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.

Uni (sea urchin) is a highly prized Japanese delicacy that can be enjoyed in many forms—raw as sashimi or prepared as a topping on sushi. Highly valued for its sweet and briny flavours, uni has an exquisite creamy consistency that melts almost immediately in your mouth.

It’s as if our prayers have been answered! A restaurant in Singapore dedicated to uni-everything is a legit dream come true. We don’t know about you but we are truly ecstatic about Uni Gallery—a uni-centric restaurant set within The Plaza at Beach Road.

And if you have never had uni before, you ought to visit this hidden gem because you have been missing out. Aside from the large selection of uni specialities, this is also the place where diners are treated to seasonal sashimi and other classic Japanese dishes such as Chirashi Don and Donburi.

From now until 30 April 2018, enjoy 1-for-1 uni sashimi (30g per portion). Uni Gallery has several types of uni sashimi on their menus and prices range from S$28 to S$62. The complimentary item must be of the same value or of a lower price.

To redeem this promotion, simply like Uni Gallery on Facebook and quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy this 1-for-1 promotion.

Nestled in the basement of a mall many of us may not even have heard of, Uni Gallery at The Plaza (which is just behind PARKROYAL on Beach Road) is inconspicuous and hard to locate, but give up the search and you may just regret.

With quirky Japanese-inspired murals on every wall, Uni Gallery provides a cheerful and inviting ambience. While most established Japanese restaurants would have just a few uni dishes on their menu, Uni Gallery is where your senses take flight with premium uni that are mostly from Japan and other places such as L.A’s Santa Barbara and British Columbia in Canada.

UNI RUIBE

The Uni Ruibe (S$45 per serving) is one heck of a sensational item at Uni Gallery and even for those who have tried uni before, this is #nextlevel enjoyment. The intense oceanic brininess of the uni was mind-blowing and there was no competition when it came down to its delicate and creamy texture. Trust us, this is truly worth the splurge.

Marinated in kombu, this is one of the most traditional ways of enjoying uni since the Japanese first did it almost a thousand years ago.

UNI KARATSUKI

Another star dish at Uni Gallery is the Uni Karatsuki (S$30), in which the fresh seasonal uni is cracked open and served immediately so guests are able to have it straight from its shell.

For the purists, this is the best way to enjoy uni at its freshest without the addition of any condiments that will alter its original salty ocean scent and buttery taste.

UNI SAKE SHOT

For a bright and umami-packed explosion in your mouth, we highly recommend giving the Uni Sake Shot (S$18) a shot—pun not intended—or more.

The initial taste that hits your tongue will be the briny, somewhat savoury uni followed by the intense flavour of alcohol mixed with shoyu. Just be mindful to keep the contents in your mouth for a few seconds to properly savour the layers and not chug the entire thing down.

UNI OYSTER SHOT

Taking luxury to a whole new level is the Uni Oyster Shot (S$24). Served in a larger-than-usual oyster shell is a mixture of ikura, oyster and uni. The size of each uni oyster shot may seem daunting, but slurp them all in one mouthful to bring your taste buds on a gastronomical journey.

The combination of the briny oyster, salty ikura and luscious uni makes for one intense flavour explosion.

LE TETSUYA

A dish that is both gorgeous to look at as well as a joy to eat, the Le Tetsuya (S$48) is another must-try premium item. Uni and Sturgeon caviar sit atop fresh, shredded Hokkaido crab; with just 3 key components, this dish may sound simple but it certainly blew us away.

We particularly loved the combination of flavours that this dish brings as you get a delightful balance of both sweet and salty notes respectively from the naturally sweet crab to the fresh ikura and umami-packed uni.

UNI TOKUSEN SASHIMI

For a hit of variety, we highly recommend getting the Uni Tokusen Sashimi (1 pax – S$38, 2 pax – S$74, 3 pax – S$110, 4 pax – S$142) that features seven types of sashimi including one type of uni—all of which are specially curated according to when each fish is at their seasonal best.

The sashimi at Uni Gallery is airflown from Japan four times a week so you can be sure of maximum freshness.

UNI SAMPLER SET

True uni connoisseurs are in for a treat with the Uni Sampler Set (5 types – S$98, 4 types – S$85, 3 types – S$74). Hefty as the price tag might seem, it is actually great value when you consider that the same quantity of premium uni you find elsewhere might cost 2 to 3 times more.

It is really worth it to give this platter a shot because you get to sample different varieties of uni such as bafun, murasaki, aka, ensui and uni shutou. Yes, in case you were wondering, uni do not all taste the same!

2-TYPE PREMIUM UNI IKURA CHIRASHI

While the 2-Type Premium Uni Ikura Chirashi (S$68) may not exactly be affordable, expect a generous portion of uni and salmon roe! You will find two types of premium-grade sea urchin and salmon roe covering a bed of sticky Japanese rice.

Those who find raw uni overpowering can start off with this as the rich uni flavours are balanced out when paired with vinegared rice and fresh slices of cucumber.

UNI MENTAIKO PASTA

An unconventional order at Uni Gallery is the Uni Mentaiko Pasta (S$38) which is topped off with briny karasumi shavings. While it may not be what you are expecting from a Japanese dining establishment, we give props to the chef for being innovative with the menu.

As mentioned earlier, from now until 30 April 2018, enjoy 1-for-1 uni sashimi (30g per portion). Uni Gallery has several types of uni sashimi on their menus and prices range from S$28 to S$62. The complimentary item must be of the same value or of a lower price.

To redeem this promotion, simply like Uni Gallery on Facebook and quote ‘ladyironchef‘ to enjoy this 1-for-1 promotion.

You can earn 2 miles with every S$1 spent at Uni Gallery when you use Mileslife. If you are new to Mileslife, use our code ‘ladyironchef’ to get 1,000 free miles after you download the app and make your first purchase on Mileslife.

Uni Gallery by Oosterbay 
7500A Beach Road
#B1-310 The Plaza
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 9838 8209
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway

This post is brought to you by Uni Gallery.

Originally located at East Coast, Sushi Jiro is an established Japanese restaurant in Singapore with over 20 years of history. Today, the prestigious restaurant nestles within Marina Mandarin Singapore and still continues to provide top-notch Japanese cuisine, using only traditional Japanese culinary preparation methods and execution.

Having been to Sushi Jiro countless times, the restaurant is now one of our top choices when it comes to Japanese fine dining. And this time around, we’d like to share with you some very amazing lunch promotions that would be for a nice lunch with your colleagues or simply some quality me-time during your lunch break.

For the entire month of March, Sushi Jiro is having an enticing lunch promotion where you get to enjoy a Wagyu Don Set for S$50++ (U.P. S$68++), Una Don for S$48++ (U.P. S$58++) and their signature Sushi Course Lunch Set for S$80++ (U.P. S$100++). Additionally, there is also a 20% discount on all Japanese sake and wine across lunch and dinner—this applies every day of the week so you have no reason to not drink up.

Simply quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy these deals that are valid for the entire month of March 2018.

WAGYU DON

Japanese cuisine comprises many different types of dishes but one that will always win our hearts is Wagyu Don, or otherwise known as ‘gyudon’ in Japanese. It is essentially a rice bowl filled with warm Japanese rice pearls and is layered with premium beef slices before light soy sauce is drizzled on top.

Sushi Jiro’s luxurious Wagyu Don (S$50++/ U.P. S$68++) is definitely something that is worth going back countless times for. Using only top-grade wagyu that Chef Kenji gets from Australia, the perfectly-marbled beef slices are masterfully seared to perfect medium-rare doneness.

The beef is complemented with a runny onsen egg, fried garlic chips, soy sauce and a handful of chives. Break the egg yolk and mix the ingredients together with the rice to achieve rich, luxurious and creamy textures.

What sets Sushi Jiro’s Wagyu Don apart from others is in importing only superior Australian beef and Japanese seasoning.

And at S$50++ for the lunch set which includes a serving of chawanmushi and miso soup, this is a complete steal. The Wagyu Don is otherwise available on its a la carte menu at regular times for S$68++ per bowl.

UNADON

Unagi (eel) is the most talked about produce this season and there is honestly nothing to dislike about the Unadon (U.P. S$58++) at Sushi Jiro. Go for lunch in March and enjoy the special promotional price of S$48++ per set.

What you can expect is a generous portion of perfectly grilled unagi lying on a bed of thinly sliced egg crepes and sticky Japanese rice. The unagi fillets are accompanied with a serving of thick soy-based marinade, sesame seeds and some tsukemono (Japanese pickles).

The slightly charred edges of the unagi gave it a deeper and earthier taste, which we felt had a good balance with the sweet, caramelised sauce. If you are looking for a more premium version of this perennial Japanese favourite, Sushi Jiro’s Unadon will not leave you disappointed.

And you’d be happy to know that Sushi Jiro only uses premium Japanese eels; they do not get their eels from anywhere else in the world.

BOTH LUNCH SETS COME WITH CHAWANMUSHI AND MISO SOUP

Both Wagyu Don and Una Don are served with a portion of chawanmushi and miso soup as part of the lunch set promotion.

S$80 SUSHI COURSE PROMOTION

Alternatively, Sushi Jiro’s Sushi Course Lunch Set is another crowd pleaser to consider. The sushi course comprises a starter, chawanmushi, 8 pieces of seasonal sushi, negitoro and ikura rice, miso soup, and dessert.

Something worth raving about is the sensational Negitoro and Ikura Rice which features ikura, minced fatty tuna, sushi rice and a tiny smidgen of fresh wasabi—every mouthful is a combustion of interesting flavours and textures.

If you quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservations, you only have to pay S$80++ per pax for this sushi lunch set instead of S$100++ per pax. This is one all-time favourite lunch deal, by the way!

20% OFF ALL JAPANESE SAKE AND WINE

Now, the only thing left to do to complete your dining experience is to pair your Japanese food with Japanese sake and wine!

Sushi Jiro is currently running a 20% promotion off all sake and wine on their expansive drinks menu so there really is no reason why you should be skipping alcohol for your next meal there.

And if you have always wanted to try premium Japanese alcohol (man, the Japanese make really good alcohol beverages!), this is your chance because it is not every day that you get a 20% discount off something so premium, yes?

Sushi Jiro Singapore
6 Raffles Boulevard
#04-600 Marina Mandarin Singapore
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6445 3055
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

This post is brought to you by Sushi Jiro Singapore.

Sushi Jiro is a name that’s appearing here a lot over the last couple of months—and for very good reasons. Home to one of the finest Japanese dining experiences in Singapore, this sushi restaurant located in Marina Mandarin Singapore is one that we find ourselves constantly returning to for a sensorial omakase meal.

After receiving such an overwhelming response towards their dinner omakase last month, Sushi Jiro is now making it available for lunch as well! And the deal of a free upgrade for ladyironchef’s readers remains—you enjoy the 8-course omakase at the 6-course’s price of S$180++, and the 10-course at the 8-course’s price of S$220++. This is yet another wonderful chance to experience Chef Kenji’s famous omakase if you haven’t already.

Under the lunch set, one of the restaurant’s proudest curations is the Sushi Course (S$100++) and the promotion for our readers is extended—quote ‘ladyironchef’ and you pay only S$80++ for this grand platter. These promotions are available from now until 28 February (excluding 14 Feb 2018).

Kicking off the omakase is Shirauo (icefish), a seasonal item that is best eaten between November to March. Served simply with a light soy sauce and garnished with grated radish over top, this dish is a great way to begin the meal with its soft, salty and mildly bitter notes.

ASSORTED SASHIMI

Right after you down the starter—and we reckon it’ll be quick—what Chef Kenji presents you is an assortment of sashimi comprising Chutoro (medium-fatty tuna), Kinmedai (golden eye snapper), Buri (wild yellowtail) as well as a seasonal special, Sayori (needlefish).

A tantalising mixture of flavours and textures, this sashimi platter promises to bring joy to your taste buds from the buttery tuna to the firm and clean tasting needlefish.

ASSORTED NIGIRI SUSHI

Whether you opt for the 8-course or the 10-course, the nigiri options will most definitely leave you craving more. Boasting a fine selection of fresh fish, the 10-course omakase comes with all of our favourites from Maguro (tuna), Hirame (flounder) to even the Rolls Royce of tuna, the insanely fatty Otoro.

Many of their nigiri options may change depending on the season and you can trust that Chef Kenji makes it his personal commitment to only serve fish that is at its seasonal best.

OTORO PREPARED IN 3 WAYS

Only available as part of the 10-course omakase, a platter of otoro prepared in 3 ways is one to get you drooling in anticipation.

Torched till a slight char develops, the otoro aburi gives off a nuance of smoke and a buttery finish on the tongue. The nigiri version allows diners to truly appreciate the sheer melt-in-your-mouth texture that is otoro and last but not least, the sushi rolls give you a more rounded out flavour with the seaweed providing a backbone of umami.

As we mentioned earlier, the menu at Sushi Jiro never remains the same for long, especially during periods of the year where certain ingredients are at their seasonal best.

During the spring season between March and April, ark shell clam, firefly squid and bamboo shoots are all ingredients at their peak and are what gave Chef Kenji the inspiration for creating this beautiful creation that sees a combination of the three mixed in a delicate yet umami-packed dashi jelly.

WAGYU BEEF

Exclusive to the 10-course omakase menu is the wagyu beef. Grilled over charcoal, the wagyu develops a lovely smoky crust that complements the nutty qualities of the intense, beefy flavours exceptionally well.

The marbling on the wagyu speaks volumes, not only of the quality of the meat itself but of the quality that Sushi Jiro guarantees.

IKURA AND UNI BOWL

One notable dish to look out for is their signature Ikura and Uni Bowl. Expect a combustion of complex flavours from two highly-prized ingredients—ikura (roe) and uni (sea urchin).

Given the insane portion of ikura, every mouthful comes with a salty, pleasantly fishy explosion and the uni possesses a smooth, custard-like appeal that boasts a briny ocean taste.

In light of all the rich, briny flavours that have taken up residence on your palate, a good dish to have to wash it all down is the clam soup (only available in the 10-course menu). Made with a base of dashi (and possibly kombu as well), the delicate soup is every bit as comforting as a fireplace in winter.

For the 8-course however, diners will get to enjoy the Dobin Mushi, which pretty much features the same soup broth minus the clams. Instead, the Dobin Mushi comes with a variety of ingredients such as chicken and mushrooms.

What better way to end a heavy meal than with something sweet? The 10-course features a ripe muskmelon served over ice and the 8-course ends off with ice cream with a red bean cake—both of which are sweet and refreshing.

SUSHI JIRO SINGAPORE’S LUNCH SET SUSHI COURSE

If you find it difficult to have a full-on omakase meal during lunch due to time constraints, consider also Sushi Jiro Singapore’s Sushi Course Lunch Set (S$100++) that consists of a starter, chawanmushi, 8 pieces of seasonal sushi, negitoro and ikura rice, miso soup and dessert. This is our favourite lunch set, yet.

The 8 sushi varieties we had in February were Hirame (flounder), Kinmedai (sea bream), Buri (wild yellowtail), Ebi (prawn), Kamasu (barracuda), Maguro (tuna), Kohada (anchovy) and our personal favourite, Chutoro (medium fatty tuna belly).

But do note that the variety might differ because every day’s highlights depend on the fish they import from Tokyo.

We’ve shared our love for this Sushi Course Lunch Set a few months ago and many of our readers tried and loved it too. If you haven’t had a go, quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy this set at a special price of S$80++ for the month of February.

Both the Sushi Course Lunch Set and Omakase promotions are available for the entire month of February, excluding 14 Feb 2018. Please make your reservation via Sushi.jiro@sushijiro.sg.

Sushi Jiro Singapore
6 Raffles Boulevard
#04-600 Marina Mandarin Singapore
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6445 3055
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

This post is brought to you by Sushi Jiro Singapore. 

Set within The Plaza at Beach Road, Uni Gallery—opened by online seafood and sashimi retailer, Oosterbay—is a uni-centric restaurant that is bound to get heads turning—especially if you’re a uni fanatic like us. They serve a range of uni as well as premium sushi that are all air-flown from Japan, the United States and Canada.

The 40-seater restaurant serves ‘uni-fied’ dishes such as their Uni Aglio Olio (S$28++), Uni Oyster Shot (S$25++) and the stellar Uni Bomb (S$99++) that is what this humble restaurant gains the most praise for.

In addition to uni, their menu also includes seasonal sashimi such as kinmedai (golden eye snapper), hirame (flounder) and our favourite, ankimo (monkfish liver). Finding exceptional yet relatively affordable uni in Singapore is a tough feat, however, ever since the opening of Uni Gallery, fans of the beloved sea urchin have stopped searching.

style=”display:block; text-align:center;”
data-ad-layout=”in-article”
data-ad-format=”fluid”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-1199323522078805″
data-ad-slot=”3885138539″>

Boasting decadence and creaminess like you have never felt before is the Uni Oyster Shot (S$25++). This tantalising morsel features a scoop of briny Canadian sea urchin alongside generous amounts of ikura (salmon roe), served atop a fresh and plump New Zealand oyster.

style=”display:block; text-align:center;”
data-ad-layout=”in-article”
data-ad-format=”fluid”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-1199323522078805″
data-ad-slot=”3885138539″>

Perhaps one dish that every first timer should order is their signature dish, the oh-so-gorgeous Uni Bomb (S$99++). The dish features 3 different types of uni from varying parts of the world and comes served with a shot of either Japanese sake or gin.

Hefty as the price may be for this stellar dish, we would still urge you to try it nonetheless simply because it is a pure indulgence on a plate.

style=”display:block; text-align:center;”
data-ad-layout=”in-article”
data-ad-format=”fluid”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-1199323522078805″
data-ad-slot=”3885138539″>

But if it’s affordability you are after, their Uni Chirashi set (S$28.90++) comes highly recommended as well. The dish sees a large bowl of rice generously topped with fresh, creamy uni, with sliced ginger, seaweed, furikake and tamago. Fairly affordable and perfect as a work-day lunch option, we can see why this is a popular choice amongst those who work in the area.

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.

Uni Gallery by Oosterbay 
7500A Beach Road
#B1-310 The Plaza
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 9838 8209
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway

All photos are credited to Uni Gallery by Ooster Bay. 

An omakase course is a Japanese dining tradition where diners entrust their dining experience entirely to the chef who will showcase his culinary skills and creativity throughout the meal. To the Japanese, an omakase course is not to be taken lightly—only chefs with many years of culinary experience are able to dazzle you with the season’s best ingredients and exotic delicacies.

Since omakase is serious business, those who are looking for an authentic experience that is similar to what you will find in Japan have to know about Sushi Jiro at Marina Mandarin Singapore. The reputable Japanese restaurant serves fresh fish and seafood that are air-flown from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo four times a week.

Just when we thought that we had tried the best at Sushi Jiro during our last trip, Chef Kenji Nakagawa took our taste buds on another gastronomic journey with their 8-course and 10-course omakase dinners—comprising fresh sashimi, decadent Japanese wagyu beef and top-grade nigiri sushi.

Just for our followers, you can now get a free upgrade of your omakase when you quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservation—the price of a 6-course dinner (S$180) will grant you an 8-course menu with better items; the price of an 8-course dinner (S$220) means an upgrade to the best 10-course dinner! This offer is valid from now until 31 January 2018.

To say that this is an incredible deal for such an exquisite meal is definitely an understatement.

Sushi Jiro’s 8-course omakase features starters, a sashimi platter, bonito in ponzu, monkfish liver with ponzu, ikura and uni bowl, Dobinmushi, five pieces of seasonal sushi and a slice of musk melon.

Your omakase course commences with a fine assortment of sashimi—Chutoro, Tai and Kinmedai.

Chutoro is the medium fatty underbelly of a tuna that is highly sought after for its slight marbling and supreme texture. Tai is essentially sea bream sashimi and the one we got to try at Sushi Jiro was marinated in seaweed to give it a slight boost in flavour. What really stood out, though, was the Kinmedai sashimi—the fresh red snapper came torched to a lovely pinkish shade and had a hint of sweetness in it.

Our feast continued with some crowd-favourites such as the bonito served in a pool of ponzu sauce, monkfish liver with zesty ponzu sauce (that is not for the faint hearted but if you can get past the fact that you are eating an unusual fish’s liver, this creamy dish is actually very memorable with its sophistication) and dobinmushi.

‘Dobin’ refers to ceramic teapot while ‘mushi’ means steam—that would give you an idea of how this light, yet flavourful teapot soup is made. The flavours were all harnessed with the premium ingredients, hence expect a soup that is simple in flavour yet very complex in layers.

The five seasonal nigiri sushi varieties we had were otoro (fatty tuna), hirame (flounder), ika (cuttlefish), buri (wild yellowtail) and torched kamasu (Japanese barracuda). Chef Kenji tickled our taste buds with the luxurious fatty tuna belly; the burst of umami flavours and ultimate freshness once again reminded us why we are such big fans of this Japanese restaurant.

Although nothing else can beat the otoro in our hearts, a close contender had to be the kamasu—which was blow-torched to form a slightly crispy skin on the surface. All it needed was a touch of the chef’s homemade shoyu sauce to make it even better!

One notable dish to look out for is Sushi Jiro’s signature Ikura and Uni Bowl. Expect a combustion of complex flavours from two highly-prized ingredients you can find in all prestigious Japanese restaurants—ikura (roe) and uni (sea urchin).

Thanks to the generous portion of ikura, every mouthful was sensational and we were blown away by the refined texture of the rich uni. Have it with just a small dab of wasabi to enhance the natural flavours even more.

The 10-course omakase dinner gives you more reasons to indulge. Luxuriate in the expanded selection of high-quality ingredients that further elevates Sushi Jiro’s omakase repertoire. Be treated to a splendid feast showcasing seasonal fish comprising fresh sashimi and sushi.

The 10-course omakase dinner also starts you off with sashimi, followed by a series of dishes that are similar to the 8-course omakase dinner such as the monkfish liver with ponzu, ikura and uni bowl, five pieces of seasonal sushi and a slice of musk melon for dessert.

What really differentiates the 10-course omakase dinner s the addition of fresh Japanese wagyu beef cuts and a large, juicy oyster. Mind you, the oyster was as big as our palm! It was slightly briny, very juicy and the freshness was unbelievable; we could even taste nuances of the ocean saltiness.

These two are showstoppers in their own rights and heightened the entire omakase dining experience to perfection.

Sushi Jiro also has an exclusive range of premium Japanese whisky that makes the perfect companion to these succulent beef steaks.

Do keep in mind that seasonal delicacies at Sushi Jiro may vary from time to time as it depends on their availability during different periods of the year.

Once again, just for ladyironchef’s readers, enjoy a free upgrade of your omakase when you quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservation—the price of a 6-course dinner (S$180) will grant you an 8-course menu with better items; the price of an 8-course dinner (S$220) means an upgrade to the best 10-course dinner! This offer is valid from now until 31 January 2018.

Sushi Jiro Singapore
6 Raffles Boulevard
#04-600 Marina Mandarin Singapore
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6445 3055
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

This post is brought to you by Sushi Jiro Singapore. 

Sushi Jiro at Marina Mandarin Singapore is home to one of the finest Japanese dining experiences in Singapore. This quaint sushi restaurant does not disappoint with its fresh fish and seafood options, which are all air-flown from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo 4 times a week.

Helmed by Chef Kenji Nakagawa, who has had many years of experience under his belt, the sushi set lunch set is truly one to behold.

Expect a lavish feast comprising seasonal fish that make up their fresh sashimi and sushi—and even some rarities that cannot be found in conventional sushi restaurants.

From now until 09 Dec 2017, treat yourself to a quintessential sushi experience at Sushi Jiro at only S$80++ per pax when you like Sushi Jiro on Facebook and quote ‘ladyironchef’. This is an incredible deal and you will be guaranteed an unforgettable sushi meal.

Famed for being a sushi restaurant that values tradition, the restaurant’s interior is palatially designed to provide a cosy and comfortable environment to enjoy an unpretentious Japanese meal—much like the traditional Japanese sushi eateries of old. The sushi counter is only able to seat 10, making the experience a truly intimate one where you can feel free to converse with the chef as he prepares your lunch.

The sushi counter also features an open display where diners can marvel at some pretty exotic seafood items from a variety of shellfish items to even shirako (cod sperm sac).

SUSHI JIRO SINGAPORE’S SUSHI COURSE 

Sushi Jiro Singapore’s Sushi Course (S$100) consists of a starter, chawanmushi, 8 pieces of seasonal sushi, negitoro and ikura rice, miso soup and dessert.

The 8 sushi varieties we had were Hirame (flounder), Kinmedai (sea bream), Buri (wild yellowtail), Ebi (prawn), Kamasu (barracuda), Maguro (tuna), Kohada (anchovy) and our personal favourite, Chutoro (medium fatty tuna belly). Note that the variety might differ because every day’s highlights depend on the fish they import from Tokyo.

Each course was unique with a mix of delicate and fresh flavours. Chef Kenji handles each item with care, ensuring to not overwhelm your palate nor have one particular item outshine another.

Some—like the Chutoro—were served as it is, allowing you to savour the sheer decadence that is its rich and fatty contents while others such as the Maguro and the Kamasu were either seasoned with a gentle lick of their homemade shoyu, freshly grated wasabi to better bring out its natural flavours.

Going through the painstaking process of making their own shoyu right down to grating their own wasabi, you just know that Chef Kenji is the real deal. Most, if not all of the fresh fish and seafood served here are seasonal and deliberately chosen during specific seasons where they are the most delicious.

They are specially bid for and air-flown over to Singapore 4 times a week from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo!

The sushi course ends off with the Negitoro and Ikura Rice which is easily a crowd favourite on account of the perfectly struck balance of flavours and textures. Labelled as a ‘small bite’, the Negitoro donburi—which is traditionally made up of Negi (green onion) and Toro (fatty tuna belly)—features a generous serving of ikura, minced fatty tuna, sushi rice and a tiny smidgen of fresh wasabi.

Our recommendation is to include a bit of everything in a single bite to fully enjoy the flavour and textural components—from the gentle popping of the ikura, the rich and bold flavours of the fatty toro, right down to the tiny hit of wasabi which provides a nice touch of heat.

And you get the absolute discount if you quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservations. Instead of S$100++ per pax, pay only S$80++ per pax for this sushi lunch set.

CHIRASHI DON

Here’s an insider tip: You probably will not be able to find the Chirashi Don among Sushi Jiro’s menu offerings but make a simple request to have it made and Chef Kenji will be more than delighted to prepare it for you. The dish comprises generous servings of thickly cut sashimi and ikura that is all neatly placed atop premium Japanese rice.

Each individual fish boasts its own unique quality, from the fatty tuna to the umami-packed uni. For individuals who adore fresh sashimi, this is the ultimate indulgence.

The Chirashi Don is available at S$38++ per bowl.

STELLAR TEMPURA

Should you find yourself craving for something fried, the Assorted Tempura (S$18++) off the a la carte menu promises to hit the spot. The dish is an assortment of ebi, fish and a variety of vegetable tempura—all of which are thinly coated in a light batter and deep-fried to crispy perfection.

S$58++ LUNCH SETS 

Sushi Jiro also has several lunch sets at S$58++.

Our favourite has got to be the Gindara Teriyaki which features a fillet of grilled Silver Cod that is given a lick of Sushi Jiro’s homemade teriyaki sauce. The oily fish had a robust and deeply charred flavour which the savoury, sweet sauce complemented very well.

The lunch set is served with several slices of sashimi, tofu, pickles, chawanmushi and miso soup.

PREMIUM JAPANESE WHISKY—YAMAZAKI AND HIBIKI

For whisky connoisseurs, Sushi Jiro will be your haven. Boasting an impressive selection of Japanese whiskies from Hibiki to the world-renowned, Yamazaki, we went crazy with all the rare editions! If the finer aspects of Japanese culture can prove elusive to the Western psyche, much of the same could be said for the country’s whisky that boasts clean and very approachable flavour notes.

Your Japanese meal at Sushi Jiro will be complete with a glass of whisky.

Sushi Jiro Singapore
6 Raffles Boulevard
#04-600 Marina Mandarin Singapore
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6445 3055
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

This post is brought to you by Sushi Jiro Singapore.