Review: Keyaki @ Pan Pacific Singapore - Weekend Set Brunch Menu

Few establishments would even dare try to champion Keyaki’s ambience. Sitting on the fourth floor of the recently renovated Pan Pacific Singapore, their glass doors swing open to a sanctuary of calm and serenity. The whole meal experience begins with a stroll through their meticulously tamed rooftop garden; the koi pond and soothing water features seem to whisk troubles away as you take that leisurely stroll, and you’ll find good reason to make the journey with their newly launched Weekend Set Brunch.

Executive Chef Hiroshi Ishii—who has helmed the award-winning, fine dining Japanese restaurant for the past 25 years—rolls out a classic eight-course Weekend Set Brunch Menu ($60 per person, additional $50 for free flow of alcoholic beverages, including select beers, wines and sake) that he delivers with grace and finesse.

Our meal started with a Kobachi (directly translated as “small bowl”) of octopus and cucumber tossed in a light vinegar sauce, both vibrant and refreshing, and a platter of some of the freshest imported Sashimi that Keyaki is renowned for. Comfort food that comes in the form of smooth, wobbly Chawanmushi, spiced with a lively hint of citrus yuzu, follows quickly.

A tempura mix of prawn, white fish and vegetables battered and fried to a delicate, crisp perfection takes our attention away from conversations of the latest happenings in the local dining scene, but it’s the Cod fish that was the highlight of the afternoon. Artfully grilled to highlight its deliciously unctuous notes, the chopstick-tender fish is nicely coated with fail-proof, savoury lashings of teriyaki sauce.

For the Teppanyaki course, you get a choice of either beef, pork, chicken or seafood. While the aromatic sizzles and olfactory nuances from the teppanyaki station may tempt you to choose beef, I’d recommend the seafood—or be slightly disappointed, as I was. The beef could have been slightly more tender, though their unique condiment pairing—a combination of pepper, salt, garlic, spring onion and sesame oil—does well to distract.

The slightly pedestrian but deftly executed California roll is then served with an earthy duo of Miso soup and pickles, before the sweet and simple, dessert-next-door Matcha ice cream marks an end to the eight-course meal.

With the flourish of zen around the restaurant, Chef Ishii has intricately kept the courses traditional well-executed and straightforward—anything more would have bordered on pretentious—which is probably also why it has garnered such support from so many Japanese expats in the area.

The eight-course Weekend Set Brunch Menu is priced at $60 per person (additional $50 for free flow of alcoholic beverages, including select beers, wines and sake), and is available from 11.30am to 2.30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Keyaki Pan Pacific Singapore, Level 4 7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square Singapore 039595

Tel: +65 68268240 | Website

Opening hours: Brunch: 11.30am to 2.30pm Sat, Sun & PHs Lunch: 11.30am to 2.30pm daily Dinner: 6.30pm to 10.30pm daily