Expect bold yet modern Japanese dishes with interesting Korean accents, such as wagyu bulgogi tacos
Photos: Akira Back
With the opening of Akira Back at JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, the lifestyle enclave looks set to raise its profile as a hotbed of culinary delights.
Led by the namesake chef — who made a career switch from professional snowboarder to sushi chef at 22, the renowned Japanese restaurant will leave you curious from the get go.
While the restaurant boasts beautiful marble tables and sushi counters, don’t come expecting solely sushi and sashimi.
What would an adventurous chef like Akira bring to the table?
The Tuna Pizza came served in a perfect orb, shaped like a full moon.
Modern Japanese elements
We soon found out, with the Tuna Pizza ($25), which came served in a perfect orb, shaped like a full moon.
Thin pizza crust is topped with thinly-sliced fresh tuna that’s accented with umami aioli and a sprinkle of truffle oil.
The delicate slices hint at the chef’s knife skills, evident from years of training, while the flavours were exceptionally well-balanced.
In place of tortilla, yam chips were used.
Next, bite-sized AB Tacos ($25) were presented, further cementing the fact that this wasn’t your typical Japanese restaurant.
In place of tortilla, yam chips were used, offering an earthy taste to counter the fillings of wagyu bulgogi and spicy tomato.
Fun to eat and crunchy, there’s nothing not to like about it, save for the fact that it can get messy.
The stellar 48 Hour “Tajima” Short Rib left us especially impressed.
Stellar picks
Among the dishes, the stellar 48 Hour “Tajima” Short Rib ($48) left us especially impressed. Slow-cooked for 48 hours, the tender meat acquired a rich and intense flavour.
Great for sharing, the sushi rolls are worth a try too.
For stronger flavours, order the Brother From Another Mother ($23), a gooey and savoury mix of anago tempura and torched foie gras.
Health-conscious diners can opt for mixed grain rice to be used in their sushi rolls, which also adds a textural dimension.
We found ourselves drawn to the Perfect Storm ($23), a simple salmon aburi roll drizzled with a refreshingly tangy chipotle aioli.
Overall, the dishes at Akira Back were a shining example of quality ingredients used creatively.
While flavours were familiar, the presentation often left us pleasantly surprised. Plus, the prices are value-for-money to boot.
JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, 30 Beach Road
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