Uoharu Review: Tokyo-Famous Izakaya Opens In SG With “Draft Sake” And Live Fire Show

Uoharu is a new Tokyo-famous izakaya in Marina Bay

The recent opening of Uoharu on our shores is a pretty big deal for our izakaya scene. For the uninitiated, Uoharu is a hugely popular izakaya from Tokyo, Japan, with two outposts in Hong Kong that see waiting times average around a month.

The brand is known for crafting creative dishes using produce with cosmetic imperfections. But beyond its commitment to reducing food wastage, Uoharu is also known for its menu of over 100 drinks and dishes, as well as live fire performances called “katsuo warayaki”, where flames from the traditional straw-roasting and grilling of bonito fish reach towering heights.

We were invited to try the fare at Uoharu’s latest outlet, located in Marina Bay’s IOI Central Boulevard Towers. We came away from the experience generally impressed by the fare, although there were some (non-cosmetic) imperfections that held us back from fully enjoying the experience.

Food at Uoharu

We started our meal with the Draft Sake (from $19++ per 100ml) alongside one of the numerous drinking snacks and appetisers you can order here, the Seated Miso Sashimi Tartare ($14.30++).

Because the draft sake was unpasteurised and made without preservatives, it had a distinctive freshness and robustness in its flavour that set it apart from your usual bottled sake.

The fruitier flavours of the drink paired well with the hand-cut fish sashimi tartare. Covered in miso-based sauce then seared aburi-style, the tartare itself already had lots of umami, but we were supposed to wrap a chunk of it in seaweed, then add some egg yolk to it.

Creamy, crunchy, and brimming with umami, the tight package you see above was great in terms of taste and texture. As far as drink accompaniments go, we thought this was an excellent option that also allowed for some interactive fun.

Up next was the Manzoku Tuna and Sea Urchin Sushi Roll ($28.80++). Though presented beautifully with a mound of tuna, ikura, and uni spread across eight maki sushi rolls, we found the seafood lacking in the freshness department. The uni, in particular, had a fishy, slightly metallic taste that prevented us from enjoying what was supposed to be a delicacy.

Another seafood-based dish we tried, the Homemade Snow Crab Croquette Rice ($29.80++), fared better.

Shortly after serving, the snow crab croquette was mixed into the pile of rice, along with the smattering of ikura and other ingredients. The result is a rice dish that has the sweetness of crab meat in every bite, occasionally bursting with the ikura’s pronounced umami. However, the mashing of all these disparate elements together does end up giving the dish an almost mushy mouthfeel, which could be a turn-off for some.

The highlight of our meal was the U.S. Beef Short Rib with Bone ($32.80++) an expertly prepared beef dish prepared with a charcoal fire. Each slice was grilled till a perfect medium rare, allowing the incredibly succulent and tender meat to shine. The unmistakable smokiness of  the charcoal grill further enhanced the experience, adding complexity to the aroma and flavour of the dish.

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Ambience at Uoharu

Uoharu Singapore greets you with a space inspired by the original Japanese restaurant. You enter through a lowered door, encouraging you to “bow” in respect to the chef. Once inside, you’ll notice wooden flooring and low tables and chairs, along with walls adorned with hand-drawn posters and sake labels—it’s an izakaya through and through.

Uoharu is a two-minute walk from Downtown MRT Station.

The verdict

While Uoharu’s vast range of drinks and dishes makes it an interesting dining destination, there are some noticeable flaws with a few of its dishes. Nevertheless, izakaya fans have an exciting new spot worth checking out.

For more Japanese eateries to check out, read our best Japanese restaurants in Singapore guide. For an under-HDB izakaya in Tampines, read our Little Tokio review.

Address: 2 Central Boulevard, #01-16, IOI Central Boulevard Towers, Singapore 018916
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6931 2733
Website
Uoharu is not a halal-certified eatery.

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Photos taken by Maisie Chong.
This was a media tasting at Uoharu.