The team at Savour BlackBookAsia Magazine is always on the hunt for best new restaurants and we have found one that we believe will cause more then ripples in the gourmet sea of food and beverage establishments in Singapore. Officially opened on 22 April 2021, IKO is an all-new Mod-Jap restaurant located at 65 Neil Road. Expect contemporary Japanese creations and mouth-watering Robata-grilled bites, as well as an exceptional collection of sake and Japanese-inspired cocktails, all accompanied by groovy music and good vibes. Start with an excellent sake, Junmai Daiginjo Omachi (1st vegan sake in Japan) from Iwate Japan that also goes well with most of the dishes on the menu. You get to choose your own sake cup which adds that little bit of fun in the whole experience as you enjoy the famed rice liquor.

IKO is an abbreviation for ‘let’s go’ in Japanese, while its emordnilap (a word that becomes a different word when read backwards) refers to the word okinami (OKI), meaning ‘offshore wave’ – a nod to Japanese influence on the restaurant. This is so clear in Somen, ume-infused somen with bisque foam, quickly torched and almost raw de-shelled botan ebi (prawn) and topped with ikura (salmon roe). The ume (plum) gives the noodles it’d lovely pink colour that goes in sync with the theme colours of the restaurant logo. Uni is another gorgeous creation served in a glass on a traditional sake cup which looks more like a box. Base made of cauliflower pudding, a layer of dashi jelly and then comes the uni imported from japan and caviar. Garnish with shiso flowers that are edible with a peppery herbaceous taste, this course is truly decadent.

Iberico Pluma is a mouth watering main, the Spanish pork is cooked perfectly with a nice char and accompanied with a brush of carrot puree, mustard jus and raisins for that edgy sweetness which balance the rich meat. The kitchen is helmed by Singaporean chef Jeremmy Chiam, known for his signature European culinary flair and love for Japanese ingredients. The menu introduces trailblazing Mod-Jap creations that incorporate subtle hues of purple, pink and blue – a clever play on the brand colours. The service here is absolutely wonderful, if there is an award for best restaurant service, IKO will surely come up top.

The dinner menu is presented in six categories; Raw, Cold, Small, Robata, Rice and Noodles, and Sweet. The restaurant also offers a compact lunch menu, comprising a selection of COLD and SMALL dishes along with ZOSUI; traditional Japanese rice soup served in clay pot. The Asari Zosui is a must try, generous amounts of clams with sake and dashi for flavour in the delicious broth. It looks simple but delectable in every sense of the word, worth the fourty minutes wait. 75% Dark Choc comes highly recommended, pickled beetroot, yogurt, chopped hazelnuts and pieces of meringue. Savour BlackBookAsia Magazine is glad to announced that IKO has been short listed as a contender for Best New Restaurant of the Year 2021. Stay tuned for the results!

ADDRESS:
65 Neil Rd, Singapore 088897
PHONE:
8866 52188866 5218
WEBSITE:
https://iko.com.sg/