Jiro: Affordable Japanese restaurant hidden in Ubi industrial estate
Nestled within the Ubi industrial confines is Jiro, offering an exquisite culinary journey into the heart of traditional Japanese cuisine. For sushi enthusiasts and connoisseurs of authentic Japanese fare, this dining destination provides a refined experience that artfully balances tradition with modern flair. It is also a surprise that such a quaint restaurant is held in such an industrial estate area.
Upon entering Jiro, one is immediately struck by the elegant atmosphere. The decor is minimalistic, embodying the Japanese aesthetic principle of “Wabi-Sabi,” which finds beauty in simplicity and imperfection.
With its soft, ambient lighting and earthy tones, the restaurant creates a calming environment, ideal for savouring each delicate bite. The sushi counter takes centre stage, allowing diners to observe the chefs at work – a hallmark of Japanese dining that emphasises transparency and the artistry of sushi-making. It should also be noted that there are 2 private rooms for larger group celebrations.
The menu is a testament to the chefs’ commitment to quality and authenticity. It offers a variety of sushi and sashimi, each meticulously crafted to highlight the natural flavours of the fish.
What I tried at Jiro
What sets Jiro apart is its affordable price point like their lunch sets which start at S$15 like the Grilled Saba Set meal (S$15).
The exterior of the saba had a thin layer of crispy skin and a smokey char that lures you into eating it. When I poked my chopstick into the fish, I could see the juices oozing out of the flaky flesh inside. On the first bite, I could taste the simple salt seasoning on the fish followed by the natural sweetness of the fish.
This surprised me, as I didn’t expect much from the saba fish, assuming it would be like any other I’ve had before. On the side, there was also a simple cucumber salad, a green salad, a miso soup and rice.
For S$15 I felt that this was quite worth the money as the fish was extremely juicy and for a lunch set this could be money well spent.
Another main that diners can choose from is their Chirashi (S$24) bowl. Topped with a generous amount of chopped mixed fish. Each bite of the bowl consisted of salmon, tuna, tamago, cucumber and yellowtail— I felt that it was just average.
They were fresh enough not to be unpleasant but lacked that extra depth in flavour I was looking for. Perhaps I was looking for the fish to be marinated in some soy sauce. Despite that, I feel that it is somewhat a decent bowl of chirashi with quite an okay price point.
Next, we also had their Grilled Octopus (S$18). The octopus was slightly charred on the outside to give it that smokey flavour. The octopus was also cooked perfectly and not rubbery.
I also enjoyed the side of mayo as it elevated the whole flavour of each bite. However, I feel that again this was a very average plate of octopus and there was nothing special about it.
One of their signatures was their Spicy Chashu Roll (S$15). It was topped with a slightly spicy Japanese leek and packed with chashu slices. The overall flavour profile was on the earthier side with the seaweed that the roll was rolled in.
As you take your first bite, you can taste the tangy and spicy leeks followed by the crunch of cucumber and lastly the meaty chashu.
Unfortunately, what disappointed me was that the chashu was dry and rubbery. What I expected was a melt-in-your-mouth chashu with its fats just disintegrating in your mouth. This, unfortunately, was not that.
Perhaps you could wash it down with some Sapporo (S$6/half pint) as well as 10% off 2 bottles of any Sake for their all-day happy hour promotion. The sakes are carefully curated to complement the delicate flavours of the sushi. Whether you are a seasoned sake enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of Japanese rice wine, the knowledgeable staff are always on hand to recommend a pairing that will enhance your dining experience.
Final thoughts
Jiro definitely has its hiccups— perhaps I was unfortunate and had visited on one of their bad days. I feel that there is much that can be improved with Jiro like for example having fattier pork for their Chashu rolls. This experience was unfortunately underwhelming for me. While I expected it to be a hidden gem known to a select few, this was one that was just average if not below average.
For its location, I feel that I would definitely not travel out this far just to have a Japanese meal as there is many other restaurants that do it much better at a more convenient location.
Expected damage: S$15 – S$30 per pax
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