Nestled in the quaint street just behind the City Square Mall carpark, Kozen Sushi Bar & Restaurant specialises in dry-aged sashimi, offering a unique twist on traditional Japanese cuisine.
Chawanmushi of the day – Snow Crab 4/5
We started our meal with the Snow Crab Chawanmushi ($16.90). The giggling steamed egg topped with sweet snow crab meat and ikura was pleasantly delightful, with a fresh hint of sweetness from the snow crab. This dish was a definite winner, and we really enjoyed it.
Chawanmushi of the day – Scallop 3.8/5
Another chawanmushi we tried was the Scallop Chawanmushi ($16.90). It was a good dish topped with aburi fresh scallop and ikura, but it lacked the flavour depth of the snow crab version.
Lobster Toro Don 4.2/5
The Lobster Toro Don ($59.90) is a premium don featuring fatty tuna (toro) dry-aged for 9 days, chunks of lobster meat with uni sauce, and topped with ikura. It is served with raw egg yolk for dipping the tuna. This dish was incredibly umami, and we scraped every single grain of rice from the bowl!
Beef Wine Short Ribs 3.5/5
The Beef Wine Short Ribs ($45.90) offered fork-tender braised beef short ribs, making it an excellent appetiser for sharing if you’re looking for something non-fish. However, we found it too salty for our taste, but it might be perfect for those who love beef.
Seasonal Nigiri 4/5
The Seasonal Nigiri Platter provided a great mix of dry-aged and seasonal sashimi, allowing us to try different fishes, each with its own sweetness and flavour. A highlight of any Japanese meal, this sushi platter did not disappoint. Our selection included Chutoro, Isaki, Kinmedai, Smoked Salmon, Minced Tuna Maki topped with Uni, Aka Ebi with Ikura, Mikan Tai, Shimaaji, and Akami. Be sure to check with the restaurant for the current selection, as it changes seasonally.
Chocolate Banana Waffle 3/5
Kozen has recently launched a dessert bar, open from 6pm daily until 1am, making it a great spot for late-night dessert cravings. We tried the Chocolate Banana Waffle ($14.90), accompanied by not-too-sweet chocolate ice cream and caramel macadamia. While the flavours were nice, the waffle itself wasn’t crispy enough for our liking.
Kozen Sushi Bar & Restaurant impresses with its innovative dry-aged sashimi and a variety of delightful dishes. The Snow Crab Chawanmushi and Lobster Toro Don were standouts, offering exceptional flavors and quality. While some dishes like the Beef Wine Short Ribs and Chocolate Banana Waffle had room for improvement, the overall experience at Kozen was enjoyable and worth a visit for anyone looking to indulge in premium Japanese cuisine.
Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting..
Kozen Sushi Bar & Restaurant
22 Flanders Square
Singapore 209306
Tel: +65 6816 0253
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Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)
Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
(Closed on Mon)
Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk to Kitchener Link. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]