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A Taste of Japan

Nov 28, 2023By Citi
A Taste of Japan

Japanese food is a favourite among Singaporeans and there is no shortage of good Japanese options to be found here. However, beyond the well-known dishes like sushi and udon, there is a breadth of Japanese cuisine that exists within Singapore’s dynamic food scene.

Embark on a culinary adventure and uncover an array of Japanese food and drink, prepared with traditional techniques and presented in tasteful Japanese style. From delicate sashimi to delightful omakase, discover the varied palette of Japanese gastronomy right on your doorstep at these Singapore-based restaurants.

Sushi, Sashimi

Quintessential in Japanese cuisine, sushi and sashimi are always popular choices when it comes to Japanese food. Sushi is a dish that combines vinegared rice with ingredients like raw fish or vegetables. It is often presented in rolls (maki) or bite-sized morsels of rice and seafood (nigiri). Commonly served alongside sushi, sashimi is thinly sliced raw fish served with seasonings and dipping sauces to let the natural flavours sing.

Sushi Jin

Expect only the freshest, quality produce from Sushi Jin as its ingredients are flown in three times a week direct from Tokyo’s Toyosu market. A restaurant under the Les Amis Group, Sushi Jin’s carefully curated dining space is the perfect showcase for their gastronomic offerings. Choose from an assortment of sushi and sashimi, or a range of chirashi dons (rice bowls with varied toppings) for something more substantial. For a truly unique experience, choose one of the omakase offerings (which roughly translates to “I trust the chef”).

Use your Citi Card to get S$50 off with a minimum spend of S$350 from now until December 31, 2023.

Sumiyaki

Sumiyaki in Japanese cuisine is the art of charcoal grilling, and dishes can range from yakitori (chicken cooked on a skewer) to vegetables, all infused with delicious smoky flavours.

Jinjo

Jinjo is a modern sumiyaki restaurant helmed by veteran washoku chef Makoto Saito. Expect a variety of premium charcoal-grilled seafood and meat dishes, such as bluefish tuna chin and eel, as well as pork belly and foie gras. There's also kushiyaki (grilled skewers) and grilled vegetables available.

Citi Cardmembers get S$50 off with a minimum spend of S$350 from now until December 31, 2023.

Sake

A revered Japanese beverage, sake is a rice wine crafted through meticulous fermentation. This produces a complexity of flavours from dry or sweet, to tart, acidic or bitter. Sake can be served at room temperature, chilled or warm, and functions as a great complement to many dishes.

USHIO Sumiyaki & Sake Bar

Offering charcoal-grilled delicacies with an extensive range of artisanal sakes, USHIO recreates an izakaya-style experience in a contemporary setting (in Japan, an izakaya is an informal, casual bar). USHIO’s sake list features some of the best junmai daiginjo and junmai ginjo as its house sake, as well as over 30 others from regions all over Japan. The menu features a wide range of kushiyaki (grilled skewers) of pork and chicken, sashimi, as well as grilled seafood and meat plates.

Get S$6 off every S$60 spend (discount capped at S$60), with your Citi Card, from now until December 31, 2023.

Udon, Ramen, Yakisoba, Soba

These noodles are beloved staples in Japanese cuisine. Udon is thick wheat noodles served in a clear broth, while ramen has different types of noodles and ingredient combinations in various flavourful soup bases. Yakisoba, known as stir-fried noodles, is served with vegetables and protein, while soba is made from buckwheat and can be served hot or cold, accompanied by dipping sauces.

Hototogisu Ramen

Hailing from Tokyo, one Michelin star Hototogisu Ramen offers a range of delicious dishes made with carefully crafted broths. Its noodles are handmade from 100% domestically produced wheat and the noodle house uses more than 60 other ingredients to create variations of comforting bowls of ramen.

Get a S$5 return voucher with any spend from now until December 31, 2023.

Omakase

Omakase is an intimate dining experience where chefs curate a personalised sequence of dishes, showcasing their culinary expertise and seasonal produce to create a unique dining experience for customers.

Hashida

Celebrating one decade in Singapore, Hashida invites you to embark on an intimate culinary odyssey with chef Kenjiro Hashida. With a solid background from the Tsuji Culinary Institute in Tokyo, chef Hashida’s style is a diverse array of traditional dishes of premium and seasonal ingredients with his signature contemporary twist.

A minimum spend of S$450 entitles Citi Cardmembers a S$50 rebate from now until November 30, 2023.

Curry

Japanese curry comes in three delicious forms: curry rice, curry udon and curry bread. Curry rice is the most popular and can be served in anything from a flat plate to a soup bowl. Japanese short-grain rice, which is sticky and round, is preferred, rather than the medium-grain variety used in Indian dishes, and it is usually eaten with a spoon, as opposed to chopsticks, because of the liquid nature of the curry.

Kissajin

Inspired by the old kissatens (tea houses) of Japan, Kissajin creates an experience of the past and present through its food. Their menu comprises a wide range of nostalgic and comforting Japanese favourites in a modern, cosy, and inviting space. Some of their dishes include Tori Karaage and Wagyu Beef Donburi, and Godzilla Curry (which serves 3-4 people). Salads, Ramen, and Sandos are also available.

Citi Cardmembers get S$35 off with a minimum spend of S$250 from now until December 31, 2023.

Tempura

Delicately battered then deep-fried, you can rest assured that anything served in the tempura style will be crisped to perfection. Dishes can feature seafood or vegetables tempura and are often served as standalone pieces or accompanied by dipping sauces.

Tempura Makino

You know you’re in for a treat at Tempura Makino with its tsudoage-style concept where all tempura items are made-to-order and served one at a time. The brand, which hails from the Hyogo prefercture in Japan, imports and uses the same flour, dashi and dipping sauce to ensure consistently quality. Enjoy crisp morsels of perfection with batter made using Okinawan egg, including prawn, oyster, anago (sea eel), sashimi grade scallop, steak, uni, and soft-shell crab tempura. There is a variety of tendon sets and some sashimi as well.

Receive a Makino Cold Tofu (worth S$5.90) with a minimum of S$60 spent in a single receipt from now until December 31, 2023.

Okowa

Okowa is a homely and tasty dish made with steamed glutinous rice prepared with a combination of vegetables and meat.

Yonehachi

Serving up a variety of steamed rice sets, Yonehachi offers comforting home-cooked goodness with quality rice imported from northern Japan. Its okowa sets come with various combinations of either grilled saba, fried chicken, grilled salmon, chicken teriyaki or fish cake.

Pay with your Citi Cardto get a S$5 return voucher with any spend from now until December 31, 2023.

Shabu Shabu

Reminiscent of hotpot, shabu shabu involves delicately swishing thin slices of meat and vegetables in a simmering pot of broth (shabu shabu translates to the ‘swish swish’ sound of the ingredients being stirred in the broth). Like hotpot, it’s best eaten with others.

Shabu Jin

Set up for sharing, Shabu Jin’s menu features prime cuts of meat from different prefectures in Japan, such as Hida, Omi and Kagoshima beef. Its signature broth and assortment of fresh produce complement the flavours of the meat for a satisfying meal.

From now until December 31, 2023, Citi Cardmembers get S$50 off with a minimum spend of S$350.

Indulge in culinary mastery

Incorporating various intricate techniques that result in a diverse array of dishes, Japanese cuisine offers a world of flavours that highlights ingredients and skill. From comforting bowls of ramen to the fine dining of omakase, these Japanese restaurants in Singapore offer diners an authentic and quality experience. Visit Citi Gourmet Pleasures for more dining ideas and Citi Card offers in Singapore.

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