Ashino
We walk into Sushi Ashino for a lunch time omakase that did not disappoint.
Myself and a friend visiting from Australia for a few days recently had the chance to go back to Sushi Ashino, a hidden gem tucked away behind the ICON Hotel on Club Street, just off Chinatown. Having just been Japan's summer holiday of Obon, most sushi restaurants had been closed for a week and my body was starting to experience withdrawals.
Ashino recently relocated from a place near Bugis, and it’s definitely worth the visit. Ashino seats about 12 people at a V-shaped counter, creating a cozy and intimate setting for diners.
Ashino vibe
With a friendly mix of Japanese and Singaporean staff, the service is top-notch, and we were lucky to snag a last-minute reservation as the place was bustling with diners despite it being a Wednesday afternoon.
Our Course
For lunch, we opted for the omakase menu priced at SGD 285++, which included
- Appetizers
- 14 pieces of sushi
- Maki roll
- Miso Soup
- Dessert
The meal kicked off with the Maguro Akami, followed by Ama Ebi, which was simply amazing. Ashino San mentioned that the tuna weighed around 160kg and was caught just a few days earlier.. That's about as fresh as we can get here on the small island of Singapore.
Next, we enjoyed a chawanmushi topped with small fish eggs, a light and flavorful dish that set the stage for the nigiri course.
Ashino sushi course
This course showcased seasonal cuts such as Conch, Hirame, and Kanpachi, each piece expertly crafted and bursting with flavor. The attention to detail at Ashino when it comes to each dish seems to be a priority. At one point during our course Ashino San had some harsh words to one of the Chef's for not cutting vegetables to an exact width. As an innocent bystander - I appreciate this level commitment and obsessiveness when it comes to sushi..
One of the standout dishes was the Ayu (sweetfish), marinated in its own liver and served with Hokkaido sweet corn. This dish was a revelation, bursting with complex flavors and textures. The entire fish, including the head and bones, was edible, which was a treat because one small bite certainly wouldn't be enough. A dish I certainly won't forget.
Ashino seasonal degustation
After devouring the fish, we poured ourselves a glass of Napa Valley Hudson Chardonnay 2018, which we had brought along. Its crisp and dry profile, with medium acidity, paired beautifully with the fish and vinegar flavors we were experiencing throughout.
As we continued with the nigiri course, we were treated to a trio of seasonal delights: King crab meat, fresh marinated octopus, and sujiko. Im not usually a fan of sujiko, but this combination was nothing short of awesome, and it quickly became one of the highlights of the meal. The nigiri course wrapped up with Saba, Tai, Salmon, and Chutoro, followed by Ikura and Murasaki Uni gunkans.
Ashino omakase
Although I usually finish my sushi course with Anago and sweet tare, my excitement got the better of me, and I forgot to take a photo..
We concluded the meal with a bowl of miso soup and a home-made brown sugar ice cream, which provided a simple and satisfying end to the course. My friend commented that the ice cream had some crunchy icy bits through it, usually meaning that it may not have been made perfectly, although the taste was still great.
Gaijin’s rating
Food quality ★★★★☆
Ambience ★★★★☆
Value ★★★★☆
Overall rating 92/100
Overall, Ashino offers a first-class experience, serving some of the most interesting seasonal fish you might not find elsewhere in Singapore. The freshness of the ingredients rivals that of top sushi spots in Tokyo, and the service is exceptional, with attentive staff who are eager to share their knowledge about the dishes. A big part of the course felt educational, given that some of the seafood was rare/obscure, they really take the time explaining what you are about to devour.
At SGD 285 for lunch, it’s on the pricier side, but given the quality and quantity of the ingredients, the price tag is worth it. I can think of only a handful of restaurants in Singapore that would serve fresh King crab like this, and they would almost certainly be priced higher.
We love the vibe at Ashino and have also been there for dinner on a separate occasion. Yes, it’s higher priced compared to others, but the experience is of a very high calibre. Having visited some of the best sushi omakases in Tokyo, I can confidently say that Ashino is on par with the best. If you’re in Singapore and a fan of very seasonal sushi selections that get away form 'the norm', Ashino should definitely be near the top of your list.
Ashino
Address: 8 Club St, #01-12/13 ICON Hotel, Singapore 069472
