Uoharu (魚治) @ IOI Central Boulevard Towers - Celebrates 1st Anniversary with Limited-Time Menu and Fun Interactive Activities

Renowned Tokyo izakaya Uoharu (魚治) marks its first anniversary in Singapore with a lineup of limited-time dishes and engaging activities from 14 August to 19 October. Since opening its doors a year ago, Uoharu has impressed diners with fresh produce sourced directly from the famed Toyosu Market. The izakaya has now expanded its offerings to include premium seafood and fish flown in from Hokkaido, further elevating the authentic Japanese dining experience.

To celebrate the occasion, Uoharu has introduced a series of interactive activities such as the Egg-slide Challenge (win your dish for free if you succeed!), mochi pounding, Polaroid snapshots with a complimentary sake shot, and a lucky-draw Fuku Stick with prizes including free beer and dishes.

Seared Miso Sashimi Tartare 3.5/5

The Seared Miso Sashimi Tartare ($14.80) arrives dramatically, fire-torched tableside. Wrapped with seaweed and creamy egg yolk, each bite is rich, smoky, and texturally layered. It is a fun and flavourful start to the meal.

Akita Smoked Radish with Cream Cheese 5/5

The Akita Smoked Radish with Cream Cheese ($10.80) is a simple yet outstanding dish that stole the show. The crunchy, smoky-sweet radish paired with smooth cream cheese was so addictive that we immediately ordered a second serving.

Japanese-Style Tomato Salad 4.2/5

Refreshing and light, the Japanese-Style Tomato Salad ($12.80) showcased tomatoes with an incredible natural sweetness, enhanced by a nutty goma sesame dressing.

A4 Wagyu Baguette with Cured Egg Yolk 3/5

Priced at $16.80 for two pieces, the A4 Wagyu Baguette with Cured Egg Yolk ($16.80 for 2pc) comes with its own Egg-slide Challenge. While the wagyu itself was tender and savoury, the highlight here is the fun activity rather than the flavour.

Grilled Seasonal Shellfish 3.8/5

Grilled Seasonal Shellfish ($38.80) comprises a trio of scallop, turban shell, and surf clam.. The scallop and clam were sweet and delightful, though the turban shell proved tough and less enjoyable.

Beef Tongue and Daikon Nitsuke 4/5

The Beef Tongue and Daikon Nitsuke ($21.80) was a comforting and flavourful simmered dish. The tender cubes of beef tongue practically melted in the mouth, balanced beautifully by the sweetness of slow-cooked daikon.

Beef Bone Marrow with Baguette Toast 3/5

The Beef Bone Marrow with Baguette Toast ($25.80) delivers rich, buttery marrow spread over crisp baguette, making it a decadent drinking snack. Indulgent as it is, the heaviness may not appeal to everyone.

Jumbo Sea Tiger Prawn with Mentai Aburi 4/5

The Jumbo Sea Tiger Prawn with Mentai Aburi ($26.80) impressed with its sweet, briny flesh crowned with creamy, smoky mentai, which is decadent and indulgent. Personally, I felt the bold topping overshadowed the natural sweetness of the prawn, though I can see how the punchier flavours would appeal to the younger generation.

Oden Moriawase 4.5/5

The Oden Moriawase ($18.80 for 7 kinds/ $32.80 for 20 kinds) is a quintessential Japanese comfort dish. The lightly seasoned dashi broth, sweet daikon, and variety of fish cakes made this a must-order, especially for sharing.

Chicken Wing 4.2/5

Grilled and perfectly executed, the Chicken Wing was juicy with a crisp skin, which is always a crowd pleaser.

Premium Seafood Donabe 4/5

Packed with crab, hotate, aka ebi, salmon, and ikura, the Premium Seafood Donabe ($29.80) was brimming with oceanic flavours. The donabe sealed in all the goodness, with fluffy rice soaking up every drop of umami essence.

Uoharu Singapore celebrates its milestone in true izakaya spirit with great food, premium seafood, interactive fun, and plenty of sake to go around. While not every dish hit the same high note, highlights such as the Akita Smoked Radish with Cream Cheese, Oden Moriawase, and Jumbo Sea Tiger Prawn with Mentai Aburi make this anniversary menu well worth a visit.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Uoharu (魚治)
IOI Central Boulevard Towers
2 Central Boulevard
#01-16
Singapore 018916
Tel: +65 6931 2733
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Nearest MRT: Downtown (DT Line), Shenton Way (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11am - 10pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Downtown MRT station. Take Exit E or F. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Shenton Way MRT station. Take Exit 4. Cut across Asia Square Tower to Commerce Street. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.[Map]

Izakaya Shun @ Cuppage Plaza - Seven Course Omakase Experience at $99/pax

Nestled in Cuppage Plaza, Singapore's "Little Japanese Mall," Izakaya Shun is the sister restaurant of the 5-time Michelin Plate awardee Kappo Shunsui (2018-2023). Led by Chef Takamasa Suzuki, Izakaya Shun offers an exquisite Omakase menu featuring Japan's seasonal best, sourced directly from Tokyo's Toyosu Market. Izakaya Shun also assures guests that they avoid using seafood sourced from the sea around the Fukushima region (including Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba).

The Omakase experience at Izakaya Shun includes a 7-course menu comprising an appetizer, a warmed dish, sashimi, a deep-fried dish, a grilled dish, a rice dish, and dessert. It is available at a promotional price of $99/pax (U.P. $128/pax).

Additionally, Izakaya Shun boasts an extensive selection of alcoholic beverages from renowned Japanese distilleries, including beer, shochu, whiskey, wine, and sake - all included in the Omakase experience.

Assorted Appetisers 4/5

We began our dinner with a beautifully plated 6-Kinds of Assorted Aappetisers. The most memorable items were the steamed oysters, which were plump and fresh; the miso eggplant, surprisingly light and melt-in-your-mouth soft; and the cold grilled octopus, which was chewy and packed with flavour.

Chawanmushi with Fresh Seaweed Sauce 3/5

Assorted Oden Soup 4/5

The second course is a warm dish, and we selected the Chawanmushi with Fresh Seaweed Sauce and Assorted Oden Soup. Although the chawanmushi didn't impress us much, the oden stood out with its three pieces: chikuwa, fish cake, and kinchaku. The kinchaku, a purse-shaped tofu skin named after Edo-period bags, contained a delightful surprise of soft and chewy mochi inside. Another warm dish option from this course is the Agedashi Tofu with Mushroom Sauce.

Assorted Sashimi and Sushi 4.2/5

Next, we have a seasonal assortment of Sashimi and Sushi platter with a total of 8 items where you get to sample an array of freshly sliced fishes including bonito fish, scallop, octopus and salmon and ikura roll.

Uni 4.2/5

If you are a fan of Uni, there is an option of a top-up of $19 for a portion of fresh Uni served with crispy seaweed strips. The uni is really fresh and sweet!

Assorted Tempura 4/5

Chicken Nanban with Wafu Tartar Sauce 3.8/5

For the deep-fried course, we chose the Assorted Tempura and Chicken Nanban with Wafu Tartar Sauce. We preferred the tempura, where the light yet crispy batter coated the ingredients perfectly. The tempura included 3-pieces: prawn, fish, and shiso leaf. While the wafu tartar sauce on the chicken nanban was excellent, we found the chicken itself lacked flavour. Another option for this course is the Snow Crab Cream Croquette with homemade Demi-Glace Sauce.

Karei (Flatfish) Saikyo Yaki 4/5

Wagyu Harami (Out-Skirt) Steak with Special Onion Sauce 3.8/5

For the grilled course, we had the Karei (Flatfish) Saikyo Yaki and Wagyu Harami (Out-Skirt) Steak with Special Onion Sauce. The fish was exceptional — so tender and sweet that we wished for a more significant portion! A squeeze of lemon juice further enhanced its flavour.

The steak was perfectly cooked and tender, with the fried garlic complementing it nicely. However, we found the onion sauce a bit overpowering. Another option for this course is the Kagoshima Kurobuta Pork Steak with Special Steak Sauce.

Overflowing Ikura Rice 4/5

Before dessert, we were served the Overflowing Ikura Rice, a signature dish from its sister restaurant Kyuu by Shunsui, created by Chef Takamasa Suzuki. The show-stopping moment occurred when the chef heaped generous scoops of ikura onto the small cup of sushi rice!

Overflowing Ikura Rice with additional Uni and Negitoro (minced toro) 4.5/5

For an additional $14, you can enjoy a generous topping of Uni and Negitoro (minced toro) on the sushi rice before the chef covers it with loads of ikura. This option adds more depth and complexity to the dish, balancing the saltiness of the ikura. We highly recommend this upgrade.

Yuzu Sorbet 3.8/5 and Warabimochi 3/5

As part of the Omakase tradition, a small serving of Miso Soup is provided to wash down all the food before dessert. We had the Yuzu Sorbet and Warabimochi, the only dessert options on the menu. The yuzu sorbet was a perfect ending, balanced without being too sour or sweet, with the right amount of fragrant yuzu scent. The Warabi mochi was soft but otherwise unremarkable.

Overall, we had a great time at Izakaya Shun, and we consider it a hidden gem. We recommend the bar counter seats for the best experience, but a few table seats are available if you prefer a more private meal. Although we aren't big alcohol drinkers, the wide selection of options provides excellent value for those who are, allowing you to drink to your heart's content. Non-alcoholic drinks such as Calpis, Ginger Ale, Coke, Oolong Tea, and Green Tea are also included.

Please note that the offerings are seasonal, with the menu changing every 3 months.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


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

Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm - 11pm

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 destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

88 Pocha @ Holland Village - Korean Street Food In A Vibrant Pojangmacha-style Eatery

Newly joining the variety of dining options in Holland Village is 88 Pocha, brought in by a South Korean chef who has been living long-term in Singapore. Chef hopes to introduce the Korean Pojangmacha (covered wagon) culture and recreate the taste of his favourite Korean street food. The eatery is vibrantly styled with bright blue and red plastic dining furniture and has K-pop tunes playing through the space.

The menu is interestingly categorised into A, B, C, D and E, alongside canned drinks, alcoholic options and desserts. Each category is priced in tiers, ranging from $8.88 to $28.88. We tried a couple of dishes across the categories.

Gimmari 3.5/5

We started with the Gimmari ($8.88), which came in a portion of 4 pieces. Gimmari is fried seaweed rolls with a filling of glass noodles. Albeit crunchy, we found them too pricey for the size.

Sausage Gimbap 3.5/5

Rolled in seaweed with rice, sausage and cheese filling, the Sausage Gimbap ($11.88) had a pleasant mild aroma of sesame oil.

Corn Cheese Ramyeon 3.5/5

Their Corn Cheese Ramyeon ($11.88) reminded us a lot of the instant Samyang Volcano Noodles, with a milder heat. The noodles are tossed in the spice and topped with kernels, cheese, seaweed strips and sesame seeds. It wasn't too surprising in terms of taste, and we wished there was more to it at this price tag.

Kimchi Pancake 4/5

Despite being a little oily, the Kimchi Pancake ($15.88) impressed me with its taste. The pancake was done nicely thin with a good crisp all around. Their rendition has less batter, with more kimchi and melted cheese laid on top.

Half Fried Chicken 4.2/5

The Half Fried Chicken ($15.88) was done surprisingly well. Served with a side of sweet chilli sauce, each piece of fried chicken was fried to a spot-on crunch while retaining juicy meat within.

Oden Soup 4/5

Lastly, we had the Oden Soup ($18.88). We appreciated how the Korean fish cake soup was served in a kettle over a gas stove that kept it hot throughout our meal. We wished they were a bit more generous with the comforting soup. We enjoyed the intentional slight heat in the soup and the sticks of soft Korean fish cakes.

Beverages

For drinks, we opted for the canned drinks of Haitai Pear Juice ($3.88) and Milkis ($3.88). If you are interested in alcoholic beverages, you can expect a selection of Suntory highball creations, bottled beers, classic makgeolli and soju.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


88 Pocha
26A Lor Mambong
Singapore 277685
Tel: +65 62359950
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Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 1130am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Lorong Liput. Turn right onto Lorong Liput. Walk down Lorong Liput and turn right onto Lorong Mambong. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.[Map]

NiuNiu Tea & DuDu Rice @ Whampoa Drive Food Centre - Taiwanese And Korean Street Food In Hawker Centre

I first get to know NiuNiu Tea & DuDu Rice during Covid when it is doing home delivery. Since then, it has moved on to opening a hawker stall at Whampoa Drive Food Centre selling Taiwanese-Korean street food cuisine. It is a combination that is unique to the local hawker scene.

You may wonder why Taiwanese and Korean street food. It is quite simple as these are food close to the heart of Ryan, the young hawker stall owner. Ryan's parents are from Taiwan, while his wife is Chinese-Korean. If I am right, the interesting stall name is named after his two daughters too.

Lu Ru Fan 4/5

The bowl of Lu Ru Fan ($4.70) comes with braised pork, a whole braised egg and pickled vegetables on top of fragrant pearl rice. The braised pork leaned towards more fatty parts, which is my preference for a bowl of braised pork rice. However, the braising sauce is a bit on the light side. I prefer it to be richer.

Oden 4.2/5

To go with my bowl of braised pork rice, I also ordered a bowl of Oden ($1.50 for 3pc) from the oden bar, whereby customers can pick their oden from a selection of assorted Eomuk, Daikon, Konjac, assorted Balls and assorted Sausage. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the unique pairing of braised pork rice with a bowl of soupy oden. It's like how Chinese usually like to have soup for their meal.

Besides what I had, the stall also sells other items like Taiwanese Mee Sua, Taiwanese Crispy Chicken Cutlet, Tteokbokki and Gimbap.


NiuNiu Tea & DuDu Rice
Whampoa Drive Food Centre
Blk 90 Whampoa Drive
#01-82
Singapore 320090
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Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line), Novena (NS Line), Toa Payoh (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 12pm - 830pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to bus stop at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (Stop ID 07211). Take bus 130. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road. Walk down Balestier road towards Whampoa Drive. Turn left onto Whampoa Drive. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Novena Church (Stop ID 50031). Take bus 21 or 131. Alight 6 stops later. Walk down Balestier road towards Whampoa Drive. Turn left onto Whampoa Drive. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Toa Payoh MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (Stop ID 52009). Take bus 145. Alight 6 stops later. alk down Balestier road towards Whampoa Drive. Turn left onto Whampoa Drive. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Kiyoshi @ Amoy Street - Family-style Japanese Restaurant With Wholesome Dishes

Kiyoshi 清 at Amoy Street is a newly opened family-style Japanese restaurant which focuses on bringing light and wholesome meals to customers. On the menu, you will find sashimi, donburi, soba, yakitori and bento sets.

Tofu & Avocado Salad 3.8/5

Expect starters such as this Tofu & Avocado Salad with Sesame Dressing ($11.80), an ever-popular combination of avocado and tofu to provide the right amount of fats and protein for texture and nutrients all in one salad.

Yakitori 2.5/5

To spruce up its offerings, you can also find Yakitori items such as Yakitori Chicken ($2), Cheese Maki (Mozzarella Cheese wrapped with Bacon) ($3.50), Buta Bara (Pork Belly with Teriyaki Sauce) ($2.50), 'Black Angus' Ribeye ($7.50), Shishamo and Chicken Wings. Other than the Cheese Maki and Shishamo, which provided lip smacking savoury and fatty goodness, the rest of the items were mostly disappointing, ranging from undercooked, mediocre to overcooked, tough meats.

Salmon Kabuta Shioyaki 3.5/5

Fortunately, on the other hand, the Salmon Kabuta Shioyaki ($11.80) was on point. Simply grilled with salt and not doused with teriyaki sauce like many would do, the cartilage was quite well broken down, and the collar meat was moist and juicy.

Tekka Tataki 3.8/5

Tekka Tataki $14.80 was another dish that I quite enjoyed.  The homemade special dressing was citrusy and complemented the raw tuna well.

Salmon Mentai Roll 3.5/5

Salmon Mentai Roll ($12.80) is a crowd-pleasing dish which will satisfy your craving for a sweet and rich mentaiko sauce edged with alluring smokiness. Wrapped with fried ebi and shredded cucumber, these crunchy elements contrasted well with the mouth-filling salmon and creamy mentaiko mayonnaise. Your taste buds will be stoked.

Tempura Zaru Soba 3.5/5

For mains, we tried some soba and udon dishes. Tempura Zaru Soba ($18.80) was decent. It would be even better if the tempura batter for the Ebi was slightly thinner.

Salmon Ikura Cha Soba 3.8/5

My favourite dish would be this Salmon Ikura Cha Soba ($20.80) - the cold sauce went really well with the raw salmon, with bursts of umami-ness from the roes. One more slice of salmon will perhaps make this is more filling and wholesome.

Oden 2.8/5

Oden ($22.80) is a seasonal item not on the menu. It is served with Inaniwa Udon. To me, Inaniwa Udon has to be treated with care to preserve its smooth and velvety texture. In places which I had tried, it is usually served as the star of the dish, accompanied by elements of your choices. For this dish, presenting it in a clump on curly mess surely didn't do justice to this fine quality udon. As for the Oden itself, I appreciate that it is loaded with ingredients such as meatballs, fishcakes and cabbages, but the dashi tasted more like cabbage soup.

While it is is quite common to find a mainstream Japanese restaurant in malls, it has been quite some time since we last had an independent casual Japanese restaurant in this area. Kiyoshi 清 will be a good alternative for gatherings, especially for families on the weekend.

For orders, please call 6223 0995 or email enquiry@kiyoshi.com.sg or 93666 419. Order online on their website https://inline.app/order/kiyoshi/amoystreet. Minimum order of $30. Islandwide delivery is available at $11. Free delivery for orders above $100.

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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Kiyoshi
75 Amoy Street
Singapore 069894
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Website
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 3pm, 5pm-10pm
Friday: 11am - 3pm, 5-1030pm
Sat: 5pm - 1030pm
Sun: 5pm-10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Amoy Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk down Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]