Kin-nomi is a modern new Thai-Japanese izakaya in Chinatown with evening karaoke

Kin-nomi is a new izakaya in Chinatown, and it’s a solid pick for a night out with friends or colleagues — not just for its food and drinks, but for its vibe, too.

The spot opened in July, offering a Thai–Japanese menu alongside a curated social experience. It’s quite modern, making it casual and easy for groups to gather and hang out. 

There are essentially three floors here. 

The first caters more to walk-in customers — straightforward, lit with dark tones and some red LED lights. It sets the mood for a casual meal that’ll have you wanting to stay for conversations. If you’re coming solo or as a pair, there are also bar seats that’ll fit the occasion.

On the second floor, the space is designed for groups looking for more of an experience. There are microphones at the tables, a karaoke machine to share, and some games to play. It is certainly much more social.

Yes, a karaoke machine — it’s not a new concept, but not a common one to find in a dining space, either. It’s available after 9.30pm for a less disruptive dining experience for the dinner crowd.

The third floor is a private room with a lounge, if you’re looking for a space to host a birthday, private party, or casual celebration. There’s really everything you need in the space, too — food, drinks, karaoke, and party games such as cards and dice.

The minimum spend currently sits at S$1,200, but HungryGoWhere understands Kin-nomi is quite flexible, so it’s best to check directly with the team.

I have to say, though, the social experience aside, I would certainly come back for the food — it left an impression.

What’s worth trying

If you’re not looking for a full meal — which would make sense considering the social energy of the space — at least get some mains to share. We think they shouldn’t be skipped.

The highlight of the night had to be the dry tom yum seafood ramen (S$28). The tom yum flavour comes through richly, while the ramen is cooked to a perfect chew. We particularly liked that the noodles are served dry here, which helps to concentrate all that tom yum flavour, yet still moist enough to make for an easy eat.

This is one I’d come back for — and hopefully get the same experience with this dish again.

We also had the river prawn tempura tom yum rice (S$18), and it was another good one. The rice carries a good amount of that spicy sweet-sour tom yum flavour, while the river prawn tempura adds a crispy, savoury contrast to the dish.

To go with the mains, we had the crispy papaya salad (S$10). These were addictive, with a tangy-sweet flavour and plenty of crunch that made them all the more enjoyable. 

You could get this with your drinks, as it makes for an easy starter to pick at while you’re chatting.

For the cold dishes, we had the umami ebi carpaccio (S$20). The shrimps tasted fresh and briny, and were sliced thinly, with plenty of flavour and umami from the Thai sauce it’s served with.

There are some handrolls that you could get, too, which incorporate both Japanese and Thai elements quite nicely. We tried the larb engawa handroll (S$12) and spicy scallops handroll (S$16). 

The former pairs rich engawa (flounder fin) with the herbs and spice you’d expect from a traditional Thai larb (minced meat salad), making for a pretty unique combination. The latter pairs tender scallops with a nice spicy kick — a combination that my dining companion and I enjoyed.

As with many izakayas, grilled skewers are on the menu, too — eight in total. It spans from classic choices such as moo ping (pork, S$8 for two) and broccolini with fried garlic (S$12), to the value-for-money Kin-nomi signature yakitori (S$3 per stick) that comes in sauces such as chilli mayo, mentai, and yuzu pepper.

We had the tsukune (Thai style) (S$10 for two) — Japanese minced chicken meatballs served with a Thai dip — was smoky and meaty, with a juicy texture and savoury flavour. 

After having this, we would have loved to try some of its other skewers.

An extensive drinks menu

As you might expect from the space’s social-centric nature, its drinks menu is extensive.

The basics are all there — Asahi on tap, house pours, and highballs all start from S$10. There are also wines, champagnes, and shochu available in bottles.

The more interesting picks, though, are Kin-nomi’s cocktails, which lean into its Thai-Japanese concept in creative ways. 

For instance, the Siam Nocturne (S$15) mixes whisky with spiced Thai milk tea, sugar syrup, and Angostura bitters — a warm, spiced sweetness that plays well against the whisky. There’s also the sake Sabai (S$15), which blends sake, vodka, lychee liqueur, and yuzu with sugar syrup — tying Japanese and Thai elements together into a fragrant and easy glass.

Planning a night out? Kin-nomi makes for a pretty good contender.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat in Chinatown, read on shio pan specialist Butter Town’s newest outlet and muslim-friendly Hues Canele at a HDB block.