Standing for a good 24 years since Nanbantei first opened in Far East Plaza, this humble restaurant is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Singapore. Being the first to introduce yakitori dining to the local palate, Nanbantei has built an impressive list of clientele over the past years of perfectly grilled food. Restaurant Chef Tanaka is also an established icon himself – the revolution of yakitori was brought about when he introduced assorted meats, vegetables as well as seafood into yakitori cuisine, instead of limiting it to chicken on skewers.

• The Vibe
  Nanbantei Restaurant extends a warm greeting to every guest who ascends the escalator to the top storey of Far East Plaza. Be whisked away into a moment of Tokyo's lifestyle as you settle down within the cosy interior. Wall decorations and Japanese calligraphy attached on the wall are reflective of a humble abode to which guests sit around a main grill. Like a small Japanese eatery, Nanbantei sits about 50 persons, so one has to be a little more cautious moving around the slightly cramped restaurant.

• The Food
  Yakitori is not just about barbecued meats. Using only natural sea salts and charcoal imported directly from Japan, customers will immediately taste the difference between local and authentic Japanese skewered meats. What seems simple turns out to be the most difficult to perfect, like the Tsukune ($5 for 2 sticks) – chicken meatballs flame grilled to perfection such that they are juicy sweet on the inside while maintaining a crispy exterior. Likewise, the Tebasaki ($5.80 for 2 sticks) chicken wings turn out a beautiful golden brown without any charred sides. Oozing rich, juicy and tender meat, they emit a distinct taste of charcoal-grilled style cooking.

  Even vegetables are raised on pedestals with the unique creation of Aspara Maki ($5.70 for 2 sticks), asparagus wrapped with a thin slice of pork around it. Sweet and fresh asparagus is finely balanced by slightly salty sliced pork, its distinct layers strongly detectable by sensitive taste-buds. The Tomato Cheese Maki ($4.80 for 2 sticks) comprising of grilled Japanese tomato and cheese features an exquisite, juicy flesh with sweetness balanced by salty cheese.

  There are other must-order dishes like the Bonjiri ($4.00 for 2 sticks of chicken backside) as well as unique Japanese green peppers, the Shishito ($5.80 for 2 sticks). For a quick and affordable lunch, Nanbantei offers bento sets like the Obento ($12.50), also known as yakitori bento. Their lunch sets come in a wide range from assorted meats to seafood, together with soft, fragrant rice topped with generous servings of ingredients like seaweed, mushrooms and pork floss. Accompanying miso soup as well as a misodare dip (for vegetable sticks) packs a delectable punch into this lunch box.

• The Service
  Friendly waitresses at Nanbantei converse in both English and Japanese, making both local as well as Japanese clientele feel at ease. Green tea is always topped up to ensure it maintains its high temperature, while plates are changed, just as efficiently.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Nanbantei
Dining at Nanbantei is like taking a quick trip to Tokyo and back. Experiencing authentic yakitori cuisine in a cosy Japanese restaurant with good sake comes across as an indulgence in fine food. Moreover, one could also look for a quick (and affordable) lunch by ordering their bento sets should ala carte items come across as too expensive.