Torikami
Torikami is a yakitori omakase restaurant in Tanjong Pagar, Singapore. We went for dinner to review their $228++ set dinner menu.
A recent opening in Singapore just off Duxton Hill is Torikami, an omakase yakitori restaurant aimed at more of a fine dining experience from start to finish.
Having only opened very recently, we were excited to visit Torikami as it had been recommended by a friend who is an absolute yakitori fiend.
The Vibe
As we walk in we are greeted by the friendly staff and taken to the counter which is split in two distinct sections and separated by a wall. Each side of the counter sits around 8 people and has a full view of the chef and team working their magic.
The restaurant is spacious with comfortable seating and dim lighting - a far cry from the usual craziness of casual yakitori restaurants.
Torikami is helmed by Yuta Shiraishi, a young Chef from Okayama Prefecture who started the first iteration of the restaurant in Roppongi Hills in Tokyo.
Torikami entry in Tanjong Pagar
The Food
Torikami is exclusively an omakase experience with about 13 courses priced at SG$228++.
We are told that the menu changes slightly from week to week depending on the availability of ingredients.
In speaking to Shiraishi San, we were told that all of the vegetables are airflown from Japan, whilst the chicken is brought in from a French operated farm in Malaysia.
The omakase lineup:
- Appetiser of yuzu jelly with chicken breast and seasonal flowers
- Charcoal grilled chicken with butter
- Slow cooked chicken broth
- Seseri – chicken neck meat
- Bonjiri – chicken tail
- Kashiwa – thigh
- Broccoli with shaved parmigiano reggiano
- Charcoal grilled tofu
- Grilled chicken heart
- Japanese sweet corn
- Tebasaki – chicken wing
- Donabe rice served with mentaiko, pickles and tsukune with kimi (egg yolk)
- Home made yuzu ice cream
Torikami omakase including appetiser, chickent yakitori, soup, dumpling
Every single dish that came out was exceptional.
It's very uncommon for me to enjoy absolutely everything during an omakase, but in this instance, even the grilled tofu (which I am usually not that keen on) was perfect.
Some highlights from the reel:
- The charcoal chicken with burnt butter came up first and just left you wanting infinitely more
- Japanese Hokkaido broccoli with shaved parmesan strays from the normal course of yakitoris but turned out to be one of the best things on the menu
- Slow cooked chicken broth slow cooked for 24 hours was thick and tasted full of collagen
- The main event, donabe with tsukimi and accompaniments was a perfect way to end the meal
Torikami omakase main meal was chicken tsukimi
The French chicken farm in Malaysia must be doing something right because every bite was exploding with flavor. Not one piece was served too dry or overcooked.
The last don had leftover rice for those who want seconds, so suffice to say, we were insanely full by the end.
The meal lasted around 100 mins. We paired it with lemon sours and highballs.
Gaijin's review
- Food quality: Exceptional. Japanese veg, malaysian chicken
- Ambience: Modern and minimal. Very fancy
- Value: Pricey but worth the experience
- Overall rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5)
- Price: $$$
There's been increasing competition in Singapore amongst omakase yakitoris. Torikami joins the list of legends such as Kemuri and Torisei, but brings a new standard to yakitori fine dining.
The service was absolutely impeccable. All staff (both Japanese and Singaporean) were at the top of their game, explaining each dish in detail, topping up drinks and constantly providing warm towels. Absolutely nothing to fault in terms of experience.
Having been to most of the yakitoris in Singapore, I would say that Torikami is the best yakitori in the country if you can get past the price point. At SG$228++, it is an expensive endeavor when you consider that it is predominantly chicken. For sushi, you wouldn't blink twice at that price level, but historically, yakitori is a cheap eat in Japan, and as such is priced accordingly.
I would reserve Torikami for a special occasion such as anniversary or to impress a client. It is far better value than rival Torisei, which has a premium omakase around the same price.
Overall, we had a great experience at Torikami. A huge thank you to the staff who put in a tremendous amount of work for a truly top tier experience.
Go to this restaurant if you are looking for a high-end yakitori experience that pairs a touch of innovation with authentic grilling.
Torikami
A: 34/35 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089498
