Ikki Izakaya @ The Metropolis - Japanese Comfort Food with a Local Twist

Tucked away at The Metropolis in Buona Vista, Ikki Izakaya is a modern Japanese-style izakaya that impresses with its expansive space, high ceilings, and laid-back yet contemporary atmosphere. Despite being around for eight years, it still feels like a hidden gem — offering a solid lineup of Japanese comfort food alongside an impressive selection of alcoholic beverages. Whether you're looking to wind down after work or catch up with friends over bites and booze, Ikki delivers an easygoing, fuss-free dining experience.

Spicy Maguro Poppers 4/5

We started the meal with the Spicy Maguro Poppers ($9.80) — a fun and flavourful bite served in crunchy pie tee cups. Inside, you'll find cubes of tuna sashimi marinated in gochujang, sitting on a creamy avocado base and topped with tobiko for that extra savoury burst. It's spicy, creamy, crunchy — all in one mouthful — and a great way to whet the appetite.

Tofu Crisps 3.5/5

We also tried the Tofu Crisps ($9), a simple yet addictive snack that substitutes fries or chips with thin, crispy tofu skin. While not particularly bold in flavour, it's a satisfying vegetarian-friendly option that goes perfectly with a cold pint.

Ikki Maki 4/5

One of the standouts for the evening was the Ikki Maki ($17.70), a rich and indulgent sushi roll that hits all the right notes. Cream cheese, avocado, and mentaiko sauce form the core of the roll, wrapped and topped with aburi salmon, mini fish roe, and a dusting of seaweed powder. Each bite is creamy, smoky, and umami-packed — a roll that's clearly earned its signature status on the menu.

IKKI's Kick Ass Har Cheong Gai Curry Udon 3.5/5

Adding a local twist to Japanese fare, the IKKI's Kick Ass Har Cheong Gai Curry Udon ($16.50) offers a unique blend of flavours. The creamy Japanese curry base is comforting and fragrant, served with a crispy chicken cutlet marinated in traditional prawn paste. While the concept is fun, the execution was slightly off during our visit — the seasoning leaned too salty, which overwhelmed the dish's otherwise enjoyable components.

SPAM Kimchi Fried Rice 4/5

For something more comforting and hearty, the SPAM Kimchi Fried Rice ($12.80) hits the mark. The fried rice is smoky and robust, filled with the punchy flavour of well-fermented kimchi and balanced out by soft, sweet tamagoyaki and pan-fried spam slices. It's the kind of dish you'd want after a long night out.

Ikki's Tsukune Platter 3.5/5

We ended with Ikki's Tsukune Platter ($16.80), featuring five yakitori-style chicken meatballs glazed in a different sauce: Mentaiko, Gochujang Miso, Okonomiyaki, Cheese, and Original. The platter makes for a great sharing dish, offering variety in flavour, though some combinations stood out more than others. Still, it's a fun and interactive way to sample different seasonings, especially with drinks.

Overall, Ikki Izakaya feels like a well-kept secret. It blends local influences with Japanese izakaya vibes in a relaxed and spacious setting. Whether you're in it for the drinks, the creative fusion dishes, or just a chill place to hang out, Ikki Izakaya checks all the right boxes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ikki Izakaya
The Metropolis
9 North Buona Vista Drive
#01-06/07
Singapore 138588
Tel: +65 8138 8578
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Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 11pm
Sat: 6pm - 10pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit B or D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Yakitori One (鳥萬) @ Suntec City Mall - Beijing’s Popular Yakitori Restaurant Opens First Overseas Outpost in Singapore

Yakitori One (鳥萬), a celebrated yakitori establishment from Beijing, opened its first international outlet in Suntec City, Singapore, bringing local diners an authentic Japanese head-to-tail grilling experience. Specialising in every part of the chicken, from the commonly loved thighs and wings to rare cuts like neck meat, heart aorta, and boneless wing tips, Yakitori One offers a unique take on traditional yakitori dining. Open till 2 AM, it's an excellent late-night spot for grilled skewers and drinks. In addition to its à la carte selections, the restaurant offers a $158 omakase menu, available only for dinner, showcasing the best of its skewers and seasonal specialities.

We had the opportunity to experience the Omakase Menu ($158 per pax), which includes two starters, ten skewers, a rice dish, and dessert. Upon being seated, diners are welcomed with a refreshing drink to kickstart the meal.

Otoro with Grated Foie Gras & Uni 4.2/5

The meal began with an Otoro with Grated Foie Gras & Uni, where the luxurious otoro melted effortlessly in the mouth. The rich foie gras and creamy uni elevated the dish, delivering an explosion of flavours.

Snow Crab with Caviar & Yuzu Jelly 4.2/5

The Snow Crab with Caviar & Yuzu Jelly followed. The jelly's zesty flavour balanced the crab's natural sweetness, while the caviar provided a subtle umami depth to round out the dish.

Chicken Tenderloin 4.2/5

Next came the grilled skewers, a highlight of the omakase experience. The Chicken Tenderloin, delicately grilled over charcoal, retained its incredible softness and silkiness. It was topped with ikura roe for a burst of savoury brininess.

Chicken Thigh 4.5/5

The Chicken Thigh had a more pronounced smokiness due to the additional grilling, enhancing its juicy texture.

Chicken Cartilage 4.2/5

Chicken Heart Aorta 4.2/5

The Chicken Cartilage provided a satisfying crunch, while the rare Chicken Heart Aorta delighted offal lovers with its unique chew and rich taste.

Chicken Neck Meat 4.5/5

One of the standouts was the Chicken Neck Meat. Its tender yet slightly firm texture added an extra layer of enjoyment.

Mentaiko Zucchini 4.5/5

To break up the sequence of chicken skewers, the Mentaiko Zucchini was served. The light, crunchy zucchini was topped with torched mentaiko, imparting a rich creaminess that perfectly complemented the vegetable’s freshness.

Chicken Wings 4.2/5

Chicken Tsukune 4.8/5

Returning to the chicken selections, the Chicken Wings reminded us why bone-in skewers are always more aromatic and flavourful, while the Chicken Tsukune was undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser. The juicy chicken meatball skewer, mixed with soft bone for added texture, was paired with an egg yolk dipping sauce, giving it a silky and indulgent finish.

Pineapple 3/5

AA simple grilled Pineapple was served, though it could have been charred more evenly for a more pronounced caramelisation.

Chiba Sweet Potato 4/5

The meal included a Chiba Sweet Potato, an unexpected but pleasant surprise for a change in pace. The naturally sweet and creamy potato provided a hearty contrast to the preceding skewers.

Nodoguro and Sakura Ebi Don 4.5/5

The final savoury course was the Nodoguro and Sakura Ebi Don. This fragrant and umami-rich rice dish was deeply satisfying, thanks to its delicate balance of seafood flavours and perfectly cooked rice.

Yuzi Ice Cream 3/5

Finally, a scoop of Yuzu Ice Cream provided a refreshing citrusy sweetness, leaving a light and clean finish to an indulgent yakitori feast.

Yakitori One brings a rare and authentic yakitori omakase experience to Singapore. With meticulously prepared skewers and premium ingredients, it is a must-visit for yakitori lovers and adventurous diners alike. Whether you're looking for an indulgent omakase experience or just craving some late-night skewers, Yakitori One is definitely a spot worth checking out.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yakitori One (鳥萬)
Suntec City Mall
Tower 2
3 Temasek Boulevard
#01-514/515
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 92353031
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 430pm - 2am
Sun: 430pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Setsuri Ishinomake @ Guoco Midtown - Celebrating the Art of Japanese Grilling

Setsuri Ishinomaki, the latest concept under the Ishinomaki Group, has made a remarkable entry at Guoco Midtown. This restaurant honours the best of Japan's grilling techniques, featuring four distinct methods: Genshiyaki, Warayaki, Robatayaki, and Rogama. Focusing on showcasing nature's finest ingredients, Setsuri Ishinomaki delivers an exceptional dining experience that blends tradition and innovation.

Iburigakko Shiitake & Cream Cheese with Crackers 4/5

We began our dinner with a couple of light snacks, perfect for pairing with pre-dinner drinks. The Iburigakko Shiitake & Cream Cheese with Crackers ($10) was particularly addictive. This delightful dish features a pate of smoked pickles, mushrooms, and cream cheese, shaped like a scoop of ice cream and served with crispy crackers.

Tsubugai, Tako Kimchi 3.5/5

The Tsubugai, Tako Kimchi ($12) combines sea whelk, octopus, and kimchi. The vibrant flavours and delightful crunch of the sea whelk and octopus make for an appetising start to the meal.

Mentai Dashi Maki Tamago 4.2/5

The freshly made Mentai Dashi Maki Tamago ($14) was well executed. Topped with spicy cod roe, the fluffy Japanese omelette offered a complex and satisfying taste profile.

Apios 3.5/5

Apios, a unique blend of yam and potato with a sweet chestnut-like flavour, was a novel experience for me. While it was enjoyable, I wished for a dipping sauce to further appreciate the ingredient.

Ebi Tempura 4.2/5

The Ebi Tempura ($22) features sweet, plump, and crispy deep-fried prawns, ideal for accompanying drinks.

The first grilling technique we experienced is Warayaki, which means 'burning straw'. This primitive method involves burning the remaining dry stalks from the autumn rice harvest and grilling them.

Hon Maguro Toro Wara Tataki 4.2/5

Salmon Wara Takaki 4.2/5

Our first encounter with the Warayaki grilling technique, which involves burning straw, included the Hon Maguro Toro Tataki ($48) and Salmon Wara Takaki ($25). Both dishes showcased the fresh and clean flavours of the fish, enhanced by a unique, underlying smokiness.

Nasu Dengaku 4/5

From the Robatayaki and Rogama section, we sampled the Nasu Dengaku ($16). This dish features Japanese eggplant coated with Kyoto red miso, providing a beautiful sweetness atop the grilled smoky charring.

Tsukune - Grilled Minced Chicken Meatballs 4.5/5

Yakitori - Grilled Chicken Thigh and Leek 4.5/5

The Tsukune ($10) and Yakitori ($10) skewers, grilled over bincho, were aromatic and perfectly charred while retaining their tenderness and juiciness. The grilled minced chicken meatballs were particularly outstanding, with added textural contrast from soft bone.

The restaurant's highlight is the Genshiyaki, an ancient art of Japanese grill. The ingredients are first skewered into bamboo sticks, and the ends of sticks are pushed into a floor of mokuhai (wood ash) specially imported from Kagoshima. The ingredients on the sticks is placed such that they lean against the stack of burning bincho, slowly basking in the gentle heat.

Ebi Genshiyaki 4.5/5

Salmon Honey Miso Genshiyaki 4.2/5

We tried the Grilled Prawns with Seafood Sauce ($12) and Grilled Salmon with Honey Miso ($24). The gentle heat allowed the ingredients' natural flavours to shine, complemented by a sweet sauce for a vibrant finish.

Gindara Saikyo Genshiyaki 4.5/5

Makarei Genshiyaki (Seasonal) 4/5

The Grilled Marinated Cod in Sweet Miso Sauce ($38) and seasonal Makarei Genshiyaki were served unadorned, allowing the fullest appreciation of the high-quality ingredients.

Kinoko Foilyaki 4/5

From the Rogama menu, the seasonal Kinoko Foilyaki, an assortment of mushrooms cooked in its own heat, offered a sweet and savoury finish.

Kani & Kinoko Donabe 3.8/5

The Kani & Kinoko Donabe ($55) features crab meat and mushrooms cooked in a claypot for those seeking a hearty dish. While the premium ingredients were appreciated, the dish could benefit from additional seasoning to enhance its flavours.

Futomaki 4.5/5

The Futomaki ($28), a traditional thick sushi roll with colourful ingredients, was a visual and gastronomic delight. The vibrant colours and diverse ingredients provided fireworks of flavours and multi-textural enjoyment, with four distinct options: Ebi, Hokkaido Crab Meat, Unagi, and Spicy Garlic Beef.

Warabi Mochi 4/5

For dessert, we enjoyed the Warabi Mochi ($8). With its gelatinous and bouncy texture, this version was elevated when paired with Okinawa brown sugar for extra fragrance and sweetness.

Sweet Potato & Chestnuts Creme Brulee 4.2/5

The Sweet Potato & Chestnuts Creme Brulee ($14) was a unique and memorable dessert. The combination of sweet potato and chestnuts with caramelised sugar provided a lovely ending to our dinner.

Setsuri Ishinomaki at Guoco Midtown offers a unique dining experience, celebrating the best of Japanese grilling techniques. With a menu honouring tradition while embracing innovation, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking to savour the finest in Japanese grills.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Setsuri Ishinomaki
120 Beach Road
#01-03
Guoco Midtown House
Singapore 189759
Tel: +65 6530 3657
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT, EW Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to Tan Quee Lan Street. Turn left and walk down Tan Quee Lan Street to Beach Road. At Beach Road, cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station Take Exit F. Walk straight down Beach Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]