The Place Opened since November 2021 in Dempsey, I checked out Sushi Sato recently, a Japanese omakase restaurant helmed by its namesake Master Chef Yuji Sato, previously from Hashida Singapore. Sushi Sato is located right beside Min Jiang at Dempsey and the entrance is hidden in a “back alley”. It is a zen world the moment I stepped into the space, which has a private room which seats up to six guests, and the main counter seats for up to nine persons.  

The main counter area has a small window which looks out to the greenery, with the centrepiece counter made from 200-year-old hinoki wood from Japan.  

The Food There is only omakase menus at Sushi Sato for lunch and dinner, with lunch sets from S$220 and dinner from S$380. This summer, Chef Sato has also entrusted his right-handman, Head Sushi Chef Kawana Yusuke, to helm a newly conceptualised lunch experience starting in June this month for just four months. It is a relatively good value meal priced at S$150 for 7 courses of sushi and assorted dishes, and is served exclusively in the private room. 

I visited for dinner and had the S$380 menu. Expect some of the courses to intertwine, as chef might choose to punctuate the sushi course with small dishes such as grilled fish or sashimi in between. 

Here is what to expect from this menu: 

Seasonal Chawanmushi 
My meal started with this silky and delicious chawanmushi which comes with bits of snow crab and Hokkaido scallop.  

Seasonal Starter 
Next up was the Hassun course which is an assortment of various ingredients. My favourite of the lot is the crisp Conger Eel Tempura. Other small dishes to expect here include the likes of  Natsu and shishito pepper marinated in soy sauce; Seaweed marinated in vinegar; Yuba (fresh beancurd skin) with dashi jelly and ikura; Edamame beans and quail egg; and a chilled dashi marinated summer vegetable.  

Seasonal Sashimi 
I first had three thinly slices of fresh Halibut; before the second part of the sashimi course where I had the delicious smoked Tuna with onion, chives, Hokkaido asparagus and tomato.   

Grilled Fish 
One of my favourite courses of the meal is this Simmered Nodoguro (Boackthroat Seaperch) with burdock root and daikon. The fatty and flavourful Nodoguro simply melts in the mouth along with that delicious black sauce. The soft daikon soaks up the sauce well too. 

The Nigiri courses are up next, and the shari used here is a mix of three distinct Japanese red vinegars combined with specially selected Tsuyahime rice from the Yamagata Prefecture. In general, the shari spots a slightly sticky texture with a firm bite.  

Tai (Sea Bream) 
A light start to the Omakase is this fresh sea bream.  

Isaki (Grunt) 
Beautiful red hue of the grunt fish which spots a very flavourful profile. 

Tuna 
Marinated in chef’s special soy sauce, there is a tinge of refreshing citrusy notes to the sauce.

Botan Ebi 
I love the fresh and clean flavour of the ebi here. 

Japanese Trout 
This trout boosts a fatty flavour which I really like.  

Shima Aji (Striped Jack) 

Aji (Horse Mackerel) 

Hokkigai (Surf Clams) 

Hokkaido Octopus  
The thinly sliced octopus is accompanied by dashi and seaweed. 

Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper) 
Slightly torched over charcoal, the Kinmedai spots a slightly smoky flavour along with a sprinkle of lime. 

Otoro (Fatty tuna) 
The most umami-rich course here is definitely the Otoro for me.   

Rice Bowl 
This mini bowl is a combination of fresh Hokkaido Uni and Ikura. 

Tamagoyaki 
Served by the side along with the rice bowl is a custard-like egg roll.   

Hand Roll 
The seaweed is slightly toasted to give it that crisp texture, before it is filled with Negitoro (chopped tuna). 

Soup 
A naturally sweet and comforting soup with fresh clam.  

Dessert 
The last act of the omakase is an assortment of Miyazaki mango, Shizuoka melon, and the delicious homemade Warabi Mochi.  

Rants  The air-conditioned in the private room was down during my visit unfortunately, though there was a temporary ventilation system in place. Mobile connection is also quite weak, which you can ask the staff for the wifi password if you need a strong connection.

Will I Return Again? Expect a good traditional omakase meal at Sushi Sato, where the Dempsey location makes it a little special as well to distract myself that I am in Singapore. Service is polished and the chefs make it a point to interact with diners which I feel is essential for a Japanese omakase meal. Save this space for a special occasion or an attempt to bring Japan to you.  

This was an invited tasting, though all opinions expressed are our own.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 4.5/5
Ambience: 4/5
Overall Experience: 4/5

Sushi Sato 
6B Dempsey Road 
Singapore 247662 
Tel: +65 8380 3830 

Opening Hours 
Tuesday to Sunday: 12pm to 3pm; 6:30pm to 10:30pm 
Closed on Monday 
 
Ranted by The Ranter