Japanese cafe Skosh opens new handroll and matcha bar in Orchard

If you’ve been around the Bencoolen area, you’ll probably know about Skosh — a casual cafe located at the ground level of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts that serves up Japanese-inspired plates, such as onigiri, sandos and matcha.

After two years, it’s putting a fresh new spin on its offerings with a brand new outlet in the heart of town. 

Its second outlet, a new handroll and matcha concept, opened in Scotts Square on July 27.

Located in the basement level, the open concept space boasts 20 seats and a “bar” area where you can catch the staff whip up speciality drinks and fresh handrolls before your eyes.

New additions to the handroll menu

Here, easy-to-eat Japanese dishes take centrestage. Handrolls aren’t new to the Skosh brand — they were already present at the Bencoolen branch — but a wider repertoire is now available at Scotts Square. There are now 13 options available across the classic and premium menus, up from the previous selection of eight. 

Skosh’s handrolls are built on fluffy, short-grain Haenuki rice from Yamagata Prefecture and crispy Setouchi seaweed.

Crowd favourites from Bencoolen outlet, such as the maguro (S$5.50), have made their way over, while newcomers such as unagi (S$5.50), negitoro (S$6.50) and engawa (S$6.50) have joined the lineup.

There’s even a handroll inspired by chicken rice — the Samsui scallion chicken (S$4.50), featuring tender chicken breast brushed with scallion oil and an umami soy-cured egg on top.

All handrolls can be ordered a la carte with no minimum order, but if you’re looking to eat your fill, set options of three or five classic rolls are available, too — the 3 hand roll (S$12.80) and 5 hand roll (S$15.80) sets.

Top up an extra S$2 each if you’re looking to try any of the premium rolls.

Looking for more decadent options? The Skosh tasting menu (S$32.80) features a fixed selection of five rolls. 

You’ll get two classic rolls, aka ebi (U.P. S$4.50) and snow crab (U.P. S$5.50), and three premium rolls, Hokkaido N34 wagyu (U.P. S$10.80), torched octopus (U.P. S$6.50) and negitoro (U.P.S$6.50).

Every roll comes in a takeaway box, whether you’re dining in or on the go.

A highlight is the Hokkaido N34, a strip of premium wagyu striploin brushed with a sweet-savoury yakiniku sauce, then torched until slightly charred. 

The striploin cut leans more lean and meaty rather than the fatty, well-marbled cut that wagyu is normally known for — so if you like your beef with a good bite, go for this.

If you like spice, you’ll want to try the torched octopus — springy octopus topped with a kimchi slaw, dusted with chilli flakes for extra numbing heat. 

Those who gravitate towards cleaner flavours can choose from a selection of classic handrolls. This includes the aka ebi — a roll featuring a fresh, plump Argentinian red shrimp topped with tobiko and a spiced tomato mayo citrus sauce.

If you still have room for dessert, Skosh serves a mochi matcha Basque cheesecake (S$12). 

Basque cheesecakes are usually baked until the top caramelises into a thin, firm layer while still maintaining a soft and custardy centre. Here, the cake is wrapped with a layer of mochi, introducing a chewy texture to each bite — a unique choice, to be sure!

Skosh’s matcha selection

While the original outlet focused more on speciality drinks and the usual cafe classics, Skosh’s Scotts Square store is doubling down on matcha, with a more focused beverage menu and a new outlet-exclusive matcha experience.

You can take your pick of three types of matcha sourced from different regions in Japan — Aichi, Kyoto, Shizuoka, and Kagoshima.

There are also outlet-exclusive matcha speciality drinks — all made using ceremonial-grade matcha from Nishio, Aichi Prefecture.

We also tried the indulgent matcha parfait (S$9), that’s chockfull with full-bodied, earthy flavours, stemming from its smooth matcha latte base. Rounding out the beverage is a liberal mound of housemade matcha whipped cream and a fine dusting of matcha powder as its crown.

Peanut lovers will want to go for the kinako matcha (S$9), infused with a housemade kinako (roasted soybean) paste and topped with a torched kinako foam.

You’re advised to mix the creamy foam in thoroughly before drinking — after which, the matcha turns into a sweet creamy concoction with a slightly roasted, nutty aftertaste.  

Classics such as the strawberry matcha (S$9) and the sea salt hojicha (S$9), are also available.

Non-matcha drinkers should try the natural cola (S$7) — a botanical cola drink that’s made with housemade syrup, containing a variety of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. 

Looking for a fun, contemporary take on traditional handrolls? Swing by Skosh’s newest outlet to try some unique flavours and grab a cup of matcha while you’re at it!

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat, check out this one-for-one halal buffet, or Jollibee’s new national day laksa series!