Chubby Botak Koala - Singapore Food Blog, Travel and Lifestyle: Shinya Izakaya – A Tasty Izakaya Experience [MEDIA INVITE]

Shinya Izakaya (“Shinya”) is a NEW Izakaya in the Lively Boat Quay precinct specialising in fresh sashimi, kushiyaki (skewers), Agemono (deep-fried dishes), Yakimono (grilled dishes), Itamemono (stir-fried dishes) and Donburi (rice dishes). In partnership with an experienced F&B operator, Shinya Izakaya is set up to deliver a tasty izakaya dining experience.

Shinya Izakaya

The meal started with Assorted Sashimi -Amberjack, Hotate (scallop), Akami (bluefin tuna), Tai (Japanese sea bream) and Salmon ($48). It is nicely presented in Japanese sashimi-style plating. Each of the sashimi is thickly sliced, placed on the bed of crushed ice and complete with refreshing greens. Although the presentation looks good, the sashimi did not match the beautiful plating as we find the taste a bit ordinary.

Assorted Sashimi

For the sashimi, I would recommend that you go for their premium cuts, Salmon Belly ($14), Otoro (premium bluefin tuna belly. $48) and Shima Aji (striped jack). Each of the cuts looks fresh and lively. The shima aji and salmon belly are fatty and chewy; while the otoro just slowly melts in your mouth.

Otoro, Shinma Aji & Salmon Belly

We tried Ei Hire (dried stingray fin, $12) and Gobo Stick Karaage (deep-fried burdock stick, $6) from the Appetiser. The dried stingray is sweet and chewy, serve with mayonnaise dip. It is a good snack to accompany your drinks.

Ei Hire

This is the first time I tried Gobo (burdock) stick karaage. It has a crispy exterior, followed by a juicy and moist interior. It is surprisingly tasty, like eating sweet potato fries.

Gabo Stick Karaage

Buta Kakuni (stewed pork belly, $12). The presentation is slightly different compared to other izakayas. Usually, the pork belly is served in cube form (like dong po pork), meanwhile, the version at Shinya is sliced like our Chinese braised pork belly style. The pork belly is soft and fork tender. The braising sauce penetrated well into the meat, making it an enjoyable dish.

Buta Kakuni

Chicken Teriyaki ($12). Another unique Shinya style. The outer part of the chicken is well caramelised with teriyaki sauce, giving it a uniquely crisp texture and intense teriyaki flavour. I suggest you eat it with cucumber, tomato and salad.

Chicken Teriyaki

Saikoro Steak (pan-fried diced premium beef, $25). The beef is juicy and tender, complete with the unique Meltique beef umami flavour. I find the beef is a bit overcooked and the mushrooms are over-seasoned.

Saikoro Steak

Kushiyaki / Skewers: Tebasaki (Chicken Mid Wings, $3), Enoki Bacon (Pork Belly Enoki, $$3), Tsukune (Chicken Meat Balls, $2.50), Shiitake ($2), Shishito (Japanese Green Pepper, $$2.50).

Kushiyaki

When it comes to Japanese izakaya or teriyaki, the benchmark is usually their chicken balls. At Shinya, the chicken ball is sweet, juicy and with a touch of charred on the exterior. Nicely done. The pork belly is crisp, while the enoki is juicy as it absorbs the fats from the pork belly nicely.

Tsukune

Tendon (Crispy Prawn with vegetables on Rice, $15). When it was served to our table, it did not give us a WOW feeling. The bowl is too big for the serving, making all the ingredients seems to be small. Meanwhile, the tempura feels a bit oily, likely because it was fried not the required temperature. Need to re-look at the plating and execution of this dish.

Tendon

Kama Shioyaki (grilled yellowtail collar, $20). The skin is crispy and the flesh is moist and juicy. The yellowtail collar is well seasoned, we just need to drizzle the lemon zest to bring out the flavour. A must-try dish at Shinya.

Kama Shioyaki

While I do not drink, LD and the rest have Hokkaido Kanjyuku (Junmai Daiginjo) aged sake ($118 per bottle) to accompany the meal.

Hokkaido Kanjyuku (Junmai Daiginjo)

Premium Sake Menu

Sake Menu 1

Sake Menu 2

When we visited Shinya, the restaurant was only open for 1 week. LD and I find it familiar when we first enter the restaurant. We then realise that Shinya Izakaya took over from a yakiniku restaurant, as you can see from the round cover in the middle of the table. The furniture is well-seasoned and hopefully, it will be rejuvenated as it goes.

Food Menu

Overall, Shinya Izakaya will offer something different from the restaurant line-up on Boat Quay. We like their Premium Sashimi, Kama Shioyaki, Kushiyaki and Buta Kakuni. There is still some slight teething issue that needs to be resolved as the restaurant is still in its infancy. Do check them out when you are around the Boat Quay area. Kanpai! Cheers!