ikigai izakaya the riverwalk

It’s a Japanese eatery and bar which provides wide varieties of Japanese dishes. It’s not really an Izakaya. It’s more like an Ichiban Boshi next to the river with loads of alcohol choices. The portion of the dishes were big. The restaurant plays some nice music(finally). The interior is contemporary. Nothing inside the restaurant really reminds you of Japan. The service staff were really diligent and friendly. I could tell they tried hard to provide good service. The average cost per person is around $40 without alcohol.

Fresh sashimi and quality food. They have a wide selection of food ranging from raw to cooked. Japanese Gin / Sake lovers will be impressed by a range of bottles on the menu. Only a short walk from Clarke quay MRT station. It is located by Singapore river, a nice dating spot.

Delicious food, chill ambience and reasonable prices. Highly recommend the following dishes: 1. Agedashi tofu - It comes with some extra ingredients on top. Def a pleasant surprise. 2. Grilled squid - I was amazed by the portion size and for once it’s actually sliced properly (ya know those places where it’s always half cut and you have to use your chopstick skills to tear it apart ?). Perfectly grilled w just salt and some chilli powder. 3. Shishamo mentai - Def a surprising dish. It did not look like what we thought it’d look like at all but the bite and taste were both very interesting. 3. Cold udon - The thin kind. Slightly chewy and Al dente. Super refreshing and can pair with the dishes. 4. Garlic fried rice - Must order if you love garlic. Actually no should order even if you (are tasteless and) don’t like garlic lol. 5. Pitan tofu - Not often that places serve this. The century egg is creamy and fragrant, not overpowering at all. Yakitori was the most disappointing of all. We ordered chicken thigh w leek but the meat was tough and I didn’t like their marinade at all. Tori Q serves better yakitori. Might be better if it’s just the salt and pepper kind. Sit outside if you’re looking to catch the live band (starts at 7:30pm). Also looks like it’s mostly high seats indoors. Happy hour till 8pm.

Been to Ikigai for a couple of times and the food and service never fail to amaze me!! Tried their fresh oysters recently and made me wanting more. Their grilled white corn and Eihire (grilled stingray fin) are to look out for as well!! The evening view outside their restaurant is mesmerising while sipping a glass of sake/wine at the same time.

If I were to summarise my experience here: it is that this place reminds me of a Japanese BBQ place near Zion Road that I once went to that gave me and my friends and spouse such good memories. I was busy enjoying myself, relaxing to the music and appreciating what the service staff tried to do. Explaining to me why the chef was taking longer than usual and making sure we were fed and doing okay. Sense of care and humility is there. There was this skinny tall-ish guy who kept trying to give food to us because we waited longer than usual. So kind. The rest of the staff are also friendly and kept us happy although they were full house that Valentine’s Day. Ingredients: Three quarter level of fine fresh Omakase degustation standard but at portion of the price. Great value. The ingredients and plating was what stood out most to our palette and eyes. :) Variety: At first looked sparse but after delving into the details was able to epi create our own delectable selection with different items. The normal items that you get at ichiban boshi and sushi teh will be upgraded several levels if you know what to choose and taste. Wonderful! Service: Friendly and will help you if you’re in trouble or need.

Very attentive and friendly staff. Always my go to place for sake and beer. The food menu variety is wide as well. Highly recommend their sparkling sake and pork belly! Yet to try their gin selection. Will surely come back to try again one day.

Food is delicious, e.g. grilled chicken wings, chicken thigh. The skewered items are grilled nicely without burnt and not overcooked. So the meat are juicy with nice charred aroma on the outside. Al fresco area is nice next to the river. And indoor with nice music.

Came here for dinner with my friend on a Friday evening. We arrived at 6pm before the "peak" hour. We were seated indoors. The service crew who attended to us was nice and friendly. She recommended a nice sparkling sake which we enjoyed after trying it. She also recommended alternative dishes when a few of our choices were not available. The food came pretty fast and I must say all tasted pretty good. All the service crew who brought food to our table were nice and friendly. The indoor ambiance was nice. As we were leaving, we saw the live band at the outdoor area about to start their first set.