Could this be the best restaurant promotion in Singapore? And it’s not even a onetime offering – as an ongoing point of difference by the newest Japanese joint in Boat Quay, Jidai Restaurant offers all dinner tables receive a divinely fresh and succulent 400-500gm lobster sashimi completely free of charge! With no catch!
OK there is a small catch – you simply have to make a dinner reservation - which is not even really a catch – just reserve in advance and this mouth watering morsel will be yours to indulge in.
Jidai, which means “era”, is bought to you by Darwin Wong who has enjoyed considerable success with his modern European restaurant Beurre. Jidai presents itself as a fresh, clean and funky interpretation of a Japanese Izakaya – where the iconic Japanese Fortune Cat (or Maneki-Neko) in its many eclectic (and even superhero) forms is displayed throughout the cosy 30 seater restaurant. Even the tables have a slight galaxy feel about them – the black tops speckled with shiny star like objects create a dazzling background for those all-important food photos.
Darwin, who has long had a love affair with Japan, brings his classic French techniques to the freshest Japanese food and throws in a few funky twists along the way to assemble creative, clean and delectable dishes.
For our snacks we commenced with the famous complimentary lobster sashimi (which do note is not on the menu and cannot be ordered, despite some guests offering $100s for a repeat experience), a succulent Japanese oyster with ama ebi (sweet prawn), wasabi topiko and truffle ponzu and an elevated chawamushi dish with Japanese broth, ikura (salmon caviar) and katsuobushi (tuna flakes).
For the traditional Izakaya classics we shared the grilled to perfection Yakitori – including chicken thigh, chicken skin skewer, iberico pork and shiitake mushroom.
Moving onto the more substantial dishes, the Otoro Fatty Tuna handroll is deconstructed so each diner can assemble their own version with just the right amount of rice, shiso leaf, Sakura floss and fried shallots (a perfect concept for those trying a lower carb regime). A highlight dish for the French husband was the Golden Asari Clam Broth, served in a coconut tomato soup with charred baby corn and fluffy fried fritters for dipping.
Our main was a Japanese style duck confit glazed for 16 hours, served in a hotpot with tiger sea cucumber and a shoyu ginger broth (not only tasting great but it also felt rather healthy).
And to finish, despite not usually being a fan of Japanese desserts, our fabulous waiter Gary did convince us to try the Mango Cheescake Mochi – hands down the best mochi we have ever had, a beautiful soft, bouncy texture filled with delicious mango cream.
Singapore probably has more Japanese restaurants of anywhere outside of Japan so it’s not easy to compete in such a crowded market, but with a fresh, funky concept and some modern takes on Japanese favourites this new spot tucked behind Boat Quay is well worth checking out. And of course don’t forget to book for dinner and claim your complimentary luscious lobster sashimi.
a. 9 Circular Rd, Singapore 049365
fb. www.facebook.com/jidairestaurant/
w. https://jidairestaurant.com/
t. +65 8189 1849
