Fancy enjoying sushi omakase in a vibrant retropop izakaya setting? Head to SHINRAI- the newest restaurant to join the buzzing food scene at Telok Ayer Street. Helmed by chef-owner Desmond Fong (previously from Sushi Yujo) and Head Chef Haoey Cheah, the new space plays on an unique sushi-izakaya concept serving up aburi and charcoal grilled specialties from only $6.80. Look forward to a flaming selection of appetisers, sushi, maki, skewers, mains and desserts.

Menu

At SHINRAI (Japanese translation of “trust”), you can place your faith in its splendid union of traditional Japanese cuisine with the modern culinary flair of the innovative chefs.

Kick off with Seafood Chawanmushi with Truffle Caviar ($9.80) featuring Japanese steamed egg with crab meat, prawns and scallops.

Load up on more truffle with the Salmon Carpaccio ($16.80) dressed with truffle sauce and topped with truffle caviar.

Flame grilled side dishes include Tsukune ($6.80), Tebasaki ($3.80), Hotate ($7.80) and Ebi with Mentaiko ($21.80). Each dish was well seasoned and delivered a waft of smokiness from the grill. Tsukune features bouncy chicken-pork meatballs on a stick, glazed with teriyaki sauce and served with an onsen egg dip. The highlight for us here was the Ebi with Mentaiko; the tiger prawns were huge and enveloped in housemade mentaiko sauce.

Next, choose from a variety of aburi sushi such as Hotate with Foie Gras Sushi ($23.80), SHINRAI Royal Maki ($23.80) and SHINRAI Signature Maki ($21.80).

We really enjoyed the Royal Maki which is a delightful sushi roll with roll with torched salmon enveloping a deep-fried tiger prawn, brushed with chef’s signature miso sauce, and topped with a sprinkle of chicken floss.

Feeling extra hungry? Dig into the signature Wagyu Foie Gras Don ($48.80), starring grilled premium A5 Kagoshima Wagyu beef alongside foie gras, onsen egg and truffle sauce over fluffy pearl rice. The wagyu was really tender and juicy, melted into umami goodness in our mouth.

Conclude your meal on a sweet note with the housemade Tofu Cheesecake ($5.80).

Lunch Sets

If you and your colleagues are in the mood for a hearty weekday lunch, be spoiled for choices with SHINRAI’s sumptuous lunch sets starting from $16.80. There are a total of 10 options including chicken teriyaki, salmon mentaiko, bara chirashi and more. All lunch sets are served with miso soup, salad and tofu cheesecake, available every Monday to Friday from 11.30am - 2.30pm.

1-for-1 House Sake Launch Promotion

In celebration of SHINRAI’s opening, diners can relax, unwind and clink glasses to 1-for-1 house sake (300ml), available from 8.30pm until closing (valid until 30 April 2024).
Terms and conditions apply.

Final Thoughts

We love the playful retropop vibes of the casual izakaya ambience, perfect for date night or a laid back weekend afternoon. Amidst the extensive menu, there is certainly a dish for every meat or sashimi loving diner and definitely a gem for all truffle enthusiasts out there.

SHINRAI
Location: 173 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068622
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11.30am–2.30pm; 6pm–10.30pm. Fri-Sat 11.30am – 2.30pm; 6pm–11.45pm (Closed on Sun)
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*This was an invited media tasting.

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