Alert! Alert! Another Japanese mega-food hall (besides Emporium Shokuhin at Marina Square and Eat At Seven at Suntec City) has opened! It's located at level 4 of Wisma Atria (next to Food Republic)! It's called Japan Food Town!
Essentially a cluster of 16 casual food and beverages restaurants, Japan Food Town is where I would recommend my friends to check out if they need some ideas on where to go for their makan sessions. From perennial favorites such as Sushi, Shabu Shabu, Onigiri, Karaage, Tendon, Tonkatsu, and Teppanyaki specialty joints, to Ramen, Udon and Soba noodle houses, as well as Japanese Fruit and Sake bars, surely there's bound to be something suitable for every palate among this vast selection of Japanese delicacies? Perhaps the more perplexing question would be..... which one to eat first? Lol! #firstworldproblem
So here it is, a guide to all the 16 outlets in Japan Food Town. Hopefully this would be helpful in assisting you with the tummy space planning.
Bar Nippon
Unit #04-49
Contact +65 6262 3425
For some enjoyment of fruits from Okinawa and Hokkaido, head over to Bar Nippon. We all know how sweet but expensive Japanese fruits can be, but surprising, prices at Bar Nippon are very affordable. A cup of Cut Fruits is at $5, while Smoothies (melon, pineapple, papaya, watermelon) ranges from $5 to $9. Sake Fruit Cocktails ($20), as well as Sake and Whisky are also available. This is the perfect pit-stop to quench that thirst!
Bonta Bonta
Unit #04-39
Contact +65 6262 3207
All of the 16 tenants in Japan Food Town will procure more than 50% of their ingredients directly from Japan as part of the collaboration with the Japan Association of Overseas Promotion for Food & Restaurants (JAOF). Through this channel, Japan Food Town is able to introduce ingredients such as Matsuzaka Beef, Kindai Maguro and Kinme Mai to Singapore.
Bonta Bonta prides itself on using Kinme Mai, a type of gourmet rice that is said to be low in calories with high nutritional values. Think of it as white rice with benefits of brown rice. The menu includes Onigiri (rice ball) with fillings like salmon, pickled vegetable, and tuna mayo. Eel Bowl Gozen ($28), Chicken Thigh Teriyaki Gozen ($22), Grilled Pork Loin Gozen ($23) would be suitable for a more substantial bite. There was a 20% discount for certain sets when I re-visited during lunch.
Dassai Bar
Unit #04-52
Contact +65 6262 3465
Dassai Bar serves one of the most highly-prized, premium range sake, Dassai 50 Junmai Daiginjo. A flavorful blend of the old world and new, Dassai's fine sakes originated in Yamaguchi prefecture and is imported exclusively for Japan Food Town in Singapore. Their brand of sake has played host to royalty and dignitaries the world over.
Light bites such as Rice Cracker ($1), Cold Tofu ($4), Preserved Squid ($5), Sake Malt Marinated Stingray Fin ($5), Sushi Roll ($6) are served to complement the sake. The Dassai Sake Cake ($6) sounds tempting!
Hokkaido Izakaya
Unit #04-51
Contact +65 6262 3461
We are not unfamiliar with Hokkaido Izakaya, having been to their first branch at Tanjong Pagar. The focus here is very much on food which feature quality produce directly sourced from Hokkaido, namely the cities of Yakumo, Akkeshi, Furano and Kamishihoro. Do not miss their creamy Japanese Omelette with Hokkaido butter, as well as the signature Handcrafted Soba. Those pieces of Wagyu & Uni Sushi? Divine! <3
Inaniwa Yosuke
Unit #04-45
Contact +65 6262 3279
Known as Sato Yosuke in Japan, Inaniwa Yosuke in Singapore serves up udon that embodies a 150-year old tradition of artisanal craftsmanship and skill. It takes 3 days to produce Inaniwa Udon with carefully-selected water, salt and flour. And what insane deliciousness this udon is!
Thin, silky, with a pleasant QQ chewy bite! The chilled noodle can be enjoyed with a sesame dip, but my preference is the shoyu dip with some wasabi added. Highly refreshing and worthy of whatever sinful carbs-calories!
Also available hot-style, each set ranges from $13 to $32.
Machida Shoten
Unit #04-40
Contact +65 6262 3214
Machida Shoten serves up bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen which allows diners to customize the softness/hardness of noodles, thickness of pork bone broth and level of flavored oil. The noodles itself are thicker than usual, and reminds me of our local yellow noodles. The tiny tasting portion which we had didn't made an impression. We probably need to be back to try a bowl in its entirely to get a better sense of the overall flavor, and perhaps to check out the Spicy and Miso version as well.
Nabe Seizan
Unit #04-44
Contact +65 6262 3259
Oh my goodness, the taste of 2-Michelin Star??!!! The original Seizan restaurant in Tokyo Japan is a 2-Michelin Star Kaiseki restuarant helmed by 35-year old chef Haruhiko Yamamoto. He strives to bring out the true flavor of each ingredient rather than reply solely on sauces, and now aims to bring the hearty nabe cuisine to Singapore with the same quality and dedication that earned him the 2-Michelin Stars.
What can we say? Nothing! Our mouths were too busy savoring the luscious pieces of premium Wagyu beef. Just take our money!!!!! Nabe Seizan's Wagyu Mabushi Lunch Set is at an affordable $38.
Osaka Kitchen Teppanyaki
Unit #04-46
Contact +65 6262 3271
Osaka Kitchen Teppanyaki is one of my favorite restaurants at Japan Food Town! I just want to park myself at the teppanyaki counter, watch the chefs in action, and indulge in famous Osaka dishes hot off the iron griddle. Love the Grilled Ohmi Wagyu Beef Steak and Pork Belly Okonomiyaki which we had, and I heard the Yakisoba is another popular dish too.
Rang Mang Shokudo
Unit #04-54
Contact +65 6262 3504
It sounds a bit Korean, it sounds a bit Indian, but in truth, Rang Mang Shokudo is all about Karaage - Fried Chicken from Tokyo! Their chicken is marinated in butter milk for 6 hours, and fried twice in low heat. We love the moist tenderness of those chicken thigh chunks encased in a layer of crispiness. Fans of karaage should make a trip here. Seriously!
Pairing sauces includes flavors such as Japanese-style Soy, Salt, Curry, Yuzu Pepper, Wasabi Cream, Cod Roe Mayonnaise, Korean-inspired Barbeque and Red Chili, as well as Honey Mustard, Basil & Cheese and Black Vinegar. We are spoilt silly with choices. Single Item karaage ranges from $6 to $21 depending on portion and chosen flavors, while a Set with rice, salad and miso soup is from $16.50 to $18.
Sabar
Unit #04-50
Contact +65 6262 3453
Sabar is all about its star ingredient - Saba or mackerel fish, and a fixation on the number "38" ("saba" in Japanese sounds like "38" in Mandarin). It is here where we had our very first taste of Saba Sashimi ($25). Usually saba is not eaten raw, however Sabar uses the specially cultivated toro-saba which is perfect for sashimi. Quite pleasant-tasting I must say.
This is certainly one of the more unique concept stores around, with 38 Different Mackerel Dishes under one roof. Besides Saba Sashimi ($25), there are also Saba Sushi ($25), Saba Ramen ($20), Saba Zuke Bowl ($18), Saba Satay ($5), Saba Fish & Chips ($16) and Saba Burger ($8). Check out the 38cm Grilled Toro-Saba Teishoku Set ($25) available during lunch hour from 11:38am to 2:38pm!
Shabu Shabu Tajimaya
Unit #04-41
Contact: +65 6262 3240
Shabu Shabu Tajimaya is known as Gyuta in Japan, a humble eatery from Hyogo that's operated on a simple motto since 1997: "Good quality food with reasonable price". Take your pick from the selection of meat such as Aussie Wagyu, Japanese Black Wagyu and Pork, and enjoy it Shabu Shabu or Sukiyaki-style alongside the vegetable buffet. Didn't managed to try this while we were there, but sounds promising.
Tempura Tsukiji Tenka
Unit #04-42
Contact +65 6262 3247
Being a tendon lover, I was quite excited to check out Tempura Tsukiji Tenka which specialize in tempura rice bowl. On the menu are Tendon Set ($19.80), Sea Eel Tendon Set ($26.80), Tenka Special Tendon Set ($28.80) and Seasonal Vegetable Tendon Set ($19.80).
Prices are comparatively more expensive than two of my favorite tendon places (Tendon Ginza Itsuki at Tanjong Pagar and Tempura Kohaku at Suntec City) and sadly, the taste didn't quite match up. Maybe they need more time to settle in. For now, I will spend my calories elsewhere instead.
Kaisendon ($24.80) which features a mixture of fresh tuna, salmon, crab, tamago, scallops and ikura is also available.
Unit #04-48
Contact +65 6262 3408
Tonkatsu Anzu is known for serving up top quality Japanese Black-Haired Pork, deep-fried and served with homemade sauce, then plated on delicate Imari porcelain. Are their deep-fried pork cutlet as juicy and tasty as they claim?
Unfortunately, it happened to be closed every time I visited. I shall be back.
Tsukiji Sushi Takewaka
Unit #04-43
Contact +65 6262 3247
For a Sushi and Sashimi feast, Tsukiji Sushi Takewaka is the place to be. Takewaka's first shop started about 28 years ago in Tsukiji, a wholesale fish and seafood market in Japan best known for its best quality produce. The many years of experience and relationships with fishermen and wholesalers ensure that only the freshest of ingredients are picked for Takewaka's Edo-style sushi.
Yakiniku Heijoen
Unit #04-47
Contact +65 6262 3294
Opening Soon (to be updated)
Yomoda Soba
Unit #04-53
Contact +65 6262 3467
Yomoda Soba hails from Tokyo where it draws long queue daily. It is also one of the more crowded joints in Japan Food Town and I can totally understand why.
The texture of their buckwheat soba noodles is superb! Perfectly firm and utterly slurpilicious especially in cold fish-based dashi broth invigorated with dollops of wasabi. That's how I enjoyed my bowl of 7-Flavor Soba ($22) topped with egg, seaweed, kitsune, spinach, char siu, karaage and beansprouts. If you prefer your soba hot, go for the Hot Ebi Tempura Soba ($25) or the Hot Spicy Soy Milk Chicken Soba ($22)
"Yomoda"can mean "carefree"or "easy-going" in Japanese, and is often used for friends, to see the lighter side of life. That warm and fun atmosphere is perhaps what we can expect. Service was excellent during my visit.
Japan Food Town
Address: 435 Orchard Road, #04-39/54 Wisma Aria Shopping Centre, Singapore 238877
Contact: +65 6694 6535
Website: http://www.japanfoodtown.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/japanfoodtown/
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-11pm
Prices are (1) Stated in Singapore dollars (2) Subject to 10% service charge & 7% GST (3) Correct at point of published date.
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