Describing itself as ‘Japanese with an urban attitude’, Kinki offers an extensive menu that throws up everything from Japanese noodle pancakes and tempura to grilled puffer fish. It is a good thing then that the food is designed for sharing because there is plenty that will tempt.

Sample creative fare that veers deliciously from well-known standards such as beef tataki and miso cod. The former, for instance, is topped with tangy diced tomatoes and drizzled with a delicious citrus apple ponzu sauce. Every sliver is slicked with refreshing, piquant flavour that makes for a wonderful beginning to the meal. Meanwhile, miso cod gets an update with the addition of a delicate pomegranate honey miso sauce. Marinated in the fermented bean paste, the cod’s firm, unctuous flesh transforms into a deeply savoury delight that is counterpointed by the sweet, bright sauce.

A foie gras and scallop sushi stands out for its great textures and contrast in temperatures—think warm earthy foie gras atop a smooth, sweet fresh scallop. A wagyu foie gras rice bowl brings together the richness of Japanese beef and duck liver slathered with a soy glaze to yield an umami-laden delight. An oreo sesame dessert impresses with its fragrant black sesame ice cream dusted with crushed Oreo cookies. There is finesse in its simplicity, especially after a meal that takes your tastebuds across Japan’s wide swathe of flavours.

Set over two floors in Customs House, Kinki’s best kept secret is its fabulous view of the Marina Bay waterfront. After dinner, head up to its third-storey rooftop bar to enjoy sake, a Japanese-inspired cocktail—or both.