Indulge In Fresh Japanese Wagyu & Produce Without Travelling

Enjoy authentic Japanese selections in Singapore

For travellers who have fallen in love with Japan, no words can quite describe how much we miss the amazing country. Ahh, to be greeted ‘Dozo’ at restaurants and be surrounded by the most delicious Japanese food again. Until that day comes, let us feed your wanderlust by helping you taste authentic Japanese food right here in Singapore!

Japanese Food Supporter Restaurants’ Week

Savour the flavour and texture of Wagyu right in the Little Red Dot.

As part of the Japanese Food Supporter Restaurants’ Week, participating restaurants have curated a delightful food experience with the spotlight on Japanese strawberries, tea and Wagyu. Before we skip to the good part (eating of course), here are some fun facts about these fine Japanese produce that you should know.

Japanese Strawberry

Strawberries evoke feelings of sweet romance and nothing beats sinking your teeth into plump and juicy Japanese strawberries! These famed gems are known for their huge size and luscious sweetness. The best time to enjoy this exquisite fruit is during its peak season, from December to March.

Japanese strawberries are a type of luxury fruit because the farmers devote a lot of effort to growing them.

Highly sought-after by consumers, it comes as no surprise that there are more than 300 varieties of strawberries produced in Japan. New varieties with unique characteristics are constantly being developed but here are a few popular varieties.

Tenshi no Mi (Angel's fruit) from Saga prefecture

A unique white strawberry that weighs an average of 60 grams. It has a lovely fragrance, tastes slightly sweet and is low in acidity.

Shinku no Misuzu from Chiba prefecture

Burgundy strawberries with dark red flesh. High in sugar content, low in acidity, and rich in flavour.

Bijin Hime from Gifu prefecture

A very large fruit, sometimes weighing more than 100 grams each, with a beautiful sheen. The fruit is juicy, sweet and fragrant.

How to enjoy Japanese strawberry

For those who want a more immersive experience, strawberry picking at local farms is a must.

How to enjoy Japanese strawberry

Japanese strawberries show off their versatility in a wide spectrum of uses. They’re great on their own but they’re also often used in dessert-making, such as in the well-loved Strawberry Shortcake. For more interesting local creations, you have to try the unique Strawberry Curry Rice and Strawberry Pizza!

Japanese Tea

It is a known fact that Japanese green tea can soothe your senses and is chock-full of health benefits. However, are you aware that there are more than 20 varieties of Japanese tea? Most people have heard of Sencha (green tea) and Matcha (powdered tea). Lesser-known varieties include Gyokuro (refined green tea), Hojicha (roasted whole leaf green tea) and Tama-ryokucha (steamed green tea rolled into a ball).

Many varieties of tea are produced in Japan. A few of the most famous tea regions are Shizuoka, Kyoto and Kagoshima.

Besides being a part of everyday life, Japanese tea is also the essence of the Tea Ceremony culture. This long-standing tradition is an art form that places much emphasis on the preparation, serving style and manner of consumption.

How to enjoy Japanese tea

Every variety of Japanese tea has its unique characteristics so naturally, there are different methods to make a good brew. The key factors are to understand the particular tea variety, select the right utensil and examine the water used.

Sencha has a good balance of sweetness, bitterness and umami flavours. The grassy and earthy aroma puts you into a state of relaxation with a feeling of indulgence.

Most of the green tea sold in supermarkets is Sencha, so here are some useful tips to enhance your tea-drinking experience with this variety.
Prepare a teapot that can hold 250ml of high-grade sencha and a small teacup (100ml).
Use water of around 80℃ to 90℃ and boil it twice before using.
The best water to brew good Japanese tea is soft water with a hardness of less than 100 mg/litre.
Steep the sencha for 2 minutes to allow the flavours to be extracted.

Japanese Wagyu

The exquisite taste and texture of Wagyu beef have captured the hearts of foodies in Japan and all over the world. Tender, juicy and buttery-rich, this high-quality meat is a treat for your tastebuds. Some restaurants claim to have Wagyu on their menu but did you know that authentic Japanese Wagyu comes sealed with the universal Wagyu mark for quality assurance?

Wagyu is highly prized because the cows are specially bred in a pristine environment and raised on a healthy diet. This results in well-marbled meat with a beautiful red lustre.

There are more than 320 types of Wagyu beef brands in Japan and some of the top brands are Kobe Beef (Hyogo prefecture), Matsusaka Beef (Mie prefecture) and Miyazaki beef (Miyazaki prefecture).

If you have the chance to travel to Mie prefecture, there is an ultimate Wagyu experience that you have to try. It includes a decadent indulgence in top-quality Matsusaka wagyu and a local farm stay to experience the finest of Japanese hospitality.

Mie prefecture is a travel destination where you can savour exceptional Matsusaka Beef and also experience the local culture.

How to enjoy Japanese Wagyu

With so much effort put in by Wagyu farmers, it is almost sacrilegious to ruin the taste by cooking it incorrectly. To best enjoy the delectability of Wagyu meat, follow these recommendations for cooking different cuts of the beef.

Chuck roll: steak, barbecue, stewing, Sukiyaki, Shabu-shabu
Fillet: steak, barbecue, roast
2-rib short rib: barbecue, stewing
Short Plate: barbecue, stewing, Shabu-shabu
Gooseneck round: stewing, Sukiyaki

Delight in the taste of Japan without leaving the country

The Japanese Food Supporter Restaurants’ Week is bringing the authentic flavours of Japan to you. Six participating restaurants will be offering a special menu that features Japanese strawberries, tea and Wagyu. This is a rare epicurean opportunity and all you have to do is to complete a simple survey at the restaurant. Sugoi!

These six selected restaurants are certified members of the Japanese Food Supporter, a system put in place by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan to promote fresh and delicious Japanese ingredients outside of Japan.

You are definitely in for a tantalising treat! Make sure you check one of these places.

Okada Coffee

Special Menu:

Wagyu / Houji Cha Rice Set
Strawberry Sake Mojito
Houji Cha Porridge
Matcha (Hot / Cold)
Matcha Latte (Hot / Cold)
Matcha Warabi Mochi
Matcha Warabi with Ice Cream
Matcha Burnt Cheese Cake

The special menu runs until 8 March.

WHITETREE Café

WHITETREE Café

Special Menu:

Sweet Strawberry Heart Parfait
Happy Strawberry Frappuccino
Strawberry Snow Mochi

The special menu runs until 11 March.

Hvala

Hvala

Special Menu:

Matcha Latte

The special menu runs until 6 March.

Bob The Baker Boy

Bob The Baker Boy

Special Menu:

Japanese Matcha Strawberries Bento Cake

The special menu runs until 6 March.

Tarte by Cheryl Koh

Tarte by Cheryl Koh

Special Menu:

Matcha Azuki Tart

The special menu runs until March 6.

Morinaga Izakaya

Morinaga Izakaya

Special Menu:

A5 Wagyu Shabu-Shabu

The special menu runs until 13 March.

This story was created in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan.

Have a taste of Japan in Singapore. Learn more here.