SUN with MOON Japanese Dining and Café has long been a favourite for Japanese living in Singapore who want an authentic taste of home in the middle of Orchard Road.
It has been around for two decades, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year (I remember it was one of the first Japanese restaurants I blogged about).
Located inside Wheelock Place, it manages to offer both refinement and comfort.
Part restaurant, part café, it has a wide menu that spans everything from kamameshi rice pots to chirashi bowls.
This season, the focus turns to Kansai, the western heart of Japan where Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto and Nara each bring their own culinary character to the table.
The seasonal menu will only be offered for a limited time, so do not wait too long.
At SUN with MOON, these influences are presented through a range of dishes at value-for-money prices (without needing that flight over to Japan):
Osaka: Japan’s Kitchen Capital with Pancakes, Skewers and Comfort Hotpots
Known as Japan’s kitchen, Osaka is famous for street-side grills, savoury pancakes like negi-yaki, otsumami skewers, cheesy takoyaki, and hearty hotpots such as seafood udon-suki.
Buta Bara Kimchi Cheese Tonpeiyaki ($9.80)
Pork belly, spicy kimchi and gooey cheese tucked into a soft omelette sounds indulgent, and it is.
The kimchi delivered a mild kick, overall creamy and cheesy, but never overwhelming.
Portion size felt just right for sharing or pairing with other small plates.
Ebi & Buta Negi-yaki with Lemon Soy Sauce ($15.80)
This is Osaka energy in pancake form. The scallion pancake was fluffy inside, crisp at the edges, and packed with shrimp and pork belly.
Just when it could turn heavy, the lemon soy drizzle cuts in with freshness.
I appreciated the subtle zing from the sauce and how the scallion pancake still felt light, even with its richer fillings.
Hyogo: From Akashi’s Octopus Dumplings to Kakogawa’s Katsu-Meshi
Hyogo is a region where mountains meet the sea, offering delicate Akashiyaki octopus dumplings, Himeji oden simmered in ginger soy, pan-seared miso gyoza, and Kakogawa’s bold beef katsu-meshi.
Soup Takoyaki “Akashiyaki” ($12.80)
It looks like regular takoyaki at first glance, but one bite tells you it’s softer, lighter, and far more delicate.
Each takoyaki hides tender octopus and can be dipped in a warm dashi broth before eating.
The dumplings are made with a batter rich in eggs, which gives them a custard-like centre that almost melts when you bite in.
Kakogawa Style Beef Katsu-Meshi ($27.80)
My favourite dish of this Kansai series, you get a breaded beef cutlet over steamed rice, finished with tangy demi glace.
I was surprised to find the crisp crust soaked up the sauce yet still held its bite, while the beef inside stayed juicy.
Nara: Ancient Comfort with Hotpots and Seasonal Produce
Nara, Japan’s ancient capital, grounds its cuisine in warmth and ingenuity, from soy milk-based Asuka nabe to unique stir-fries with persimmon and pork, plus signature bites like kakinoha sushi and ginger-scented buri tatsuta-age.
Chicken & Chicken Ball Asuka Nabe ($19.80)
This nabe is inspired by hotpots dating back to the Asuka period. Here, chicken pieces and plump meatballs simmer in a soy milk broth that is creamy yet gentle.
My favourite ingredient is the meatballs, tender and well-seasoned, tasting almost homemade.
Seasonal vegetables, tofu and mushrooms soak in the broth, becoming soft and flavourful. I would recommend this for sharing, for that extra warmth and comfort.
Persimmon & Pork Oyster Itame ($13.80)
Persimmons, one of the region’s signature fruits, bring sweetness that pairs surprisingly well with savoury oyster sauce.
Stir fried with sliced pork, the dish balances fruitiness with savouriness.
Kyoto: Grace, Balance and Seasonal Flavours
If Osaka is lively and Hyogo diverse, Kyoto is calm and refined. Dishes like mizuna chicken goma salad, nasu and ebi yuzu miso dengaku, and Sukeroku-style sushi reflect Kyoto’s balance of elegance and everyday comfort.
Unagi Maki Sushi & Ginger Inari “Sukeroku” ($15.80)
The unagi maki brings smoky, sweet grilled eel paired with cucumber crunch and soft tamago. It is savoury and layered without being loud.
The ginger inari is simpler, with rice wrapped in seasoned tofu skin, lifted by gentle ginger notes.
Matcha Yuzu Cake ($7.80)
Mention Kyoto, and I instantly think of matcha. For a sweet finish, this cake has the earthy bitterness of green tea, softened by the brightness of yuzu.
A touch of cream adds richness but the overall effect is light, leaving a lingering aroma of matcha rather than heaviness.
Beyond the à la carte specials, SUN with MOON also offers curated Kansai-inspired lunch and dinner sets that showcase the region’s diversity in one meal.
At lunch, choices include the Autumn Koraku Bento with sashimi, grilled duck, tempura and more, the Yaki Anago Hitsumabushi paired with Himeji Oden, or hearty mains like the Kakogawa Style Katsu Meshi Mizuna Chicken Goma Salad Set.
Dinner continues the journey with an expanded lineup. The Autumn Koraku Bento makes a return in a more lavish spread.
Sets such as Nishin Soba and Kakinoha Sushi, Kakogawa Katsu Meshi with Goma Salad, Asuka Nabe with Sukeroku Sushi, and the Yaki Anago Hitsumabushi with Himeji Oden round out the Kansai flavours, each paired with matcha ice cream for a sweet finish.
SUN with MOON Japanese Dining & Café
Wheelock Place #03-15, 501 Orchard Road, Singapore 238880
Tel: +65 6733 6636
WhatsApp: +65 9848 8638
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:45pm, 3pm – 5pm, 5:30pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
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* This entry is brought to you in partnership with SUN with MOON Japanese Dining & Cafe.
