Famous sushi chef Kenjiro Hashida is bringing Japanese dining up one notch with the opening of a new desserts-meets-art restaurant “Hashida Garo” in Mandarin Gallery. I won’t have entered this space if not for Amanda, the lady who is crazy about Japanese food. Because from the outside, it looks like an art gallery with touches of visual art.

So Garo means ‘gallery’ in Japanese, and embodies the very essence of Chef Hatch’s resolve to reach a wider audience with his culinary creations as well as with his personal passion for the visual arts. Apparently they have a tea master who will preparing and presenting the matcha ($30).

Watching the ritual of tea making sure has a calming effect. We sat on the tatami mats as we watched the tea master whipped the matcha with a bamboo whisk (called chasen) until it bubbles. Each tea bowl (matcha-chawan) is a beautiful piece of art itself. I am not a tea expert but when I first tried matcha many few years back in Japan, I was told that when properly prepared, matcha should be as thick as cappuccino. At Hashida Garo, it is definitely a joy to be sipping the thick and flavourful matcha with some cakes. What’s best, matcha is full of antioxidants!

On the menu, there are Japanese-style brunch and desserts. A must-try here is the Hokkaido cheese cake ($3). I have fallen in love with it on my first bite. It’s light but velvety smooth and creamy. Small in size, which makes you crave for more. So so good!

The Chocolate Yokan ($5) is another hero. By mixing Valrhona Chocolate, Hokkaido red bean and Okinawa brown sugar, he gave traditional Japanese dessert a modern spin. It has a jelly like texture and as you savour each mouthful, you will be able to enjoy the richness from the chocolate.

Entering this space feels like time has taken a stand still. We ate slower, we talked slower, we drank slower. And it is enjoying whatever I am doing, to appreciate the food and culture, to actually focus on the friend I am spending time with. 🙂

Hashida Garo

Address: 333A Mandarin Gallery, Orchard Road #04-16, Singapore238897
Tel: 6235 2283
Open daily 10am – 10pm