Wine and Dine

5 omakase restaurants in Singapore

When you say omakase, or "it's up to you", in a Japanese restaurant, you are, in essence, entrusting the entire dinner experience to the chef.

The chef then deftly crafts a series of courses -- usually comprising sushi, sashimi, grilled and/or simmered dishes -- using the freshest Japanese ingredients he has in store.

But while Japanese-sourced ingredients were prized in the past, many Singaporeans have shied from these in the wake of recent events.

With strict checks in place on imports from the disaster-hit Tohoku region, Japanese restaurants were left scrambling to source ingredients from alternative venues, both in and outside Japan.

Some restaurants, like Tatsuya, are trekking further afield to Chiba, Fukuoka and Hokkaido for their seafood supplies. Others, like Waku Ghin, have pulled all the stops on Japanese imports.

Now, with confidence in Japanese restaurants restored, we sniff out the best venues to experience chef-driven omakase.

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Waku Ghin
Source of ingredients: None of Waku Ghin's ingredients are sourced from Japan currently.
Price: S$400.
2/F-03, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave.; +65 6688 8501, www.wakughin.com

Tatsuya
Sources of ingredients: Mainly Japan, outside the Kanto region.
Price: S$190.
22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel; +65 6887 4598

Shinji by Kanesaka
Source of ingredients: Japan only, outside Kanto region.
Price: S$300.
#02-20 Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Road; +65 6338 6131, www.shinjibykanesaka.com

Kuriya Penthouse
Source of ingredients: Predominantly Japanese with a sprinkle of ingredients sourced from alternative venues such as ocean trout from Australia and baby abalone from Korea.
Price: S$150.
8/F Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road; +65 6509 4222, www.kuriyapenthouse.com.sg

Meii Sushi
Source of ingredients: Ah Hong is not telling.
Price: S$100.
#01-108, Block 7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Craig Road; +65 6220 3466