Popular Ganko Sushi from Japan opens its first outlet in Singapore:

Fifty-eight years since its first outlet in Osaka, 99 outlets across Japan and one in Hong Kong later, Ganko Sushi is proud to soft-open in Singapore on 5 September, marking its first footprint in Southeast Asia. The family-style restaurant has long prided itself in offering premium quality Japanese cuisine at affordable pricing. It seeks to serve up the same excellence when it comes to its food with this Singapore outpost, now with a few elevated touches. A refined menu and an omakase option will grace the tables at Ganko Sushi Singapore, while retaining the same “value for money” philosophy.

Fun Fact: This Singapore outpost marks its 101st outlet after 99 in Japan and one in Hong Kong. Look forward to luxe set lunch menus from $28 and omakase menus from $150 per person.

Close to 60 years of history

Ganko started out as a small 15-square-meter shop in Juso, Osaka, founded by Atsushi Kojima in Year 1963. Kojima chose the name ‘Ganko’ which translates to “stubborn” to emphasise the devotion and spirit of Ganko Sushi.

Ganko is stubbornly devoted to the Japanese culinary trade, in order to completely satisfy customers through astute discipline and training; to create treasured delicacies through the diligent study of taste with like-minded comrades; and through establishing a sushi restaurant where youthful zeal burns freely.

Left to right: The first Ganko Sushi team featuring founder Atsushi Kojima (top left) and Shopfront of first Ganko Sushi outlet in Juso, Osaka back in Year 1963.

The People Behind Ganko Sushi

In Singapore’s kitchen, GANKO Sushi will be helmed by Chef Kuwahara Toshiyuki, who has been part of the GANKO family for the past 26 years.

Entrusted to oversee the operations of this Singapore outlet – also the chains’ 101st – he will train directly under Master Consultant Murasawa before progressing to head chef to ensure standardization of quality at the restaurant. Moving forward, he will also be in constant consult with Chef Murasawa for future menu updates.

Setting itself apart from other sushi establishments with top-notch Japanese produce

Its choice of tuna and sea urchin also stands it apart – it serves only wild Japanese bluefin tuna from Shikoku and Murasaki Uni from Hokkaido, a purple uni that’s widely regarded as of higher quality than common Bafun. Looks wise, the Murasaki Uni is much bigger and lighter in colour. Taste wise, it is a lot creamier and sweeter with a light texture that melts in your mouth.

Despite its value-for-money price tier, the restaurant also lists Nodoguro Blackthroat Seaperch from Nagasaki on its menu. Usually only found in fine dining establishments, Nodoguro is an expensive fatty white fish. Termed as the King of White Fish, its unusual large amount of fat for a white fish brings it on par with the prized highest-grade tuna – the fatty otoro – in terms of both flavour and price.

What We Had:

Sashimi Selections

GANKO offers different cuts of the wild bluefin tuna ‘maguro’, Japanese amberjack ‘buri’, prime salmon ‘sake’, olive flounder ‘hirame’ and striped jack ‘shima-aji’. More exotic options are included like octopus ‘tako’, alfonsino ‘kinmeidai’, red sea bream ‘tai’ and horse mackerel ‘aji’. Shellfish sashimi are also on the menu, with offerings like botan shrimp ‘botan ebi’, white shrimp ‘shiro ebi’, surf clam ‘akagai’, jumbo scallops ‘hotate’ and more.

Don’t know where to start? Opt for the Assorted Tuna Sashimi (S$39) that presents an all-encompassing tuna tasting experience with lean red meat ‘akami’, medium fatty ‘chutoro’ and fatty belly ‘otoro’.

Rice Bowls

Enjoy the freshest seafood on their own, in mixed platters for option or atop rice bowls. Ganko offers three options of rice bowls. The Rice Bowl Topped with Premium Seafood (S$58) comes highly recommended with eight types of fresh seafood including botan shrimp ‘botan ebi’, olive flounder ‘hirame’, salmon ‘sake’, medium fatty tuna ‘chutoro’, Hokkaido snow crab ‘Hokkaido zuwagani’, amberjack ‘buri’, topped with salmon roe ‘ikura’ and Murasaki sea urchin ‘Murasaki uni’, each selected to present complementary sweetness of the sea. 

Other options include the seafood rice bowl that comes with five types of fish, ebi and ikura and salmon and salmon rice bowl bowl that satiates all salmon cravings with generous slices of salmon and ample ikura. 

Assorted Sushi and Handrolls

Ganko’s sushi options are as colourful as they come, available in platters of three up to 12 pieces (from S$21). The Assorted Northern Seafood Sushi Platter (S$21) makes for the perfect introduction to Ganko’s seafood prowess with salmon roe ‘ikura’ sushi, sea urchin ‘uni’ sushi and white shrimp ‘shiro ebi’ sushi.

Left to right: Assorted Northern Seafood Platter & Assorted Sushi

Other sushi options include prime salmon and all varieties of tune from lean to fatty; white fish options match up with Japanese amberjack, red sea bream, alfonsino, olive flounder, horse mackerel, eel and more; shellfish options do not disappoint with botan shrimp, surf clams, jumbo scallop, snow crab, and the prized Murasaki uni from Hokkaido. The Sea Eel ‘Anago’ sushi (S$10) is a popular bestseller in Japan.

For the best iteration of its handrolls, try the Hokkai Handroll (S$12), a neat roll of Hokkaido snow crab, sea urchin and salmon roe that will hit all the sweet umami spots of your palate. 

Hot Ala Carte Choices & Desserts

Cooked options are not amiss with tempura, soups, chawanmushi and more. Whet your appetite with the healthy refreshing crunchy snack of Bamboo Sprouts and Shoots in Monaka (S$12). The Seasonal Tempura Platter (S$12) presents the best of Japanese produce through a selection of lightly battered seafood and vegetables, served with a side dipping sauce of clear light dashi. The Teapot Soup (S$10) brings immense flavour in a convenient vessel – tip it over and pour out deep, rich umami seafood broth prepared with red sea bream ‘tai’ dashi and mushrooms that will warm the heart and soul.

Omakase Experience

Elevating its offerings from just a family-style restaurant as it is known in Japan, Ganko Singapore also has on offer a premium omakase menu, available upon request.