Mei Lin Tan

Entrance to Ginza Sushi Ichi. The focus is on a rectangular, backlit frosted glass sign mounted on a light wood panel against a dark, textured wall. The sign features elegant Japanese calligraphy and the English name "Sushi ichi" at the bottom. To the right, a vertical wooden slat door is slightly ajar, revealing a glimpse of a soft, peach-colored interior hallway and another smaller glowing sign, creating a sense of exclusive entry.

Omakase Reviews

An Omakase Journey to Remember at Ginza Sushi Ichi Singapore

Finding a truly exceptional meal can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt. You want something intimate, deeply satisfying, and prepared with absolute precision. That is exactly what led me straight to the doors of a very special omakase place tucked…

Mei Lin Tan
March 25, 2026

A close-up, eye-level shot shows a person’s hands gently holding a small, rustic ceramic bowl filled with clear liquid, likely water, over a weathered wooden table. The bowl is a deep mottled blue with a brown rim, and the water inside reflects a soft, warm light. On the textured grain of the light-brown table, a damp, circular ring stain is visible where the bowl previously sat, alongside a neatly folded grey cloth in the blurred background. The person, wearing a dark, long-sleeved garment, holds the bowl with both hands in a manner that suggests care or ritual, while the shallow depth of field keeps the focus tightly on the vessel and the interaction between the hands and the wooden surface.

Behind the Counter

The Same Bowl Returned, Empty, Every Time

I watched the master dip the tips of his fingers into a small ceramic bowl. The bowl itself was unremarkable. It was glazed in a muted indigo with a slightly uneven rim that suggested it was shaped by hand. The…

Mei Lin Tan
March 23, 2026

In a warm, traditional Japanese kitchen, two chefs in white uniforms stand behind a light wooden counter during a moment of silent, disciplined transition. The chef on the right carefully presents a long, slender Yanagiba (sashimi knife) with both hands, offering the dark-handled blade horizontally for inspection. The chef on the left holds an open hand ready to receive it, their focus directed toward the precision of the tool. In the foreground, a whole, fresh red sea bream rests on a dark wooden cutting board, while another long blade lies flat on the counter nearby. The background reveals organized wooden shelves stocked with ceramic bowls, emphasizing a professional atmosphere of culinary craft and unspoken apprenticeship.

Behind the Counter

Nothing Was Explained, Yet Everything Was Clear

The chef did not look up from the cutting board when he needed the next knife. He simply shifted his weight slightly to the right and left his hand open in the empty space above the cypress wood. The apprentice…

Mei Lin Tan
March 19, 2026

The minimalist interior of Hamamoto, an omakase restaurant. A long, light-colored wooden counter dominates the foreground, with individual place settings featuring black slate plates and small white ceramic rests. In the background, a warm, textured stone wall sits behind a prep area equipped with cooking tools and traditional kitchenware.

Omakase Reviews

A Soulful Omakase Journey at Hamamoto on 58 Tras Street

Finding a restaurant that feels like a sanctuary is rare in this busy city. I had heard whispers about Hamamoto on 58 Tras Street Singapore for months before I finally secured a booking. I visited on a rainy Tuesday in…

Mei Lin Tan
March 18, 2026

An interior, low-light shot from behind a wooden counter looking toward a sushi chef. The chef, wearing a white uniform and a traditional hat, is focused on writing or studying a document on the counter. The scene is illuminated by warm, hanging pendant lights, creating a quiet, contemplative atmosphere in a Japanese restaurant.

Omakase Guides

Not All Sushi and Restaurants Are Omakase: A Guide for Singapore Diners

When I first moved to Singapore, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of Japanese dining options. From the conveyor belts buzzing in the basement of Thomson Plaza to the hushed, cypress-scented counters in One Holland Village and Holland Village,…

Mei Lin Tan
March 13, 2026

Eye-level medium shot of a sushi chef in a dark navy samue uniform and cream-colored apron. He is standing at a light wood prep counter, pressing his hands flat against a clean, folded white towel. To his right, a stack of identical, neatly folded white towels sits on a deep red lacquer tray. In the blurred background, another chef is visible working at a separate station, emphasizing the organized, rhythmic atmosphere of a professional kitchen.

Behind the Counter

Every Towel Folded the Same Way

I watched the apprentice in the far corner of the room while the master prepared the opening course. The young man stood in silence beside a deep wooden basin. He held a stack of plain white cotton cloths. He took…

Mei Lin Tan
March 12, 2026

A minimalist Japanese restaurant entrance featuring a light beige fabric noren curtain printed with black kanji characters. The lower walls are clad in vertical bamboo poles, while the upper walls have a textured woven pattern. A warm, glowing floor lantern sits to the right, and a sliding shoji door is visible in the background.

Omakase Reviews

Shoukouwa Singapore: A Masterclass in Two Michelin-Starred Sushi Artistry at One Fullerton

Every now and then, I crave a meal that’s about more than just eating, a culinary ritual where skill, tradition, and absolute freshness take centre stage. That’s exactly what drew me to Shoukouwa Singapore at One Fullerton, a Japanese restaurant…

Mei Lin Tan
March 11, 2026

A close-up of a chef’s hands using a long, thin knife to precisely slice a block of fresh, raw red tuna on a wooden cutting board.

Behind the Counter

The Knife Never Hesitated

I watched the blade hover for a fraction of a second above the block of tuna. It was not a pause of uncertainty. It was a gathering of breath. The chef did not measure the distance with a ruler or…

Mei Lin Tan
March 5, 2026

Interior of a modern Japanese omakase restaurant featuring a light wood counter, warm ambient lighting, and a wavy backlit wall design.

Omakase Reviews

Sushi Kawasemi Singapore: A Refined Exploration of Aged Fish and Edomae Craft on Telok Ayer Street

Discovering a place that excels in one craft is always special, and Sushi Kawasemi Singapore on Telok Ayer Street was exactly that for me, a sanctuary for lovers of traditional Edomae style sushi with a distinct focus on fish ageing…

Mei Lin Tan
March 4, 2026

A chef's gloved hand uses chopsticks to garnish three pieces of salmon nigiri resting on a white plate atop a wooden counter.

Behind the Counter

I Realised the Order Was Decided Long Before I Sat Down

From my seat at the counter, I am always aware of time passing in different rhythms. There is the sharp, purposeful pace of the chef’s hands during service, every motion precise and counted. Then there is the quieter, the unseen…

Mei Lin Tan
February 27, 2026