Tanjong Pagar, the new Japanese food hub in Singapore?
Image: Parco Singapore
By Hong Xinying
The bustling Tanjong Pagar district may be better known to foodies for its rows of Korean restaurants. Now, a new Japanese dining concept looks set to expand these foodie finds from the land of the rising sun.
In the last quarter of this year, a cluster of Japanese restaurants is expected to open at 100 AM mall under Itadakimasu by Parco, a new dining concept. The 14,000 square feet restaurant zone will be located at level three and will feature between five to 10 restaurants.
“100 AM is a strategic choice for our new itadakimasu by PARCO concept in Singapore as it is located within the Central Business District,” said Shigeyoshi Sato, CEO of Parco Singapore, in a recent press statement (25 Apr). “Our restaurant mix will be a boost to the large working population and residents in the vicinity.”
It’s not the first time that Parco has introduced such a dining concept to Singapore.
The first Itadakimasu operated at Parco Marina Bay in the Millenia Walk mall from 2010 to 2014. The dining area had featured Japanese restaurant franchises such as Monster Curry, Saboten and Ma Maison.
While the restaurant line-up has not been confirmed, Yahoo Singapore understands that the Parco Singapore is currently in talks with some new-to-Singapore brands.
“We feel that there is still a wider variety of dining options that can be catered to match the needs of the area,” said a spokesperson to Yahoo Singapore.
Existing restaurants in Tanjong Pagar offer options such as ramen, gyoza (pan fried dumplings), omakase (Japanese multi course meal) and izakaya-style (Japanese bar) dining.
Psyched for more Japanese cuisine in Tanjong Pagar? Head down to these foodie favourites for your dose for Japanese-style eats.
Where: 1 Tras Link, #01-19, Orchid Hotel Singapore 078867, Tel: 6636 0855
Image: Ramen Keisuke
This restaurant specialises in tonkotsu ramen: noodles served in a pork bone broth and topped with tender slices of pork. You can choose to add on other toppings such as seaweed and what the restaurant calls flavoured eggs: soft boiled marinated eggs, with a runny centre. The restaurant also provides complimentary servings of spicy beansprouts, pickled cabbage as well as soft boiled eggs. Prices start from $10.80 for the Tonkotsu ramen, without any extra toppings.
Other notable tonkotsu ramen restaurants in the area include Ikkousha Hakata Ramen and Menya Sanji.
Where: 1 Tras Link, #01-15, Orchid Hotel Singapore 078867, Tel: 6604 6674
Image: Ramen Keisuke
Also opened by the Ramen Keisuke restaurant group, this foodie stop may be another no-frills, counter seat eatery, but it does its specialty well, to keep drawing the crowds in. Its gyoza set meal ($13.90) features the said pan-fried dumplings, where you’ll get to choose between the pork, chicken or prawn fillings. These are paired with side dishes that include deep fried tofu, stir fried egg with tomatoes, along with a bowl each of rice and miso soup.
Where: 95 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088516, Tel: 6221 7118
Image: Hokkaido Izakaya
The seating may be cramped and the service brisk. But that doesn’t matter so much when the food is what you’re here for. It’s also the newest restaurant on this list; it opened in late February this year. True to its name, this casual restaurant-bar specialises in dishes prepared with Hokkaido-imported produce. Besides the fresh sashimi and sushi, the hot soba ($14) is another popular dish: the handmade buckwheat noodles come served with a hot broth and topped with a chunky vegetables and prawn tempura.
Other notable izakayas in the area include The Public Izakaya, which has two outlets at Tras Street and Enggor Street.
Where: 101 Tanjong Pagar Road Singapore 088522, Tel: 6221 6678
Image: Ramen Keisuke
It’s the Singapore outpost of the Ginza Itsuki Sushi restaurant from Tokyo. brought in by the Ramen Keisuke group. The restaurant specialises in the tendon (short for tempura donburi): a bowl of battered seafood and vegetables, nestled on a bed of rice. Topped with soy sauce, the fried batter is light, crispy without being too greasy. The dish comes accompanied with wobbly chawanmushi (savoury egg custard) and miso soup. Do order the Special Tendon ($13.90), which includes an oozy half-boiled egg hidden under the stack of fried tempura.
Where: #01-18, Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link, Singapore 078867, Tel :6222 7363
Image: Teppei Restaurant/ Facebook
Opened by Japanese chef Yamashita Teppei, this 22-seater restaurant is so popular that reservations only open once every few months; you’re lucky to even get your booking within that day. The restaurant serves multi-course meals made with seasonal produce, starting with light appetisers before moving onto slices of sashimi and other heavier dishes such as the bara chirashi donburi (rice bowl with diced sashimi).
While prices have gone up from $50 to $60 for the basic multi-course set ($80 for the set with more premium dishes), the meals are still comparatively affordable, given the quality ingredients used. Keep an eye out for last-minute cancellations on its Facebook page, if you’ve missed reservations day.
Hanare Japanese Cafe and Restaurant
Where: 99B Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088520, Tel: 6222 1976
Image: Teppei
Opened by the same folks behind Teppei, this no-frills restaurant specialises in the barachirashi. Depending on how greedy you feel, you can choose between the set that includes up to four all-you-can-eat sides or the set that includes a free flow of all the sides available to go with your main dish. Prices range from $17.60 and up, depending on the donburi set meals available.
Hana Hana
Where: 1 Tras Link, #01-17, Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867, Tel: 6222 7363
This offshoot of Teppei specialises in yakitori (Japanese-style skewered meats). You can opt to have individual skewers of grilled meats or go for broke with a multi-course omakase meal featuring the menu highlights. It also serves the popular barachirashi don ($17.60 for the set) that can be found at all Teppei restaurants.
Where: 100 Tras Street, #03-12, Singapore 079027, Tel :6694 8809
Image: Yayoiken
This Japanese restaurant chain has a store within 100AM too. It specialises in Teishoku, which is a set meal of steamed rice, miso soup and a Japanese-style meat or fish main dish, served with side dishes of vegetables and pickles. It also does donburis, which are rice bowls topped with a choice of fish or meats, plus vegetables. A perk for the hungry: you can eat as much of the Japanese white rice as you want, as it’s served free flow with any Teishoku set. Prices start from $9.90 for the set meal.
Where: 100 Tras Street, #01-14, 100AM, Singapore 079027, Tel: 6543 6110
Image: Tsujiri Singapore/ Facebook
Love all things green tea flavoured? Try the desserts and drinks made with matcha (finely ground powder from green tea leaves) at the first Singapore outlet of the dessert chain from Kyoto. Top picks include its signature O-matcha float (soft serve on top of its green tea drink) which goes for $6.50 each and green tea flavoured parfaits, which start from $7.20. The small sweet stop may only have a few seats within its dining area but it suits the lunch crowds just fine; most of them will just grab their order and go.
Where: 12 Gopeng Street, #01-31/32, Icon Village, Singapore 078877, Tel: 6400 0247
Hankering for Japanese-style sweets? This is your go-to destination. Opened by pastry chef Tomoko Yamashita, this patisseries specialises in light, Japanese-style pastries. Among the must-tries: the Strawberry shortcake ($5.40) and its Rin rin ice cheese tart ($3.50 each). The patisserie also conducts bakery classes from time to time, for those who are keen to pick up baking skills.
