[Review] Hinode Izakaya & Bar at Hamilton Road

Hinode Izakaya & Bar is a new Japanese izakaya restaurant at Hamilton Road in an increasingly gentrified Lavender neighbourhood with rows of old shophouses. It opened its door about 4 months ago, without much fanfare.

I stay nearby in the Boon Keng area and the new restaurant location is just a 7 minutes walk from my home. As such, I had to go try it when I knew there was a new izakaya opening so near my home. The Japanese word izakaya (居酒屋) is made up of three kanji with the meaning, in order, “stay-drink-place.” A spot to grab a drink, settle in, and get comfortable. In other words, a happy place for comfort food for regular people like yours truly.

The restaurant is a little hidden due to the various construction hoardings around it. From the outside, it looks retro-themed, while the inside is lightly furnished with various cliche Japanese posters, figurines and decors so you know you are definitely stepping into an izakaya.

Hinode’s menu features a wide range of bar bites and drinks, ranging from yakitori to sushi and more. I went in the afternoon, too early for a beer or sake, and with my son, Asher. These were the items we tried:

Verdict?

Hinode definitely delivers on value for money. For the lunch sets, the Chirashi Sashimi Don comes with a generous serving of sea urchin, scallops, tuna, salmon and swordfish sashimi, while the Salmon Ikura Don comes with large slices of salmon, overflowing with salmon roe.

If you are there for a drink or two with your buddies, the grilled skewers and squid were prepared well and serve as excellent bar food to accompany your drinks.

Given its convenient location for me, it can be a “stay-drink-place” for me and those who live nearby in the Lavender/ Boon Keng neighbourhood.

Hinode Izakaya & Bar

Address: 14 Hamilton Road

Tel: +65 6293 3018