Indulge in All Things Japanese at Orchard Central

Whenever I travel abroad, people always ask, “What is a typically Singaporean thing to do over the weekend?” to which I often reply, “Shopping and Eating”. There aren’t many places for you to shop at in Singapore and I usually head to Orchard Road. Orchard Central is one of the better malls I prefer as it looks modern, sophisticated and new. There is a range of local and international brands and as a foodie, I was taken on a unique gastronomical experience at Orchard Central. Furthermore, all Japanese enthusiasts can look forward to a spectacular repertoire of all things Japanese within Orchard Central with an array of fashion, beauty and dining offerings.

Uniqlo (Global Flagship Store)
Unit: #01-01/02-01/03-01
Website: http://www.uniqlo.com/sg/

We’re pretty sure Uniqlo needs no introduction but do you know that Southeast Asia’s first Uniqlo’s Global Flagship store is situated at Orchard Central? This Japanese brand boasts comfortable clothes that cater to different age groups and keeps its designs updated, according to the ever-changing seasons in Japan. My friends and I like purchasing Uniqlo’s high quality clothes which are affordably priced. Selected designs from UT collections have been made available for the first time in Singapore at the Flagship store.

Beginning from 4 November 2016, Magic for All Project will be launched with fun new items featuring vintage styling. The two new lines for this season are Varsity and Outdoors. The inspiration for Varsity line was fashion and athletic lifestyles of college campuses across the United States, presented in vintage styles. Knits and sweats feature college-style logos incorporating popular characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The Outdoor range extends from knits and flannel shirts to popular Ultra Light Down styles for keeping warm, and looking cool while out and about. This lineup includes retro styling in chic hues and fun items featuring popular Disney characters.

Carine Roitfeld Collection for Fall/Winter 2016 will also be launched from 11 November 2016, focusing on the beauty of career women. This charismatic fashion editor with a huge influence on the fashion world hopes to bring stylish elegance to women with active lifestyles. The lineup features popular imitation fur and a Chesterfield overcoat and adds items that help create the ideal wardrobe for career women, from outerwear to knits, suit separates, belts, tights and accessories.

TOKYU HANDS
Unit: #B1-07
Tel: 6834 3755

TOKYU HANDS deals with all kinds of products, such as high quality and high functional living-ware, fancy made-in-Japan bags, convenient travel goods, the latest Japanese stationery, unique articles and topical beauty products. Moreover, this is a shop where you can find innovative and interesting gadgets and accessories that make your life more comfortable and enjoyable hence, making Tokyu Hands the one-stop shop chock-full of all kinds of goods arranged under different categories.

Tanuki Raw
Unit: #04-01
Website: http://tanukibar.com/
Tel: 6636 5949

Tanuki Raw is popular for its Happy Hour cocktails, oysters and sashimi. Owner Howard wants to create tasty, fun, flavourful food in a relaxed environment. You can choose to dine indoors if you’re afraid of the heat or enjoy the view outside from a high vantage point. Tanuki Raw introduces unique creations that are first-of-its-kind in Singapore such as savoury donuts and Herumetto. We also tried the Mini Salted Duck Egg Char Siew Sliders which has a good balance of fats and lean meat, giving a tender and chewy texture. Simply delightful! The highlight for us was the Foie Gras Truffle Yakiniku Donburi which manages to hit all the right spots. A generous portion of perfectly pan-seared foie gras, accompanied by tender and flavourful US Black Angus short rib with an oozy onsen egg, mixed with truffle soy and black garlic brown butter over Tanuki’s signature rice. It’s irresistible! This is a great spot for gatherings with friends after work.

POMPOMPURIN Café
Unit: #04-08
Tel: 6509 8672
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm daily

POMPOMPURIN Café has made its first appearance in Southeast Asia and it’s located at none other than Orchard Central. Die-hard fans can expect to be surrounded by all things Pompompurin at this café. Besides being greeted with a canine-themed decoration, the full menu consists of cute-looking food and drinks in the shape of Pompompurin. If you’re someone who must begin your day with caffeine, you can opt for the Love Love Hot Marshmallow Latte. As for the food, we tried Taco Rice in a Cup of Friendship but we prefer Pompompurin’s Coconut Milk Chicken Curry more. There are other mains which include Pompompurin’s Beef Stroganoff, Spaghetti Napolitana and Everybody Gather Around! Picnic Plate, just to name a few.

End your meal on a sweet note with the Bagel’s Special Pancake Tower ($21.99) for dessert, which includes a Pompompurin take-home souvenir mug. This is a decadent dessert with five layers of pancakes filled with various sauces such as caramel, chocolate, custard and more. This dessert is accompanied by some fresh chopped fruits too. You can also purchase Pompompurin merchandise and bring it home as a souvenir.

Kiseki Japanese Buffet Restaurant
Unit: #08-01/02/03
Tel: 6736 1216

Kiseki always has a full house and snaking queues, especially on weekends. For a very reasonable price, you get cold seafood, sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki, robatayaki (Japanese grill), yakitori (skewers), nabemono (hot pot items), agemono (deep-fried items), mushimono (steamed items), Japanese Western pasta and pizza and so much more, unlimited! If you want something healthy, there is also a salad and soba corner accompanied with different Japanese sauces and salad dressings prepared from home-made recipes. There are live cooking stations where you get to enjoy piping hot food off the stove using the freshest ingredients, prepared right before your eyes.

There are some dishes where you just have to leave a clip of your table number at the station and the food will be conveniently delivered to your table. There are also cakes and puddings available and did we mention, fruit chocolate fondue?! With such a large variety of food offerings, Kiseki Japanese Buffet is affordably priced, making the restaurant a good place for unwinding after a week of hard work.

Tonkichi
Unit: #07-06
Tel: 6238 7976

If you’ve been to Japan, have a slight inclination towards Japanese dining culture, you’d be familiar with that breaded cut of meat which the Japanese hold so dearly to their heart. “Tonkatsu” meaning “fried pork cutlet”, is a staple in the menus of most eateries in Japan. Bringing this culture to Singapore is Tonkichi – the specialist in Tonkatsu locally for the past 20 years. Tonkichi has thoughtfully balanced the original native taste to suit our local preference. The interiors of the restaurant are decorated in a manner such that local diners get a feel of Japan. Hearty diners will be in for a treat as rice and cabbage slices can be refilled at no additional cost for all set meals. You also set a selection of Sashimi, Sushi and side dishes besides the best-selling Tonkatsu.

Nantsuttei
Unit: #07-12/13
Tel: 6337 7166

Owner-chef Ichiro Furuya found his life’s calling at the age of 27 years old. The moment that changed his life was chancing upon a mass of people lining up in front of a ramen shop while he was watching television. At that moment, he thought to himself, “That’s what I want!” Soon after, Ichiro went to Kyushu to learn the secrets of the art of ramen and after wandering around trying ramen at various shops, he found a flavour that he loved in Kumamoto. He began to study there and opened Nantsuttei in his hometown of Hadano a year later.

Be prepared to indulge in a rich, creamy broth made from pork bone. Floating on the surface of the broth is the fragrant black roast garlic oil, a flavour that has not changed since the restaurant first opened. This oil is an iconic component of the Nantsuttei flavour created by frying garlic over seven phases and mixing it into a balanced blend for an exquisite harmony of flavours. This oil complements the soup, noodles and toppings and come together to create a perfectly balanced and slurp-worthy ramen.

Whether you’re shopping or dining at Orchard Central, you’re bound to have a good time. Besides the Japanese shops and eateries we have mentioned above, there are other Japanese establishments you can check out such as En Sakaba, Henri Charpentier, Datsumo Labo, ES Beauty Tokyo and many more.

This post was brought to you by Orchard Central.