Located at Downtown Gallery, Takayama Japanese Restaurant is where you can savour a medley of authentic Japanese flavours in its multi-course menu.
This is a “kappo-style” restaurant, similar to a Keiseki meal where elaborately prepared dishes which look like pieces of art, are served.
(Click PLAY for highlights of Takayama Japanese Restaurant.)
The influence of the dishes originates from Osaka, and the menu is inspired by the four seasons of Japan, using ingredients at the peak of their flavours. Therefore, if you go during different months, you are likely to get varied dishes depending on the ingredient sourced.
The main dining room features two kappo counters for seven and five guests, as well as a booth seats that can accommodate two and four diners.
For those who require more privacy, there are two private dining rooms which can sit six and eight guests.
I would suggest taking the kappo counter though, where you can watch your food being prepared by Chef Chef Taro Takayama and his team.
Chef Takayama is formerly chef de cuisine at Mandarin Orchard Singapore, and began his career at three-Michelin-starred restaurants Kashiwaya and Koryu in Osaka.
After which he was appointed master chef at the residence of the Japanese ambassador to Singapore, where he served dignitaries such as Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Here are some of the dishes served at Takayama. Do take note that items vary by the season and menu chosen:
APPETISER: Homemade tofu
OTSUKURI, TAKAYAMA-STYLE: Assorted seasonal fish from Japan, Osaka sushi
MONAKA: Foie gras, fig
STEAMED: Abalone, uni
FISH: Saikyo miso black cod
CHARCOAL GRILLED: Kumamoto wagyu beef “WAOH”, young corn
RICE: Ochazuke
DESSERT: Seasonal fruits such as musk melon.
Takayama’s signature dish is the Abalone + Uni which can be found in the dinner omakase menu.
The other dish to look forward to is the “Otsukuri”.
While it essentially means sashimi, I got a combination of Hokkaido uni, Toyama baby squid, Nagasaki Otoro and Chutoro and a couple of surprises – each item there elaborately presented and even paired with different soy sauces to bring out the best of the flavours.
Pricing
Seasonal Lunch Sets: $150++
The set lunch can include a Ezo-Awabi (hairy crab / uni), Otsukuri (seasonal fish), Monaka (foie gras / yuzu), Cod Fish, Donabe (salmon / ikura), Pear with Hokkaido Milk, and Financier.
Dinner Omakase: $298++
The dinner set can include Uni, Truffle, Otsukuri, Monaka, Anago, Wagyu Beef, Donabe Rice, Chestnut and Financier.
The latest seasonal menu is available on takayama.com.sg.
Takayama Japanese Restaurant
6 Shenton Way #01-09/10 OUE Downtown Gallery Singapore 068815 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6224 0864
Email: enquiry@takayama.com.sg
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm, Dinner 7pm – 10:30pm (Tues – Sat), Closed Sun, Mon
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Takayama.
