Keria at Cuppage Plaza: An authentic gem that feels like you’re in an old-school izakaya in Japan

In the past year, we’ve gotten addicted to Japanese-food hunting in the Orchard Plaza and Cuppage Plaza areas.

It seems the vicinity has just become the biggest treasure trove of authentic Japanese restaurants, and our newest find is Keria Japanese Restaurant, an izakaya located in the basement of Cuppage Plaza.

This was recommended to us by another izakaya’s owner and you can see why.

Keria was opened in 2012, and it’s aged like fine wine. It’s not run-down — rather, it has a vintage sheen to it.

Simple wooden furnishings, shelves upon shelves of sake, a collection of manga, flourishes of red, and a nostalgic flood of yellow light — it’s just different from most establishments in the CBD.

Yet, it all feels very familiar, as though you’re transported to an old-school izakaya in Japan.

But not the fancy Tokyo ones — more like something found outside the metropolis, or in one of the less-explored nooks and crannies of the big cities.

Keria’s comforting Japanese food

One notable thing about Keria is the extensive, all-encompassing menu that runs a gamut of styles, ranging from classic Japanese yakitori, to Western-inspired pasta dishes.

It might be a bit hard to decide on what to order when you sit down, but Keria’s potato cheese mentai (S$12) is a must-order, in our opinion.

This is one indulgent dish, blanketing soft, fluffy slices of potato in a rich and creamy blend of cheese and mentaiko — so, so satisfying.

Another dish that really stood out was the pork curry udon (S$17).

It’s so simple but so hearty, with plenty of fragrance and umami from the curry nicely coated onto the thick, bouncy strands of udon.

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Keria also adds in chunks of tofu, which soak up the curry, making tasty flavour bombs that burst in your mouth, sort of like the tau pok (fried tofu puff) in laksa!

Fish lovers will also feel like a kid in a candy shop, since Keria Japanese Restaurant’s menu features a wide variety of fish, ranging from sashimi to grilled fish, such as the classic saba yaki (grilled saba fish, S$36).

There’s also the luxurious gindara saikyo yaki (miso black cod, S$25) that comes nicely sticky and caramelised with a layer of sweet and punchy miso.

Its skin is silky, and the flesh soft and flaky — it’s not quite Nobu, but it feels so homely!

Izakaya veterans will also be looking for staples such as oden and yakitori. 

Oden is done a bit more differently at Keria, which offers a rotating assortment of oden ingredients (S$2.50 a piece, S$8 for four), allowing you to mix and match your favourite ones.

It’s like “Japanese yong tau foo”, as many would jokingly describe, and oozes comfort. 

But the interesting part is the array of ingredients: It gives options such as tako (octopus), uzura (quail egg), and topshell (a type of shellfish), rather than just the usual age (tofu) and daikon (radish).

If you need something for the booze — izakayas are best enjoyed with alcohol, after all — you can also get a portion of Keria’s mix grill (S$38) for a myriad of yakitori options.

This wasn’t anything too special, but with a good mix of yakitori, shiitake mushrooms, and even unagi skewers, it’s definitely a great complement to beer.

Ultimately, Keria isn’t about immaculate food, but the gist of its charm is in the simple, but effective cooking, as well as that quaint old-school izakaya setup.

If you can’t fly to Japan and need a spot to transport you to the intimate hole-in-the-walls spots there, this Cuppage Plaza gem in the basement is exactly what you’re looking for.

For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on Park Side, PS Cafe’s new Botanic Gardens cafe and the heartwarming porridge and story of the hawker behind Fat Fat Food.