Located in the enclave of Greenwood Avenue is a new Japanese restaurant, Sakurazaka. Sakurazaka infuses traditional shabu shabu, sukiyaki and kakigori with refined European flair. Chef Masashi, with his Japanese heritage and European culinary roots, uses both Japanese and European ingredients, condiments and stock to refine the whole experience of shabu shabu and sukiyaki with a refinement of flavours.
Bouillabaisse and Pork Bone Soup
Ordering is rather simple and straight foward. Choose from the 4 sets which is namely Pork Set ($95++), Bouillabaisse Set ($108++), Beef Set ($128++) and Sukiyaki Set ($150++). All the set comes with a starter, meat (seafood for bouillabaisse set), vegetables, mushrooms, rice or noodles and dessert.
Beef and Ago Dashi Soup
For the shabu shabu set, diners have a choice of 6 different soup base. They are Chicken Bone, Pork Bone, Bouillabaisse, Ago Dashi, Beef and Soya Milk. For our dinner, we tried Bouillabaisse, Pork Bone, Beef and Ago Dashi soup base.
Ishiyaki 4.5/5
The dinner experience began with the Ishiyaki (hot stone) and Onsen Tamago. Depends on which set the diner ordered, slices of iberico pork, Japanese wagyu beef or seafood is served. It is to be cooked on the the hot stone that is heated to 140 degrees. The cooked meat or seafood is then dipped into the Japanese half boiled egg with spring onion and sukiyaki sauce to elevate the taste.
Bouillabaisse Set
The Bouillabaisse Set ($108++) comes with assorted seafood such as tiger prawns, white clams, scallop, red snapper, squid, mussel and prawn ball.
Bouillabaisse Set - Prawn Ball
For diners that ordered the Pork Set ($95++), it comes with Kyushu Japanese Pork Belly (200g) and Pork Loin (200g). While the Beef Set ($128++) comes with Aomori Japanese Rice-Fed Beef Striploin (150g) and Ribeye (150g). While the Kyushu Shirobuta pork and Aomori rice-fed beef are not common in Singapore, they are not inferior in terms of marbling and flavours. In fact, they are as good or even better.
Selection of Pork and Beef 4.5/5
On top of the set menu, diners can also order additional serving from the a la carte menu. I would recommend trying the Joshu Wagyu Striploin ($45/100g) and Ribeye ($45/100g). The flavour is more beefy and intense.
Vegetable and Mushroom 4.2/5
Besides the meat and seafood, every set also comes with an assortment of Vegetables and Mushrooms. Each set comes with 5 different seasonal vegetables and 2 seasonal mushrooms.
Foie Gras 3.5/5
If you are game for some acquire taste, you can try shabu shabu Foie Gras ($14) from the a la carte menu. I personally think that the creamy texture and taste may not be easily accepted by many.
The finale of enjoying the shabu shabu is to cook the rice or noodle in the broth that has absorbed with all the essence of the ingredients. Egg and two different type of cheeses are added into the mixture to thicken and intensive the flavour even more.
Kakigori 4.2/5
The dessert rounding off the set is the Kakigori made of finely shaved ice, flavoured with syrup and condensed milk. However, at Sakurazaka you are in for a different. Chef Masashi has given the dessert a refinement make over. We tried the Ujikintoki Green Tea ($16), Port Wine ($15), Tiramisu ($14), Strawberry ($12), Hokkaido Milk ($12) and Mango ($12) Kakigori. The kakigori creation is really interesting. I think Chef Masahi can open his own Japanese dessert house soon. My favourite is the Ujikintoki Green Tea, Port Wine and Hokkaido Milk kakigori.
What is great food without drink? Worry not as Sakurazaka also offers an exquisite choice of wines, sake, and Japanese craft beers.
Sakurazaka
24 Greenwood Avenue
Singapore 298221
Tel: +65 64630333
Website
Nearest MRT: Tan Kah Kee (DT Line)
Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed: 6pm - 10pm
Thu-Sun: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Tan Kah Kee MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to Exit B. Walk straigh to Hillcrest Road. Turn right onto Hillcrest Road. Walk down Hillcrest Road and make a left into Greenwood Avenue. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]
