Shinkei Japanese Restaurant

Shinkei Japanese Restaurant can be found along Singapore’s Lorong 4 Toa Payoh. Like so many of the best restaurants and eateries in China, it’s a hidden gem whose finding is part of the fun. Once found, your appetite should be at just the right level of intensity to tackle their extensive menu, which begins with classic ippin mono (traditional Japanese appetizers), such as the mandatory edamame. From there on, choose from sashimi, sushi, and temaki (handrolls), agemono (deep fried dishes) and yakimono (grilled dishes), teppanyaki, noodles, rice, and soups. An interesting addition are two kinds of Japanese pizza, the hamubekon and the shifudo – you guessed it: ham and bacon and seafood pizza, served as elegantly as a hallowed slice of yellowfin tuna. Tip: the hamubekon pizza is one of the chef’s picks.

Shinkei Japanese Restaurant offers a range of special offers, too. Besides a regular all-you-can-eat buffet, Shinkei offers 30-50% off all beer, wine and sake, a $10 ‘zero wastage’ rebate if you clean your plate (not a challenge, really), and half-price dining for kids and senior citizens. Shinkei is a welcome slice of Japanese hospitality in Singapore. Find it – it’s worth the effort – down Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, not far from the station.