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Situated at the heart of Singapore’s CBD district lies BARREL Story of Hibiki, housed within The Quadrant, an 87-year-old historic building at 19 Cecil Street. It also happens to be the first-ever Suntory Hibiki concept restaurant in the world — and we can’t help but feel proud that Singapore was the chosen home.
BARREL Story of Hibiki wastes no time commanding your attention once you step through the front door. It takes full advantage of the unique architecture of the space to create a dining experience that almost feels like you’ve teleported back to the 1940s.
You’ll be first greeted by the main dining room that seats 70. Plush leather booths, dark wood, and amber lighting gives the restaurant a moody vibe while Japanese jazzy tunes echo through the air waves.
If you manage to grab one of the 10 bar counter spots, you’ll have the best seat in the house to watch the chefs do their thing.
The crackle of burning wood and glowing embers fills the air as chefs work over the grill, charring prized meats, seasonal seafood, and fresh veggies over open flames. Alluring aromas waft through the restaurant as hungry diners wait eagerly for their food to arrive.
Look to the right, and you’ll see a vintage noir-inspired bar counter, with 33 bottles of Hibiki whiskey lining the wall. Browse an extensive lineup of over 50 scotch options, Japanese whiskies, sakes, and spirits to find your ideal tipple.
Wine lovers can also look forward to reds and whites from France, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Italy… the list goes on.
What to order at BARREL Story of Hibiki
Since BARREL Story of Hibiki pays homage to Hibiki, Japan’s celebrated whiskey, of course you’ll find plenty of Japanese influences on the menu.
We started with the Daily Sashimi Platter (seasonal price depending on fish) featuring the best fish from the chef’s selection of the day. I gleefully rubbed my hands together when I spotted one of my favourites —- Honmaguro ootoro. It’s the fattiest, most prized belly cut of the true bluefin tuna, complemented by slices of Akami tuna and torched bonito.
I made use of the Hanaho shiso flowers and a touch of wasabi to add spice and a subtle floral punch to my sashimi slices. The tuna was lean and had a clean flavour with a mild natural sweetness.
The Honmaguro ootoro looked droolworthy as each light pink slice glistened under the lights. It was beautifully decadent, melting on the palate with a rich, buttery finish.
In contrast, the torched bonito offered a bold, robust profile capped off by a delicate wave of smokiness. I liked that it helped to cut down the richness of the ootoro.
The plating of the Seasonal Whole Fish (seasonal price depending on fish) was clean and minimalist. The grilled sanma was grilled to a lovely golden brown and served with grated daikon, a wedge of sudachi, grilled ginnan (ginkgo nuts), and ponzu.
We gave the sanma a vibrant citrus boost with the sudachi, then dunked it into the grated daikon mixed with shoyu, much like how you would enjoy tempura.
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Flaky, buttery and impossibly tender, the fresh fish yielded effortlessly to a gentle nudge of my chopsticks. It was firm, savoury and slightly fatty with a robust, umami flavour that flooded my taste buds with each mouthful.
We then moved on to the main affair of the evening — the 500g Miso Marinated Bone-in Striploin (S$148). The beef was already sliced neatly for us, paired with their special secret house-blend salt and a mini quenelle of spiced miso paste.
The pieces of smoked wagyu striploin were cooked to a perfect medium-rare to medium, boasting a delightful pinkish centre that glistened under our lighting. Each piece was juicy and unctuous with a faint hint of smoky char coming in at the back.
Though each steak slice was perfectly fine when eaten on its own, you can have fun changing up the flavour pairings to add variety to your palate. The salt might look simple, but it actually amplified the taste of the steak with its savoury notes.
The spiced miso paste was brimming with umami and took the flavour on another journey. It gave it a light sweetness coupled with a gentle heat at the end.
Savour the delicate character of Hibiki Japanese Harmony whisky with the HIBIKI Highball (S$18). It’s complemented by soda water and the ninja ice that disappears like magic when the concoction is poured over it.
Candied orange peel, gentle floral nuances, and white chocolate danced on my palate together with the fizziness of the soda, finished with a faint hint of Japanese oak.
To bring the meal to a sweet close, we ordered the Japanese Fruits Parfait (seasonal price depending on fruit) which changes with the seasons. This means every visit offers something different, giving you another reason to look forward to. The dessert was crowned with a whole glazed Japanese momo (peach). Inside the cup were layers of cream, pieces of honeydew, cookie crumble, raspberry compote, and jelly cubes.
With steady hands, we carefully removed the whole peach and placed it on a separate plate. As we cut the peach in half, nothing prepared us for the hidden creamy centre ‘surprise’!
Whoever created this dessert deserves a serious pat on the back because it simply works.
Crumbles of sandy cookie, sweet honeydew, tart raspberry compote, and chewy jelly all weave together around juicy peach, creating a balanced tapestry of textures and complementary flavours.
Who BARREL Story of Hibiki is best for
The restaurant’s warm, romantic and inviting atmosphere makes it the ideal backdrop for any gathering. BARREL Story of Hibiki is precisely the kind of place to take your significant other when you want to leave a lasting impression.
How to get there?
BARREL Story of Hibiki is a 4-minute walk away from Raffles Place MRT Station (EW14/NS26) or a 3-minute stroll away from Telok Ayer MRT Station (DT18). Alternatively, there are several bus services that arrive at Raffles Pl Stn Exit F bus stop.
Do we recommend BARREL Story of Hibiki?
Of course! I was massively impressed with the restaurant’s Dick Tracy-like noir aesthetic which is classy and modern. Pair that with refined dishes that taste good, and a complete list of alcoholic and family-friendly drinks, and you’re all set for a great night out!
To place a reservation, click here.
*This article is brought to you in partnership with BARREL Story of Hibiki.
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