Toku Nori, the contemporary Japanese handroll bar known for its sleek “New York speakeasy” vibe, has opened its second outlet at Boat Quay. Two years after its successful debut in Telok Ayer, the brand returns with a refreshed concept, introducing its first-ever sushi omakase experience paired with sake, while keeping its hallmark of accessible yet premium offerings. We visited the new outlet to check out both the Jyosen Sushi Set ($38) and the Tokusen Sushi Set ($48), along with a few à la carte items.
Miso Soup 3/5
Hotate Sushi 4/5
Both sets begin with a comforting bowl of Miso Soup, which was light and adequately savoury, though lacking a deeper umami punch. A highlight early on was the Hotate Sushi. The plump, sweet scallop was elevated with a delicate combination of yuzu kosho, jelly and chopped chives. The citrusy heat from the yuzu kosho cut through the scallop’s natural sweetness beautifully, while the jelly added a subtle layer of texture and refinement.
Hamachi Sushi 4/5
Madai Sushi 4/5
Next, the Hamachi Sushi (Jyosen Set) impressed with its clean, buttery profile. The addition of pickled onion and chive oil introduced brightness and a gentle aromatic lift, balancing the richness of the fish.
From the Tokusen Set, the Madai Sushi showcased a firmer texture with a naturally mild sweetness. Paired with shio konbu and ume, it delivered a nuanced flavour profile — savoury, slightly tangy, and deeply satisfying.
Maguro Sushi 4/5
Chutoro Sushi 4/5
The progression continued with tuna selections. The Maguro Sushi (Jyosen Set) was topped with yuzu kizami and tsukudani, adding layers of citrusy brightness and umami depth to the lean tuna.
Meanwhile, the Chutoro Sushi (Tokusen Set) offered a richer, more indulgent bite. The fatty tuna melted in the mouth, complemented by konbu shoyu and red shiso, which enhanced its natural oils without overpowering the fish.
Salmon Sushi 4/5
Aka Ebi Sushi 4.2/5
The Salmon Sushi leaned towards a bold and indulgent flavour profile. Topped with mentaiko and ikura, each bite was rich, creamy and bursting with umami. It is a crowd-pleasing combination that amplifies the salmon’s natural fattiness.
Even more luxurious was the Aka Ebi Sushi. The sweet shrimp was paired with black caviar and uni, resulting in an explosion of oceanic flavours. The brininess of the caviar and the creaminess of the uni elevated the delicate sweetness of the ebi, making it one of the standout pieces of the meal.
Anago Sushi 4/5
Foie Gras Sushi 3/5
Closing the sushi course, the Anago Sushi delivered a comforting finish with its soft, fluffy texture and sweet anago tare glaze.
The Foie Gras Sushi offered a modern, fusion twist. While the foie gras was rich and decadent, the combination with goshiki arare added a contrasting crunch. However, the overall execution felt slightly heavy, lacking the balance seen in earlier courses.
Mini Chirashi Don 3/5
Both sets concluded with a Mini Chirashi Don. While it provided a satisfying end to the meal, the flavours were relatively straightforward compared to the preceding sushi courses.
Truffle Scallop Somen 3/5
The Truffle Scallop Somen ($16) featured a light and refreshing combination of somen noodles, scallop, ikura and chives in a truffle shoyu base. While the dish was well-balanced, the truffle flavour was rather subtle and could have been more pronounced to elevate the overall experience.
Red Crab Crispy Sushi 4.2/5
The Red Crab Crispy Sushi ($18 for 3 pcs) stood out for its textural contrast. The crispy sushi rice base provided a satisfying crunch, while the sweet and creamy deep-sea red crab topping, accented with caviar and chives, delivered a luxurious finish.
Maguro Poppers 4.2/5
The Maguro Poppers ($15 for 3 pc) were playful, bite-sized delights. Encased in a crisp nori shell, the tuna tartare and edamame filling was fresh and flavourful, while the ikura topping added bursts of briny umami.
Matcha Latte 4/5
The Matcha Latte used ceremonial-grade Tsuki matcha, resulting in a smooth, earthy drink with a pleasant bitterness and creamy finish.
Warabi Mochi Trio 4/5
Ending on a sweet note, the Warabi Mochi Trio ($12) came in kinako, goma and matcha flavours. Each piece was soft, delicate and pleasantly chewy, offering a light yet satisfying dessert to round off the meal.
Toku Nori’s new Boat Quay outlet successfully builds on its original concept, offering a more refined dining experience with its sushi omakase sets while maintaining approachable pricing. The sushi courses showcase thoughtful flavour pairings and quality ingredients, with standout items such as Aka Ebi Sushi and Hotate Sushi. While a few dishes could benefit from stronger flavour definition, the overall experience remains enjoyable — especially for those seeking a stylish yet accessible introduction to omakase-style dining in Singapore.
Note: This is an invited tasting.
Toku Nori
13 Lorong Telok
Singapore 049026
Tel: +65 8209 4404
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)
Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 11pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station: Take Exit G. Walk down Chulia Street. Walk to North Canal Road. Walk down North Canal Road. Turn right onto Lorong Telok. Walk down Lorong Telok. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]
