Japanese Food encompasses the most simple and freshest of ingredients. Ranging from just perfecting the art of slicing or rolling can ultimately affect the final taste of the best sushi or sashimi.
However, Japanese cuisine does not revolve only around sushi. The stereotype for so many countries worldwide when speaking about the food will always begin with sushi or maybe ramen noodles. People have derived that from the famous instant noodle packet for cheap and complacent cooking. There are so many other beautiful handmade, rich and well prepared.
So before diving into the well deserved sushi places I’m about to recommend, lets dive into some other types of styles you can explore and try out!
Yakitori
Grilled over a warm charcoal flame, these poultry and non-poultry skewers are charred lightly and drenched in a sticky, brown japanese sauce. Giving it a glazed texture when you bite into this “chicken satay” cousin. A fast and easy way to consume, a good takeaway for shopping trips of a long ride home.
Singapore recommendation:
Tori-Q Tampines Mall, Singapore 529510, 6787 6495
Tori-Q 200 Victoria Street, #B1-K1 Bugis Junction, 188024
Tori-Q 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-53 Ion Orchard, 238801
Teppanyaki
Probably one of the more recognised style of a fancy grilled cooking performance. With the chef in his well ironed uniform flicking the meat, veggies and eggs. Doing delicate yet dangerous stunts to entertain his guests. A dinner and show surely.
A must try would be a signature garlic rice, a well cooked Kurobuta Pork belly or stir-fried vegetables usually cabbages. If you have a heavy wallet for that day, you could probably throw in a few lobsters or a prime wagyu steak.
Singapore recommendation:
Keyaki, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, 039595, 6826 8240
Sushi, Temaki and Sashimi
Choosing the correct sushi can leave you with a different impression each time. The texture, slice of fish placed on your little bundle of rice will transport you to a new dimension itself. The quality of fish is very important. After trying so many different places, I realised that if your fish is not of the best quality and not stored well, the taste would be a world of a difference. Sticky, slimy and maybe even left in the open too long on that confounded rotating belt will surely discourage you from eating a raw piece of fish. Many people have a fear of eating something raw, some time even throwing up at the word itself. But let me tell you something, its all psychological.
Look at that, a finely cut piece of Nama Hotate, known as Scallop sushi. This story began with a friend who could not eat raw food. He detested it, the sight, the whole concept to begin with. He insisted every time he would get a tummy ache every time he consumed raw sushi or sashimi. So being a “Good friend” I brought him to one of favourite sushi joints Itacho sushi (details below). I told him I would order for him those grilled sushi, made with a blow torch instead. He agreed naively. I ordered a fully raw menu, and as he indulged into everything, I just kept my mouth shut. I was pretty lucky he did not notice they were all raw in the first place. After the meal, I asked him how it was. He was like “Fantastic, it was so delicious”. In my head I was shrieking with laughter. The following day, I told him everything. And he was fine, dandy and without a scratch or a single tummy ache. Maybe it depends individually, but my little test shows that, its all in the mind.
Well there are countless of sushi items on the menu, and its impossible to order all in one visit. But if you’re feeling adventurous, an exotic Uni (Sea Urchin Sushi) may give you a new look on exotic sushi. With a rich, creamy flavour it really is an acquired taste, even though I adore it so much, you may hate it.
A important tip when ordering sashimi or sushi, is to always ask for the fatty version of it. That little thin layer of fat on top melts away on your tastebuds the very moment you place it in your mouth. More juicy and flavourful then its normal counterparts, the little extra price would make a world of a difference in your meal. See that little white glaze on top of that salmon, thats the sight of pure bliss.
Well I also can’t forget to tell you about the side dishes that bring your japanese meal to a whole. Well traditionally in Japan, you can’t find all these delicacies in one joint. Every nook and corner in the land of the rising sun will have a nice corner restaurant but only serving their one and only speciality. If you want ramen you go to this place, sushi another etc. Well, we can’t afford to do that here in Singapore or anywhere else. Its possible, but its rare.
A good starter to try would be the basic Miso soup, there are actually different kinds of broths. One of the most flavourful broths would be the salmon twist. Bringing such a rich yet drawback of calmness in your mouth. “You can just imagine sitting in a blanket on a cold winter day sipping your miso soup”. That sentence made me cry already. For those tofu lovers out there, the agedashi tofu would scream excitement and how simple a tofu dish can be presented in such a complex fashion. Crispy on the outside and silken in the middle drizzled with that luscious sauce on top. Culinary art at its finest.
The delicate japanese egg custard, probably something everyone wants to just do it yourself at home. Its something you can’t miss with your feast. Soft, silky and smooth texture must be presented in each cup. If its too hard, and doesn’t break really easily, the restaurant is doing it wrong. For those daring ones who crave raw flesh or another fan of meat tartare, this wagyu slider dipped in a fresh peanut/mustard sauce would be tricky yet tingling with a more rough flavour for your pellet. The cream croquet would just be a heavy explosion of satisfaction after you bite into it. Crusty golden skin and a crazy filling middle, once dipped into a lobster or seafood mayonnaise dip, you will definitely re order on the next trip!
The famed temaki aka Handrolls. A cone shaped seaweed wrap jammed pack with a little rice and abundance or the ingredients of your choice. Best eaten straight away when served to have the full effect of seaweed crisp. I never eat it last, dropping anything I eat currently, washing my pellet with a hint of ginger before diving into this japanese “ice-cream” glory.
Singapore recommendations:
KIKU Kappo Izakaya Japanese Restaurant
21 Duxton Rd, 089487, 6225 5567
Keyaki Japanese Restaurant, Pan Pacific Hotel
7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, 039595, 6826 8240
Itacho sushi
2 Ion Orchard, #B3-20 ION Orchard, 238801
65 Airport Blvd, #03-30/31 Changi Airport Blvd, Terminal 3, 819663
Izy
27 Club St, 069413, 6220 3327
Special Edition: Shanghai, Pudong
A treat in the outer parts of Shanghai, if you’re overseas be glad to check out this TORO Japanese joint serving some of the freshest sashimi and sushi platters and BBQ platters.
Yili South Road 24 Long No.4, 长宁区古羊路伊犁南路十, Level 2
If you can’t find it, its the tallest building in the area, with glowing lights on the top at night.
Much Love, RJ
Luxuria Foodie 