Hinoki

If you call yourself a Japanese food fanatic, or just an adventurous diner, you’ll have to try an omakase-style meal at Hinoki.

The eatery was opened two years ago by local chef Lawrence Chia in the Central Business District.  Reserve a front row seat at the vibrant 18-seater sushi bar to see Chef Chia’s talent up close. He is not only super-skilled, but he is also a pleasure to 'dine' with. He is charismatic and hospitable. Throughout your meal, you’ll hear him welcoming guests by their first names as they enter the restaurant.

Chef Chia has a knack for picking truly special produce, and this skill is best seen in his fresh creations from behind the sushi bar. We loved the fresh Hokkaido tomato which was thin-skinned, meaty and incredibly sweet. The herring roe with bonito flakes also flaunted amazing natural textures and flavours – from sweet to umami, to salty. One of the more exotic items that Chef Chia uses is the ice plant – a thick land growing leaf native to South Africa that is filled with small blisters of salty fluid.

The sushi is especially delicious. The rice is sticky, sweet and provides a clean platform to showcase amazing Japanese produce. The otoro sushi was of such premium quality that it effortlessly melted away in our mouth. Chef Chia also incorporates a handful of European ingredients and techniques into his cuisine. His signature sushi is an example of this: an aburi sushi of sweet red prawn with a sliver of foie gras.

Apart from the terrific fare and hospitable service, the restaurant has a good list of wine and sake suited to every palate. Better yet, they don’t charge for corkage. Kanpai!

#01-50/53, 22 Cross Street, China Square Central. Tel: 6536 7746