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When Channel News Asia (CNA) reported on 3 Sep 2025 that Hotel Miramar along 401 Havelock Road was ceasing operations at the end of Oct, the immediate thought that came to my mind was, “Will Ikoi Japanese Restaurant be gone as well?” Ahem, please don’t mind my foodie brain. This was the spot where I had my first taste of a Japanese à la carte buffet.
Hotel Miramar may be one of the oldest hotels in that area along with Copthorne King’s, but it holds a special place in my parents’ hearts as they held their Chinese wedding banquet at the ballroom, back in 1980 (photo above). Mind you, I had to ask their permission before I could include it in here. Another memory I have is of squeezing into a hotel room that my ex-colleagues booked, just to do each other’s ‘scary’ makeup and don costumes for our Halloween party at Clarke Quay. Oh, such fun times!
Back on 15 May 2023, Peach Garden also ceased operations at Hotel Miramar after 13 years. Ikoi Japanese Restaurant is probably the only establishment that has stood the test of time, having been in business for the past 24 years.
Being the curious busybody that I naturally am, I became an online stalker and checked out their Instagram page. It seems that with the recent announcement of Hotel Miramar’s closure, the restaurant has been bombarded with calls, WhatsApp texts and SMSes. As they’re facing staffing issues (that’s most F&B places for you), they also apologised for any delays in responding.
The restaurant’s management has also issued a statement saying that they’ve not received any updates from the current or new management teams of Hotel Miramar, and will issue an update once they receive any news.
According to Ikoi Japanese Restaurant’s Google Page, a few customers have already gone for one last hurrah without knowing the fate of the restaurant.
Here are the opening hours for your convenience:
- Lunch — 11.30am – 2.30pm (Tue to Sat)
- Dinner — 6pm – 10.45pm (Tue to Thu)
- Dinner (2 Seatings) — 6pm – 7.45pm (Fri), 8.15pm – 10.45pm (Fri)
- Dinner (2 Seatings) — 5.30pm – 7.30pm (Sat), 8.15pm – 10.45pm (Sat)
- Dinner (2 Seatings for table seats) — 6pm – 7.45pm (Sun), 8.15pm – 10.45pm (Sun)
- Dinner (1 Seating for counter seats) — 6.30pm – 10.45pm (Sun)
To make reservations, do call them at +65 6887 36788 (during operating hours) or WhatsApp them at +65 9114 6463 (allow 3 working days for response). Let us all hope for the best, and pray that the restaurant moves to a new location at least. I guess we’ll know soon enough (fingers crossed). Do keep a lookout for their Instagram highlights.
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