For many locals, the love affair with Japanese food began with the convenience of chain restaurants and the comfort of affordable ramen. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the savory kitchens of Osaka, Japanese cuisine has firmly planted its roots in the city-state. We see it everywhere—from the high-end omakase menus in Tanjong Pagar to the casual Japanese dining spots in Suntec City or Great World.
Yet, as diners become more sophisticated, they begin to look beyond the standard sushi and tempura. They seek the specific, regional flavours of Japan. Among these, Hokkaido stands out as a culinary paradise. Known for its rugged landscapes and the bounty of the Hokkaido sea, this northern island offers a culture of food that is distinct, rustic, and deeply soul-warming. However, despite the popularity of Japanese restaurants in Singapore, authentic Hokkaido food Singapore remains a rare find.
At Soup Curry by Ki-Setsu, we believe that to truly understand Hokkaido food Singapore, one must look beyond the fresh sashimi and grilled seafood. You must look toward the “soul food” of Sapporo: soup curry.
The Evolution of Japanese Food and the Search for Authenticity
The landscape of Japanese cuisine in Singapore has evolved significantly over the decades. In the early days, guests were content with basic menu items like miso soup, a simple bowl of rice, and perhaps some fresh fish. As the market matured, the demand for exceptional quality and premium quality rose.
Today, you can find a restaurant for every craving. There are those that focus on wagyu or yakiniku for the meat lovers, and others that serve delicate unagi or duck for those seeking a specific delicacy. We see chefs incorporating caviar and truffle into modern interpretations of traditional dishes.
However, much of this growth has centered on the “big three” exports: sushi, ramen, and tempura. Affordable prices and quick service made noodles a staple meal for the office crowd. But Hokkaido’s culinary identity is different. It isn’t about the fast-paced life of a subway station; it’s about the rich, slow-simmered broth that can stand up to a northern winter. This is why Japanese dining is entering a new era where regional soul food takes center stage.
What to Expect from a Unique Japanese Dining Experience
A great Japanese dining experience should adapt to the rhythm of the day. At Soup Curry by Ki-Setsu, we embrace this through our dual concept. During the daylight hours, we focus on the lunch crowd looking for a wholesome, nourishing meal. It’s a place to dine on something that feels better for the soul than a standard plate of fried tempura.
Born in the early 1970s in the cafes of Sapporo, soup curry is a relatively new tradition compared to centuries-old sushi. It was created as a medicinal, nutrient-dense meal to help residents brave the cold. Most Japanese food fans are used to the thick, gravy-like consistency of a standard curry. Soup curry, however, is a light, curry-flavored soup base made from a meticulously prepared chicken broth, blended with a secret ratio of curry powder and garam masala.
At Soup Curry by Ki-Setsu, we focus on quality ingredients to recreate this authentic experience. Our soup isn’t just a side dish; it is the star. It is served with rice on the side—never poured over—to maintain the texture of the grain. This is Japanese food at its most comforting.
The Art of the Ingredient: Land, Sea, and Exceptional Quality
Hokkaido is often referred to as the “breadbasket of Japan.” While the Hokkaido sea provides fresh fish and seafood of exceptional quality, the land is equally generous. In our kitchen, we celebrate this through a vibrant mix of deep-fried vegetables. We use traditional Japanese cutting methods to prepare:
Bell Peppers for a touch of sweetness.
Lotus Root for a satisfying crunch.
Eggplant that turns creamy and delicious in the broth.
Potato, a Hokkaido staple, providing an earthy heartiness.
We also focus on the protein. Unlike a quick yakiniku or grilled beef dish, our chicken thighs and legs are simmered until they are incredibly tender, soaking up every drop of the rich aromatic soup. While some prefer sashimi or a cold appetiser, there is nothing quite like the warmth of a freshly prepared soup curry to satisfy a deep hunger. Whether you are looking for meat or vegetables, the quality of our seasonal produce shines through.
Why Soup Curry by Ki-Setsu Offers a Rare Hokkaido Food Singapore Experience
The rarity of authentic Hokkaido food Singapore stems from the precision required to get it right. Many chain restaurants rely on pre-made bases to keep prices low and service fast. Authentic soup curry cannot be rushed. It requires a specific expertise—the kind held by Chef Masa—to balance the spices so they enhance rather than overpower the seasonal produce.
Furthermore, the atmosphere in Hokkaido is often centered around a sense of warmth and home. Recreating that in a fast-paced city like Singapore takes intention. While you can find fresh sashimi or sushi at almost any mall from Suntec City to Great World, finding a bowl of soup curry that tastes like a snowy night in Sapporo is a much harder task. We are proud to be the first and only authentic Hokkaido food Singapore restaurant specializing in soup curry, filling a gap that has existed for far too long.
As the sun sets, our atmosphere shifts. From 6 PM onwards, we transform into a cozy izakaya. This is where the culture of Japanese nightlife comes alive. We offer:
Japanese Small Plates: Perfect for sharing with friends.
Sake and Beer: A curated selection of drinks to pair with your meal.
Good Company: A warm, inviting space where you can eat, drink, and relax.
Our Daily Opening Hours and Reservation Policy
To ensure every guest enjoys a premium quality dining experience, we maintain clear opening hours and specific policies for our visitors. Whether you are stopping by for a hearty meal or an evening of sake, here is how you can find us:
Opening Hours: We are open from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday to Sunday.
Lunch: For those seeking a mid-day meal, we operate on a walk-in basis. We do not take reservations for lunch, so we encourage you to come by early to secure a table.
Dinner: As we move into the evening and the izakaya vibes begin, we offer an exclusive reservation slot at 6:30 PM. This is the only time slot available for booking. Because we value the time of all our diners, we hold reserved tables for a maximum of 15 minutes past the booking time.
Please note that we do not offer breakfast service, as our chefs spend the morning preparing our rich broth and freshly sourcing quality ingredients.
From Year Celebrations to Everyday Comfort at Japanese Restaurants
In Japan, year celebrations and new year celebrations often revolve around special foods—unagi for strength, aosa seaweed in miso soup for health, or premium quality fish for prosperity. While we don’t focus on the high-ticket omakase menus found elsewhere in Singapore, we do focus on the celebration of the everyday. To truly understand why this dish holds such a special place in the hearts of the Japanese people, you can read more in our companion guide, Soup Curry Hokkaido: How a Spicy Broth Became the Island’s Signature Comfort Food.
The next time you are craving Japanese food and find yourself tired of the usual ramen or sushi choices at typical Japanese restaurants, we invite you to try something different. Step away from the chain restaurants and experience the authentic flavours of the north. From the rich and aromatic soup to the freshly grilled vegetables and the cozy evening sake sessions, Soup Curry by Ki-Setsu is here to bring a piece of Hokkaido to you.
Whether you’re looking for an affordable lunch or a sophisticated Japanese dining experience at fair price points, our menu has something for everyone. From wagyu additions to fresh fish, we ensure every meal is of exceptional quality. Come and dine with us to experience the true soul of Hokkaido.
