The Place Opened since 2017, my last visit to Kyuu by Shunsui was many years back and the concept and menu has since evolved. The sister restaurant of Kappo Shunsui and Sushi Kyuu is now helmed by a new Japanese chef, Chef Keiji Kudo, and the focus is now on a varied style of omakase where you can expect sushi, sashimi, cooked dishes and their signature rice with ikura. Previously, the menu focused more on grilled items in their omakase menu.

In terms of the space, it has not changed much where the best seats for me are the counter seats if you are dining as a couple or small groups. Otherwise, there are also regular tables for groups of four or six.    

The Food There are two omakase menus to choose from where the restaurant only opens for dinner – Kyuu Omakase Course at S$129++ which comprises 19 courses of a variety of sushi as well as sashimi, cooked dishes, rice dishes and desserts; or the Kyuu Upgraded Omakase Course at S$179++ for 20 courses, which includes more premium choices including a Uni and Negitoro Hot Dog (Hand Roll) for this season. The menus change with the season’s offerings, using ingredients flown in from Japan. 

I had the Kyuu Upgrade Omakase Course (S$179++) and here is what to expect: 

Appetiser 
The meal started with 6 kinds of assorted appetizers which include the likes of Scallop with snow crab ponzu sauce; Corn mousse with white wine jelly; Truffle chawanmushi with fish paste; Edamame; Deep fried octopus karaage; and Surf clam with mustard and vinegar sauce. 

Sashimi 
Next up is an Assorted 5 kinds of sashimi here I had a mix of Shrimp, Red snapper, Salmon, Akami and Cured Saba fish. A very fresh mix of sashimi where the Saba is most flavourful given that it is slightly torched. I also enjoyed the Akami (lean tuna) which is really delicious. 

Cooked Dish 
The next part of the meal is a series of cooked dishes where I first had the Pike Conger Tempura and Kyoto nasu with sour plum sauce.  

The Abalone next is deep-fried with rice cracker and summer vegetables, then topped with vinegar jelly and sea urchin, along with seasonal fruits.  

My favourite of the cooked dish series is definitely the Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef Shabu Shabu with soy milk. Each diner gets a mini hot pot with a few slices of the Kagoshima beef, where the soy milk broth is delicious.  

Sushi 
One aspect of the omakase here at Kyuu by Shunsui is that it offers a good variety of Japanese cuisine instead of just being a sushi focused or a pure kaiseki-style omakase. Sushi lovers will rejoice in this part of the meal with a series of nigiris.  

Hirame (Flounder) 
This is topped with aburi flounder fin for extra umami flavour.   

Hamachi (Amberjack) 

Salmon 

Kinmedai (Golden eye red snapper)  
Bits of yuzu peel is brushed on the kinmedai.  

Honmaguro Chutoro (Bluefin tuna belly) 

Unagi Burger (Grilled eel hand roll) 

Uni and Negitoro Hand Roll 
One of the highlights of the meal is the Uni handroll which showcases luscious Bafun Uni.  

Hokkaido Nanatsuboshi Rice with Overflowing Salmon Roe 
Japanese rice with unlimited ikura? This is one of the highlights at Kyuu by Shunsui where the chef would chant loudly and would only stop pouring the ikura when you say so. You also have the option of choosing the bowl for your rice portion.   

Miso Soup with Fresh Nori Seaweed 
A bowl of miso soup is served with the ikura rice.

Dessert 
A simple homemade ice cream with rice puff concludes the omakase meal.  

Rants The space could come across as too casual for an omakase meal, which is fine so long as you know what you are in for.  

Will I Return Again? I was looking through my 2017 review and the price for the entry level omakase has not changed since (S$129++), which is quite unbelievable considering how much food prices have increased in the past few years. This is still one of the better value Japanese omakases in Singapore in a casual setting.  

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

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 3.5/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Overall Experience: 4/5
 
Kyuu by Shunsui 
29 Keong Saik Road 
Singapore 089136 
Tel: +65 8669 7068 

Opening Hours 
Tuesday to Sunday: 5pm to 11pm  
Closed on Monday  

Ranted by The Ranter