Rappu Review: New Sushi Restaurant By The Feather Blade Serves A Full Handroll Course At $36++

Sushi handrolls at Rappu

Update: The free handroll promotion is now over.

Exclusively serving up value-for-money flat iron steak, The Feather Blade revolutionised the steak scene in Singapore since it opened as a pop-up and finally settled permanently last year. Opening today on 24 November 2020, they’re doing the same to the sushi scene with Rappu, which has found a fixed 36-seated spot spanning across two shophouses along Duxton Road.

For those who are around the area today, Rappu will be giving out free handrolls as an opening special from 7pm until they run out!

Food at Rappu

Similar to The Feather Blade, the menu is focused and kept to a full course that features six different types of handrolls at $36++. It’s quite good value for money, considering that premium ingredients such as engawa and kampachi are used.

In true sushi bar style, everything is made fresh in front of diners. The rolls are served in courses and this ensures that the seaweed stays crispy while bringing out the best flavour from the rolls.

Warm sushi rice is served and it gets changed periodically through the meal. This makes it a step up from Kaiten sushi chains like Genki Sushi and Sushiro. While sushi bar theatrics such as watching the sushi chef expertly slice fish is not possible here, it’s still fun catching the staff prepare the sushi rolls.

The course features Hotate, Kampachi, Salmon, Toro, Crab, and Engawa rolls. A favourite among everyone at the table was the Engawa. You will find generous slices of fluke fin that are lightly seared with a blow torch and glazed with a touch of sweet sauce.

Another item that we liked was the Kampachi. It packed the amberjack’s signature buttery flavour and was simply served with a dry rub of mild spices to bring out its natural sweetness. Unlike the soft fluke fin, this fish had a firmer bite, throwing in a variety of textures through the handroll course.

A small teacup of warm miso clam soup is served at the end of the course to wash everything down. It’s a nice touch and the single piece of Asari calm was plump and juicy.

There’s also a special High Roller ($28++) roll that packs in Wagyu, uni, caviar, and gold flakes. This opulent roll is definitely a splurge. Nevertheless, it was quite impressive thanks to the sharp flavours of ikura paired with the rich Wagyu and caviar.

A Sake Pairing ($18++) is available and they’re matched with every sushi roll to complement each other.

Ambience at Rappu

Their new permanent spot at Duxton Road shouts modern Manhattan loft vibes with concrete floors and walls, as well as must-have neon decals. As compared to their pop-up at REVAMP Bar & Kitchen, the new space houses much more space for bar seats. This means more experiential dining for those who manage to score seats at the counters.

The handrolls here might not offer an authentic sushi bar experience, but I’m actually thankful that it remains that way. Instead, it gives off a fun and casual vibe that makes it a place to revisit over and over again. And at $36++ for a full course, this might just be the latest sensation in town.

If you’re in the lookout for new restaurants to visit, be sure to check out Hvala’s new outlet at Keong Siak or the famous Tempura Tendon Tenya at Orchard Central!

Address: 52 Duxton Road, Singapore 089516
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 5:30pm to 10:30pm, Sat-Sun 12pm to 3:30pm, 5:30pm to 10:30pm
Website
Rappu is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Lim An.
This was a media tasting at Rappu.

This article was originally written on 7 October 2020.