Bs it the hearty grub, the alcohol, or the vibes (either chill or chaotic, there’s no in between), there’s just something about authentic izakayas that draw me right in.
One such example is Uoharu, an izakaya hailing from Tokyo, Japan that has opened its doors in the heart of the CBD, at Central Boulevard Towers. This is only its second international outpost — their wildly popular Hong Kong outlets require bookings that have to be made around a month in advance.
It may not be hidden or hole-in-the wall — traits we’ve come to associate with most Japanese-owned izakayas in Singapore — but it certainly stands out from the rest by serving up high-quality fare prepared using less-than-perfect produce, all of which are sourced from Toyosu Market.
Think undersized fish, scratched scallops, or even crabs with missing legs — imperfections that are merely cosmetic.
As for the space, it takes inspiration from the original restaurant in Japan, with elements like wooden flooring; low tables and chairs; and rustic hand-drawn posters.
In true izakaya fashion, you’re encouraged to kick things off with an array of flame-kissed appetisers and bar bites, best paired with over 100 kinds of Japanese sake, beer, highballs, lemon sours, cocktails, shochu, and wines, all directly imported from Japan.
All guests will be served Bagna Cauda (S$3 per diner), a dish of raw seasonal vegetables, as a form of otoshi, a small dish traditionally served before the meal, but you can let the staff know if you’d prefer not to receive it.
Still, we highly recommend eating your veggies, because you might not be able to get enough of how fresh and crisp they taste. All the more when enjoyed with the accompanying garlic and anchovy-based sauce!
Other snacks to order include the likes of Baguette Toast with Cream Cheese and Maple Syrup (S$7.80), Akita Smoked Radish with Cream Cheese (S$10.80), and even Potato Salad with Smoked Mackerel and Egg (S$7.80).
It’s made using a traditional recipe, which sees hand-mashed potatoes folded in with smoked saba fish, and crowned with a gooey onsen egg.
Even simple ingredients like tofu are elevated; I was very impressed by the Japanese-style Thick Fried Tofu (S$6.80), which boasts a soft, pillowy interior and a wickedly crispy tempura-style outer skin. Seriously, how do they do it?
Another must-order is the Seared Miso Sashimi Tartare (S$14.80), starring hand-cut fish sashimi with a miso-based sauce. It is lightly grilled aburi-style, and served with seaweed and egg yolk for dipping.
As you move on to the a la carte and robatayaki menu, you’ll notice plenty of dishes starring premium ingredients — without the hefty price tag.
For instance, the Manzoku Tuna and Sea Urchin Sushi Roll (S$28.80) comes topped with the good stuff — crab meat, negitoro, maguro, ikura, and uni — all for under S$30.
Meat lovers can sink their teeth into U.S. Beef Short Rib with Bone (S$32.80), as well as the Grilled Hokkaido Pork Collar with Miso and Hoba (S$16.80), both of which are smoked over hot charcoal.
One dish you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere is the Soba with Karasumi (S$20.80), soba noodles tossed in a briny, umam-rich salted and dried mullet roe.
However, if you have the stomach space for just one type of carb, go for the Homemade Snow Crab Croquette Rice (S$29.80), which sees Japanese rice, snow crab croquette, and ikura served in a hot stone bowl. Mix it all up, and you’ll be rewarded with mouthful after mouthful of umami goodness.
Despite being someone who rarely opts for rice (don’t come for me, fellow Asians), this was hearty, addictive, and oh-so comforting. I simply couldn’t get enough of those crispy croquette bits.
Dessert is a toned down affair, but options like the Homemade Japanese Pumpkin Creme Brulee (S$8.80) and Baguette Ice Cream Sandwich (S$6.80) certainly help sweeten the deal at the end of the meal.
You can also look forward to the nightly Katsuo Warayaki Show, a fiery showcase of traditional straw-roasting and grilling that’s sure to be a treat for the eyes (and then, the stomach, as complimentary sampling portions of grilled bonito may be distributed afterwards).
In the mood for a mid-week izakaya treat at Uoharu? Reservations can be made here.
Uoharu
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📍2 Central Boulevard, #01-16, Central Boulevard Towers, Singapore 018916
🕐 11am–10pm (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sun
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Photos by Christabel Tan
I'm always feelin' either boozy or boujee ✨