Nothing quite prepares you for this jewel of a restaurant on Funan’s rooftop, where NOKA owned and operated by Open Farm Community is a modern-Japanese restaurant serving small plates of supreme quality accompanied by drop dead gorgeous drinks, particularly their artisanal sakés and Japanese whiskies. This is indeed “ultra-progressive cuisine and cocktails” that will leave you with mulitple talking points and wonderful memories.
Take the lift to the seventh floor and step out into a world bathed in natural light from floor-to-ceiling glass windows and boasting a design aesthetic that is all clean lines and precise order. But there is nothing stiff about the food which is a modern take on Japanese gastronomy that is fresh, playful and fun.
Noka, meaning “farmhouse”, is the first rooftop urban farm and Japanese restaurant in Singapore. Put yourself in the hands of the chefs – and perhaps a counter seat to witness the theatre more closely – for their selection of fresh sashimi, meticulously sliced and beautifully presented, and allow an Asari clam broth with junsai and fresh yuzu to smother you in layers of flavour. A selection nigiri is straight from the top drawer while braised A5 short rib dished up with miso turnip and Hokkaido sweet potato wins similar applause. Pork from the Kagoshima region is famed for its clean and juicy tenderness: try it in their superb pork belly dish, served with dashi noodles and fermented cucumber. For many this is “the best Japanese food they have had - so fresh and absolutely delicious”.
The Sun & The Light cocktails muddles tequila with rum together with nashi pear, pandan and sudachi. While sake is served with huge passion and knowledge: the Manotsuru Miku Junmai Daiginjo boasts tropical fruit complexity and is refreshing yet savory with lovely herbal spiciness.
Delicious views of the greenery outside and private dining rooms that are bright and joyous are further pluses.