Sushi Oono
My experience at Sushi Oono Singapore for a lunch time nigiri omakase.
On a whim, I decided to succumb to my midday sushi craving by visiting Sushi Oono, a place I'd somehow 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 lunchtime find.
Keisuke Ohno 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 spacious entrance with a waiting area and a small bar - probably meant for chilling out prior to 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.
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. Anything beyond that felt like I might be inconveniencing the chef given I had no booking. They offer two choices: a sushi omakase or a lunchtime omakase, catering to different tastes and times.
Sushi Oono menu
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, pungent taste, something I will never forget. The mochi was spot-on - crispy outside and gooey inside, like hot melting 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.
Sushi Oono sushi course
Sushi Oono round 2
Wrapping Up
The meal ended with a miso soup and a classic dessert of mochi, red bean, and green tea ice cream - a simple but always satisfying combination.
Sushi Oono dessert
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. Ohno-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
This lunch has 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 nigiri 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
