Here’s the thing: I love treating myself to a good omakase meal but oftentimes I have to find myself exercising restraint so that I don’t end up breaking the bank. So imagine my pure excitement when I found this Japanese restaurant serving omakase from S$48!
Shinya Izakaya is a hidden gem nestled in the middle of Boat Quay surrounded by bars and pubs, but it’s a whole new world once you step in. From the warm lighting and rustic wooden accents to the cosy booth seats, the interior really made me feel like I’d been transported to Japan.
The S$48 Samurai Set was what I had my eye on, and what made me more excited was the option of getting a sake set at an additional S$38. I was looking forward to having a sake pairing with my Shinya Izakaya omakase meal and I wasn’t disappointed when I was presented with six different types of sake.
The first dish that came out was Zensai (appetiser) with 3 different types of neatly plated entrée: prawn drizzled with sweet roasted sesame paired with seaweed and pickled cucumbers, fried octopus with lemon, and crunchy crab roe that melted on the tip of my tongue. The Ayu Masamume Okubetsu Honjozo Namachozo was the chosen starter sake due to its lightness.
Following that refreshing appetiser was one of my most anticipated dishes, the 3 Kinds Fish Carpaccio in Truffle Shoyu Sauce. The tuna slice offered a nice and fresh bite, serving as a great lead up to the refreshing salmon sashimi. But my favourite was still the soft fatty tuna slice that melted in my mouth.
The truffle shoyu sauce complimented the fish amazingly, with its buttery aftertaste. The sake of choice for the sashimi was Senkin Modern Muku, which has an intense fruitiness that packs a stronger punch as compared to the previous sake.
But what the real highlight was for me was the thicc slice of Pan-Fried Swordfish Steak that boasts a gorgeous golden brown. You’re highly recommended to enjoy this dish piping hot, as soon as it is served. However, I did find it a little too strong and fishy for my liking.
Thankfully, the tropical fruity richness of the Senjo Tokubetsu Junmai Deer Horn helped to balance out those ocean flavours!
If you’re a fan of crustaceans like I am, then you’ll be in for a treat with the yakimono, consisting of juicy Ebi Mentaiyaki dripping with a generous amount of mentaiko sauce. The rice aroma of the Ishizuchi Junmai Daiginjo sake brought an added layer of fragrance and complemented the ebi really well. I think this is one of the main highlights of the Shinya Izakaya omakase meal so look out for that!
Of course, how could we forget a platter with a copious variety of sushi to choose from? The fresh fruity notes of the Sakari Junmai Daiginjo provides for a light pairing with the three different types of sushi — salmon, tuna, and tai — as well as Hana Maki.
Last but not least, the Asari Clam Soup was served, along with generous amounts of miso, which was a gentle closing note to the omakase course. This was paired excellently well with Sakari Yuzu, pure yuzu juice mixed with a sake base to create a clean and fresh flavour.
For dessert, the cute bite-sized Mochi Ice Cream, which was served fresh out of the fridge, packed a flavourful punch!
There are also other Shinya Izakaya omakase sets priced at S$88 (Daimyo Set, 9-course) and S$128 (Shogun Set, 11-course) if you would like to expand your options.
Overall, this is one of the most value-for-money omakases I have seen with unbeatable prices! It’s already rare to find an omakase under S$50 in Singapore, so imagine finding one that ticks that box and delivers on taste as well!
Shinya Izakaya
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???? 79 Boat Quay, Singapore 049867
???? 10am–10pm (Daily)
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Photos by June Ngooi
