Stroll leisurely alongside the Singapore River , and discover Shunjuu, a tiny gem of a restaurant located just by the river. The waning daylight bounces off the river, glittering like tiny diamonds on the surface. By nightfall, the place sparkles with romance. Chill out with friends to a glass of sake, or snuggle up with a loved one, as you dine in the dim, elegant ambience. Take an interesting learning journey into the heart of authentic Japanese dining.

• The Vibe
  Soft ceiling lights throw a rosy hue over the restaurant, like a pale orange sheet of chiffon, lingering overhead. The lights are dimmed, and soft modern music wanders into the room, wrapping its smooth, jazzy tunes around the diner. Dark oak paneling, straight lines, tatami mats and paintings give the place an almost zen-like feel. A mixture of sweet and salty fragrances lingers in the room. Casual and yet filled with dreamy, undertones of romance, Shunjuu is the place for modern diners who want a getaway from work, to relax and savor some good Japanese food.

• The Food
  Bored of the usual Sushi and Teppanyaki fare? Shunjuu promises a completely different dining experience, with an excellent selection of exotic Japanese delights and a tantalizing spread of the Japanese charcoal-grilled favorites; including typical Japanese bar food. Dining becomes a lesson in the salient, lesser-known aspects of Japanese dining.

  Begin your ‘lesson' with the Sake Nametake , a tasty mushroom salad tossed with thick, chewy chunks of fresh salmon. The bite is punchy and addictive, and even meat-lovers will agree with this dish. Opt for something different with the Ika Nattou , juicy squid with fermented Soy Bean. Some may find this an ‘acquired taste', with its sticky and slightly gooey texture, but the mere smoothness in which it glides down the throat is a wonderful sensation in itself. Learn the finer points of eating the Tokusei Tsukune , a succulent chicken meat bar with raw egg yolk. Push the luscious bits of meat off the stick, and dip it in the bowl of thick egg yolk, until the whole piece is draped in the gooey yolk. Mrs Tan, Shunjuu's owner and ‘teacher-for-the-night' specially created the Chiizu Maki . Bite into these delicious pork rolls, and the cheese oozes out like molten lava. Heavenly.

  Another one of Shunjuu's unique creations is the Chiizu Miso , which is served as a snack or a dessert. Thin, crisp biscuits are served with cheese marinated in miso sauce. The dofu dessert, came to us like a small, perfect Mount Fuji with snow capped peaks. White coconut cream topped its surface together with a sweet red-bean paste cresting its peaks. This mountain was one we had no difficulty conquering.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Shunjuu
Think you know your A-Zs of Japanese food and dining? Challenge yourself with a trip down to Shunjuu and be amazed at the magnitude of interesting facts and information you can gather about Japanese cuisine. A wealth of knowledge abounds, as your taste buds learn the ways and the wonders of Japanese dining. Amuse, amaze and thrill yourself with the unique range of dishes. For the less adventurous or staple sushi eaters, Shunjuu may prove to be tricky with its exotic dishes, and special creations. The food may require some time getting used to, and the untrained tongue may not immediately get used to the taste. However, like any good novel, the key is to chew on it slowly, and let the taste sink in. After some time, the taste lingers on, and unfolds with time; leaving a delightful and pleasant memory. If dining is a fine art to be learnt, Shunjuu is one fine academy to begin your learning and training.