japanese_food Archives - Gazing and Grazing

Jypsy Rolls (and Rocks!)

August 12th, 2018

I wouldn't go to Jypsy for classical Japanese dishes but most definitely for its own take on sashimi and sushi rolls and fantastic chicken karaage. This is a nicely adorned modern izakaya in Singapore, and a comfortable place I can bring friends to without breaking the bank. After opening in early July, I made three visits within two weeks. This is just solid comfort food that Jypsy's parent, the P.S. Cafe group, has managed to perfect at manageable pricing (for Singapore). And the dessert...

Visit Hiratsuka – Wash Some Cash, Have Sour Ramen and Catch a Keirin Race

May 24th, 2018

I spent a half day in Hiratsuka, which sits on the pacific coast of Japan between Tokyo and Mt Fuji. It is a modern Japanese city best known for its Keirin stadium, an unusual vinegar based ramen (which I enjoyed) and a decent art museum. Laundering money is illegal but washing it at Hiratsuka's Myoenji temple is meant to bring luck. So, my trip ended with me having some of my Japanese Yen washed in the hope of getting rich for the year - let's see what...

Akira Back in Singapore Melds Japanese and Korean Influences Delectably

March 26th, 2017

From his Korean roots, Akira Back blends in a Japanese reverence for subtlety and quality inputs to produce deliciously creative dishes with a nuance of America. The main foundation of the food remains raw fish (Akira is a trained sushi chef) but it has been given a twist using Korean influenced sauces and garnishing. Within all this is a decidedly modern presentation. Akira has restaurants located in Las Vegas, Seoul and Jakarta but we ate at his Singapore branch, which sits in...

Otowa Yakitori – My Vote for Singapore’s Best Yakitori

August 25th, 2016

Update: Alas, the chef-owner of Otowa moved back to Japan in late 2018. The restaurant is under new management but I haven't tried it yet and the following comments may not be accurate.

Otowa Yakitori is possibly Singapore's best yakitori restaurant - it's an authentic, hole-in-the-wall place with no frills but an intense attention to the quality of its food. The chicken skin is grilled evenly crispy and the quail eggs melt-in-your mouth.

As a measure of its authenticity,...

Terra – Italian with a Tokyo Touch

April 27th, 2016

Terra restaurant is proof again that a Japanese twist on western products and food often surpasses the original. Chef Seita Nakamura's cuisine is firmly rooted in what he terms "Tokyo Italian", which is recognisably Italian but with ingredients that are Japanese. If done well, and Terra does, the traditional European dishes have a more subtle touch and some novelty.

Located on Tras Street in Singapore, which is now home to a number of good eateries, Terra is open Mondays to...