[Review] Kokoro Izakaya Opens at Lau Pa Sat Offering Affordable Meals and Charcoal Grilled Skewers

Kokoro Izakaya has officially opened its doors at Lau Pa Sat.

This fresh dining concept brings the convivial spirit of Japanese izakaya culture to one of the most iconic hawker landmarks in Singapore. Operating as a dual concept space, the restaurant offers a distinctive dining experience that transitions from affordable Japanese lunch sets by day to charcoal grilled skewers and drinks after work.

Day menu items:

Night menu items:

For the bustling daytime crowd, the restaurant caters directly to CBD professionals seeking quality and value within the heart of the city. We were impressed by the Tori Katsu Don Set (S.90), a weekday exclusive that ranks as an incredibly good deal.

The crispy chicken cutlet is simmered in a savory bonito sauce with egg, served over rice, and accompanied by a side of potato salad and green tea. It is a quick, hearty, and satisfying midday option.

Beyond the lunch sets, the a la carte menu presents more robust choices.

We sampled the Black Garlic Tonkotsu Chashu Ramen (S.90), which features a rich and fragrant pork broth elevated by the strong aroma of black garlic.

For those desiring a more premium protein, go for the Wagyu Beef Don (S.90).

The marbled beef is delightful on the palate, and is best enjoyed when you burst open the egg yolk to blend it together with the rice.

As the office crowd clocks off and Lau Pa Sat comes alive after dark, Kokoro Izakaya transforms into a lively gathering spot. The evening menu places a heavy spotlight on skewers grilled to order over premium binchotan charcoal, which imparts a distinctive smoky aroma and flavour.

With more than 15 varieties available, we sampled a lavish spread with pieces starting from S.90 each.

Our selection included the lightly charred Tebasaki (Chicken Wing), succulent Hotate Scallops, and the signature Tori Tsukune (Chicken and Potato) which offered a delightful textural contrast.

We also relished the Sunagimo (Chicken Gizzard) for its thick crunch, alongside the indulgent Buta Bara (Pork Belly) and Uzura Tamago (Quail Egg).

To round out our feast, we added Chicken Thigh, crispy Chicken Skin, and juicy Shiitake Mushroom skewers, all of which captured the essence of street side Japanese grilling.

Overall, Kokoro Izakaya excels at delivering simple izakaya comfort food at a reasonable price point in the CBD. It is a great venue to hang out after work for drinks and food, offering an approachable selection of Japanese beers, sake, and highballs to suit every occasion.

To sweeten the experience, the restaurant is currently running a Sake Night Deal (S.90).

Available from Sunday to Thursday starting at 5pm, this promotion features a one for one house pour sake pairing accompanied by an assorted skewer platter.

Additionally, diners can enjoy a 10% discount on all a la carte items when they order and pay via the FairPrice Group app.

Kokoro Izakaya

Address:
18 Raffles Quay,
Lau Pa Sat Festival Market (MR20),
Singapore 048582

Opening Hours:
Daily, 11am to 11pm

Contact:
+65 8758 7024