a popular choice among diners. The individual tempura featured ingredients such as shrimp, chicken, sweet corn, baby corn, pumpkin and a poached egg.

Kimoto Gastro Bar offers one of the best and reasonably priced tempura dons around the CBD.

Kimoto Gastro Bar
6 Marina Boulevard
#01-15 The Sail @ Marina Bay
Singapore 018987
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best tendon in Singapore.

It is true that matcha desserts can be found in most Japanese restaurants in Singapore but if you are on a lookout for a cafe that specialises in matcha, then you have to know more about The Matcha Project.

Tucked in the basement of The Sail—a shopping mall in Marina Bay—The Matcha Project has since made a name among working professionals whose offices are nearby. Feed your tea obsession with matcha, houjicha and genmaicha drinks when you visit The Matcha Project.

Nothing makes a matcha fan happier than a cup of aromatic Matcha Latte (S$5.50) which makes for a great morning drink before work starts. The beverage came in just the right temperature for us to sip on immediately without scalding our tongues.

While we prefer it au naturel with a slightly bitter aftertaste, you get to choose the amount of sugar to add in should you prefer it to be sweeter.

If a cold drink is what you are looking for to cool off from the heat, their Iced Genmaicha Latte (S$6) is a decent choice. It came with the right balance of cold, creamy milk and rich genmaicha powder which resulted in a robust flavour.

All beverages are made on the spot upon order and right in front of you, so you get to see the different techniques used to create your drink.

Yes, we are finally at the best part—Matcha Soft Serve. Served in two different sizes, the original cup goes for S$5 and you can get the large one for S$6.50. We honestly could not find a reason to dislike this sweet treat; it came with an intense matcha flavour and is really refreshing!

Besides matcha, the cafe also offers Cold Brew Soft Serve as well.

You can find a good selection of Japanese green tea shots and lattes at The Matcha Project. Some of them include Houjicha Latte (S$5.50), Genmaicha Latte (S$5.50) and Military Latte (S$6).

That being said, non-matcha drinks are also available too. Take a look at The Coffee Espresso’s menu and you wil find plenty of caffeine choices such as Cafe Latte (S$5), Cappuccino (S$5) and Flat White (S$5).

The Matcha Project
#B1-08C, The Sail
2 Marina Boulevard
Singapore 018987
Tel: +65 9223 0245
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Downtown