Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. It also refers to the collection of skills and techniques that allow the preparation of such meals, which are reminiscent of Western haute cuisine. The kaiseki dishes I had here were a visual treat – it’s easily the prettiest dinner I’ve ever had!
Akari Japanese Dining Bar aims to bring this deluxe dining experience to the average Singaporean, by making it more affordable while preserving the quality of haute cuisine. From end-April to end-May 2015, Akari will be offering a refreshing Spring Kaiseki menu to all diners.
We had the opportunity to sample the 10-course Kaiseki Set Menu ($150++/pax) which is still pretty expensive, but cheaper compared to many other restaurants offering kaiseki cuisines. It’s difficult to find a kaiseki set meal that costs less than $200 in Singapore.
Also available is a 10-course kaiseki set menu that costs $100++/pax, and a Private Kaiseki Special Dining Night ($200++/pax without sake pairing, $250++/pax with sake pairing) on the 1st and 4th Saturday of the month.
It’s even topped with a sakura flower petal, a pretty symbol of Spring.
What really stood out to me was the baby turban shell with basil miso. The meat was thick and juicy, and the basil sauce added a minty kick that I loved. The smelt fish was really good as well and tasted like flavourful, atas ikan bilis.
The soup contained minced snapper, bamboo shoots, a carrot and a Japanese mountain leaf. The bamboo shoot was nothing special, but the soup was flavourful and the snapper meat was tasty. The mountain leaf also gave the soup a nice, herby taste.
The tuna toro was too fatty for me, and the prawn left nothing to be desired. However, the Shima Aji was really good and I found myself craving for more even after finishing 3 slices.
The vinegar sauce was mixed with strawberries as a reminder of Spring, giving a very unique flavour that needed a bit of getting used to as well.
The scallop rice was really fragrant and tasty, and I couldn’t help but finish the whole bowl despite my stomach demanding I stop. The red miso soup was interesting, but overall it just tasted like regular miso soup.
The mochi literally melted in my mouth. It’s different from the chewy mochis we normally have, and I was a little disappointed that there was no need for any teeth action. The plum sauce that accompanied it also made for a pretty weird combination.
The homemade milk pudding, on the other hand, was lovely. It was served in an eggshell, and the sweet, caramelized flavour really appealed to me. The pudding was thick, creamy, and left me craving for more.
The menu kick-started with some really tasty and delectable kaiseki dishes that were also a sight for sore eyes. However, as the meal progressed, I found the dishes getting slightly more ordinary and even unappealing.
Overall, the goodness and freshness of some dishes really stood out and managed to outweigh the bad. If you’re looking for a deluxe dining experience that’s both a treat for your eyes and your taste buds, be sure to head down to Akari when their kaiseki set menus launch!
Verdict: 7/10
Akari Japanese Dining Bar is located in the heart of Marina Bay Financial Centre.
Address: 8A Marina Boulevard #01-02 Singapore 018984
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm | 6pm – 10pm
Telephone: 6634 0100
Website: http://www.akaridiningbar.com
This post was brought to you by Akari Japanese Dining Bar.
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