Singapore, one of three city-states left in the world (the other two are Vatican City and Monaco), draws in tourists from all over the globe, and to meet their dining needs the city must be prepared with choices that match the international nature of its visitors. After a day of sight-seeing on Sentosa Island or taking a bird’s eye tour of the city on the Singapore Flyer or an historic journey through one of the temples , food may become the principle sight you’d like to see next, and whether you hail from the United States, India, China, or Japan, the city has a familiar place for you to dine. If you’re from Japan, for instance, at VivoCity mall, you’ll discover Japanese restaurants with a terrific view of the river and Sentosa island, all under the same roof.
Two types of Japanese cuisine are available, both with a common theme: You’re able to cook your own meals to your taste.
At Tajimaya, the style is Yakinikku, where meat or offal is grilled at the table. At Shabuya, the style is shabu shabu. Similar to fondue, the fish, poultry or beef is brought to your table and cooked in a hot pot. Typically, hot pot dishes are made from thin slices of meat, mushrooms, wontons, egg dumplings, leafy vegetables, and seafood.
At Shabuya, you’ll find a nice range of specialities. They include a seafood combination of snapper, salmon, king crab, clams, scallop, cod fish, and prawns; a Wagyu Beef set, with green salad and vegetable platter, with choices of rice, Udon, Japanese glass noodles, or Taiwan noodles; or a Kurobuta Pork Belly set, which includes US black pork and a green salad, vegetable platter, and choices of various noodles; and mochi ice cream, including peach or chocolate.
This method of cooking, the hot pot, developed in China and has been around for over a thousand years. At one point, warriors cooked their food in helmets in boiling water; however, today’s method of hot pot cooking is considerably more advanced.
A hearty meal at the restaurant of your choice will prepare you for the evening ahead, whether you’re off to a movie, a night club, or back to the hotel for a good night’s rest for the adventures of tomorrow.