Fukusen Restaurant & Fukusen Izakaya

Fukusen Restaurant & Fukusen Izakaya
~~33 Jalan Sultan~~

117A Killiney Road

51 Jalan Sultan

https://fukusen.sg/

Fukusen Omakase Chirashi Donburi

Exquisite Japanese Dishes

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 8
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $100 per person.

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Originally established in June 2015 by the FKS Group, Fukusen Restaurant moved into their latest premises located in the Killiney area in October 2021, while their sister concept Fukusen Izakaya (which opened in December 2019) remains in the Kampong Glam area of Singapore. Authentically Japanese with fresh produce flown in twice weekly, and with skilled Japanese chefs at the helm, Fukusen Restaurant & Fukusen Izakaya is an excellent dining destination of choice, frequented by many Japanese and Singaporean patrons alike. The distinction lies in what they specialise in, with Fukusen Izakaya focusing on rotisserie and grilled dishes, and Fukusen Restaurant focusing on fresh sashimi and sushi dishes.

Ambience at Fukusen Restaurant is cozy and tranquil. The warmly lit place is neatly lined with simple but comfortable wooden furnishings, exuding a quiet and inviting feel. The open counter allows you to watch chef at work, expertly filleting slices of fresh sashimi or sushi. For even more privacy, there's an enclosed private dining area. There's minimal decor here, just small touches to reflect the culture. Generally, this is a quiet place for a fantastic meal with drinks.

Service at Fukusen Restaurant is polite and attentive. Staff accord each guest personalised attention, and demonstrate good product knowledge on the menu, even for dishes on the special rotating menu. Dishes are made to order, which means a short waiting time. Staff proactively offer to clear finished plates throughout the meal, and clean up tables quickly when diners leave. If you're seated at the counter, Chef personally serves and introduces the sashimi or sushi plate prepared.

Food at Fukusen Restaurant is Japanese cuisine, with a focus on fresh sashimi and sushi; while Fukusen Izakaya focuses on rotisserie and grilled dishes. Fresh premium ingredients are sourced and air-flown in twice weekly, and in the hands of the skilled kitchen team, each dish is consistently well executed, designed to highlight the fresh natural taste of the ingredients. Portions are sized for individuals, but may be shared. Prices are slightly higher due to the good quality, budget about SGD $100 per person.

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Fukusen Restaurant Signage

Fukusen Restaurant Space

Decor Water Feature

Decor Poster Beer Girl

Sushi Tray & Knives

Display Of Sake

Seating

Seating

Window Reflection Chef

The Beer Asahi Super Dry Black (SGD $9) is a Japanese dunkel lager. It has a chocolate brown colour, aromas of malt, molasses, and smoke, with a medium, smooth, crisp body that has strong carbonation. Taste is of roast coffee beans, nuts, and caramel, sweet and nutty with a tinge of smoky. Finish is quick, clean, and dry. With little bitterness, this is a very drinkable brew.

Beer Asahi Super Dry Black (SGD $9)

The Sake Fukusen Special Junmai (SGD $46) is the house special sake. I got it served chilled, and it was good, boozy grainy sweet in flavour with a refreshing touch.

Sake Fukusen Special Junmai (SGD $46)

Sake Fukusen Special Junmai

The Sake Jozen Mizuno Gotoshi Junmai Ginjo (SGD $44) has a name which broadly translates to "the best things are like water", and is a 60% polished rice sake brewed by the Shirataki Shuzo winery in Yuzawa, Niigata prefecture, Chūbu region, Japan. Best served chilled, this clear transparent sake / rice wine has aromas and tastes of spring water, white nectarine, tarragon, river stone, and honeysuckle flowers. The body is crisp, dry, smooth, and delicate, with refreshing boozy grainy floral sweet flavour. Lovely clean-tasting and fresh on the palate, a very versatile sake / rice wine for pairing with seafood, poultry, and salads.

Sake Jozen Mizuno Gotoshi Junmai Ginjo (SGD $44)

Sake Jozen Mizuno Gotoshi Junmai Ginjo

While there's several versions on the menu, I opted for the original Chawanmushi (SGD $5.80) on my 1st visit. The warm wobbly soft egg custard is fragrant with eggy sweet notes, and the garnishings of boneless chicken chunk, coriander, shiitake mushroom, and gingko nut, are nicely tender with sweet savoury meaty vegetal herbal earthy nutty flavour. Good!

Chawanmushi (SGD $5.80)

Chawanmushi

The Tori Karaage (SGD $10.80) has deep-fried boneless chicken chunks, tender and moist with decent salty savoury sweet flavour. I didn't quite enjoy it as much as other versions from elsewhere though.

Tori Karaage (SGD $10.80)

Tori Karaage

I like the Kawa Ebi (SGD $9.80) here, with the crisp crunchy deep-fried shrimp bursting with salty sweet savoury shrimpy flavour. Portion is generous, and the shell-on shrimp can be eaten whole. A great drinking snack to pair with, will order again. Good!

Kawa Ebi (SGD $9.80)

Kawa Ebi

The Eihire Yaki (SGD $12.80) or grilled stingray fin is pretty good, with a soft firm chew that releases a beautiful smoky savoury sweet flavour. Pairs well with the creamy mayonnaise, which lends a milky sweet note. Good!

Eihire Yaki (SGD $12.80)

Eihire Yaki

Eihire Yaki

Didn't quite like the Fugu Mirin (SGD $17.80) here, as it was soft and sticky in texture, with a pronounced sweet savoury flavour. I would have liked it more firm crunchy in texture, and perhaps less sweet too. Could be improved.

Fugu Mirin (SGD $17.80)

Fugu Mirin

Wasn't too taken with the Tsubugai Wasabi (SGD $9.80), though it's well executed. The top shell is satisfyingly chewy, and together with the lettuce stems and wasabi, has a sweet savoury earthy spicy flavour with a decent kick. Served with thick crisp seaweed sheets with mild vegetal earthy salty, which you can wrap it in. The dish doesn't appeal to me personally, but that said, it's tasty and a decent appetizer. Worth ordering!

Tsubugai Wasabi (SGD $9.80)

Tsubugai Wasabi

The sushi and sashimi are the highlights here, with fresh ingredients imported and air-flown in twice weekly. Hand made only upon order by Chef, each morsel is a delightful treat.

Premium Sushi, Hand Made

Premium Sushi, Hand Made

Premium Sushi, Hand Made

Premium Sushi, Hand Made

Premium Sushi, Hand Made

The Sushi Shake Harasu (SGD $12.80 for 2 pieces) or Salmon Fish Belly Sushi features a base of sticky soft vinegared sushi white rice with grainy sweet sour flavour, topped with an expertly filleted thick slice of fresh salmon fish belly, that is tender and holds beautiful sweet savoury fatty flavour. Succulent and satisfying. Highly recommended!

Sushi Shake Harasu (SGD $12.80 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Shake Harasu

Sushi Shake Harasu

The Sushi Maguro Chutoro (SGD $18.80 for 2 pieces) or Tuna Fish Belly Sushi features a base of sticky soft vinegared sushi white rice with grainy sweet sour flavour, topped with an expertly filleted thick slice of fresh tuna fish belly (medium fatty), that is tender and holds beautiful savoury sweet fatty flavour. Luxurious and lovely. Highly recommended!

Sushi Maguro Chutoro (SGD $18.80 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Maguro Chutoro

Sushi Maguro Chutoro

The Sushi Unagi (SGD $9.80 for 2 pieces) or Grilled Eel Sushi features a base of sticky soft vinegared sushi white rice with grainy sweet sour flavour, topped with an expertly filleted thick slice of torched teriyaki marinated eel, that is soft and holds robust smoky savoury salty sweet flavour. Wholesome and warm. Highly recommended!

Sushi Unagi (SGD $9.80 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Unagi

Sushi Unagi

The Sushi Hotate (SGD $14.80 for 2 pieces) or Scallop Sushi features a base of sticky soft vinegared sushi white rice with grainy sweet sour flavour, topped with an expertly butterflied thick slice of fresh whole scallop, that is bouncy and holds delicate sweet clean flavour. Garnished with crisp black lentils that lends a contrating crunch to texture, and a mild grainy sweet flavour. Novel and nice. Highly recommended!

Sushi Hotate (SGD $14.80 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Hotate

The Sushi Tamago Yaki (SGD $4.80) or Rolled Egg Sushi features a base of sticky soft vinegared sushi white rice with grainy sweet sour flavour, topped with a thick slice of rolled egg omelette, that is soft and holds delicate eggy sweet flavour. Held in place by a thin crisp seaweed sheet, which lends a mild vegetal earthy salty flavour. Simple and straightforward. Good!

Sushi Tamago Yaki (SGD $4.80)

Sushi Tamago Yaki

The Sushi Uni (SGD $28.80 for 2 pieces) or Sea Urchin Sushi features a base of sticky soft vinegared sushi white rice with grainy sweet sour flavour, topped with dollops of luxurious bafun uni / horse **** sea urchin, that is creamy and holds robust briny salty sweet flavour. Wrapped in a thick crisp seaweed sheet, which lends a mild vegetal earthy salty flavour. Sophisticated and sensual. Highly recommended!

Sushi Uni (SGD $28.80 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Uni

Loved the Fukusen Omakase Chirashi Donburi Set (SGD $49.80), with its generous portion of fresh premium seafood. The base has sticky soft vinegared sushi white rice with grainy sweet sour flavour, accompanied by fresh crunchy sliced cucumber with vegetal sweet flavour, soft rolled egg omelette with delicate eggy sweet flavour, and juicy pickled ginger with bright herbal sweet sour spice flavour.

The fresh premium seafood is decided by Chef, on this occasion, I received succulent otoro / fatty tuna fish belly with meaty savoury fatty flavour, firm kanpachi / greater amberjack fish with mild sweet bitter savoury flavour, and juicy ikura / salmon fish roe with briny salty sweet flavour. Also crunchy botan ebi / jumbo sweet shrimp with sweet savoury flavour, creamy bafun uni / horse **** sea urchin with briny salty sweet flavour, and tender shime saba / vinegared mackerel fish with sweet sour savoury flavour. Garnished with thin crisp seaweed flakes and a shiso leaf. Mixed it all together, and enjoyed savouring every bite of this.

Served with a cloudy miso soup on the side, filled with cubes of soft tofu bean curd, sheets of crunchy kombu seaweed, and a tender boneless chicken chunk, all picking up the robust earthy savoury salty flavours of the miso soup. Highly recommended!