Come this period every year, we look forward to an endless display of Japan’s vibrant Spring season and their glorious cherry blossoms.
As we prepare to welcome the annual wave of Japanese goodies, here are 9 Japanese restaurants to drop by this month for a taste of their upcoming celebrations.
Hey! Yakiniku
A family-friendly casual dining destination, Hey! Yakiniku boasts an extensive spread of premium meats for diners of all ages to indulge in. Featuring smokeless grills so you can enjoy to your heart’s content without having to worry about the lingering smells that accompany every grill session, their quality cuts include fresh US and Australian beef, Japanese wagyu, and their new star: the delicious Marumi pork, prized for its “odorless sweet fat”, Hey! Yakiniku is the very first yakiniku joint here that serves Marumi pork.
Ichiban Boshi
Taking your taste buds on a journey through Japan’s Tōhoku region, Ichiban Boshi’s new menu showcases 7Japanese specialities from the Aomori, Akita, Miyagi, and Iwate prefectures, using premium ingredients from the region known for its breathtaking mountains, lakes, and hot springs. On the menu are highlights like the Salmon & Ikura Harakomeshi – a signature of Miyagi and seaside towns, featuring shredded eggs, salted kelp, and yuzu zest alongside salmon and ikura on seasoned rice – Aomori’s country-style Senbei Jiru, a centuries-old traditional “rice cracker soup”, and Iwate’s Morioka Reimen – thick and chewy chilled noodles served in a sweet vinegar soy sauce, with watermelon, cucumber, kimchi, tomato, egg, black pepper beer, and garlic chilli oil.
Ikigai Izakaya
A modern Japanese izakaya, Ikigai transcends the boundaries of taste, bringing together friends, family, lifestyle, and an altogether sense of being. Inspired by music, enjoy food offerings paired with specially curated music and feel-good sunset tunes. Surrounded by nature and the Singapore River’s calm flow, Ikigai offers a scenic dining experience with authentic Oriental flavours and the finest ingredients.
Kakurega (The Lair)
Dedicated to serving an authentic Japanese Sake experience with mouthwatering charcoal grilled Yakitori and delicate Kobachi offerings, Kakurega is a cosy Japanese casual bar featuring superior ingredients and hospitality.
For lovers of Japanese bites and Sake, they now offer a satisfying All-You-Can-Drink Liquid Buffet that features a line of premium beverages, including the Yamagata Issyou Koufuku Junmai, Yamagata Issyou Koufuku Junmai Ginjo, Hakkaisan Honjozo, and tasty Asahi draught. Signature bites to look out for at Kakurega include their Kohitsuji Yaki (lamb rack with garlic chips), Gyu (beef) Tataki, char-grilled Unagi Kabayaki (baked eel), and Buri Kama Shioyaki (Yellowtail cheek).
Maguro Brothers
As their name suggests, this new restaurant in the snazzy Tanjong Pagar district serves up the finest cuts of the highly sought-after Bluefin Tuna. Launched by Misaki Megumi Suisan, a wholesaler of maguro and other fine sashimi in Japan, Maguro Brothers offers sashimi connoisseurs a chance to indulge in rare cuts that are rarely available elsewhere. On top of the acclaimed Otoro, Chutoro, and Akami cuts, they also offer the Toumi, head toro sashimi, cuts at the dorsal fin, cuts from behind the eyes, and even the cheek of the maguro – all served at the peak of their freshness.
Shabu Sen
Enjoy the warm comfort of Japanese hotpot filled with the freshest ingredients at Shabu Sen. Beyond their selection of delicious shabu shabu slices, diners are spoilt for choice with a wide variety of the finest ingredients, including the likes of fresh Boston lobster, abalone, and even U.S. Wagyu beef striploin.
Sushi Tei
A Singaporean staple for exquisite Japanese seasonal offerings, Sushi Tei welcomes Japan’s bountiful Spring with their new Haru Matsuri menu. Featuring unique ingredients grown or produced in Japan, diners get to enjoy a taste of the Land of the Rising Sun before the reopening of international borders.
Highlights on this elegant menu include the rare Sakura Hiramasa, a yellowtail amberjack that feeds on cherry blossoms, the incredibly succulent A4 Kumamoto Wao Wagyu, and the distinct Mozuku seaweed.
Unkai Sushi
Enjoy an intimate epicurean affair in the heart of our city. Situated within the Orchard Rendezvous Hotel, Unkai Sushi’s omakase experience is one that shines a spotlight on the beautiful traditions of Japanese cuisine. Inspired by the four seasons of Japan, their exquisite offerings are a sensory journey of culinary art, using seasonal ingredients at the peak of their flavours to redefine our encounter with Japan’s rich culture.
YAKINIQUEST
Celebrating their 8-year milestone with a grand reopening at Orchard Road’s Mandarin Gallery, YAKINIQUEST takes the yakiniku experience to even greater heights. Using ceramic charcoal gas stoves, the revamped concept now boasts even better control of their beef’s doneness and flavour. Featuring only premium grades of Japanese wagyu, diners can now embark on their very own omakase-style yakiniku discovery journeys, tasting choice selections of wagyu through multiple courses designed to maximise the characteristics of each cut.
