Akira Back Japanese Restaurant Review

Akira Back @ JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach

Written by Sarah Ong | September 27, 2024

Image: Akira Back

Loved for

Modern Japanese food

Prices

S$100+ per pax

Address

30 Beach Road, Level B1M
JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach
South Tower, Singapore 189763

Phone

+65 6818 1914

Opening hours

Daily 12:00 – 14:30; 18:00 – 22:00

Website

Akira Back

jw.sinjw.akiraback@marriotthotels.com

Table reservation

Imagine the profound level of confidence a chef has to have in himself to name a restaurant with simply his name. With a Michelin Star attached to his toque blanche, Chef Akira Back’s culinary portfolio includes 20 years of experience and 16 restaurants in Asia, Africa, Middle East, and America.

The menu at the upscale Akira Back Singapore is a reflection of Chef Akira’s cultural influences: Korean roots, American upbringing, and a deep passion for Japanese flavors. Take for example the much-raved-about Holy Cow! (S$32), shrimp tempura fried to perfection, rolled in fragrant sushi rice, topped with a delicate sliver of Tajima striploin, and finished off with a tangy-sweet kimchi peach emulsion—absolutely guaranteed to make you exclaim, “Holy Cow!”

Highlights:

Award-winning modern Japanese menu: Chef Akira Back’s DOSA in Seoul received one Michelin Star from the 2018 Seoul Michelin Guide in recognition of its menu’s curious take on “Japanese flavors with Korean accents”. The chef has also been hailed “Best Chef in Las Vegas” by Las Vegas Weekly and “Rising Star” by Restaurant Hospitality in 2008. One of his genius masterpieces is the 48 Hrs “Sanchoku” Short Rib (S$50), melty Sanchoku Wagyu beef in braising jus that is just pure decadence.
Live Omakase with Chef Akira Back: You would want to stay glued to their social media pages for any future announcements of live omakase with Chef Akira Back himself. “Omakase”, loosely translated to “I leave it up to you”, is when the chef lets his creativity run wild, much to the diners’ delight. Slots are limited to only 10 seats, so do not even hesitate.
Dreamy desserts: Akira Back’s desserts are the kind that you would want to take lots of pictures of, hoping to have them ingrained in your memory. Each plate is a sight to behold, looks almost sacred for you to even think of eating it, but, of course, you have A must-try is the AB Egg (S$20), which looks literally like a real egg perched on a nest but it actually is mango passionfruit crème floating on sublime vanilla foam, encased in edible eggshell, sitting on date tea granite.

MENU: Akira Back curates an award-winning “Japanese with Korean accents” menu that showcases

Cold shared plates: S$20 – S$66
Hot shared plates: S$17 – S$68
Soups: S$6 – S$8
Salads: S$8 – S$25
Rolls: S$25 – S$32
Hand rolls: S$14 – S$16
Nigiri/sashimi: S$10 – S$32
Rice: S$20 – S$44
Mains: S$28 – S$72

Be on the lookout for special seasonal menus because they are as deliciously festive as they can get.

MUST-TRIES:

48 Hrs “Sanchoku” Short Rib (S$50)
Hot Mess (S$27)
Una-Q (S$16)
Fatty Tuna-Otoro (S$36)

LOOK & FEEL: Looks nothing like your typical Japanese restaurant—Akira Back’s Phillipe Starcke-designed Singapore restaurant is sleek, chic, and with tiny refreshing pops of color.

NOTE: Reservation is highly recommended

GETTING THERE: