Kissajin is Les Amis Group’s latest J-concept - one that is convivial, fun and inspired by Japanese culture, festivals and the spirit of the ‘kissaten’.
Address:Â 1 Scotts Road, #01-11, Shaw Centre, Singapore 288208
Opening Hours: 12 noon to 3pm (last order at 2pm), 6pm – 10:30pm (last order at 9pm),
Les Amis Group is pleased to announce the launch of the latest addition to its stellar portfolio of restaurants, Kissajin at Shaw Centre.Â
Officially opened on 10 October 2022, Kissajin is located next to premium omakase sister establishment Jinhonten. It joins the ranks of Japanese brands in the esteemed restaurant group including the likes of Wagyu Jin, Jinjo, Tenjin and Sushi Jin.
A Contemporary Omakase Experience
A nod to the ‘kissaten’; traditional tea and coffee houses that are a distinct and inimitable part of Japanese culture, Kissajin embraces a similar endeavouring ‘genki’ or spirit – one that bridges and preserves past and present, modern and tradition – this is reflected in the menu brimming with familiar flavours showcased in refreshing and novel ways.
Also drawing inspiration from the rich Japanese culture and festivals, Kissajin is where soul-satisfying vibes and revelry is part of the dining experience.
Together, these complementary elements make Kissajin a trendsetting and creative omakase concept that is truly one of a kind.
The Omakase Menu
Headed by Chef Ryo Yamaguchi alongside Executive Chef Makoto Saito, Kissajin proffers an experiential menu comprising a series of beautifully-presented courses – many of which are a riff on Japanese comfort foods that evoke a sense of nostalgia and carefree fun.
There is one specially-curated omakase menu each for lunch and dinner ($68++ for seven-course lunch and $98++ for eight-course dinner) and the menu is refreshed quarterly to highlight prime seasonal produce.
Here are some examples of dishes that diners can expect at Kissajin:
Appetiser
To start, five vibrant petite Appetisers that pique the palate are recommended to be savoured from the lightest to heaviest in flavour.
Tuck into a delicate seaweed Konjac brushed with a tangy miso mustard sauce, Tazuna Sushi of finely-pounded vinegared tamago roll crowned with seasonal fish, a tender and briny Smoked Scallop full of umami, followed by a crisp nugget of charcoal-battered Karage, and an exquisite persimmon-shaped and red bean-filled Mochi – a surprising sweet note
Sando
A ‘kissaten’ staple that is still trending today, the Japanese Sando here comprises a duo of crumbed and deep-fried tamago and pork katsu sandwiched between toasted bread slicked with wasabi mayo.
Sashimi (only available for Dinner)
Only available on the dinner menu, a course of three exceptional types of Sashimi is the epitome of unadulterated flavours of the season’s most pristine catch.
Seasonal Special
Depending on the time of year, the simple pleasure of Chawanmushi or silky steamed egg custard may be studded with mushrooms such as shiitake, enoki and eringi.
Grilled Dish
A grilled dish signifies the halfway point of the meal.
For lunch, a generous slab of Salmon Fillet is expertly grilled with a caramelised char around the edges.
Come dinner time, a buttery-fleshed Kagoshima Wagyu is impeccably paired with condiments such as yakiniku sauce and kimchi which enhance the flavour of the prized meat.
Fried Dish
Diners can expect items, such as Fried Prawn served with shredded cabbage in a sesame dressing and nanban sauce for dipping; or a Prawn Tempura with yam, battered king crab and Japanese fish cake complemented by a luscious gravy that cloaks the ingredients perfectly.
Rice or Noodle Dish
The final savoury course is either a satisfying Rice or Noodle dish. Mouth-watering iterations include an indulgent homemade Japanese Curry served with succulent slices of Kagoshima Wagyu, or Inaniwa Udon – thin udon noodles steeped in a piping hot broth that boasts tangy notes and a hint of spice from shichimi togarashi – thin wagyu beef slices are also gently poached in this robust broth.
Dessert
Photo Credits:Â Les Amis Group
For a befitting sweet finale, the revered traditional chilled dessert of anmitsu takes centre stage. Currently, Chef Ryo’s rendition is a delightful Cream Anmitsu with dainty cubes of jelly, sweet azuki bean paste, a variety of seasonal fruits and rich cream laced with brown sugar syrup.
Handcrafted Japanese Beverages
A mainstay on the menus of ‘kissatens’, vibrant-hued Cream Sodas are a taste of nostalgia. At Kissajin, diners can choose from Melon, Banana and Strawberry, and each is served in a tall glass with a scoop of ice cream.
Flavoured Sodas, sans ice-cream, is also available.
An inventive line-up of tipples spanning Japanese beer-based cocktails to sake mojitos, as well as a fine list of sake are also available.
The Interior
The space at Kissajin is characterised by a layered palette of browns and greys with a touch of shimmering gold on the curved wall etched with swirls reminiscent of a zen garden. In addition, the atmospheric interior is framed by traditional wall panels with rice paper-acrylic frames, providing a sophisticated aesthetic as diffused rays of light pass through.
Address & Opening Hours
Kassajin is located at 1 Scotts Road, #01-11, Shaw Centre, Singapore 288208 and is open for lunch and dinner at the following times daily.
- 12 noon to 3pm (last order at 2pm),
- 6pm – 10:30pm (last order at 9pm)
