Osaka-born tuna cutter chef offers daily omakase sushi buffet, 8 seats only
You’ve just wrapped up your daily coffee run with your friend at Robertson Quay, and now both of your stomachs are rumbling. The question is… where do you go for food? Well, if you love sushi and have a raging appetite, why not swing by Maguro Samurai?
Now, it may look like any other run-of-the-mill Japanese izakaya restaurant, but there’s actually a 60-minutes Omakase Sushi Buffet going on at the counter seats (8 of them). It costs S$78++ for adults and S$28++ for kids below 9.
1-year-old Maguro Samurai is the brainchild of Chef Kan Nishina from Osaka, Japan. He also operates a 9-year-old sushi and omakase spot called Kan Sushi just a few units down. When you’re there, you can admire his collection of over 100 knives for sale from Japanese craftsman, Sakai Takayuki.
Chef Kan wasn’t a chef his whole life. He started out as a prison officer in Kyoto before being pulled into the boxing arena, where he was throwing punches and kicks as a professional kickboxer. He later worked as a salesman and a rickshaw puller in downtown Osaka— what a colourful resume!
Now, back to the food. The Omakase Sushi Buffet starts out with a mandatory Appetiser, Chawanmushi, 11 Pieces of Sushi and Miso Soup. Thereafter, you’re free to scan the QR code on the table to see what other items you’d like from the menu.
I was served a cold braised Yellowtail Collar with Radish. Since the collar is connected to the belly, the flesh was buttery and flaked apart easily in my mouth. The seasoning was on point and I was obsessed with the delicate sauce underneath.
The pairing of the juicy radish pieces were like Romeo and Juliet on a plate— a lethal combination!
The chawanmushi was as expected with slices of shiitake mushrooms and fishcake.
As I savoured my starters, the chef in front of me performed his magic and prepared a set of 11 pieces of sushi.
It was beautifully presented inside an intricate wooden box. The set consisted of 3 pieces of Spicy Mentai Tuna Sushi Roll, Tamago and various nigiri sushi: Welk, Arkshell, Squid, Salmon, torched Tuna Cheek, Otoro, Scallop, Top Shell, torched Engawa (Flounder Fin) and Sea Urchin.
The first piece that caught my eye was the Tuna Cheek. The chef jokingly remarked that it resembles beef and I fully agreed. It had a chewy texture, was pleasantly fatty, and delightfully smoky thanks to the aburi treatment.
The Spicy Mentai Tuna Sushi Roll was subtly sweet at first, followed by a bearable amount of heat. The Squid was silky smooth, tender and had a naturally sweet flavour.
The Otoro was rich in creamy fats and when I paired it with the shoyu–wasabi combo, there was only one word… heavenly!
Another noteworthy piece was the Engawa. It resembled unagi and its unique texture didn’t feel like your typical sashimi.
Do note that the Sea Urchin sushi is only limited to just 1 piece, though. Additional orders are subjected to extra charges— what a bummer!
After I tackled the box of 11, I ordered additional sushi like Salmon Roe, Unagi and Negitoro Gunkan (fatty tuna with spring onion). Every piece was great in its own way and I had no complaints.
I also tried the Torikawa (chicken skin) which was grilled nicely. There are also options like Garlic Fried Rice, Chicken Yakitori, Red Clam Sushi, Sweet Shrimp Sushi and Greater Amberjack Sushi.
Do note that Free Flow Drinks like Beer, Sake, Shochu, Highball and Soft Drinks at Maguro Samurai are not included, and are available at an additional S$30++.
These are the time slots for the buffet:
Lunch
12pm – 1pm
1.15pm – 2.15pm
Dinner
6pm – 7pm
7.15pm – 8.15pm
8.30pm – 9.30pm
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