The Place Opened since last December, I was keen to check out Ushio, a Japanese Sumiyaki & Sake Bar restaurant in OUE Tower. The brand is part of TungLok Group, located on level 8 of the iconic tower, boasting a splendid view of Marina Bay. There is almost an equal seating capacity of indoor and outdoor seats, and I opted for indoor which also give me a pretty good view of the city. 

The interior of the restaurant features modern Ukiyo-e art paintings, dark wood panels wall on one side, while the other side is a full glass panel with the city view. 

 
The Food The dishes here focus on Japanese-style charcoal grilled dishes, sharing plates and smoky donburi. There is also an extensive range of sakes from major prefectures in Japan. I started with the Ox Tendon & Foie Gras Oden (S$19), a combination along with Japanese pumpkin, daikon and shirataki noodles. You get a chunky pan-seared foie gras and flavourful slow-braised tendon. 

The Zucchini Blossom Tempura (S$20) is an interesting dish. The zucchini is stuffed with crab and scallop, and served with natural honeycomb and shiro ponzu sauce. It was my first time having tempura with honey, though I still prefer it with the ponzu sauce. I also like that the batter of the tempura is light, and very crisp. 

I must have been on a beefy mode, and went for a series of beef dishes next. The Koji Beef Flatbread (S$25) is the restaurant’s take on open pizza/sandwich. The Koji-cured US beef has burrata mozzarella and aged soy vinaigrette, atop the buckwheat flatbread. It comes with 4 slices, good to share. 

I love gyu sando, so the Koji Karubi Sando (S$20) is a must have for me. You get charcoal-grilled Koji-cured US beef sandwiched between mini miso honey toast. Not too bad in terms of value. 

Don’t leave without trying the donburi and my top pick is the Truffle Karubi Sumiyaki Donburi (S$28). I am pleased with the generous portions of the charcoal-grilled truffle soy-glazed US Angus beef, topped with onsen egg with takikomi gohan.

Tender, flavourful beef slices, and that rice is also flavourful and a delight to have. 

Rants It’s a pity that Ushio is not opened for lunch at the moment, which should be a draw for causal business lunches and the CBD folks. 
 
Will I Return Again? For the view and prime CBD waterfront location, the prices of the dishes at Ushio are fairly reasonable if you are up for a causal Japanese meal. The flavours of the dishes are generally on the heavier side, which are to my liking. 

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 3.5/5
Ambience: 4/5
Overall Experience: 4/5

Ushio 
OUE Tower, Level 8, 60 Collyer Quay 
Singapore 049322 
Tel: +65 9105 3488 
 
Opening Hours 
Monday to Saturday: 5.00pm to 10.30pm 
(Last Order: 9.30pm) 
Closed on Sundays 
 
Ranted by The Ranter