Japan Food Town: An Authentic Taste of Japan in Singapore

[Image of Japan Food Town banner in Wisma Atria with a caption suggesting to take the escalators to the fourth floor]

Opening on July 16, 2016, Japan Food Town promises to bring the genuine flavors of Japanese cuisine to Singapore. Located on the 4th level of Isetan Singapore in Wisma Atria mall, this food hall marks the first in a series of planned Japan Food Town locations worldwide.

[Image showcasing the unique washi paper ceiling decor, designed to resemble steam rising from a hot pot]

The ceiling, crafted from washi paper, is designed to evoke the image of steam rising from a cooking stove.

Spanning over 20,000 square feet, the space comfortably accommodates 628 diners. The design emphasizes ‘ma’, a Japanese concept of spatial harmony. Skilled Sakan craftsmen were flown in from Japan to create textures mimicking natural elements like stone and copper using plaster, a technique previously exclusive to Japan. Even the strategically placed tableware between outlets heightens the anticipation for the culinary experience ahead.

For the health-conscious, Japan Food Town features Kinme Mai, a healthier gourmet rice option used by over half of the restaurants. This special rice, developed by Toyo Rice Corporation, boasts a smooth texture, delicate aroma, and retains beneficial components like fiber, vitamins, and minerals often lost in traditional processing. Kinme Mai even contains 10% fewer calories than regular white rice. Restaurants using Kinme Mai display a sign at their entrance.

[Image of a sushi chef preparing food at the Japan Food Town opening]

Through a partnership with the Japan Association of Overseas Promotion for Food & Restaurants (JAOF), the restaurants source seasonal produce, regional specialties, and the freshest ingredients directly from Japan daily via the Logistics Hub in Okinawa.

This collaboration allows for significant cost savings on shipping, making the menus surprisingly affordable despite importing more than half of their ingredients. Diners can savor delicacies like Kinme Mai rice, Matsusaka beef, and Kindai maguro (bluefin tuna) without breaking the bank.

Japan Food Town offers a variety of casual dining options, each selected for its reputation and heritage, making them exclusive to this food hall. Most brands are new to Singapore and include:

Hokkaido Izakaya:

[Image of the Hokkaido Izakaya signboard]

Specializing in dishes from the northern island of Hokkaido, this restaurant is certified by the Hokkaido City Council to promote the region’s produce. Using their unique location, they source some of the freshest seafood like crab, scallops, sea urchins, and various fish directly from Hokkaido. Other ingredients, such as vegetables, cheeses, and beef, are also brought in from specific cities within Hokkaido.

[Image of a beautifully arranged platter showcasing Hokkaido specialties]

During the preview, Hokkaido Izakaya presented a delightful spread of Wagyu beef, scallops, salmon sushi wrapped in leaves, salmon roe, a seashell, and vegetable puree with uni, demonstrating their focus on fresh, flavorful food and artistic presentation.

Inaniwa Yosuke:

Known in Japan as Sato Yosuke, this establishment boasts a 150-year tradition of crafting Inaniwa udon. Unlike the typically thick udon noodles, Inaniwa udon is known for its delicate, silky texture, made using a three-day process with just water, salt, and flour. This unique udon, resembling soba in appearance, is incredibly satisfying.

[Image showcasing pre-packaged Inaniwa udon for sale]

[Image of chilled Inaniwa udon served in a soy-based broth, recommended to be enjoyed with a touch of wasabi]

[Image displaying the Inaniwa Yosuke udon menu]

Bonta Bonta:

[Image of the entrance to Bonta Bonta]

Bonta Bonta elevates the humble onigiri (rice ball) with rice carefully chosen by a rice sommelier and prepared to the highest standards, qualifying it as Kinme Mai.

[Image of chicken and eel served over rice, a dish presented by Bonta Bonta at the media preview]

Yomoda Soba:

Famed for its long queues in Tokyo, Yomoda Soba uses fresh, high-quality soba made in-house.

[Image of diners enjoying Yomoda Soba in an al fresco setting]

[Image featuring a portion of the menu, highlighting the soba and a tempura ebi]

Their al dente soba, unlike most found in Singapore, offers a unique textural experience, especially when paired with their perfectly prepared tempura ebi.

[Image of the Yomoda Soba menu, showcasing both hot and cold soba options]

Rang Mang Shokudo:

[Image of the Rang Mang Shokudo storefront]

Rang Mang Shokudo specializes in karaage, Japanese fried chicken marinated for six hours in buttermilk and double-fried at a low temperature.

[Image displaying a typical set meal served at Rang Mang Shokudo]

The result is incredibly juicy and flavorful chicken.

[Image of the Rang Mang Shokudo menu]

[Image of a portion of the Rang Mang Shokudo menu showcasing their juicy chicken]

Sushi Takewaka:

With roots in Tokyo’s renowned Tsukiji fish market, Sushi Takewaka sources top-quality fish and seafood for its Edo-style sushi.

[Image showing a sample bento-style dish presentation]

[Image showcasing a beautifully presented sashimi platter]

[Image featuring a selection of exquisitely styled Edo-style sushi]

Their Edo-style sushi, prepared by Chef Sushi Takewaka, challenges conventional sushi norms, as it isn’t always raw and may not be eaten with soy sauce.

[Image highlighting the meticulous attention to detail in the restaurant, showcased through the arrangement of toothpicks]

Sabar:

[Image of Ojo (princess) saba]

Dedicated entirely to mackerel (saba in Japanese), Sabar offers a unique dining experience.

[Image of Saba sushi]

[Image of saba shirako (milt), a creamy and rich Japanese delicacy]

Using specially cultivated mackerel, including the premium Ojo (princess) mackerel, Sabar features this often overlooked fish in a variety of dishes, even serving it as sashimi.

[Image of the Sabar menu]

[Image of Okada-san, Sabar Singapore’s MD, expertly preparing Ojo mackerel for sashimi using the sugata tsukuri technique]

Tempura Tsukiji Tenka:

[Image of the Tempura Tsukiji Tenka counter where diners can watch the chef prepare tendon]

Established by the prestigious Tokyo Sushi Academy, Tempura Tsukiji Tenka offers authentic tendon (tempura over rice with a light sauce), prepared by graduates of the academy.

[Image showcasing the delight of enjoying crisp, light tempura]

The highlight is their exceptionally light and crispy tempura, made possible by their unique batter and frying technique.

[Image of the Tenka menu and a sample tendon dish]

Shabu Shabu Tajimaya:

[Image of the Shabu Shabu Tajimaya facade]

As a spinoff from the acclaimed Hyogo eatery, Gyuta, Shabu Shabu Tajimaya offers reasonably priced, buffet-style shabu shabu and sukiyaki.

[Image highlighting the marbling on the high-quality beef]

[Image of the twin broth setup on an induction cooker with cooking beef]

Diners can enjoy high-quality ingredients, like their melt-in-your-mouth grade 5 Wagyu beef, in both 60-minute and 90-minute all-you-can-eat formats. Traditional sets with a fixed amount of meat are also available.

[Image showcasing the Shabu shabu selections]

[Image of the Sukiyaki options available for 90 minutes]

Osaka Kitchen:

Osaka Kitchen specializes in teppanyaki and okonomiyaki, prepared right before your eyes, offering a theatrical dining experience.

Upcoming Restaurants:

Several restaurants, including Nabe Seizan and Yakiniku Heijyoen, are scheduled to open later, further diversifying the offerings at Japan Food Town.

A Collaborative Effort:

Japan Food Town is a testament to the collaborative effort between the Cool Japan Fund, JAOF, and various corporate sponsors, representing an investment of approximately S$8.5 million. This project provides an avenue for smaller Japanese culinary businesses to overcome the challenges of overseas expansion and share their unique offerings with the world.

More Than Just Food:

Japan Food Town aspires to be a holistic cultural experience, offering “Omotenashi”, a spirit of Japanese hospitality that prioritizes genuine warmth and respect towards guests.

Intrigued?

Japan Food Town is located at 435 Orchard Rd, #04-39/54 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, Singapore 238877
Open daily from 11am to 11pm
Prices start from S$10
Seating capacity: 628

[Information on how to cook Kinmei Mai rice]

Grand Opening Festivities:

To celebrate its grand opening on July 16, Japan Food Town will host a celebration on Level 2 of Isetan Wisma Atria (street level facing Orchard Road) from 12pm to 6pm.

[Image of Hayate, a ten-member shamisen band, performing at the media preview]

The event features captivating Japanese cultural performances, including a performance by Hayate, a renowned shamisen band known for their innovative and energetic musical style. Other highlights include traditional Taiko drumming and a live Japanese calligraphy demonstration by renowned artist Tomomi Kunishige, inventor of “eikanji,” a unique style combining English and Kanji.

[Link to an Instagram video capturing a snippet of Hayate’s performance at the media preview]

[Link to the Sushi Encyclopedia, providing further information on the history of Edo-style sushi]