[SPONSORED] A Bar In A Bank

Boruto Special

It was once a bank, but today it is a two-storey Japanese tapas and sake bar, designed to bring people together in a relaxed and intimate setting. Called Boruto, this stylish izakaya is the brainchild of Chef Owner Patrick Tan, who also owns the award-winning Tamashii Robataya Japanese grill restaurant.

It is no coincidence that Boruto means vault in Japanese. The former bank’s vault still sits proudly on the second floor; Chef Owner Tan retained it, converting it into a walk-in feature and adding three customised chillers to showcase Boruto’s high-end sake collection. Sake connoisseurs can enjoy the novelty of walking into the vault and selecting their own bottles.

Another indication that Boruto takes its sake seriously: its massive display wall of sake barrels imported from Japan; the barrels represent some of the brands carried at the bar.

With its industrial-chic interior featuring dim lighting, dark wood tables and plush black leather chairs, Boruto is the perfect place to relax with friends, clients and colleagues.

Exclusive sake and whisky offerings

Of the 100-plus brands of sake, shochu and Japanese whisky that are available at Boruto, about 50 are exclusive to the bar. Select from brands like Isojiman, and rare and ultra-premium whisky labels like Yamakaze 25 years, Hakushu 25 years and Hibiki 30 years.

There are also seven cocktails to choose from, each featuring Japanese sake or whisky and concocted exclusively for Boruto. The South Bridge is a refreshing combination of lemon, mint and Hakushu whisky, while the Boruto 80 contains cucumber, grapes, fresh lemon, Hendricks gin and sake. If you fancy a bespoke cocktail, ask the bartender to make one for you.

Tuck into tapas

Boruto’s food menu is inspired by Chef Owner Tan’s visits to Michelin-stared restaurants in Japan and curated by Head Chef Angus Chow, who has gained his wealth of culinary experiences while working for Singapore's leading restaurants.

The modern and innovative selection includes Tori-Take Roll: crispy chicken roulade stuffed with shiitake jam and drizzled with a special sauce; Saga Gyu Tataki: Saga beef marinated with saffron and seared to perfection; and Teba-Gyoza: deep-fried boneless chicken wings stuffed with a delectable pork gyoza filling.

Heartier dishes include Uni Pasta v1.1, made from thin capellini noodles braised in sea urchin and yuzu stock, and served with fresh sea urchin roe and Hokkaido white wasabi. For a sweet ending, try Something Like A Strawberry Short Cake – strawberries and cream assembled atop a salty crumble base.

Boruto is located at 80 South Bridge Road, #01-01 Golden Castle Building, tel: 6532-0418, website: www.boruto.com.sg.