Guenpin Fugu & Snow Crab Japanese Restaurant

Brave diners, fall in! Japan’s Guenpin empire has made its way to Singapore, with the opening of its first overseas restaurant on Maxwell Road. Known around Japan for its torafugu – or tiger puffer fish specialities – the kitchen at Guenpin’s Tanjong Pagar outpost is helmed by head chef Tomita Yasuhiro, a stalwart of the scene with over three decades of experience behind him. And we all know how important his level of mastery is, as fugu has to be carefully prepared with a painstaking attention to detail to avoid its potentially lethal effects.

There’s nothing to worry about at Guenpin, of course, as all its chefs are highly trained and qualified to handle torafugu, similar to how it’s done in Japan. Moreover, the fish have been stripped of poison before they were shipped to Singapore, in accordance with the strict guidelines set by local authorities. Take your pick from one of Guenpin’s set menus – its signature tiger puffer fish set is, naturally, a favourite – or have one of the multi-course specials, such as the king crab set, which features a comprehensive spread of seven exquisite dishes. Other recommendations include the tiger puffer sashimi, the deep-fried tiger puffer skin, and the snow crab tempura rice bowl, all of which showcase the breadth of methods in cooking and preparing Guenpin’s fugu and snow crab specialities. Situated on the ground floor of Maxwell Chambers, just across the road from Tanjong Pagar MRT exit B, Guenpin promises a dining experience like no other. Just remember to book a table ahead of your visit to as seats tend to fill up fast.