Sushi Nakamura @ Onze (Tanjong Pagar) - Japanese Omakase Restaurant Focusing On Premium Sushi And Seasonal Ingredients

Sushi Nakamura at Onze @ Tanjong Pagar is an intimate sushi spot offering Nigiri course, omakase, and a curated à la carte menu. Our omakase experience was crafted using seasonal ingredients.

Abalone 4.5/5

To start, we had abalone with abalone liver sauce. The sauce, mellowed with butter, was rich with deep, oceanic umami that beautifully enhanced the abalone's natural sweetness.

Gurnard Fish 3.5/5

This was followed by a cold dish comprising Gurnard Fish with Dashi Vinegar Jelly, Ice Plant, and tomato. The dish delivered a refreshing fruity acidity that awakened the palate.

Sardine 3/5

Next came Sardine rolled with pickled ginger and shiso leaf, carrying a similarly briny yet tart and earthy profile.

Spanish Mackerel Shabu Shabu 4/5

A comforting turn came with Spanish Mackerel Shabu Shabu, served in a light, delicate broth that gently showcased the fish's natural flavours.

Tairagai 4/5

Then came a moreish grilled Tairagai, notable for its firm yet tender bite, with an intense umami richness elevated by grilled nori.

Seaweed Soup with Bamboo Shoots & Firefly Squid 4/5

Before the mains, we were served a Seaweed Soup with Japanese Bamboo Shoots and Firefly Squid. The gentle, light broth allowed the natural flavours of the springtime ingredients to shine, highlighting the sweet corn-like flavours of the crunchy bamboo shoots and the rich, briny depth of the squid.

Trio-style Seafood Donburi 4/5

Warm Seafood Noodles 3/5

We were served sampling portions of two signature dishes from their main menu: Trio-style Seafood Donburi and Warm Seafood Noodles. The donburi stood out with its satisfying textures and deeply flavourful rice. The noodles were comforting, though the broth leaned slightly too salty towards the end.

Nigiri 3/5

The final savoury course featured five types of Nigiri. The Ika impressed with its creamy, almost buttery texture, while the Unagi provided a bold, smoky finish to the meal.

Dessert 3/5

Dessert was a delightful combination of strawberry and kantan made with white bean paste and white chocolate. Overall, it was light, balanced, and a pleasant end to the experience.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Sushi Nakamura
Onze
11 Kee Seng Street
#01-12
Singapore 089218
Tel: +65 89087964
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 6pm – 11pm Tue-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road at Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn left onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Kee Seng Street. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]

Eizaburo (栄三郎) @ Cuppage Plaza - Build-Your-Own 90-minute Dinner Experience with Free Flow Alcohol

Looking for a spot to chill and gather with friends? Eizaburo Orchard at Cuppage Plaza offers a fun and interactive Build-Your-Own 90-minute dinner experience. Priced at $79++ with free-flow alcohol or $49++ without, diners can customise their meal from a curated selection of Japanese dishes. Each set includes a choice between a Sashimi Box or Appetiser Box, along with 3 Yakitori, 1 Side Dish, and 1 Main Dish — making it a flexible and value-driven option for group dining.

Free Flow Drinks

The free-flow drinks option is a highlight, comprising both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. For those going for the alcohol package, there is a good variety of options, including sake, highballs, beer, and umeshu, perfect for pairing with the grilled skewers and small plates.

Assorted Appetisers Box

Assorted Sashimi Box

Diners can choose between the Assorted Appetisers Box or the Assorted Sashimi Box. As there were two of us, we opted to have one of each sample both offerings. The Assorted Appetisers Box features a selection of cooked items, including unagi, aburi fish, tamago, sushi rolls, and grilled prawn — a comforting assortment with a balance of textures and flavours. The Assorted Sashimi Box, on the other hand, showcases a variety of fresh seafood, including ebi, scallops, salmon, and chutoro, offering a clean and satisfying start to the meal.

Yakitori 4/5

For the Yakitori selection, each diner gets to choose three skewers. We went with Tebasaki (wing), thigh, pork jowl, iceberg pork roll, and leek. The skewers were well-executed with a nice char and smokiness, making them ideal accompaniments to the drinks.

Creamy Crab Croquette 3.5/5

Potato Salad 4.2/5

For sides, we had the Creamy Crab Croquette and Potato Salad. The croquette was fried to a golden crisp, revealing a creamy, flavourful filling. The Potato Salad was particularly enjoyable, elevated by the addition of ikura, which added bursts of briny umami to each bite.

Wagyu Sirloin Steak 4/5

For the mains, the Wagyu Sirloin Steak delivered on tenderness and juiciness. However, the portion felt somewhat small for a main course, especially for those with larger appetites.

Overflowing Toro-Taku Roll 3.8/5

A more substantial alternative would be the Overflowing Toro-Taku Roll, which offered a generous filling and a satisfying bite, making it a better choice for those seeking something heartier.

Overflowing Ikura, Salmon Negitoro Don 3.8/5

Another fulfilling option is the Overflowing Ikura Salmon Negitoro Don. The bowl comes topped with creamy salmon negitoro and generously piled ikura, delivering a rich and savoury combination that pairs well with the rice.

Overall, Eizaburo Orchard’s Build-Your-Own dinner experience is a great option for casual gatherings. With its customisable format, wide selection of dishes, and free-flow drinks option, it offers a lively and enjoyable way to dine with friends in the heart of Orchard.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Eizaburo
Cuppage Plaza
5 Koek Road
#04-04
Singapore 228796
Tel: +65 8245 1798
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 530pm - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B, C, or D. Walk to Orchard Road. Cross the road and walk to Cuppage Road. Walk down Cuppage Road. Walk to Cuppage Plaza. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Kaya @ The Standard - Weekend Brunch Showcasing Its Signature Japanese-Fusion Flair Every Saturday

Every Saturday, Kaya at The Standard presents a Weekend Brunch that reflects the restaurant’s signature Japanese-fusion flair. The menu features an à la carte free-flow selection of hot and cold appetisers, small bites, mains, and desserts. The brunch experience includes a free flow of non-alcoholic beverages, with the option to upgrade to premium packages that include alcoholic drinks.

The Standard Tray

To start, we were first served The Standard Tray, alongside our drink orders. This was perfect for tempering the usual morning hunger while waiting for the rest of the food to arrive. The tray comprises four items from the menu across the cold, hot bites, and sando categories, prepping our appetite with Chicken Karaage, Tamago Sando, Apple Sesame Salad, and Assorted Sashimi.

Chicken Karaage 4.8/5

The hot morsels of Chicken Karaage were juicy and moreish with a golden crust. I appreciated the bite-sized portions, which worked better than the usual large and chunky pieces.

Sashimi 4/5

Apple Salad 4.5/5

Balancing the tray were the fresh chilled Sashimi and the refreshing Apple Sesame Salad.

Daikon Slaw 5/5

From the cold selection, I was also delighted to find Daikon Slaw, one of my favourite items from their regular menu during my last visit.

Tamago Sando 3/5

Unagi Sando 3.5/5

As for the sando, while the tamago filling was delectable, softer white sandwich bread might have improved the overall texture and taste. There is also an Unagi Sando option, which delivers a much more savoury, meatier bite.

Tacos 3.5/5

The tacos were visually exciting with their colourful presentation. Among the three options — Teriyaki Cured Salmon Taco, Spicy Beef Taco, and Salada Taco, the Spicy Beef Taco was the most satisfying, with hearty beef slices delivering a punch of flavour. The salmon taco, however, turned out a little bland, while the Salada Taco, though enjoyable with avocado, felt slightly underwhelming as a taco.

Konabe Udon 4/5

For mains, the Konabe Udon was simple yet comforting.

Kamo Katsu with Curry Hollandaise Don 3/5

Pork Belly Char Siu Don 3/5

The Kamo Katsu with Curry Hollandaise Don featured a crispy duck cutlet, and the curry hollandaise was rich with umami, flavouring the dish beautifully. It was a pity that the duck itself was a tad dry. The same could be said for the Pork Belly Char Siu Don, where the char siu was not as unctuous as I had expected.

Desserts 3.8/5

Desserts were delightful. The Sakura & Coconut Panna Cotta and Coffee Jelly Shooter were both pleasing, with the latter delivering a pleasant bittersweet note. The Matcha Lemon Tart impressed with its thin, buttery crust, which complemented the tart’s bright, lemony, and earthy matcha flavours.

While there were hits and misses, the cosy ambience of Kaya at The Standard nonetheless makes the brunch format well-suited for a relaxed weekend catch-up with friends and loved ones. The Weekend Brunch is available only on Saturdays from 12 noon to 3pm, with options starting at $78 per person.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Kaya
The Standard, Singapore
12 Orange Grove Rd
#02-00
Singapore 258353
Tel: 6040 1888
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 630am - 1030pm
Fri-Sat: 630am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. EWheelocklock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Walk down Orchard Road to the end. Turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time is about 23 minutes. [Map]

Tajimaya Yakiniku @ VivoCity - Golden Feast Yakiniku Platter in an Elegant Revolving Carousel with Premium Cuts and Seafood

For this Chinese New Year, Creative Eateries brings a touch of innovation to the festive season with a variety of celebratory menus across its restaurant brands, including a unique Japanese twist at Tajimaya Yakiniku with their Golden Feast Yakiniku Platter.

The star of the show, presented on an elegant revolving carousel surrounding the charcoal grill, was a decadent assortment of 8 premium meat cuts and 2 types of fresh seafood. The carefully curated lineup included A5 Miyazaki Striploin, A5 Miyazaki Nami Karubi Short Ribs, A5 Kagoshima Zabuton Chuck Flap, A5 Kagoshima Sasabara Flank, MS6/7 Australian Wagyu Rib Fingers, MS6/7 Australian Wagyu Tongue Negi Shio, US Kurobuta Pork Belly, US Kurobuta Pork Jowl, Mekajiki (Swordfish) and Hokkaido Hotate Scallops.

A5 Miyazaki Striploin

A5 Kagoshima Zabuton Chuck Flap

The Miyazaki and Kagoshima cuts stood out with their rich, buttery flavours and melt-in-your-mouth textures, delivering an indulgent experience. However, the MS6/7 Wagyu Rib Fingers proved a little tough to chew, and I would have preferred the Wagyu Tongue to be served in thinner slices for a more enjoyable bite.

Kurobuta Pork Jowl

Among the pork selections, I enjoyed the Kurobuta Pork Jowl, which had a more balanced fat-to-meat ratio than the pork belly.

Mekajiki

The Mekajiki (Swordfish) was an unexpected delight, especially when grilled to form a golden crust that added a satisfying crunch to its firm, dense, and meaty texture. Its natural fattiness created a luscious mouthfeel rivalling the premium meats.

Truffle Kaisen Tartare with Tenkatsu

Japanese Wagyu Sukiyaki Don

The menu also featured Zansai, a starter course showcasing Truffle Kaisen Tartare with Tenkatsu and a mini Japanese Wagyu Sukiyaki Don topped with a silky onsen egg yolk. The don's slices of meat were slightly dry despite the creamy egg yolk adding richness.

Japanese Yuzu Sorbet

The meal concluded with a refreshing scoop of Japanese Yuzu Sorbet, offering a bright and citrusy finale that cleansed the palate beautifully after the indulgent feast.

Golden Feast Yakiniku Platter is from $178++ for two persons and $348++ for 4 persons. Promotion Validity: 15 January 2025 - 12 February 2025

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Tajimaya Yakiniku
VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-102/103
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 3125 8831
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C & E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]