Sushi Ryujiro
We visit the newly opened Sushi Ryujiro for a lunchtime sushi omakase.
Sushi Ryujiro, a recent addition to Singapore's high-end Japanese dining scene, has made its home in the former premises of Aoki restaurant at Shaw Centre.
Operating under the prestigious Les Amis Group, this Sushi-ya brings a touch of Tokyo's renowned craftsmanship to Singapore.
On a quiet Sunday lunch, we strolled in to Sushi Ryujiro without a reservation to find that surprisingly, we would be the sole diners. The restaurant's interior maintains a simplified, minimalist aesthetic, even more-so than its predecessor Aoki.
Although helmed by Chef Ryujiro Nakamura, our meal was prepared by Naruki Ikeda, a young but seemingly experienced chef who has honed his skills in Tokyo.
Sushi Ryujiro prides itself on its relationships with top-tier maguro suppliers at Toyosu Market. It was our job to find out if this is true..
Lunch Omakase SGD180++
- 2 x appetizers
- 11 pieces of sushi
- Maki Roll
- Miso
- Dessert
The $180 omakase course comprised 2 appetizers, 11 pieces of nigiri, a maki roll, and dessert. The meal began with two appetizers: a palate-cleansing Mozuku seaweed in vinegar, followed by a standout cold somen with crispy ebi and chopped negi - a refreshing start and honestly, one of the more memorable dishes I have had in recent times. It's not often you get a cold somen before a full sushi course, but I was all for it.
The nigiri selection was mostly standard but without a doubt as fresh as can be. Highlight were Ika, Ama Ebi, Suzuki, and Aji - all flown in the subsequent day.
The trifecta of maguro (Akami, Chutoro, and Otoro) was exceptional, demonstrating the high-grade cuts that are a selling point of this experience.
The shari (rice) had a subtle vinegar tinge, great in combination with the fattier fish cuts.
We paired our meal with two glasses of Vieilles Vignes Burgundy Chardonnay ($22 per glass), which complemented the sushi nicely.
A departure from tradition came in the form of an opulent maki roll featuring grilled anago and minced fatty tuna, replacing the usual negitoro or pickled roll.
The meal concluded with a miso soup and house-made grapefruit jelly.
Sushi Ryujiro undoubtedly serves top-tier sushi with some standout quality of fish and impeccable service. In terms of value, most high-end sushi restaurants in the city offer lunch courses of 10-12 nigiri for between $150-$200, so the price point here is about right.
Given they just opened recently, I think there may be some changes in the future. For example, Sushi Ryujiro's omakase-only menu, even at lunch, is unusual in a market where many competitors offer more affordable set meals, chirashi's or donburi options during daytime hours. I think this is a missed market opportunity as some diners simply don't have the time for a full omakase course at lunch on weekdays.
Gaijin’s rating
Food quality ★★★★☆
Ambience ★★★☆☆
Value ★★★☆☆
Overall rating 86/100
We initially walked into Sushi Ryujiro with mixed expectations, partly because its predecessor Aoki was such a great establishment and so it had very large shoes to fill.
Although the vibe felt a little 'eery' given there were no other customers, we ended the meal very impressed with the course and Chef Ikeda who was a very gracious and talkative host.
We'd be interested in revisiting in about six months or so to see how the restaurant evolves, but I would suggest anyone looking for a no-frills edo experience to try out Sushi Ryujiro at least once.
Sushi Ryujiro Singapore
Address: 1 Scotts Rd, #01 - 19, Singapore 228208
