Shukuu Izakaya (酒空居酒屋) - A Japanese Restaurant Built on Childhood Friendships - Alvinology

Shukuu Izakaya (酒空居酒屋) – A Japanese Restaurant Built on Childhood Friendships

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Nestled along a stretch of watering holes at Stanley Street in the CBD area, Shukuu Izakaya (酒空居酒屋) is a japanese restaurant specialising in sumi-yaki (charcoal grilled food) and agemono (dee-fried dishes) – basically, any dishes that go down well with some alcohol.

Rachel enjoying a japanese beer
Rachel enjoying a japanese beer

The restaurant has an interesting backstory. It is started by a four childhood friends who knew each other since primary school and got together again in their manhood to start a business which they can call their own. Their labour of friendship – Shukuu Izakaya.

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During a tasting session, I got to speak to the group of friends and you can really feel their passion for the food they serve and the restaurant they operate. All of them are hand-ons owners who can be seen waiting the tables at the restaurant or even in the kitchen preparing food.

Cosy, homely feel
Cosy, homely feel

Even though non of the owners are japanese, they managed to whipped up some pretty authentic japanese fares as well as some amazing creations of their own. The restaurant currently attracts a stable pool of japanese customers who find their flavours legit.

Even the menu in the restaurant is designed and drawn themselves
Even the menu in the restaurant is designed and drawn themselves

Here are some items we tried:

Chicken livers
Chicken livers
Fried chicken skins
Fried chicken skins
Tuna belly with raw egg
Tuna belly with raw egg
Best-selling rosti mentaiko (S$8), or marinated roe on shredded potato
Best-selling rosti mentaiko (S$8), or marinated roe on shredded potato
Bacon scallop (S$7)
Bacon scallop (S$7)
 5-piece Chef’s selection (S$18)
5-piece Chef’s selection (S$18)
If you like to indulge, there is the omi wagyu at S$9 a stick for the very best beef
If you like to indulge, there is the omi wagyu at S$9 a stick for the very best beef
Signature Karaage (S$10), fried chicken
Signature Karaage (S$10), fried chicken
Fried parmesan cheese with tomato and honey (S$10)
Fried parmesan cheese with tomato and honey (S$10)
This dish is clearly a kids favourite - Asher can't get enough of it
This dish is clearly a kids favourite – Asher can’t get enough of it
Signature Gyu Don (S$10) - a real steal for the price
Signature Gyu Don (S$10) – a real steal for the price

The quality of the food is pretty good at Shukuu and the prices are kept reasonable. This is a great place for those who want to knock back a few drinks after work with a group of friends or even for a family dinner gathering.

The skewers are all cleanly grilled and served fresh from the grill. Recommended dishes are the skewers of course and the rosti mentaiko, as well as the fried parmesan cheese. The latter two are crowd-pleasers for the little ones.

Great stuff. Will be back for more. The menu at Shukuu is pretty extensive and it will take a while to take all their dishes. 🙂

Shukuu Izakaya (酒空居酒屋)

Address: 8 Stanley Street
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri: 11.30am-2.30pm, Mon to Sat: 5.30pm-11pm, closed on Sun
Tel: +65 6327-9240

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