Wakuda: Modern Japanese at Marina Bay Sands

 

A modern Japanese sushi restaurant and sake bar in Singapore's Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Wakuda captures the tension between traditional and modern Japan in a bold and thoughtful way through cuisine, design, and art, with Michelin starred chef Tetsuya Wakuda. The beautiful space incorporates traditional Japanese Kumiki wood joinery, modern calligraphy by Jun Inoue, and open kitchen where guests can watch sushi chefs at work in front of a majestic flaming red Japanese maple tree in the garden behind. Arriving for lunch, after having enjoyed a cocktail at the open air bar on the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands overlooking Singapore's Gardens by the Bay, we nestled into our cozy banquette at Wakuda and looked forward to a long leisurely curated lunch beginning with a carafe of their signature Isojiman, an artisanal Junmai Ginjo that's brewed exclusively for Wakuda in Shizuoka, Japan. Beginning with four starters, that were included in the Lunch menu, we selected two entrées including Grilled Unagi with Miso Soup and white rice, and a selection of bespoke sushi plus two Hokkaido Uni Nigiri as a special treat.

Wakuda incorporates traditional Japanese Kumiki wood joinery, 

alongside soft lighting, tan leather chairs and relaxing banquettes

Signature Isojiman, an artisanal Junmai Ginjo 

that's brewed exclusively for Wakuda in Shizuoka, Japan

Delicious glass of Isojiman Junmai Ginjo 53

Savoury Egg Custard Chawanmushi with Avruga Caviar

Homemade Egg Tofu garnished with tobiko and aojiso, a tiny green shiso leaf

Mizuna Salad with tomato, shiso, seaweed crumble and shiso dressing

Spinach Goma-ae, blanched Japanese spinach squeezed into tight bundles 

and topped with nutty sesame sauce

Grilled Unagi, or unagi no kabayaki, is a Japanese delicacy of freshwater eel filleted, skewered, and grilled over charcoal and basted in a sweet, savoury soy-based sauce called tare

Japanese short-grain rice served with the Unagi

Lacquer Bowl of Miso Soup

Miso Soup with fresh Nori, Negi and Tofu

Sushi Lunch with Akamai Lean Tuna, Ōra King Salmon, Anago, Yellowtail,

Hirame and Ōra King Salmon Makimono

Ōra King Salmon Makimono garnished with Kaiware (yellow radish sprouts) and Tenkasu

Hokkaido Uni Sushi, one of my favourite things in life

Wakuda ‘Daifuku’ with Japanese Premium Seasonal Fruits, Adzuki, Vanilla and Amazake Gelato

The "Stone" - Chocolate Orange Cointreau Mousse with Vanilla and Hazelnut

After a lovely lunch at Wakuda, we took a 'Grab' which functions much like 'Uber'

back to Raffles Hotel

www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/wakuda-singapore