Robata Akari, located along Duxton Hill, is a Japanese robatayaki-style izakaya that opened in September 2025. The restaurant centres on the traditional robatayaki grilling technique, where premium ingredients are slow-grilled over charcoal, offering diners an authentic, communal Japanese dining experience in a warm, inviting setting.
We went with the Special Menu ($189), which provided a well-paced journey through appetisers, sashimi, grilled items and hearty mains. There is also a premium menu at $289.
Chef's Selection of 3 Appetisers 3.5/5
The meal began with the Chef's Selection of 3 Appetisers, featuring Wagyu with Sea Urchin, Cream Cheese with Wasabi, and Potato Salad. Among the trio, the Wagyu with Sea Urchin stood out effortlessly. The rich marbling of the wagyu paired beautifully with the briny sweetness of the uni, delivering a luxurious bite that set the tone for the meal.
Chilled Starters - Japanese Salad with Colourful Vegetables
The chilled course was a Japanese Salad with Colourful Vegetables. Unfussy and straightforward, it was light and refreshing, allowing the natural freshness of the greens to shine through. It's a good light starter before the heavier courses.
Sashimi - Chef's Selection of Sashimi 5 Kinds 4/5
Next came the Chef's Selection of Sashimi 5 Kinds, comprising Salmon, Bonito, Tuna, Yellowtail, and Shrimp topped with Salmon Roe. Each slice was fresh and clean-tasting, showcasing high-quality seafood with a balanced mix of textures and flavours.
Deep-Fried - Seasonal Vegetable & Agedashi Tofu 4/5
For the deep-fried course, we had Agedashi Tofu paired with capsicum and Eggplant. The tofu was soft and silky inside, with a light exterior that absorbed the savoury sauce nicely.
Akari's Special - Premium Wagyu Shabu-Shabu/ Sukiyaki 4.5/5
The highlight of the Special Menu is undoubtedly Akari's Premium Wagyu, available as either shabu-shabu or sukiyaki. I opted for the shabu-shabu, which allowed the beautifully marbled wagyu to shine. The beef was incredibly tender, delivering a melt-in-the-mouth texture with rich, beefy flavours.
Robata-Grilled - Eggplant 2.5/5
A series of robata-grilled selections followed, showcasing the restaurant's robata-grilling techniques. The Eggplant paired with Bonito came first, with the skin removed to reveal a very soft interior. Unfortunately, this dish did not quite resonate with me, as the flavours felt relatively mild and the texture leaned towards the mushy side.
Robata-Grilled - Black Cod 3.8/5
The Robata-Grilled Black Cod fared much better, offering a rich, buttery flesh with a pleasing crisp on the skin.
Robata-Grilled - Salmon with Salmon Roe 3.8/5
This was followed by the Robata-Grilled Salmon topped with Salmon Roe, which was cooked precisely, resulting in a moist texture without being dry, reflecting good control over the grilling timing.
Robata-Grilled - Chicken Meatballs with Egg Yolk 3/5
Rounding off the robata items were the Chicken Meatballs with Egg Yolk; while flavourful, the texture was a little too soft for my personal liking, making it less memorable compared to the other grilled dishes.
Claypot Rice with Wagyu & Corn 3.8/5
The Claypot Rice with Wagyu & Corn was a comforting and satisfying dish. The rice was fragrant, infused with wagyu fat for added depth, while the corn introduced a pleasant sweetness and textural contrast.
Dessert - Sweet Potato & Vanilla Ice Cream 3/5
Dessert was Sweet Potato with Vanilla Ice Cream. The sweet potato was naturally sweet with light smoky notes from the fire, pairing nicely with the cold, creamy vanilla ice cream for a simple yet effective hot-and-cold contrast.
Black Throat Sea Perch 4.5/5
We also tried the Black Throat Sea Perch from the à la carte menu. Skewered and slow-grilled over charcoal in irori style, the fish was evenly cooked, moist, and naturally sweet, allowing its quality to shine without excessive seasoning.
Overall, Robata Akari delivers a refined robatayaki experience, with strong execution of its grilled items and premium ingredients, making it a noteworthy addition to Singapore's Japanese dining scene — especially for those who appreciate charcoal-grilled flavours executed with restraint and precision.
Note: This is an invited tasting.
Robata Akari
10 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089594
Tel: +65 9647 5330
Website
Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE Line), Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm - 12midnight
Direction:
1) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Cross the road and walk to Duxton Road. Walk down Duxton Road. Turn right onto Duxton Hill. Walk down Duxton Hill. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]
2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road and walk to Craig Road. Walk down Craig Road towards Neil Road. Turn left onto Neil Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]
3) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to the staircase behind the open-air car park. Take the stairs to Duxton Plain Park. Turn right and walk down Duxton Plain Park. Cross the tunnel, take the stairs to the road level and walk down Neil Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time bout 6 minutes. [Map]
