Opened by the team behind Shunjuu Izakaya and located within the busy China Square Central area, Koji Sushi Bar offers a selection of nigiri sushi, sashimi and omakase sets. However, their most popular item is their donburi (rice bowl) -- choose from options such as salmon avocado tartare, tuna tartare, pork cheek and eel. At $17 per bowl, they are one of the more affordable donburi options around, considering the quality of their ingredients. The must-try here would be their sashimi rice bowl - sashimi servings are generous and the crispy tempura bits add a surprising crunch factor.
Joining the throng of hip eateries along Tras Street, May May offers modern Asian-inspired Western cuisine in a sophisticated, clean setting. The Asian influences across the menu are diverse, with the use of ingredients ranging from kaffir lime and lemongrass to masala and shiso. The well-executed fusion of flavours lead to unexpected and often delectable results. The slow-cooked squid with poached pear, ginger, pistachio and lobster rice noodles with lemongrass, kaffir lime and coconut broth is stunning, and highly recommended. You also want to check out their value-for-money lunch sets -- choose from chicken, cod or pork belly rice bowls, all of which come with assorted vegetables and half an egg!
A sister outlet to the popular izakaya Katanashi at Boat Quay has opened along Boon Tat Street, and you can expect the same level of authentic Japanese hospitality and service experienced at the original branch. However, both outlets offer different Japanese tapas dishes, and Katanashi An is designed to feel more like a restaurant than an izakaya. Some of Katanashi An's notable items include their tofu topped with squid and sea urchin, marinated grilled chicken with lemon and yuzu pepper, and the mille-feuille sushi -- an inspired creation of layered sushi with salmon, tamago and tuna, topped with salmon roe.
This brand new tasting-menu restaurant helmed by Johnston Teo (formerly from Jaan and The Tippling Club) is the latest addition to Loh Lik Peng's Unlisted Collection. Contributing to Singapore's understanding of the growth of "bistronomy", Sorrel's space channels a chic bistro vibe while serving you really, really good food expected of a far stiffer restaurant. Lunches come in either three ($45) or five courses ($88), while dinners are available in five or seven courses ($118). The food here is often exciting and startling in both texture and flavour combination -- prepare to be wowed by their Pumpkin with Coconut and Smoked Eel, and the Roasted Langoustine with Pan-seared Foie Gras with Morel Mushrooms.
The newest addition to the Les Amis Group of restaurants, Sushi Jin offers high quality Japanese cuisine in a high-end setting but at a lower price point than other locally run sushi places. Interesting sets such as the Jin Lunch Omakase, 5 Kinds of Torched Sushi, Assorted Sushi and Assorted Sashimi are available. Affordable rice bowl options like the Akami Yukke Don and the noteworthy Bara Chirashi are recommended. Also give their decadent truffle seafood chawanmushi a try! Not the cheapest, but check them out for the high quality of food served.
Situated within POMO in the Dhoby Ghaut area, Montana Brew Bar serves a variety of burgers, waffles, sandwiches, and pastries. On the coffee front, Montana offers artisanal coffee blends -- from single origin roasts to their own special house blend. They boast a rather extensive waffle selection, both savoury (think Truffle Mac & Cheese) and sweet (Waffle Suzette, Cinnamon Apple Pie, Strawberry Fields). Go for the Southern Fried Chicken Waffle Sandwich and Red Velvet Waffle Stack! Prices are very reasonable.
Manzoku (which translates to "satisfaction" in Japanese) is the latest concept of the Yoi Group, which also manages the wildly popular Chikuwa Tei. In addition to the existing items on Chikuwa Tei's menu, Manzoku also offers yakitori items. This means that more seats are now available for diners keen on having Chikuwa Tei's star item -- their Chirashi -- a bed of rice adorned with thick slices of salmon, swordfish, tuna, and amberjack sashimi with ikura and tamago. The thickness of the cuts of sashimi here are the stuff dreams and legends are made of, and their Chirashi is arguably one of the most popular and value-for-money variants around. Remember to make a reservation!
Manzoku (which translates to "satisfaction" in Japanese) is the latest concept of the Yoi Group, which also manages the wildly popular Chikuwa Tei. In addition to the existing items on Chikuwa Tei's menu, Manzoku also offers yakitori items. This means that more seats are now available for diners keen on having Chikuwa Tei's star item -- their Chirashi -- a bed of rice adorned with thick slices of salmon, swordfish, tuna, and amberjack sashimi with ikura and tamago. The thickness of the cuts of sashimi here are the stuff dreams and legends are made of, and their Chirashi is arguably one of the most popular and value-for-money variants around. Remember to make a reservation!
Only gripe is that they could have been more generous with the meat? @kwaniefung
