Fancy some authentic Japanese cuisine? No, we’re not talking about the usual sushi and ramen joints many of us are no stranger to.
Japan Food Town, which has launched last weekend, has impressed us through and through as a one-stop shop for a wide spread of authentic and mouthwatering Japanese cuisine. This specially curated food hall has made its debut in Singapore to much fanfare and anticipation from foodies who cannot get enough of specialty dishes in Japan. As part of the collaboration with the Japan Association of Overseas Promotion for Food & Restaurants, more than half of the ingredients used at all its 16 restaurants are flown in directly from Japan.
If the thought of air-flown ingredients from Japan scares you with their potentially hefty price tags, you’ll find the exact opposite at this food hall. The ingredients are shipped in at a lower cost due to the strategic proximity of Naha Airport to Singapore. Japan Food Town promises everyone a gastronomic experience teeming with tantalising treats, even for the budget-conscious foodies.
We decided to see if the much-awaited food hall lived up to all the hype surrounding it and found five restaurants one can’t miss.
Tsukiji Sushi Takewaka (#04-43)
A spoonful of fresh ikura (salmon egg roe) is plated impeccably alongside the sliced tuna sushi with Tsukiji’s signature jelly-like soya sauce atop.
Before you reach out for the soya sauce for dipping, take a closer look at the jelly-like substance on the sliced tuna sushi. This viscous fluid is, to our surprise, soya sauce. Instead of dipping the sushi into the sauce and risk having the vinegar rice fall out midway, why not skip a step and have the sushi and the sauce altogether at once?
The salmon egg roes were also some of the freshest in town as we felt ourselves bursting with joy with the rich and intense salmon flavor exploding in the mouth.
Osaka Kitchen (#04-46)
Expect to be entertained by the Teppanyaki specialty chef’s culinary tricks at Osaka Kitchen.
The Ohmi Wagyu beef steak at Osaka Kitchen takes the cake for me. You can count on me returning soon for that thick, glorious slab of beef, which was done just right. If beef is not one of your dietary choices, you can also try the Japanese Omelette with Pork Belly (S$8), cooked to the right perfection that melts entirely in your mouth.
Dassai Bar (#04-52)
Dassai Bar is the first pop-up bar for the brand outside of Japan and it offers premium sake exclusive to Singapore. Photo courtesy of Dassai Bar.
Exclusivity is one word that springs to mind when we think of Dassai Bar. This 25-seat intimate bar will only be available in Singapore for six months, and it offers sake that cannot be found beyond Singapore. The smooth finish of the Dassai Sparkling 50 is poised to be a favourite among the ladies for its slightly fruity and refreshing taste.
Its widely acclaimed Dassai 23, which was given by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a gift to U.S. President Barack Obama, will also be available at the bar. Given its gorgeous aroma of melons and peaches, it is little wonder this sake is exchanged commonly as a gift among the upper echelons in the society.
Machida-Shoten (#04-40)
Ramen fans that like their broth thick and spicy will love this Tonkotsu Spicy Ramen (S$15) to death, especially with their tender and succulent braised pork loin that falls apart at touch. Photo courtesy of Japan Food Town.
At Machida-Shoten, the thicker the noodles, the better your ramen tastes. What sets them apart from many of its existing counterparts in Singapore lies in their thicker-than-usual ramen noodles, which are handmade back in Japan.
This new ramen joint also allows you to choose how much bite you want in your noodles, thickness of the broth and even the level of flavoured oil they add. If you’re unsatisfied with your bowl of ramen, feel free to send it back to the kitchen. Dedicated much?
Rang Mang Shokudo (#04-54)
Enjoy artisan and specialty fried chicken at Rang Mang Shokudo, from Tokyo at Japan Food Town. Photo courtesy of Japan Food Town.
Who knew chicken fried in buttermilk for six hours and twice at low heat can have such a light and crisp taste to it? The chicken karaage from Rang Mang Shokudo made me look at fried chicken in a totally new light. It was not at all dripping in oil and in no time, I was already reaching out for my second helping.
At the rate these new restaurants in Japan Food Town are tempting my taste buds, my craving for Japanese food isn’t going away anytime soon.
Japan Food Town (Yakiniku Heijoen is set to open by August)
435 Orchard Rd, #04-39/5
4 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
Singapore 238877
Opening hours: 11am till 11pm daily
