Shinkansen

From the same people behind Standing Sushi Bar and Tanuki, Shinkansen offers "lunch on the fast track" just like Japan's high speed train that it was named after. Started at the end of last year, the branch at Ocean Financial Centre has a few high chairs at the wooden counter by the concrete wall. Bottles of spirits sat on black shelves reminiscent of that in a library, a hint that this place becomes a bar – The Secret Mermaid, when the clock strikes 7. By day, it offers sushi and sashimi as well as design-your-own noodles, rice and salad bowls. Took me a long while to finally visit the Japanese fast-casual lunch spot, on a Saturday when food options in the area were limited. My Tuna Loco consisted of too little tuna tataki and sesame seeds for my liking but too much soba noodles and cabbage in onion sauce, which I could choose how much to add. Shinkansen can also be found at 100AM (do not expect the same industrial décor and day-to-night transformation) and United Square.

New Kid on the Block – Kiasu Espresso

In the last few years, home-grown independent coffee joints have sprouted in every nook and cranny of Singapore. And the latest to join the booming local coffee scene is Kiasu Espresso, located on the 1st floor of 100AM beside Skinny Pizza. A collaboration between Harry Grover, owner and head barista of 40 Hands, and The Spa Esprit group who also owns Tiong Bahru Bakery. Hence, the limited food items available are cakes and pastries from the latter, known for its croissant and kouiqn aman. Drinks menu include Australian classics such as long blacks and flat whites, as well as familiar Italian favourites like cappuccino and piccolo latte. Ordered a macchiato and sat at a metal table, reminiscent of desks in school, facing the cashier.

New Kid on the Block – Okada Coffee

Slated to open in November, Okada Coffee from Kumamoto finally opened on the 3rd floor of 100AM last week. In contrast, Tujiri Tea House (also at 100AM) expected to open its 1st outlet outside Japan only by early next year was already opened last month. Instead of having the lunch recommended by a staff at its entrance, who also offered white chocolate samples that I did not try, I ordered its cake set. There was a faint aroma of roasted beans, a blend of 7 types from around the world, in the pleasantly light and smooth Okada blend coffee with a tinge of bitterness and muted acidity. It was served with whipped cream and a cinnamon cookie reminiscent of caramelised biscuit, which went well with the cuppa I had sans condiments. The strawberry cake was a light and moist sponge cake balanced by sweet strawberry slices in fluffy cream, topped with mostly sweet and a tad tangy berries as well as thin chocolate slices I could neither raved about nor fault.

Ramen Keisuke Tori King

Chef-owner Keisuke Takeda, who was crowned Tokyo's Ramen King 2011 out of about 30,000 ramen chefs, opened his 3rd restaurant in Singapore within walking distance from the 2nd. The former offers Japanese ramen in chicken-based soup whereas the latter, Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King at Orchid Hotel, uses the traditional and more popular pork bone broth. In fact, no two Keisuke's outlets (including the 15 in Japan) offer the same bespoke and signature ramen. For example, Ramen Dining Keisuke Tokyo at Parco Marina Bay started with his signature prawn broth ramen but the menu now focuses on pork and crab flavoured ones. Located on the 3rd floor of revamped 100AM (formerly known as Amara Shopping Centre), Ramen Keisuke Tori King is the 1st in his empire to serve chicken broth ramen. Just like Marukin Ramen at Scotts Square, and Marutama Ramen at Central and Liang Court.