Singapore

Sushi Oono

My experience at Sushi Oono Singapore for a lunch time nigiri omakase.

Sushi Oono vibe

On a whim, I decided to satisfy my midday sushi craving by visiting Sushi Oono, a place I'd surprisingly overlooked despite it being so close to where I live. Tucked away among other restaurants and shops on Mohammed Sultan Rd near Robertson Quay in Singapore, Sushi Oono turned out to be a great find.

Oono San was previously at Sushi Mieda and more recently decided to go out on his own with his wife Hiromi. They are a lovely couple having been in Singapore for more than a decade now.

Vibe

As you walk in, you're greeted by a lovely entrance with a waiting area and a small bar - perfect for relaxing before your meal. The main dining area has a U-shaped counter made of 300 year old hinoki wood, seating about 14 people. Good lighting and soft piano music in the background create a pleasant, upscale feel.

The Omakase Experience

Since I dropped in during the last 30 minutes of lunch without a booking, I went for the nigiri omakase priced at $220. They offer two choices: a sushi omakase or a lunchtime omakase, catering to different tastes.

Appetizer

The meal started with an interesting mix: eggplant, white fish, deep-fried mochi, and dried sea cucumber. The dried sea cucumber stood out with its strong, unique taste, something I will never forget. The mochi was spot-on - crispy outside and gooey inside, like hot lava cheese.

Sushi Lineup

The sushi came in a nice sequence:

Ika (squid)
Hirame (flounder)
Kinmedai (golden snapper)
Tai (red snapper)
Maguro trio: akami, chutoro, and otoro
Kohada (gizzard shad) - notably fresh without any off-putting fishiness
Aji
Nodokuro (sea perch)
Uni gunkan
A big, juicy boiled ebi (huge)
Anago nigiri
Pickle and tuna maki roll

I asked for a few extras such as hotate and amaebi but they ran out from previous patrons.

Wrapping Up

The meal ended with a comforting miso soup and a classic dessert of mochi, red bean, and green tea ice cream - a simple but always satisfying combination.

Service and Atmosphere

Even though it was a quiet lunch hour, the staff were very attentive. They speak excellent English, having been in Singapore since 2012, which makes for easy conversation and a comfortable dining experience. Oono-san and his team are friendly, adding a personal touch that keeps customers coming back.

Gaijin’s rating

Food quality ★★★★☆

Ambience ★★★★☆

Value ★★★☆☆

Overall rating 87/100

** This rating is subject to further change as more tastings are needed and will be updated soon

Value for Money

At $220 for a lunch omakase, Sushi Oono is on the pricier side for Singapore, where similar meals usually cost between $160 and $240 for 12-14 pieces of nigiri. However, high quality knows no bounds of dollars spent. You get what you pay for and you are paying for freshness.

Overall Impression

Sushi Oono offers a genuine and refined sushi experience. While I only tried their basic lunch course, it clearly showed the restaurant's commitment to quality. Each dish, though simply presented, tasted excellent.

This lunch has definitely made me curious about their full dinner omakase. Given how good this simple sushi course was, I have high hopes for a more extensive evening meal.

For sushi lovers in Singapore looking for a high-quality omakase experience, Sushi Oono is worth checking out. While the lunch omakase gives you a good taste of what they offer, I'm keen to go back and try their full dinner menu to give a more complete review.

Sushi Oono

A: 14 Mohamed Sultan Rd, #01-01, Singapore 238963