Known for its authentic traditional Japanese cuisine especially signature unagi bowls and sets at Wheelock Place, unagi specialty restaurant UYA recently opened its second outlet at Oasia Hotel Novena. In celebration of the new store opening, UYA at Oasia Hotel Novena launched a line-up of unique outlet-exclusive dishes featuring the restaurant’s specialty; pristine and quality live eels that are flown in directly from the fisheries weekly.

4 Outlet-Exclusive Unagi Specialty Dishes

First up, Smoky Unagi Ham ($16) took us by surprise, the rolled unagi was lightly-seasoned with salt and grilled over sakura wood chips which literally fuelled the dish’s smoky ham-like flavour. We also appreciated the cream cheese on the side, for it helped to take the slight bitter edge off the smoked unagi.

In addition, there are three new unagi specialty skewers which are glazed in UYA’s signature homemade sauce. Grilled Unagi Fin ($6 per stick) and Grilled Unagi Head ($6 per stick) packed a punch with its char, chewiness and sweet palatable flavours. Yahata Maki (burdock with unagi; $9 per stick) featured crunchy and slightly bitter gobo or burdock root, wrapped within unagi – a Kyoto specialty.

Hearty Rice Bowls

Featuring the star of UYA- Hitsumabushi - unagi served atop Niigata rice, available in 2 sizes- $35 (M) and $48 (L). Customise your dining experience with a plethora of condiments – spring onions, wasabi and strips of crispy nori (seaweed), homemade umami dashi, pickled cucumbers and miso soup with yuzu zest. Refer to instructions on the coasters which detail the recommended steps to enjoy this specialty.

If you would can’t get enough of grilled unagi, order the Grilled Eel with Salt ($23++), available in 3 sizes for sharing or perhaps all for yourself. Bonus: Pick up the small pepper grinder containing spicy Mi Sansho (Japanese sansho peppercorns)- available on every table. Grind it over the grilled eel for an elevated and fuller-bodied flavour.

Besides hitsumabushi, if you fancy bibimbap, you may also like UYA’s very own rendition of Healthy Unagi Rice Bowl ($29) which comprises of tender eel chunks on rice with a bed of wholesome ingredients such as natto (fermented soybeans), nagaimo (Japanese mountain yam), okra, a sous vide egg, and garnished with spring onions, seaweed and Japanese ginger.
PS: The slimy textures of natto and okra might be an acquired taste for some, but we certainly enjoyed every mouthful of this healthy and scrumptious rice bowl.

Seafood and beef lovers will enjoy the luxurious Sea Urchin and Wagyu Rice Bowl ($55), a splendid medley of thinly-sliced rare beef, sea urchin and ikura with freshly-grated wasabi.

If you can’t get enough of unagi, check out the Grilled Eel with Salt ($23++), Liver Ponzu ($9) – boiled and served with a ponzu sauce and Deep Fried Liver ($9)- fried liver tenpura style. All in all, we had the Japanese eel’s fin, head, liver and even its bone. As we savoured each dish, we were glad that no part of this prized fish went to waste. We recommend that you try at least one of these rare unagi dishes, you will not regret it!

Delightful Desserts

There is always room for dessert! Matcha fans, do go for Parfait ($12) - a wonderful assortment of sweetened azuki beans, vanilla and matcha ice cream, mochi balls and whipped cream definitely made our tummies happy. Other dessert options include Chef’s Daily Pudding ($5), Green Tea/Black Sesame Ice-cream・Japanese Citron Sherbet ($5).

Warm and Inviting Space

Last but not least, we enjoyed dining in the semi-private dining area with partitions clad in attractive motifs, warm cove lighting and plush seats. Just outside the restaurant, you can take a peek at the live eels; through a small viewing window and into the Tateba, where the eels are prepared before cooking.

Read about our previous up, close and personal experience with UYA’s eels at Wheelock Place here.

Special Ox Day Promotion on 30 July 2023

UPCOMING: Sunday 30 July 2023- Celebrate Day of the Ox (Doyo no Ushi no Hi 土用の丑の日) with a special promotion at UYA. Stand a chance to win 10-60% off all Unagi Sets by toss of a dice! Available at both Wheelock Place and Novena outlet.

UYA Charcoal Grill Live Eel Cuisine
Novena
Address: 8 Sinaran Drive, #01-05 Oasia Hotel Novena, Singapore 307470
Opening hours: 11.30am – 3pm daily (last order at 2pm), 6pm – 9.30pm daily (last order at 9pm)
Reservation: 9788 0071 (Call/WhatsApp)
Orchard
Address: 501 Orchard Road, #02-15 Wheelock Place, Singapore 238880
Opening hours: 12pm – 3pm daily (last order at 2pm), Mon–Thu: 6pm – 9.30pm (last order at 9pm),
Fri: 6pm – 10pm (last order at 9.30pm), Sat: 5.30pm – 10pm (last order at 9.30pm), Sun: 5.30pm – 9.30pm (last order at 9pm)
Reservation: 9359 0423 (Call/WhatsApp)
Reservation via Chope
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*This was an invited media tasting.

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