Black Fairy Sushi & Grill: New joint with huge $1.90 wagyu sushi at Clarke Quay, open till 3am
When sunset marks the end of the day, Black Fairy comes out to play. That certainly seems to be the theme at gyu sushi specialist Black Fairy Sushi & Grill on Carpenter Street. Newly opened in September 2022, its doors swing open only at 5pm and welcome guests till 3am.
With a location straddled by Clarke Quay on one side and the CBD on the other, Black Fairy’s clientele comprises a mix of young professionals and late-night partygoers. That’s an overlap ripe for interesting conversations.
What piqued my interest, though, is this 120-capacity restaurant’s interesting move away from what has become the ‘default’ sushi and sashimi meal in Singapore. While the classic seafood-based options remain on the menu, the focus here is on gyu sushi, where slices of meat grace the top of each sushi piece instead.
I did a bit of research but could not find another Japanese restaurant in Singapore that specialises in gyu sushi like Black Fairy.
What I tried at Black Fairy Sushi & Grill
Eager to discover their specialty for myself, my first order was for gyu sushi. Each portion comes with 2 pieces of sushi accompanied by 3 different specialty dips.
The Wagyu Beef Classic (S$3.80) works out to S$1.90 per piece of sushi, which is very reasonable for a restaurant. That’s especially striking when you see how large each piece is.
Should you like more flavour with your rice and meat, Black Fairy was a choice of 5 toppings. Teriyaki Glazed and Fried Garlic cost S$4.20 and Tobiko, Ikura or Truffle cost S$4.40. For deeper flavour, ask for the Beef Tenderloin Classic (S$4.20). As with the Wagyu Beef, there are 5 topping options. Teriyaki Glazed and Fried Garlic come for S$4.60 while Tobiko, Ikura or Truffle will set you back S$4.80.
Considering the quality of the meat, serving size and the expertise involved in its preparation, I think that’s fantastic pricing.
For even better value, try the 8-piece Meat Sushi Platter (S$14.90). There are 2 pieces each of Char Siew, Classic Beef Tenderloin, Classic Wagyu Beef and Truffle Wagyu Beef. It will probably be my go-to order when I come here after a night of clubbing.
Black Fairy is by no means just a sushi joint. Leafing through their menu, I could not resist the picture of a steaming bowl of ramen. I asked for the wet version of the Char Siew Ramen (Dry/Soup) (S$10.90).
Oh, were the noodles soft! The char siew slices were huge but thin and super sweet. The boiled egg was done to the level where the yolk is super creamy, which adds to the flavour of the soup. That said, the soup did not require any external assistance to be super yummy. Honestly, this soup was addictive!
Another item that caught my eye was the Zosui (Rice Soup) and I opted for the Prawn Zosui (S$14.90). Similar to porridge but a much more elevated version, the Zosui is a comforting soup that I reckon would be the ideal counterbalance after a night of heavy drinking.
As with the Char Siew Ramen, the soup was a delight. The rich prawn broth was the perfect backdrop for the fresh, succulent prawns.
For sides, we had the Mala Fries (S$10) and Mentai Cauli with Bonito Flakes (S$12). The serving of fries was pretty large, enough for 3-4 people to share.
The huge battered pieces of cauliflower came drizzled in a very balanced amount of mentaiko sauce. I enjoyed the blend of flavours and textures. My colleague absolutely adored this dish, though.
Black fairy has a reasonably long drinks menu. Your favourite drink not on it? The friendly bar staff will whip one up for you on request.
Final thoughts
I loved it. Black Fairy’s unorthodox approach to sushi, inventive dish preparations and delicious fare are addictive. Couple that with its quality meat at low prices and I think we have a winner on our hands.
Whatever the cuisine and wherever the location, the crowd and ambience drive the vibe at a restaurant. Here, it was chill and easy-going. Working professionals leave their hectic day behind them at the door to enjoy a hearty meal in good company. The early-morning demographic ambles in cheerily, looking forward to a comforting post-drinks meal to end their night.
After work or after party, I can so easily see myself being part of either group.
Expected damage: S$3.80 – S$15 per pax
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