Ki-sho 葵匠

I had been looking at this beautiful building from taxi windows for years. What was once an old colonial-style house from my childhood had somehow transformed into a stylish restaurant, and every time I passed by, I found myself thinking, “One day.” It just took me a very long time to get there. That opportunity finally came when I visited with an old friend. I arrived by taxi, but if you’re taking public transport, Newton MRT Station is probably the closest station. Expect around a 10-minute walk. The experience starts before you even enter the restaurant. A doorman dressed in an elegant, old-world uniform stands at the entrance and guides guests inside. It feels less like entering a restaurant and more like arriving somewhere important. Inside, another staff member welcomed us and led us to our seats. The dining room is centered around an open kitchen, with counter seating wrapping around it in a U-shape, allowing guests to watch the chefs at work. The atmosphere is calm, refined, and unhurried. Even on a weekday, the restaurant was fully booked. The menu consisted of only two omakase options (7 or 9 courses). We paired each course with a different sake, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the evening. Every dish was beautifully presented and delicately prepared. Somewhere around the middle of the meal, I reached the point where I thought, “There is absolutely no way I can eat another bite.” Fortunately, the next course arrived and proved me wrong. The sake selection was outstanding. I particularly appreciated that they were willing to open bottles by the glass instead of requiring guests to order an entire bottle. That’s surprisingly generous at this level. The beef deserves special mention. It was so tender that it practically disappeared the moment it touched my tongue. By that stage I was already full, yet somehow managed to finish every bite. Another thoughtful touch: if you can’t finish the final rice course, they’ll prepare it as onigiri for you to take home. A small gesture, but one that perfectly reflects the restaurant’s attention to hospitality. I’ve heard the chef changed recently, but he was warm, approachable, and happy to chat with guests. Singapore has plenty of restaurants in a similar price range, but in terms of food quality, service, atmosphere, and overall experience, I personally found this place to offer excellent value. Some meals fill your stomach. This one filled an evening with memories. A wonderful experience from start to finish.

Google says 4.6 stars but we say five stars. Taro San presented an elegant yet unpretentious spread featuring delightful spring ingredients. The flavours were so harmonious and enjoyable, we got somewhat emotional - culinary bliss that eventually turned to sadness because three hours of deliciousness had to end... Thank you Taro San for your wonderful hospitality and generosity! We are already looking forward to summer's menu.

heartwarming and delicious lunch which brought back precious memories from Chef's previous restaurant Takayama at OUE Downtown :) Chef Taro's food is always well considered and robust. Especially loved the dashi and beef courses, their natural flavours really shone through without the need for overly fancy additions. Will be back!

My first visit to Ki-sho was exceptional; I was very impressed by Chef Taro’s omakase course. The dishes truly stand out amongst the Japanese fine dining options in Singapore, offering a distinctive approach to both flavour and presentation. ​Today’s menu was brilliantly curated, refreshing yet flavourful and perfectly suited for the Singapore heat, proving that high-end dining can be tailored beautifully to our tropical climate. Even without a pour, the depth of the dishes is clearly meant for sake pairing to complete the narrative. For the culinary explorer tired of the 'standard Singapore omakase set', Chef Taro is a breath of fresh air.

Omakase at it’s best ❤️ Really love the experience here. food was really fresh and tasteful. The Chef was so friendly to explain the food one by one. Aa whole brand new taste for japanase food ❤️