Mei Lin Tan

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 high-angle, wide shot of an elegant, minimalist omakase sushi counter crafted from light-toned wood. A sushi chef in a crisp white uniform and face mask stands behind the counter, focused on meticulously slicing fresh fish. The counter is impeccably set for several guests with black placemats, white napkins, and wooden chopsticks, while a warm, neutral-toned wall and a textured grey stone pillar create a sophisticated, serene atmosphere in the background.

Omakase Reviews

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

There are moments when you know your evening calls for something truly exceptional. Tonight, that feeling leads me to Shoukouwa Singapore at One Fullerton, a two Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant renowned for its masterful sushi artistry. From the moment I step…

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

This wide, eye-level indoor shot captures the serene interior of Sushi Kawasemi in Singapore, showcasing a sleek wooden sushi counter beneath a traditional Japanese-style gridded shoji paper ceiling that softly diffuses light. The back wall features a minimalist, misty landscape mural in muted grey tones depicting reeds and a prominent kingfisher bird in mid-flight carrying a twig. To the right, a tall, recessed wooden shelving unit is beautifully illuminated, displaying four rows of various sake bottles with distinct colorful labels and dark glass. Below the mural on the long wooden counter sit a rustic wooden sculpture with a blue glass center and a piece of driftwood, while a gold-leaf curved ceiling accent and warm spherical lights on the far left add a soft, elegant glow to the sophisticated dining space.

Omakase Reviews

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

You know that feeling when you stumble upon something truly special? That’s exactly what happened when I found myself at Sushi Kawasemi Singapore on Telok Ayer Street, a little sanctuary where time slows down and every piece of fish tells…

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

Interior view of a high-end Japanese omakase restaurant featuring a long light-wood counter, minimalist wooden cabinetry, and warm, recessed ambient lighting.

Omakase Reviews

Sushi Sakuta: Michelin-Starred Precision at Millenia Walk

There’s something magical about stepping into Sushi Sakuta Singapore. The moment you cross the threshold, the world seems to exhale, not dramatically, not with fanfare, but with a gentle settling that makes your shoulders relax. Located at Millenia Walk, this…

Mei Lin Tan
February 21, 2026

A professional sushi chef preparing fresh nigiri at a polished wooden omakase counter for a group of seated diners in a dimly lit, authentic Japanese restaurant.

Behind the Counter

No One Rushed, Even When the Room Was Full

The counter was completely occupied, a seamless line of shoulders from one end of the polished wood to the other. In most restaurants, a full house translates to a subtle escalation of energy. You feel it in the brisk pace…

Mei Lin Tan
February 19, 2026

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Omakase Reviews

Shinrai Restaurant Review: A Modern Spin on Japanese Telok Ayer Dining

I’ve always felt that the best meals aren’t just about the food, they’re about the energy of the room the moment you walk in. I visited Shinrai on a Tuesday evening around 7 PM, expecting a quiet dinner, but what…

Mei Lin Tan
February 18, 2026

A minimalist, high-end Japanese omakase restaurant interior featuring a light wood sushi counter with elegant white seating.

Omakase Guides

Inside an Eight-Seat Omakase Counter Through Sushi Kimura Photos

Stepping into an eight-seat omakase counter, such as found at Sushi Kimura, is immediately different from walking into a standard sushi restaurant or the larger halls of Chinese and French restaurants. Here, the space is tailored for intimacy; lighting is…

Mei Lin Tan
February 12, 2026

The minimalist exterior entrance of Sushi Nanairo, featuring a traditional white noren curtain with Japanese calligraphy and a warm glowing lantern against a textured clay wall.

Omakase Reviews

Sushi Kimura Restaurant: An Omakase Experience Review

A restaurant’s return after a year long hiatus is always met with a mix of high expectation and quiet apprehension. For those who held the previous Sushi Kimura at Palais Renaissance in high regard, the news of its reopening was…

Mei Lin Tan
February 5, 2026