Shakō-Ba: Hidden daruma-themed izakaya bar with innovative Japanese bar bites & expressive alcoholic drinks
After a long day at work, who wouldn’t want to have a drink (or two…or more) to unwind? Tucked within the CBD area just by Boat Quay is Shakō-Ba, your latest izakaya spot for post-work food and drinks. Set to open officially on 1 Oct, this hidden sanctuary offers an escape from your worries, immersed in the Japan experience.
Derived from the Japanese word Shakō (社交) meaning “socialising”, the daruma-themed izakaya bar has a focus on camaraderie with various promotions and games to encourage interactions between friends and strangers. This includes a fun Buy-X-Get-X-Free Shots offer, as long as you share at least one with the table next to yours.
Look out for the hidden entrance, highlighted by Easter Egg Darumas. As you push through the doors, look out for the neon lights (one looks uncanny) that take you into an immersive, extraordinary world.
Are you feeling peckish? Choose from over 30 classic and innovative izakaya bar bites curated by Chef Patrick, who has over 25 years of experience under his belt.
You will be spoilt for your poison of choice as Shakō-Ba has you covered with over 100 beverages to loosen up the mood. From highballs to taruhais, be sure to look out for their expressive drinks, including the Daruma Superbomb (S$28), a special tower of signature shots containing flavours like Mulberry Watermelon, Yuzu, Salted Caramel and more!
Don’t miss out on Shakō-Ba’s opening promo until the 31 Oct where you can get 10 original flavoured highballs for S$88++.
What I tried at Shakō-Ba
We began the evening with their range of Otōshi (1 for S$5 or 2 for S$8), with a selection of 6 small appetisers to choose from. We were informed that there are 2 mainstays on the tray: the Potato Salad and the Marinated Cuttlefish. The other 4 dishes rotate on a seasonal basis.
One of my favourites was the Salmon Treasure Box (S$28), a whole box containing freshly minced salmon topped with Ikura and served with a side of crispy tempura seaweed. I couldn’t contain my excitement. The salmon was the perfect combination of creamy and rich, followed by the umami pop of the Ikura.
I chose to put some salmon on top of the tempura seaweed, and I must say I had an eureka moment. The crunchy bite of the seaweed paired with the umami-rich salmon was incredibly flavourful and addicting. It keeps you coming back for more!
From their grilled options, I tried the Minced Chicken Tsukune (S$12) which contained a whole egg yolk on top of a bed of chicken skin. I stabbed my spoon in and broke up the egg yolk, leading to a sea of golden yellow goodness coating the chicken skin. Paired with the creaminess of the egg yolk, this elevated the crispiness of the chicken skin to a new dimension as it cut down the grease.
Another personal favourite delectable bite I savoured was their Lobster (2 for S$12) and Unagi (2 for S$12) Crispy Rice Sushi. While both were crunchy and crispy bites, I preferred the flavour of the Lobster which was immensely fresh. It was an unforgettable bite that stuck with me.
With an array of vibrant maki choices, we tried their Mango Soft Shell Crab Maki (S$14). What started as an experimental dish during Shakō-Ba’s soft launch period, has become a staple on their menu. The addition of the mango only came recently.
This elaborate maki contained various elements. From the crispiness of the soft shell crab to the richness of the aburi sauce. Ending on a sweet note from the mango, I must say, the addition of the sweet fruit was an excellent choice.
Final thoughts
Shako-Ba was one of the most unique experiences I’ve had. With the endless selection of bar bites and boozy beverages, you will be scratching your head in awe of the choices available.
Head down after work or if you’re in the area for your new hangout spot for any occasion!
Expected damage: S$20 – S$35 per pax
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