Aoki
We attend the opening night of Aoki Singapore as it relaunches at its new premises in Millennia Walk.
“Rarely, outside of Japan, do we have the pleasure of experiencing a sushi omakase that ticks all the boxes”
We attended the opening night of Aoki's new restaurant at Millenia Walk. Previously located next to Shaw House in Orchard and part of the Les Amis restaurant group, Aoki has now established itself independently. Chef Aoki has been delighting Singapore diners for over 20 years, building a loyal following for his boldly authentic Edo-style omakase.
It’s impressive to see that every time I dine at Aoki, the counter seating is filled with regulars, primarily Singaporean and Japanese patrons who have undoubtedly been loyal customers for years.
Ambience
The vibe of the new restaurant closely resembles that of its former location, featuring the same decor and minimalist aesthetic. The counter table, crafted from a single piece of imported Hinoki wood, accommodates roughly 15 guests, while the two private dining rooms seat around eight. The space feels intimate yet open at the same time. Smooth jazz music and soft lighting throughout create a relaxed atmosphere.
Our course
While Aoki is promoted as a full-fledged omakase restaurant specializing in sushi, grilled dishes, and seasonal offerings, we opted for the Sushi Nigiri omakase, which focuses on a selection of seasonal fish served as sushi, temaki, and maki.
Sushi Nigiri Omakase SGD$220++
- Appetizers
- 14 pieces of sushi
- Maki roll
- Miso Soup
- Dessert
The meal began with an appetizer of tofu skin (yuba) and monkfish liver (ankimo). This turned out to be a great palate cleanser for what lie ahead.
The sushi course commenced with lighter fish such as hirame (flounder), ika (squid), ebi (prawn), and hotate (scallop). The sushi rice (shari) had a subtle hint of vinegar that complemented the sashimi well, balancing the acidity. Interestingly, there was also a certain zestiness to the rice that we hadn’t experienced before, as if it had been lightly misted with citrus.
The highlight of the meal was the akami and toro, along with a selection of seasonal cuts available as summer approaches.
Having been to many of the sushi omakases in Singapore (obviously), theres two stand out points I notice about Aoki and how he serves each piece.
1) the cuts of fish seem to always be much larger that other Sushi restaurants. At times, truly struggling to fit the whole thing in your mouth (this is a good thing)
2) there is something to be said about the optimum temperature of each piece at the time of serving. I'm no expert, but each sushi feels perfect. It's not dry, it's not cold - it is exactly how you want every piece of sushi in your life going forward.
After several more nigiri and gunkan, our sushi course concluded with a negitoro temaki roll and miso soup, followed by a small dessert. Accompanied by roasted rice tea, the dessert plate was nicely presented with seasonal items, including red bean mochi, crème brûlée, ice cream, and kyoho grapes. Each dessert was perfectly portioned after such a massive meal.
The entire dining experience lasted approximately 1.5 hours.
Gaijin’s rating
Food quality ★★★★☆
Ambience ★★★★☆
Value ★★★☆☆
Overall rating 93/100
There’s no shortage of Japanese restaurants in Singapore, but if I were to focus on those offering an authentic Edo experience, Aoki would rank near the top for sushi omakase. The food quality is on par with what you would find in Japan. As with any good omakase experience, no two seatings are exactly the same, but the consistency in produce and service provided by the team is out of this world. I have revisited Aoki several times since this review, and the quality remains exceptional.
One aspect that I believe also sets Aoki apart is the vibe. Too many high-end sushi omakases follow the same tune of having bright lighting, standard traditional furnishings and little to no background music. Aoki subtly goes against the grain here and while still in touch with its authentic roots, provides a setting that feels more enjoyable and less sterile.
It's the type of place to take a few friends, pop a cork, have a laugh and eat some amazing food.
At SGD$220++, you can expect your final bill to exceed SGD$300 once you include drinks. While it is not a cheap omakase by either Japanese or Singaporean standards, it offers better value than many others in the SGD$200-$500 range locally.
We are already planning our next visit.
Aoki
Address: 9 Raffles Blvd, #01-11 Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596
