Expat Restaurant Guide 2008 - JAPANESE
AKASHI
Not just a move, but a complete reinvention for Akashi. It was always a stalwart in the old days in the basement of Tanglin Shopping Centre - reliable fare and great prices. Now it has moved to an impressive space on the ground floor of Orchard Hotel (along with newly opened, energetic sister restaurant Inakaya) and gone upmarket. The setting is much smarter, the food is more elegant and the quality higher and, yes, you’ve guessed it, the good old prices are a thing of the past. To be fair, you are getting what you pay for.
#01-01A Orchard Parade Hotel, 1 Tanglin Road, tel: +65 6732-4438.
AOKI
Being part of the Les Amis Group, you know you are in for a pretty subline experience. This is arguably the ultimate in Japanese dining and service, so expect a not insignificant contribution to your credit card statement. Play it smart and go on expreses. The decor is the epitome of Zen minimalism. The menu covers sushi, sashimi, shabu shabu, sukiyaki, tempura, and seasonal produce is a highlight. Everything is exquisitely presented.
Shaw Centre, #02-17, 1 Scotts Road, tel: +65 6333-8015.
IKUKAN
The name of the lane off Club Street may elicit the odd giggle, but the food at Ikukan certainly won’t. This is serious, creative Japanese fare in an elegant setting and unusually, a Western style of dining is predominant with starters, main courses and desserts. The speciality is Japanese charcoal grill, so try the beef or black cod. Set menus are good value too.
23 Mohamed Ali Lane #01-01, Tel: +65 6325-3362.
INAGIKU
The corporate big wigs love this one. No booking? No chance, particularly at lunchtime. This is Japanese food as it should be - fresh ingredients, daily specials, and excellent service. The decor is quite simple, but there’s a range of seating choices from private rooms to the sushi bar.
Level 3, Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road, tel: +65 6431-6156.
INAKAYA
So it’s not just a question of location, location, location; you have to have concept, concept, concept. The Man U boutique certain;y had the location but the kit clearly didn’t have the sustainable pulling power. Inakaya and Akashi took over the vacated premises earlier this year and boy, do they seem to be cleaning up. Inakaya is a hoot. This is Japanese food as theatre - no, not theatre, more like bawdy performance - and it’s great fun. There are just three u-shaped counters, each equipped with a large grill and a virtual market of produce on display. Sit at a counter - you can book one just point at what you want the chefs to cook. Simple, delicious and usually boisterous. We love it!
#01-01 Orchard Parade Hotel, 1 Tanglin Road, tel: +65 6732-1866.
JAPANESE DINING SUN
Tucked away in a quiet upstairs corner of Chijmes, SUN is quite a find. Interiors are contemporary with Zen accents. The menu is comprehensive so can be a little overwhelming at first, but you can’t go wrong go with SUN specialities like kamameshi (a rice casserole dish), enoki beef rolls and delicate teriyaki foie gras canape. Service is noteworthy. Sun With Moon Japanese Dining at Chijmes is, funnily enough, the sister restaurant.
#02-01 Chijmes, 30 Victoria St, tel: +65 6336-3166; #03-15/17 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road, tel: +65 6733-6636.
KEYAKI
Showing its age in terms of decor (20 years and counting), but a consistently impressive one-stop shop for all the favourites from seasonal kaiseki menus through to tepayaki, shabu shabu and grilled meat and fish items. The setting is reminiscent of a traditional shogun-era Japanese inn, or ryokan, and has a certain charm.
Pan Pacific Hotel, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, tel: +65 6434-8335.
KO
The modern minimalist decor mirrors the modern, and extensive, menu. And there’s more good news: the relatively reasonable pricing. The chef is Singaporean but the food is as authentic as it gets; highly recommended are Wagyu nanbuyaki, Wagyu beef that is grilled at your table on a nanbu pan plate, tepayaki and sushi. The kaki deep fried oysters in a crunchy crumb coating, are divide and there is a wide vegetarian selection. Service is commendable and staff are confident with suggestions.
InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road, Singapore, tel: +65 6825-1064.
KURIYA
And Raffles City makes it a hat-trick. Slowly and surely, the Kuriya chain is in the ascendant. From humble beginnings with Kuriya at Shaw Cantre, then came classy Kuriya Dining, and last year saw the arrival of an elegant third branch at Raffles City. From soba, sushi and sashimi to teppanyaki, tempura and yakitori, quality is high and consistent. Whichever outlet you choose, make sure you ask about the seasonal items.
Kuriya: Shaw Centre, #05-01, 1 Scotts Road, tel: +65 6735-5300; Kuriya Dining: Great World City, #02-42, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, tel: +65 6736-0888; Kuriya Raffles City, #B1-06/-7 Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road, tel: +65 6883-2020.
NADAMAN
Consistently rated as one of the best Japanese restaurants in town, although if we’re honest, the airport lounge-style decor leaves us a tod cold. The food is absolutely flawless, although the bill will probably leave you gasping. The extensive selection of dishes is impressive - there’s nothing more annoying than a restaurant that doesn’t serve teppanyaki or shabu shabu along with the sashimi.
Shangri-La Hotel, 22 Orange Grove Road, tel: +65 6213-4571.
RAKU
Raku is very much in step with the trend for substance and style being given equal weighting. The ambience here is modern meets chilled out. We love to sit at the counter and watch the chef deftly slicing and dicing, then move outside to the sofas and relax over a coffee or, realistically, another glass of sake. The food is above average and well priced, and if you’re a) starving or b) economically challenged, then go for the excellent buffet.
10 Greenwood Avenue, tel: +65 6219-9447; 273 Holland Avenue, tel: +65 6469-6646.
SHIMA
Famous for its teppanyaki and deservedly so, Shima has been in business just shy of 30 years. We’re not sure if the decor has been renovated at any point during that time, but then again the 80s still rule…right? Set menus offer good value as far as Japanese food goes, and sushi, shabu shabu and sukiyaki are as commendable as the teppanyaki. The only quibble is the service which at times can feel more akin to a three-star hotel experience.
Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Tel: +65 6734-6281.
SHIRO JAPANESE HAUTE CUISINE
The neighbourhood setting is misleading; this ain’t no neighbourhood restaurant. Shiro would be far better suited to a just-off-Orchard location, although we dread to think what that would do to the already wince-inducing pricing. It’s strictly reservations-only here and you have to ring on a doorbell t6o gain access. This is the finest of dining Japanese-style, and the food is exquisite. If it’s not fresh, it ain’t on the menu.
24 Greenwood Avenue, tel: +65 6462-2774.
SHUNJUU
In keeping with a traditional izakaya, or rustic sake bar, the highlights here are the good array of sake (over 30) and the lip-smacking selection of yakitori. If only snacks were this good in other bars… if you’re develope some Dutch courage over the sake, why not try fugu (puffer fish) skewers? otherwise stick to juicy, charred beef and pork neck, oysters wrapped in bacon (which is a match made in heaven) or the sashimi of the day. It’s fun, it’s authentic and it’s a favourite.
30 Robertson Quay, #01-15 Riverside View, tel: +65 6887-3577.
SUSHI YOSHIDA
Yoshida-san keeps an ever-watchful eye over proceedings here, usually with a mug of beer in hand - good man. The food is, in a word, sensational even if the man himself isn’t in the kitchen. The prices can be too, but what do you expect when the fish is flown in four times a week from Tsukiji market in Tokyo? Once you’ve tried the sashimi here, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for anything less. The pacific snow crab with sea urchin in a bubbling butter sauce is truly one of life’s pleasures, as is simply grilled seasonal fish with a scattering of sea salt. The convivial shophouse setting and the jazz notes just add to thedraw.
10 Devonshire Road, tel: +65 6735-5014.
TATSUYA JAPANESE RESTAURANT
It’s hard to believe that this gem of a place has only been operating for five years, so much is it a part of the average foodie’s consciousness. Tatsuya is about as close as you’ll come here to truly authentic seasonal Japanese cuisine, and the menu changes accordingly. Owner/chef, Ronnie Chia may be Singaporean but the clientele is predominantly Japanese and clearly appreciates his regular visits to the motherland. We hear that he goes to Japan every month for buying trips and inspiration. The setting is small and friendly and the service is immaculate.
#01-05, Park Hotel Orchard, 270 Orchard Road, tel: +65 6737-1160.
TENSHIN
Immaculate ingredients and an obsession with detail equal two things here; sensational food and an equally sensational bill. As far as we know, this is the only tempura-centric joint in town. If you choose the counter, be prepared to sit through the ritual of having the courses brought to you piece by oiece - a prawn head here (with separately fried legs we might add), a gingko nut there - but you will never settle for anything less again. And, yes, the batter is lighter than a butterfly’s kiss.
The Regent Singapore, #03-01, 1 Cuscaden Road, tel: +65 6725-3260.
WASABI BISTRO
Chi-chi but enjoyable, this retaurant is part of a chain from Hawaii which explains the decidedly avant-garde Japanese cuisine on offer. Certainly not your standard sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki eatery, yes this is fusion, but let go of your preconceptions and you’ll have a rewarding experience. Signature dishes include hand rolls and a concoction called Kumi’s No.1 which blends avocado, crab and bechamel sauce and is addictive, we assure you. Top marks for the chic ambience and the smooth service, and the views over The Esplanade.
Fourth Floor, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Marina Square, 5 Raffles Avenue, tel: +65 6885-3091.
| 3.2 |
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Tags: Expat, Japanese, Shabu Shabu, Sushi, Sushimi, Teppanyaki
