I love the akami sashimi because it is the best akami I ever have. Actually I always have not so good impression of akami, the lean part of the blue-fined tuna, due to the lack of flavours, rougher texture and the extra smell when it is not fresh.
But the incredibly fresh akami here, which arrived in the morning and soaked in soy sauce, totally changes my mind. It has smooth texture and is packed with unbelievably amount of briny sweetness laced with savoury goodness. It is topped with caviar and dipped with shiso oil for the extra hints of excitement.
Chutoro is so buttery sweet and refreshing at the same time when paired with the crunchy soufflé-like japanese yam. The shiso oil added makes it even better.
Otoro, yes, the prized fatty tuna, is lightly seared to feature that lovely char imparting a satisfying warmth to the taste. It has this intense buttery, amazing melt in your mouth consistency. The oilness is nicely cut by the clean light pungency of ginger flower for a well-balanced taste.
Age peanut Tofu topped with uni is one brilliant dish. The earthy sweetness of peanut perfectly balances and actually accentuates the creamy umami of uni. The deep fried exterior adds a warmness to the dish elevating the taste, texture and complexity.
Earthy bitterness of ginko nuts is a welcome change in taste profile from the umami sweetness of the peanut tofu. The deep fried exterior adds a sweetness for layered flavours, making it even better.
Chrysanthemum Sushi is called such due to arranging the strands of ika to resemble a chrysanthemum. While this looks like seemingly for aesthetic reason only, the taste is on another level. Best ika sushi? Yes! The ika is unbelievably sweet that I thought something else was added. But nope, there are only the best quality of ika and sushi rice to yield this natural sweetness. And ika being sliced into strands actually negates the tougher texture issue of ika, resulting in it being easy to bite, with a touch of firmness.
The Aomori flounder, being sliced thinly for a slightly firm texture and torched lightly for that char to add complexity to the clean briny sweetness of the flounder results in the best flounder sashimi. sweet sour plum sauce accentuates the briny sweetness
Iwate Pacific Saury totally surprises me by how good it is since I always have the impression that small fishes are dry and features a fishy smell. The Pacific Saury here is so creamy in texture and has that briny sweetness without the smell. The char on the skin makes it even sweeter and better. And the flesh is even creamier near the head. This is so good.
Hyogo Pike Cougar Eel Tempura is so aromatic and flavourful that I thought it got a special seasoning blend added. Actually, it’s a blend of three kinds of oil instead to yield this amazing taste and aroma. I’m impressed! And the texture of cougar pike eel totally works for tempura since it is slightly dry with an iota of creaminess, which juxtaposes perfectly with the crispy tempura. Imagine using a cod fish instead, it will be too oily. The tangy homemade Yuzu sauce refreshes the taste of tempura and makes things exciting.
Binchotan Grilled Blue Fin Tuna, touted as Wagyu of the sea, is full of the goodness of omega oils and toasty goodness of grilled meat. It is as good as Wagyu. The accompanying tomato and ginger refreshes the palates between bites and accentuates the sweetness of the meat.
I requested for the sushi course to be changed to donabe and I got the awesome Signature Ehime Seabream Claypot Donabe. And I’m so, so happy with my choice. The warm, starchy, fluffy rice is perfect match with the briny sweet seabream featuring slightly drier texture. And the roasted edamame is part of the magic, whose light vegetal taste and crunchy texture elevates the donabe so much. What’s even better is that lots of edamame are added. So every bite is full of crunchy goodness.
At first look, I thought the dessert is matcha cake, and I’m pleasantly surprised to taste fluffy light cream cheese with a hint of lemon and clean taste of matcha instead. This is way better than pure matcha cake due to the laters flavours and how refreshing it is.
Thoughts: Simply Amazing!
86 Telok Ayer St
