Sen of Japan review: Marina Bay Sands’ Japanese food

Sen of Japan Review.

This is my second Sen of Japan review.

My first Sen of Japan review was over 2 years ago, so it’s time for an update and a revisit.

Or two. 

FYI: this review’s contents come from TWO separate visitations to Sen of Japan.

Location: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

View from the restaurant: Buildings afar on the other side of the Marina Bay Area

American Express Love Dining

Getting a good deal or discount is always a huge motivator for dining out. With the American Express Love Dining programme, eligible card holders can enjoy up to 50% off the food bill.

I personally own the American Express Platinum Charge card and CANNOT recommend it enough. Love Dining benefits aside, the card also offers a ton of other benefits including: Elite statuses in four major hotel chains, 1-for-1 or complimentary drinks at participating bars and clubs, complimentary Tower Club access, and a ton of wine and dining vouchers.

American Express Platinum Charge Card (Image source: American Express)

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Japanese starters

The starters at Sen of Japan have both the hot and cold variety, and we decided to try a bit of each.

For the hot starter, we went with the Agedashi Tofu.

Agedashi Tofu

Bonus: the inside of the tofu was soft, so even my slightly under-1 year old enjoyed it thoroughly.

Close up – generous bonito flakes’ topping

Maguro Pizza  (Tuna Pizza)

If you love raw tuna, this is an absolute delight. So fresh, fishy in all the right ways, and the flavour lifted with the onions and tobiko – I can recommend this for tuna lovers.

Legitimately Pizza-shaped

Inaniwa Salad

All the goodness of Udon, Crabmeat and Prawns

Sushi

This Sen of Japan review would not be complete without some of their mouth-watering sushi.

Behold, the Mala Maki.

Mala Maki

Although it’s called a Mala Maki, it’s not terribly spicy. It’s only the sauce that comes with a tinge of Mala spice. While I wouldn’t feed it to my kids (who can’t take chilli), most adults here would have no problem managing this.

Again, don’t take my word 100%, I do have a super high spice tolerance, so…

Soft shell crab on the inside

Twin Maki

Looks like twin dragons, yes?

Mains: Fish and Meat

At Sen of Japan, one is truly spoilt for chioce – there is a HUGE variety of a la carte dishes to choose from.

One of the favourites, as recommended by the server, is the Black Cod Soy – Baked black cod fillet in Hiro’s special soy marinade.

Oh, this was savoury and texture-wise, its super melt-in-your-mouth soft. Loved by adults, and a hit with the kids – I declare this the most idiot-proof dish of the day. 

Black Cod Soy

Compared to the cod, this was a little more firm. Swordfish is known for not carrying a fishy taste, and its not rich and oily like tuna. So for those who dislike oily and fishy seafood, swordfish is amazing alternative, and Sen of Japan does it so well here. 

Mekajiki Steak (Swordfish)

Hamachi Kama (Yellowtail)

so fresh, so juicy

Pork Belly

The kind that goes well with rice

Fished out from the sauce

Mains: Noodles and Rice

The noodles and rice dishes featured in this Sen of Japan Review are probably some of the best noodle / rice dishes I’ve ever had in my life.

Uni Pasta (Sea Urchin)

The Ikura (salmon roe) were HUGE!

I’ve never seen such a generous amount of ikura (salmon roe) toppings for a pasta dish, at least not in this huge size. Once you get over the volume of fish eggs, you’re wowed by the super fresh and creamy sea urchin. The entire pasta was the best kind of umami-salty sweetness, with an aftertaste of the ocean. 

… and so generously lavished over the pasta

Mini Aburi Don

Mini Aburi Don: Top View

Desserts

In this Sen of Japan review I declare that while desserts aren’t necessarily a must-have, it’s not because they aren’t good (in fact, the desserts are amazing).

It’s because, after feasting on all that fish, I kind of what that seafood aftertaste to linger a little longer on the palate.

Yet they seemed too darned good to pass up.

Desserts are served

Umeshu Raisin Cheesecake

Black Sesame Ice Cream

Pumpkin Ice Cream with Puffed Rice

General thoughts: Sen of Japan review

It can get busy here especially on weekends, so reservations are recommended.

Service here was great; the staff were kind and attentive, and the server who attended to my family was fond of kids and greeted the little ones, so that’s always an added bonus when they try and make an entire family feel welcomed.

Love Dining-benefits wise, there is a minimum criteria that each adult has to order a qualifying main. Some individual sushi items or small dishes (e.g. chawanmushi) may not count as a main dish, so if you’re trying for those benefits ALWAYS ask the server what’s excluded.

Readers have asked me about child policy for Love Dining Benefits; usually 2 children may count as 1 adult – but i find that this depends on the place. At Sen of Japan, they asked me to verify my baby’s age, and decided that since the baby was only under 1 year old (and on a somewhat baby food / soft food diet), he did not count, and my 4 year old also did not count as a standalone adult. This matters for the calculation of Love Dining – as TWO adults get 50% off, but THREE adults would get 33% off. Buffets so far as been the easiest to navigate (usually kids under 5 or 6 dine free), but always be upfront about your children’s ages and clarify with them before dining in.

Two years ago, I had a HUGELY POSITIVE first impression of this place, and two years later, my Sen of Japan review remains just as bright and glowing.

10/10 would recommend it again.

Craving for the seared Otoro again…

Want some Love Dining?

Apply for an American Express credit card and get bonus points!

American Express Platinum Charge Card (Image source: American Express)

Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:

• The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$900 statement credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$350 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 38, 000 Krisflyer miles and S$50 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met. 

Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for credit card applications may be subject to change by American Express. Readers are recommended to check with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.

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