Tucked along Zion Road is Yujin Izakaya, a lively hang out where one and all are received as friends. Spotting an industrial-chic look, the unassuming modern 50-seater izakaya features a bar that opens to the five-foot way and main street, beckoning with the glow of display fridges showcasing an enticing range of sake. Step past the metal mesh doors at the entrance and you will find yourself being welcomed into a space humming with positive energy.
An open kitchen anchors the room dressed in a palette of black and copper, and this is where chef-owner Freddie Lee fires up a curated repertoire of creative bites that take its inspiration from the traditional Japanese izakaya. The menu spans inspired cold and hot appetisers, smokey grilled vegetable, meat and seafood dishes, beautifully singed skewered items, warming items served in small bowls and light desserts.
Q-WA Izakaya opens its second outlet, gracing Tan Quee Lan Street with its divine pairing of White Charcoal (Sawdust Binchotan) grilled Japanese delights and diverse range of Japanese alcohol at incomparable prices.
A hidden gem nestled along 103 Beach Road, just a stone's throw away from Bugis MRT, it features an extensive menu of Yakimono, Light Bites, Deep Fried cutlets, Don and Udon - the savoury accompaniments to an affordable ($5 per) glass of artisanal Japanese beer, sake, whiskey, or shochu during Happy Hour!
Q-WA Izakaya takes pride in serving quality grilled Yakimono of chicken, pork, beef, seafood and vegetarian variants using finest ingredients shipped in from Japan. Marinated with an in-house Garlic Spice Powder and gourmet Moshio (seaweed salt), these signature skewers are meticulously grilled over one of the top-grade Sawdust Binchotan charcoals, imbuing it with a distinct touch of smokiness and umami. With a true love for Japanese street food, no stones are left unturned in the owner, Rita's effort in recreating authentic Japanese grilled skewers with its maximum tastes.
Adorned with warm Japanese decors and fibngs, bright lanterns, and kawaii koinobori (carp streamers), its beckoning and casual atmosphere is reminiscent of a traditional hole-in-the-wall Izakaya in Japan. Trebled with quality Japanese street fares and affordable selection of Japanese alcoholic beverages, Q-WA Izakaya delivers an authentic Izakaya experience that transports customers straight into the heart of Japan!
Haru, is a Japanese Korean Izakaya with a fresh and modern take on traditional Japanese and Korean dining concepts such as Chazuke, rice bowls and specialty teas.
Haru prominently features a common staple, rice. Serves it in various interpretations with a distinct Japanese and Korean identity in terms of ingredients and both preparation and cooking methods.
IZA is a local izakaya concept restaurant and bar. Their chefs are the famed guys from The Skewer Bar.
Drinks are mainly Japanese beers, sake, umeshu, sochu and award wining Japanese whisky. Not forgetting their craft beers and special drinks on the menu.
Hokkaido Izakaya has roots in Tokyo where its first few shops are located and with fresh ingredients specially imported 4 cities in Hokkaido.
Hokkaido is blessed with a wondrous bounty from both the sea and the land. It is world renowned for the freshness of its seafood and superb quality of beef, vegetables and dairy.
The restaurant distinguishes itself by being certified by the Hokkaido City Council to promote the city’s remarkably fresh produce. The freshest seafood and dairy are sourced from Yakumo Town while high quality beef is procured from Kamishihoro City.
Customers Delight Co. Ltd. which run many different concepts such as “Chikuzen-ya”, “Teppan Bokujyo”, “Niku no Hasegawa”, “Gaitoon” and even mote in Japan, as well as restaurants in Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, are finally coming to Singapore together with “TOMO Izakayaya Group”.
They are coming to Singapore and have decided to challenge familier concepts in the local market. “Warayaki Charcoal Grill Izakaya (Charcoal grilled with Straw)” together with their Chef who beleives in fresh ingredients and delicious food.
The latest edition to the Keong Saik district is an urban Izakaya, Neon Pigeon.
Inspired by the world of flavours found in the hidden spots of Tokyo and the underground culture of buzzling cities like New York and Hong Kong, the establishment is a vibrant social house offering great value for money and the soul of a Japanese Izakaya with a punch of urban grit.
With a selection of starters (appropriately named ‘Bird Feed’), soups, greens, seafood and meats, Japanese snacks are given a modern and in-house twist at Neon Pigeon. The Izakaya-style menu, designed for tastings, serves up dishes in ‘small’ or ‘large’ portions and you are recommended to order six to eight small dishes to share between two people.
A look at the menu and you will notice the heavy use of classic, no-frills Japanese flavours in the condiments and among the assortment of "Bird Feed", is a cold dish of Chilled Cucumber with home-mixed crushed chilli peanuts, nori (seaweed) and goma (sesame), as well as the Tsukune Sliders, an east-meets-west combo of a Japanese meatball patty and a western slider bun, coupled with pickled kyuri (Japanese cucumber) and tare (soy basting sauce) aioli.
Keeping up with the fun-sharing concept, Neon Pigeon also offers a large format dining option of Barbecued Pork Shoulder for groups of four to six. With a two-day advance order required, the hearty fare of pork shoulder is slow-cooked for 20 hours and served in a black pepper teriyaki glaze, with a ginger scallion dipping sauce, bibb lettuce wraps, steamed buns, a spring onion salad, onigiri rice cake, kimchi and pickles to complement.
Also an integral part of the concept’s underground vibe is the Neon Pigeon bar. The bar’s Japanese-inspired drinks list includes a selection of Japanese beers and whiskeys, each a representative of different prefectures, as well as a curated list of spirits and Japanese inspired speciality cocktails. These include Throw A Kyuri-Ken, a vodka-based cocktail with a refreshing touch of lemon juice, yuzu and cucumber, as well as Harajuku Girl, a mix of gin, shiso leaf, and plum bitters.
The bar also houses a selection of sake of varying fragrances and complexity, including a range of Junmai, Daiginjo, Ginjo and Honjozo sakes, that were all hand-picked from sake distilleries across Japan to complement the dishes offered at Neon Pigeon.
Specially designed by US-based EDG Interior Architecture + Design, the Neon Pigeon space at The Working Capitol building on Keong Saik is built to own the vibe of a hidden spot off the main street only known to the locals, as a veiled corner of an urban metropolis. The exterior shows only a fluorescent pink pigeon, lit when in business, while the interior is paved with raw elements of steel and bricks that are softened with sophisticatedly designed wood finishing, giving the social hangout an urban grit with comfort and familiarity – an atmosphere reminiscent of Shibuya district in Tokyo or East Village in New York. A semi-open concept kitchen is also featured, with the action in the kitchen open for a close-up view.
A final and crucial touch to the space is the loud graffiti work plastered on the walls of the interior that gives the restaurant a touch of the underground New York City vibe. The team had specially commissioned local visual artist, ZERO to create these murals.
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