The Place Located in the buzzing Keong Saik Road, Sensu is a new contemporary Japanese restaurant which took over the space of what used to be Kagayaki by Ishigaki Yoshida. The interior has not changed much from its predecessor, so you can still expect a zen entrance followed by the main dining area around the open concept kitchen counter, and a cosy private room. 

The name of the restaurant is inspired by the Japanese sensu or “folding fan”, where the menu at Sensu draws inspiration the fan as the dishes unfold with the combination of Japanese ingredients and the essence of European cuisine. 

Sensu is helmed by Chef Shang Jhi, with over a decade of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens like Joel Robuchon, Les Amis, JAAN, and La Dame de Pic. 

The Food The menu is a mix of tasting menus and ala carte dishes, which is great since it caters to a wider audience. Signature dishes from their ala carte menu include the likes of Black Truffle Chicken Wings, Sakura Ebi Fritter and Uni & Sakura Ebi Capellini. 

I had the ala carte menu and my meal started with the Japanese Sweet Corn Soup (S$18) topped with crouton, and it comes with a Caviar Tartlet as well.  

The Uni & Sakura Ebi Capellini (S$32) is a refreshing dish with the fresh flavour of the Uni, crisp texture of the Sakura Ebi and a tinge of zest with some Lemon Confit. 

The Black Truffle Chicken Wings (S$18/2 pieces) is easy to appreciate and the best part is that it is boneless, as the chicken is stuffed with sticky rice along with Summer Black Truffle. 

Another great snack to munch on is the Sakura Ebi Fritter (S$15), which spots a thin and crisp texture. I love the garlic aioli sauce which goes well with the Sakura Ebi fritters. 

For meats, try the Iberico Pork Jowl (S$38) where tender and thin slices of pork jowl goes with crisp fried Shisito Pepper. 

Our favourite dish here is easily the Seafood Paella (S$58 for 2 pax). I usually find paella too heavy after a few bites, but I managed to polish this off. Japanese rice is used instead for this seafood paella with chorizo and cherry tomatoes, where the crisp texture of the rice is perfect, and light in flavour such that it is not at all cloying. The icing on the cake are the fresh Carabinero Prawns and Crispy Baby Squid. 

To end off my meal, I had the refreshing Myriad of Citrus (S$12), a sour mix of Lime Granita, Lemon, Orange and Grapefruit. 

Rants It is easy to dismiss Sensu as another fusion concept in the market, which blurs the positioning of the restaurant as a Japanese or European cuisine. That said, it is good that the team does explain at the start what the concept is all about, which helps diners to appreciate the menu and concept better.

Will I Return Again? Generally good flavours of the dishes I had at Sensu, where the dishes are easy to relate to and executed with finesse. It is not purely about Japanese cuisine, so if you like the European twist and take on dishes, Sensu is worth a try.

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

Sensu 
27 Keong Saik Road 
Singapore 089134 
Tel: +65 9017 7631 

Opening Hours 
Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm to 2.30pm; 6pm to 10.30pm 
Closed on Monday & Sunday 

Ranted by The Ranter