Jap

Everything here is average-to-slightly-above-average, the food, service and pricing. The food is good, but nothing to scream about, even the ‘famous’ kamemashi. Uya one level below at Wheelock Place is more unique, while Japan Town at nearby Wisma Atria has more interesting options.

You should only come here if you love, and are ready to pay through the nose for Japanese wagyu beef, especially Kobe. Because the non-beef items (tofu skin apetizer at $35++, or sushi/sashimi, etc) are several levels below what you can get at top sushi restaurants (eg. Shinjiis, Hashida, Ashino, Ki-sho, Kimura, Waku-ghin, etc). More importantly, the level of service is poor fir such a premium outlet. We did not experience rude or lying service as described by certain reviewers. The staff (all non-Japanese) are quite polite, but here you have to ask for everything (eg. refills), whereas the Japanese staff at the aforementioned restaurants not only anticipate your needs, they even replace your tea or iced water with fresh cups/glasses. There is little merit in sitting at the counter, because the chefs here don’t smile or talk to clients at all! Even the excellent beef is not given proper treatment: it is cold after a few minutes, because it’s not served on a (non-cooking) hot plate; it should be served with sea salt on the side to help enhance the taste of the beef. The premium donburi is very good, although the caviar is not first-quality, it may even be just fish roe! The huge electric meat cutting machine in the middle of the main dining room is truly characteristic of the whole place: functional but lacks class! It’s also quite conceited and nouveau-riche of them to insist on a dress code, when you can wear shorts to Shinjii or Hashida!!

You should only come here if you love, and are ready to pay through the nose for Japanese wagyu beef, especially Kobe. Because the non-beef items (tofu skin apetizer at $35++, or sushi/sashimi, etc) are several levels below what you can get at top sushi restaurants (eg. Shinjiis, Hashida, Ashino, Ki-sho, Kimura, Waku-ghin, etc). More importantly, the level of service is poor fir such a premium outlet. We did not experience rude or lying service as described by certain reviewers. The staff (all non-Japanese) are quite polite, but here you have to ask for everything (eg. refills), whereas the Japanese staff at the aforementioned restaurants not only anticipate your needs, they even replace your tea or iced water with fresh cups/glasses. There is little merit in sitting at the counter, because the chefs here don’t smile or talk to clients at all! Even the excellent beef is not given proper treatment: it is cold after a few minutes, because it’s not served on a (non-cooking) hot plate; it should be served with sea salt on the side to help enhance the taste of the beef. The premium donburi is very good, although the caviar is not first-quality, it may even be just fish roe! The huge electric meat cutting machine in the middle of the main dining room is truly characteristic of the whole place: functional but lacks class! It’s also quite conceited and nouveau-riche of them to insist on a dress code, when you can wear shorts to Shinjii or Hashida!!

This review is for the relatively-new Ngee Ann City outlet. The ramen is slightly better than the shop that used to occupy this location, but it is still not special. Starving diners should love it, as they can have FIVE times the tsukemen (cold noodles) for free!! Effort service.

This review is for the relatively-new Ngee Ann City outlet. The ramen is slightly better than the shop that used to occupy this location, but it is still not special. Starving diners should love it, as they can have FIVE times the tsukemen (cold noodles) for free!! Effort service.

This restaurant is an area with lots of Japanese residents and visitors, so it serves all types of Rising Sun cuisines: Shabu Shabu/Sukiyaki, Sushi/Sashimi, tempura, izakaya. Just no ramen. The izakaya dishes are not as good as Shunjuu’s around the corner. The Shabu Shabu broth is good, but the US beef is quite tough. Prices are high for the quality. Atmosphere is kind of bland. No moonlight sonata at Hinata. Even with the 1–for-1 Entertainer offer, we wouldn’t come back anytime soon.