EAT & TELL: JAPAN-ice >> Ichiban Sushi, Ishi Mura & Ichi Tei

In general, A and I have always loved japanese food since Uni days back in Elbi Square to SM food courts in Manila and until now in Singapore whether it be in a hawker's stall, a stand alone shop house restaurant or in a themed food street like Tokyo Walker in Plaza Singapura and Shokutso 10 Osaka in Jurong Point. We go all the way to such locations and frequent them with 'oishi' food and satisfied tummies in mind. Somehow, it feels a little less guilty spending on udon, sushi or sashimi only because we think they're healthier than all other dishes, relatively as yummy, that we can think of. Aside from this, Japanese pasta and pizza (check them out here 1 2 3 4) are among my personal favorites. We also paid a visit a few months ago to Sushi Tei - Takashimaya, a famous sushi resto chain and once to Tanoshi Teppanyaki bar. (note: some links are mixed albums of various photos but it's just there)

In less than a month, we're flying to the land of the rising sun and the origin of this entry's cuisine, JAPAN. Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara and Osaka are some of the cities we anticipate to SEE... and TASTE. Indeed, the main reason we pushed through with this trip is because of the local culinary tradition we're looking forward to experience. It is a fact that anywhere else in the world, store owners put so much effort in their walls, ceilings, utensils, etc. just for that "Japanese feel". Who doesn't want to witness first hand the folklores we grew up watching in dubbed cartoons and tokusatsu shows every afternoon? Also, I am excited as I am amazed by the consistent turnout of stories from friends who have been there for holiday talking about how it is entirely a new world, people are the nicest, everywhere is safe and the food is fantastic though expensive but nothing as in not a single serving is below the mediocre line. Woah! That's a standard over there at GMT +9!

Early this year, we tried new places of interest for like minded foodies here in Singapore and none of them disappointed our japanese cravings. Scroll on for (1) some of our after work dining photos in a food court called Ishi Mura, (2) sushi, sashimi and sukiyaki dinner with a visiting friend in Ichiban Sushi and (3) our udon experience in a tiny 4m x 4m ground level corner stall in Sunshine Plaza, Ichi Tei.

Enjoy and be hungry,

ISHI MURA - City Square Mall, Serangoon Road