Chanced upon Ikyu while exploring the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood one day, and made reservations for dinner on a weekday after checking out its menu online. According to the website, Chef Takuma Seki defies limits and definitions by reinventing and revitalising the soul of Japanese food to put surprise and wonder back into eating. It is located along Yong Siak Road with 40 Hands, Open Door Policy and PoTeaTo. Stepping into the dark place with grunge metal, what stood out is décor atypical of most Japanese restaurants with lots of wood. My dining companion ordered from the à la carte menu while I had the omakase. Started with an appetiser salad followed by fresh sashimi of salmon belly, amberjack and tuna directly flown in from Tsukiji – both dishes were nothing to rave about or fault. Grilled pork sausage or hotdog was so salty I cringed with every bite while French foie gras had a crisp and a tad hard outside with insides soft but not enough to melt in the mouth.
