Tamashii is Japanese for spirit – and a visit to Tamashii Robataya will aptly leave you in high spirits.

Chef-owners Max See and Patrick Tan (formerly of Yoyogi) hold the fort in this casual Japanese eatery in North Canal Road. From their elevated open kitchen, the boisterous duo dish out freshly barbecued dishes on samoji, or small wooden oars used for centuries by Hokkaido fishermen to serve their catch of the day.

Let your eyes do the ordering by picking items off the array of market-fresh produce temptingly laid out on the long bar counter, or leave yourself in the good hands of the chefs with the omakase option, which features perennial favourites such as the shiromi truffle, comprising white fish slivers sprinkled with black summer truffle shavings; or the Saga beef donburi of Saga A4 beef striploin and a runny onsen egg on a bed of marinated short-grain rice; or seasonal selections such as grilled maitake mushrooms or butter-slathered Hokkaido corn.

The menu offerings are just as expansive, with just about everything from small bites – perfect as beer snacks – to well-priced lunch and dinner sets.

#02-01, 12 North Canal Road
Tel: 6222-0316

Tamashii Robataya is a winner of the G Restaurant Awards 2015. Click here for the full list of winners.

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