But there can only be One Sushi Master.

Many jaded lunches make one sad tummy. I have an insatiable craving for Japanese and so decided to satiate this hunger by finally paying homage to The Sushi Master. It’s about time anyway. After all it’s been eons since that last visit. That visit which saw me down two pots of fugu zosui in one setting, on that forlorn and rainy night. That very first time which got me thereafter so totally enamored with the Japanese cuisine.

I trust Nogawa so wholeheartedly I confidently settled for a set lunch – the prettiest one too! The Chirashizushi (Misaki) set ($35) comprises an otoshi of marinated gobo strips, miso soup, a cute lit’ vessel of chawanmushi and dessert. The bento was brimming full of seafood, like a stupendous treasured chest of secrets. Impeccable. Sashimi slices were expertly cut for finesse in texture, spotting some chunky slices of Akami (Hon Maguro), sake, tai, hotategai, amaebi and the coolest of the lot, a cross section of an octopus tentacle, which I learnt from Chef it was blanched only slightly to rid of its fishy whiff. And I ate it! Special mention here coz I don’t normally eat squid/ octopus (read chewy), so this is a indication of how enjoyable it actually was.

The second half of the bento contained a bed of comforting sticky vinegared rice which provided a nice cushion for the myriad of other fishes and sashimi, namely anago and ikura pearls. There was a fresh interplay of fish and flavors, with sashimi interspersed with a medley of the oh-so-kawaii pink fish floss, gari, kampyo, wakame, tamagoyaki, shredded tamago, nori and the requisite lurid pickles. My bento was so teeming with seafood, fresh and creamy, I dived almost instantly into it after some cursory obligatory shots. What mouthfuls of immense joy and satisfaction!

The chawanmushi contained a juicy fat prawn, gingko and a plump chunk of chicken, all soft and wobbly. Ingredients galore. There was simply no par. My meal ended with some sweet watermelon and rockmelon slices and a new cup of the requisite hojicha. One happy girl again.

At one point, I whined about not having any chutoro in my lunch bento. Lo and behold! Chef Shingo secretly planted a plump slice of the fatty tuna on my bento when I was not looking. This really caught me by surprise I felt so totally spoilt for being such a baby. Must be the bambi-eye look I gave. =) Now this the kind of treatment I always get when I sit by the sushi counter. Domo Arigato!

I love the Chirashi so much in no time, I had conscientiously polished off every single grain of rice, every wedge of fish and each morsel of garnishing. Chef Kelvin looked at me in awe and total astonishment. He had underestimated my lit’ stomach’s prowess to contain that much food Japanese food. Wait till I go omakase I told him… I think his eyes will pop. :p

Nogawa is a stellar example of first class haute Japanese cuisine. An undisputed grand dame, which must be the exemplar for all Japanese restaurants here. I adore this place so much I’ll be drawn back as soon as the craving for Japanese kicks in again (which is quite very often actually =P).

And so a simple bento lunch lingered much longer than I actually intended it to be. Coz soon we were yakking away about everything under the sun land of the rising sun, its cuisine and its sea, on the way also acquiring little useful nuggets of info (yes that shiso leaf bud thingy is called hojiso…). There were also promises of future visits and our secret agreement on the inclusion of many chutoros (shhh….) in my bento boxes. I retorted jokingly: Chutoro?? Next time I want Otoro! Chef dropped his jaw. And laughed in disbelief. He unabashedly admitted that such genial treatment is only extended to regulars, but for being a “1st time regular” =) I earned that little something already. Which I mean wasn’t that piece of premium sashimi per se, but the warm and welcoming disposition I feel all around, I really don’t mind making this place my lunch spot daily. Oh no!

My parting words to Chef Kelvin: Could I take a picture of you and Chef Shingo? Sure! Came the candid reply. They were so enthused they instantaneously (and gleefully) stood in position for the final Kodak moment. Such role models (sic) for Nogawa.

And so you think Food Nazis in some places…Talk about Cam-Whores here!!

Now would anyone please drag me away?.... =)