I was quite excited to know Ginza Sushi Arai opening an outpost in Singapore cos I heard good things about their main store in Tokyo, especially if you are lucky enough to dine at main counter. And I wanted to see how spectacular it will be at the Singapore branch. So when they first posted reservations being opened on IG in January, I made one, only to be informed the next availability was in March. Wow. Located at ParkRoyal Marina Bay, the menu was priced $398++. They only served dinner for now and just one seating at 6.30pm with just 8 seats. I bumped into someone I know when I entered and I had to say the interaction was quite funny cos we certainly didn’t expect to see each other there

They waited for everyone to arrive so try not to be too late

Tofu Puff, Parsley

A very, very light starter. Probably one to warm your stomach and get your palate started. I honestly thought it was so so. Perhaps the highlight of this dish was probably the vegetables yet the amount of parsley was so much it felt like I was just constantly chewing on the greens

Tako, Wakame

Tako was very well-cooked. I enjoyed the taste and texture of it. The taste of the seaweed was a little strong but you could dip a little more of the ponzu sauce to go with it

Iwashi Maki

Fugu Shirako, Ponzu

The shirako was good. Execution was on point too. But the ponzu was a little much such that it kinda overpowered. I looked to my left and they had a huge amount of ponzu untouched too. So well I guessed it was not just me…

Arrowroot Somen, Shirasu

I thought the somen with the flavours were good. Like the hints of yuzu, the fragrance of the spring onions and texture of somen all came together and it was quite delicious. However, it was a little salty, or should I call it umami. I personally think they should tone it down a little and this would be a solid somen dish

Unagi Kabayaki

This was by far the best dish. Even the non locals agreed

If I were to summarise the otsumami, they were nothing exciting. I hoped the sushi do better

Sawara

I had no idea what to say. It was complicated as I savour the nigiri in my mouth. I didn’t know if I like it or don’t. The shari was on the lighter side. The use of vinegar wasn’t that strong. And rice was stickier and sweeter in nature. Yet this Sawara had such a soft texture that when you eat it together, there was no impact

Botan Ebi

So I tried again. Botan Ebi was a little better, in terms of taste and flavour

Akami w Nori

It was so so. I felt each component was quite distinct. You could taste the tuna, seaweed and rice all separately

Chutoro Handroll

Interesting they used chutoro for a handroll, though I definitely preferred it a nigiri form. Something different but it was good

Tuna for the day!

Aburi Otoro

The rice was left out too long such that when warmth left the rice, what you got was a hardened rice that wasn’t really pleasant. Otoro itself was quite decent

Ohagi w Sesame

This was probably my favourite piece of the night. You could taste the sweetness and somewhat fattiness and fragrance of sesame, all in one

Kohada

Sakura Uni

Uni was not bad

Anago

Tamago

Somewhat castella inspired. Very sweet though it wasn’t the soft, cake-like texture. It wasn’t my favourite kind of tamago

We went to tour their private lounge after dinner where customers could enjoy and relax after dinner. Do note you need to dine at Sushi Arai first before you can use the lounge

I would say my expectations for the Singapore outpost was way too high. Firstly, their menu isn’t cheap. It’s definitely more premium, hence I really expected so much more. Yet what was delivered was just a pretty average menu that was nothing memorable. If I were to summarise in one sentence, the meal was pretty flat. So for those of you who are keen to try, wait out a year then head down. There is really no rush for it, none at all

Ginza Sushi Arai Singapore

PARKROYAL COLLECTION

6 Raffles Blvd, #04-600, Marina Bay, Singapore 039594