One of many international branches of the famous Tokyo original, Nadaman Singapore has been feeding foreign dignitaries and local businessmen for years – first on the top level of the Shangri-la and now in its current position on the lobby floor.

There’s an understated classiness about this traditional Japanese restaurant that offers everything from kaiseki to sukiyaki. The fact that it was one of the original Japanese restaurants in town, and its hotel location makes it a regular haunt for those who want familiarity and quality.

And as a venue for corporate dining, it’s a perfect choice given the comfortable distance between tables, discreet and professional staff, and its lack of loud Japanese greetings common in other places.

Besides the usual sashimi and sashimi, Nadaman prides itself on its kaiseki meals, where chefs make use of seasonal ingredients to create a string of nicely presented dishes in manageable portions.

A typical starter would be a cold dish of home-made egg tofu, cold boiled vegetables and maybe some simmered baby squid, followed by clear soup and sashimi.

Interesting dishes include a foie gras chawanmushi where smooth yellow custard is topped with a rich red foie gras sauce which, when mixed with egg custard, packs a flavourful wallop. Bits of sharks fin complete the luxuriously simple dish.

The chefs also do good grilled meats – either teppanyaki style which is served with sauteed bean sprouts and a tangy citrusy dip, or in tasty teriyaki sauce with grilled vegetables.

Overall, Nadamanis an old favourite with regulars and foreign guests, and looks set to stay that way.

Nadaman
Shangri-la Singapore, Orange Grove Road.
Tel: 6737-3644

This article was first published in The Business Times on May 26, 2008.