In Singapore’s rarefied fine dining landscape, the recent relocation of Sushi Sakuta to Millenia Walk signifies a major milestone for Chef Yoshio Sakuta, who just months ago secured the prestigious second Michelin star—affirming the restaurant as one of only two Japanese establishments locally to achieve this dual-star status. This refreshed, intimate 16-seat space provides a sophisticated stage for the exquisite omakase experience, showcasing Chef Sakuta’s unparalleled precision and masterful blend of traditional technique and instinctual artistry.
A New Chapter For Culinary Excellence
The move to Millenia Walk marks the next evolution for Sushi Sakuta, a venture launched by Chef Sakuta following his tenure at the esteemed two-Michelin-starred Shoukouwa. The aesthetic of the new restaurant immediately sets a tone of quiet luxury: a pale hinoki wood counter dominates the room, soft light filters through traditional shoji screens, and rotating Japanese artworks offer subtle visual intrigue. The design successfully transforms the space into a hushed sanctuary, ideal for appreciating the detailed craft of sushi making.
The pinnacle offering is the $500 dinner omakase. This meticulously paced 17-course sequence is designed not just as a meal, but as a studied sequence of temperatures, textures, and umami depths. The journey commences delicately with chawanmushi crowned with female snow crab and roe, immediately paired with the first of the dinner’s thoughtfully curated beverages: a smooth and mellow Nichi Nichi sake that enhances the crab’s natural sweetness.
Mastering the Art of Precision
What distinguishes the Sushi Sakuta experience is the relentless focus on finesse, extending far beyond the raw fish. Standout courses showcase this breadth, including lightly simmered kinki fish accented by yuzu vinegar and yuzu kosho, and an exceptional preparation of unagi featuring an impeccably crisp base, flaky center, and dusting of sansho pepper. These richer flavors seamlessly transition into the main event—the sushi—guided by the restaurant’s beverage program.
Head Sommelier Iwabuchi Makoto’s pairings are integral to the flow of the meal. A bolder orange wine (a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc) complements the robust flavors of the simmered dishes, while a rare, clean 2020 Aramasa sake (only 48 bottles released that year) is strategically deployed to temper the intensity of umami-laden courses like monkfish liver and abalone.
The heart of the omakase lies in the nine distinct sushi bites. Chef Sakuta utilizes a perfected shari blend—a mix of Hitomebore and Sasanishiki rice seasoned with red and white vinegar—with the temperature of the rice adjusted by hand to complement each fish. Examples include serving large yellowtail over gently warmed rice to coax out its sweetness, and placing fatty tuna (chutoro) over room-temperature rice to balance the intensity of the cut. This level of precise temperature control is a testament to the chef’s decades of experience and instinct.
Beyond the luxurious staples such as uni and snow crab, the menu deftly incorporates slivers of Spanish mackerel, bonito, and horse mackerel, ensuring a dynamic balance between richness and freshness. The meal concludes with a firm, plump Japanese tiger prawn and a decisive torotaku handroll, before winding down with seasonal fruits and matcha-infused vanilla ice cream.
The Price of Perfection
The overall assessment hinges on one definitive quality: precision. The seamless glide between courses, the impeccable quality of the seafood and shari, and the flawless interplay of flavors and beverages create a truly complete and intentional dining experience. Makoto’s wine and sake pairings, ranging from a gentle Pinot Noir with heartier cuts to a final Nagano sake that brings the meal to a satisfying close, underscore the restaurant’s commitment to holistic perfection.
While the $500 dinner and $350 lunch menus position Sushi Sakuta as an exclusive indulgence, the price tag reflects the rigorous mastery displayed by Chef Sakuta and his team. For those seeking the highest expression of quiet Japanese artisanal excellence, it remains an essential—and worthwhile—culinary destination in Singapore.
Visit Information:
Sushi Sakuta is located at #01-06/07/08, 9 Raffles Boulevard, Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596. Reservations and more details can be found on the restaurant website.