SHINRAI: A Fresh Take on Sushi-Izakaya Dining in Telok Ayer

Chef Desmond Fong, the genius behind Sushi Yujo, has just opened SHINRAI, a cool sushi-izakaya spot in Telok Ayer. Get ready for awesome aburi and charcoal-grilled treats starting at $6.80. The menu’s packed with everything from appetisers and sushi to maki and skewers, all meticulously prepared by Head Chef Haoey Cheah, guided by Chef Fong’s seasoned hand.

We started our meal with a couple of standout starters. The Seafood Chawanmushi with Truffle Caviar, priced at $9.80, was a delightful surprise. This wasn’t your average steamed egg dish; it was a combination of crab meat, prawns, and scallops, all brought together under a generous scoop of truffle caviar. The earthiness of the truffle added a lovely depth of flavour.

The Salmon Carpaccio was excellent too. Chef’s idea to drape thin slices of salmon in a homemade truffle sauce was a stroke of genius. The finishing touch of extra truffle caviar? Pure intensity on a plate.

Dive into the luxurious Hotate with Foie Gras Sushi($23.80) which features a perfectly torched scallop that lays the foundation for a piece of beautifully-caramelized foie gras.

You’ve got to try the SHINRAI Signature Maki($21.80). This lavish roll combines the smoky allure of torched salmon and grilled unagi with the fresh crunch of avocado and cucumber, all tied together with a pop of tobiko and a unique sprinkle of chicken floss. Instead of mayo, they drizzle it with miso sauce, making it super tasty.

SHINRAI also offers tempting small bites such as Tsukune skewers at $6.80. We love that the skewers came with an onsen egg dip that takes them to the next level. Venturing further into the skewer selections, we sampled the Tebasaki at $3.80 and the Hotate at $7.80, among others.

The selection of grilled items did not disappoint, with the Ebi with Mentaiko ($21.80) leaving an impression. The whole Tiger prawns, smothered in a house-made mentaiko sauce and grilled to smoky perfection, were a testament to the chef’s mastery of the flames.

Now, the crown jewel of our lunch was undeniably the Wagyu Foie Gras Don ($48.80). This luxurious bowl featured the most exquisite A5 Kagoshima Wagyu beef, rich foie gras, soft onsen egg, truffle sauce and a bed of fluffy pearl rice.

SHINRAI proves to be a stellar addition to Telok Ayer, captivating hearts with its delectable Japanese cuisine. With lunch sets starting from $16.80, it’s a venue that warrants repeat visits.