Issho Izakaya

Issho Izakaya
1 Stadium Place
#01-13 Kallang Wave Mall

1 Kim Seng Promenade
#01-123 Great World

10 Eunos Road 8
#03-103 SingPost Centre

1 Fullerton Road
#01-05 One Fullerton

https://isshoizakaya.com.sg/

Skewers Flat Lay

The Joy Of Japanese Dining?

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 6
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 4
Service: 9
Value for Money: 5
Spent about SGD $70 per person.

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Since its launch in July 2014, Issho Izakaya has boasted an extensive menu of over 100 Japanese dishes, all decently executed with consistent restaurant quality. Operated under Neo Group Limited, Issho Izakaya has recently re-invigorated their brand after quietly operating all these years, and are now located in areas with more foot traffic and higher visibility.

Ambience at Issho Izakaya is modern casual. The warmly lit space boasts ample seating, with sturdy wooden tables flanked by comfortable cushioned booths or wide wooden chairs. Almost feels like a basic lounge, suitable for lingering meals and large groups. They also offer private rooms for dining, though these have a minimum spend.

Service at Issho Izakaya is courteous and efficient. Each table is equipped with a call bell to attract staff's attention, a good idea thanks to the large floor space. Requests are carried out efficiently, and when diners leave, cleaning up is completed quickly. Staff display decent product knowledge, commendable as the menu is extensive.

Food at Issho Izakaya is Japanese cuisine. Ingredients are average and quality of execution can sometimes be poor. They're known for carrying over 70 labels of liquour, great for drink pairing. Portions are sized for communal group dining or for individuals. Prices are relatively high, budget about SGD $70 per person.

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Issho Izakaya Exterior

Issho Izakaya Interior

Seating

The Beer Asahi Super Dry (SGD $9.50) is a Japanese pale lager, brewed by Asahi Breweries in Tokyo, within the Kanto region of Japan. This bright, clear golden yellow brew has a tame aroma of hops, grass, corn, and apples, with a smooth, refreshing, medium body and medium carbonation. Taste is floral bitter sweet, with notes of wheat, rice, malted barley, and lemon citrus, with a super dry, crisp finish. Very drinkable.

Beer Asahi Super Dry (SGD $9.50)

Beer Asahi Super Dry

The Beer Asahi Super Dry Black (SGD $10.50) is a Japanese dunkel lager, brewed by Asahi Breweries in Tokyo, within the Kanto region of Japan. 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 $10.50)

Beer Asahi Super Dry Black

The Sake Kiku Masamune Honjyozo (SGD $17.80 for 180ml) is brewed by the Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Co., Ltd., in Higashinada ward, Kobe city, Hyogo prefecture, Kansai region, Japan. Served warm, this has a dry refreshing mouthfeel, with balanced grainy earthy sweet flavours of spring water and white rice, and a powerful finish.

Sake Kiku Masamune Honjyozo (SGD $17.80 for 180ml)

Sake Kiku Masamune Honjyozo

The Sake Kiku Masamune Daiginjyo (SGD $21.80 for 180ml) is brewed by the Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Co., Ltd., in Higashinada ward, Kobe city, Hyogo prefecture, Kansai region, Japan. Served chilled, this has a dry refreshing mouthfeel, with light fruity sour sweet flavours of honeydew melon and green apple, and a gentle finish.

Sake Kiku Masamune Daiginjyo (SGD $21.80 for 180ml)

Sake Kiku Masamune Daiginjyo

Love the Uni Onsen Tamago / Sea Urchin & Soft-Boiled Egg (SGD $8.50), which features a wobbly runny onsen tamago / soft-boiled egg, juicy ikura / salmon fish roe, and a slab of succulent juicy bafun uni / horse **** sea urchin, in a rich dashi broth. Served in a cocktail glass with a garnish of parsley, this has lovely earthy eggy sweet savoury briny salty flavours, so delicious. Highly recommended!

Uni Onsen Tamago / Sea Urchin & Soft-Boiled Egg (SGD $8.50)

Uni Onsen Tamago / Sea Urchin & Soft-Boiled Egg

The Tako Wasa / Wasabi Marinated Octopus (SGD $6.80) has slippery crunchy chunks of raw tako / octopus, marinated in a wasabi gravy. The juicy tobiko / flying fish roe lends a satisfying contrasting crunch to texture. Carries bold vegetal spicy sweet salty briny flavour, sharp with a good kick. Good!

Tako Wasa / Wasabi Marinated Octopus (SGD $6.80)

Tako Wasa / Wasabi Marinated Octopus

The Kawa Ebi / Deep-Fried River Shrimp (SGD $10) is a decent bar snack, with light salted, whole shell-on river shrimp, deep-fried till crisp. Bite in and you get a light crunch, followed by salty sweet savoury shrimpy flavours. Good!

Kawa Ebi / Deep-Fried River Shrimp (SGD $10)

Kawa Ebi / Deep-Fried River Shrimp

The Tori Karaage / Deep-Fried Chicken (SGD $8.50) was pretty good, crisp crunchy tender juicy, with robust meaty salty savoury flavour. Nice with a sprinkle of lemon juice and creamy mayonnaise, lending a fruity sour milky taste to contrast. Worth ordering!

Tori Karaage / Deep-Fried Chicken (SGD $8.50)

Tori Karaage / Deep-Fried Chicken

I disliked the Chawanmushi / Steamed Egg Custard (SGD $6), it was so bland, that I had to add soy sauce just to make it sufficiently edible. Could be improved.

Chawanmushi / Steamed Egg Custard (SGD $6)

Chawanmushi / Steamed Egg Custard

The Sushi Takosu / Sushi Tacos is a modern hand-roll, featuring a crisp deep-fried tempura-battered nori / dried seaweed sheet with vegetal salty savoury notes, packed with a base of sticky vinegared sushi rice with grainy sour sweet flavour.

The Sushi Takosu Robusuta Sarada / Lobster Salad Sushi Taco (SGD $6.80) is topped with a creamy minced robusuta sarada / lobster salad and juicy tobiko / flying fish roe, which carries robust briny salty sweet crustacean flavour. Worth ordering!

The Sushi Takosu Unatama / Rolled Egg Omelette And Fresh Water Eel Sushi Taco (SGD $6.80) is topped with tender chunks of marinated and grilled unagi / fresh water eel with meaty salty sweet savoury flavour, and spongy soft chunks of tamago / rolled egg omelette with eggy sweet earthy flavour. Good!

Sushi Takosu / Sushi Tacos

Sushi Takosu Robusuta Sarada / Lobster Salad Sushi Taco (SGD $6.80)

Sushi Takosu Robusuta Sarada / Lobster Salad Sushi Taco

Sushi Takosu Unatama / Rolled Egg Omelette And Fresh Water Eel Sushi Taco (SGD $6.80)

Sushi Takosu Unatama / Rolled Egg Omelette And Fresh Water Eel Sushi Taco

Sushi Takosu / Sushi Tacos

The Kaki Okonomiyaki / Oyster Okonomiyaki (SGD $15.80) is beautifully done, with a pancake of crisp cabbage, fluffy egg, soft wheat flour batter, and juicy oysters, all packed and pan-fried till the exterior is crisp and the interior is juicy. Dressed with crisp nori / dried seaweed and wispy katsuobushi / bonito / fermented skipjack tuna fish flakes, each bite is a lovely burst of sweet eggy salty savoury vegetal fishy flavour. Garnish of crisp spring onions and chili accompany. Good!

Kaki Okonomiyaki / Oyster Okonomiyaki (SGD $15.80)

Kaki Okonomiyaki / Oyster Okonomiyaki

Kaki Okonomiyaki / Oyster Okonomiyaki

The Aburi Zushi / Flame-Grilled Sushi was terrible enough that it created a bad impression, and made me avoid them for a few months. The Aburi Shake Rosu Zushi / Flame-Grilled Salmon Fish Loin Sushi (SGD $3.30 per piece), Aburi Maguro Akami Zushi / Flame-Grilled Tuna Fish Loin Sushi (SGD $4.20 per piece), and Aburi Unagi Zushi / Flame-Grilled Fresh Water Eel Sushi (SGD $4.50 per piece), were all thick cut, but it was overly grilled till well-done, with a fiberous chew and a taste that wasn't fresh. Could be improved.

Aburi Zushi / Flame-Grilled Sushi

Aburi Shake Rosu Zushi / Flame-Grilled Salmon Fish Loin Sushi (SGD $3.30 per piece)

Aburi Shake Rosu Zushi / Flame-Grilled Salmon Fish Loin Sushi

Aburi Maguro Akami Zushi / Flame-Grilled Tuna Fish Loin Sushi (SGD $4.20 per piece)

Aburi Maguro Akami Zushi / Flame-Grilled Tuna Fish Loin Sushi

Aburi Unagi Zushi / Flame-Grilled Fresh Water Eel Sushi (SGD $4.50 per piece)

Aburi Unagi Zushi / Flame-Grilled Fresh Water Eel Sushi

The kushiyaki / skewers here are the saving grace - most, if not all, were pretty good, and I would be glad to order them again. Although there is a short waiting time of about 15 minutes or so, the skewers are well executed and delicious. Priced slightly higher though, so ordering a few of these will inflate the bill.

The Skewer Bekon Asuparagasu / Skewer Bacon Asparagus (SGD $4 per skewer) was tender crunchy, with vegetal meaty salty sweet flavour.

Skewer Bekon Asuparagasu / Skewer Bacon Asparagus (SGD $4 per skewer)

Skewer Bekon Asuparagasu / Skewer Bacon Asparagus

The Skewer Bekon Tomato / Skewer Bacon Tomato (SGD $4.50 per skewer) was tender juicy, bursting with vegetal meaty salty sweet sour flavour.

Skewer Bekon Tomato / Skewer Bacon Tomato (SGD $4.50 per skewer)

Skewer Bekon Tomato / Skewer Bacon Tomato

The Skewer Buta Bara / Skewer Pork Belly (SGD $4 per skewer) was succulent and tender juicy, with lovely meaty savoury salty flavour.

Skewer Buta Bara / Skewer Pork Belly (SGD $4 per skewer)

Skewer Buta Bara / Skewer Pork Belly

The Skewer Buta Enoki / Skewer Pork Belly Golden Mushroom (SGD $3.80 per skewer) was tender crunchy, with nice vegetal meaty earthy sweet salty savoury flavour.

Skewer Buta Enoki / Skewer Pork Belly Golden Mushroom (SGD $3.80 per skewer)

Skewer Buta Enoki / Skewer Pork Belly Golden Mushroom

The Skewer Buta Negi / Skewer Pork Belly Leek (SGD $3.80 per skewer) was tender crunchy juicy, bursting with vegetal meaty herbal sweet salty savoury flavour.

Skewer Buta Negi / Skewer Pork Belly Leek (SGD $3.80 per skewer)

Skewer Buta Negi / Skewer Pork Belly Leek

The Skewer Buta Uzura No Tamago / Skewer Pork Belly Quail Egg (SGD $4.50 per skewer) was tender bouncy soft, with meaty salty savoury sweet eggy flavour.

Skewer Buta Uzura No Tamago / Skewer Pork Belly Quail Egg (SGD $4.50 per skewer)

Skewer Buta Uzura No Tamago / Skewer Pork Belly Quail Egg

The Skewer Gyuniku Enoki / Skewer Beef Golden Mushroom (SGD $6.80 per skewer) was tender chewy crunchy, with meaty vegetal savoury sweet earthy salty flavour.

Skewer Gyuniku Enoki / Skewer Beef Golden Mushroom (SGD $6.80 per skewer)

Skewer Gyuniku Enoki / Skewer Beef Golden Mushroom

The Skewer Gyuniku Saroin / Skewer Beef Sirloin (SGD $7.50 per skewer) was a nice medium doneness, chewy tender juicy succulent with meaty salty savoury flavour.

Skewer Gyuniku Saroin / Skewer Beef Sirloin (SGD $7.50 per skewer)

Skewer Gyuniku Saroin / Skewer Beef Sirloin

The Skewer Hotate Buta / Skewer Scallop Pork Belly (SGD $7.50 per skewer) was tender springy juicy, small but carrying meaty salty sweet flavour.

Skewer Hotate Buta / Skewer Scallop Pork Belly (SGD $7.50 per skewer)

Skewer Hotate Buta / Skewer Scallop Pork Belly

The Skewer Hotate Yaki / Skewer Marinated Scallop (SGD $4 per skewer) was rather small, with a springy juicy sticky texture and light salty sweet savoury flavour.

Skewer Hotate Yaki / Skewer Marinated Scallop (SGD $4 per skewer)

Skewer Hotate Yaki / Skewer Marinated Scallop

The Skewer Kohitsuji / Skewer Lamb (SGD $7.50 per skewer) wasn't gamey, with a juicy tender chew and meaty savoury salty flavour.

Skewer Kohitsuji / Skewer Lamb (SGD $7.50 per skewer)

Skewer Kohitsuji / Skewer Lamb

The Skewer Shiitake / Skewer Shiitake Mushroom (SGD $2.80 per skewer) was plump and tender bouncy juicy, with vegetal earthy salty sweet flavour.

Skewer Shiitake / Skewer Shiitake Mushroom (SGD $2.80 per skewer)

Skewer Shiitake / Skewer Shiitake Mushroom

The Skewer Shishamo / Skewer Smelt Fish (SGD $3 per skewer) was soft and tender, with fishy salty sweet flavour.

Skewer Shishamo / Skewer Smelt Fish (SGD $3 per skewer)

Skewer Shishamo / Skewer Smelt Fish

The Skewer Shishito / Skewer Shishito Lion Head Pepper (SGD $4.50 per skewer) was juicy crisp, with vegetal bitter salty spicy herbal flavour.

Skewer Shishito / Skewer Shishito Lion Head Pepper (SGD $4.50 per skewer)

Skewer Shishito / Skewer Shishito Lion Head Pepper

The Skewer Tori Kawa / Skewer Chicken Skin (SGD $4.50 per skewer) had bits that were crunchy and crisp, others which were soft and gelatinous. Carries fatty salty savoury sweet flavour.

Skewer Tori Kawa / Skewer Chicken Skin (SGD $4.50 per skewer)

Skewer Tori Kawa / Skewer Chicken Skin

The Skewer Tori Momo / Skewer Chicken Thigh (SGD $3.50 per skewer) was chunky yet juicy tender, with lovely meaty sweet savoury flavour.

Skewer Tori Momo / Skewer Chicken Thigh (SGD $3.50 per skewer)

Skewer Tori Momo / Skewer Chicken Thigh

The Skewer Tori Tebaski / Skewer Chicken Wing (SGD $3.80 per skewer) has chicken meat which pulls off easily from the bone, with a tender chew and meaty salty savoury sweet flavour. Slightly more charring on the surface than expected.