Despite its seemingly westernized façade, do not be fooled into thinking that Japanese Dining Sun is “just another” Japanese fusion restaurant. It serves 100% authentic, traditional Japanese cuisine sans fusion. The extensive menu offers a range of dishes specially created by Executive Chef Toshio Sawai. His creations continue to remain true and loyal to the restaurant's Japanese roots. No fusion dishes here or creations that confound and perplex an already overworked palate. Simplicity, a quality rarely seen these days, is what characterizes the dishes.

• The Vibe
  Beautifully decorated interiors that speak of modernity, together with its open kitchen concept have been drawing a rather impressive crowd. This 120-seater is brightly lit and spacious, with a huge dining area, as well as cozy private rooms ideal for an intimate business lunch or a little tête-à-tête. The parquet floors give a nice, homely touch to the restaurant. Bathed in blacks, grays, and whites, this elegant place is simple and exudes a certain “zen-like” quality. The clattering plates and noisy chatter of the lunchtime crowd dies down and slowly fades into a more mellow quality at night, where the place sheds its daytime façade and is transformed into a sophisticated dining space, where people can wind down after a long day at work.

• The Food
  For a quick and fuss-free lunch, opt for the Tokyo lunch set. The Hassai Bento set ($32.50), offers a variety of colourful deluxe sashimi with side dishes. Fresh salmon, scallop, prawns and unagi will keep all seafood lovers delighted. For diners who simply cannot decide what to have, this set offers a variety of items for sampling. The Kani Tamago Toji is a simmering hot plate of egg, spinach and crab meat with a warm, soup-like base. There is something comforting about slurping down a hot bowl of soup, especially on a cold day. Speaking of comfort food, the Hokkai Kamameshi, ($34.50), is a warm bowl of rice with mixed seafood, simmered in a tasty broth. The rice grains soak up the broth and swell into plump, moist grains. There is a generous helping of seafood as well, with prawns, fish and scallop. Warning though, the Hokkai Kamameshi is very filling, so it can be taken as a meal on its own. High in carbohydrates, this is not for a light eater. Also, I found the rice increasingly salty, the more I ate. This dish is probably best for a cold, blustering winter's night in Japan , but in the humidity of Singapore , it may be considered rather “heaty”.

  Although the dishes are all authentic and traditional Japanese, they do have some special items on the menu. The Gyu & Foie gras grill ($26.50) is one such item. It is a pleasant discovery to find Foie Gras in a Japanese restaurant. Highly unusual to find an item commonly associated closely with French and western dining in an Asian restaurant. No complaints here thought. The Gyu and Foie Gras has just the right consistency and texture.

  Desserts are light, unlike the calorie and sugar laden, extra-creamy western desserts. The Tofu cheesecake ($5) is made from bean curd. It is the lighter and healthier version of the traditional cheesecake. The cheese taste is slight, and its texture is smooth. The goma black sesame pudding ($6) is another good way to end the meal. Great for people who do not like their desserts too sweet or creamy.

The SD food advisor's take on Japanese Dining Sun
Modern and spacious dining interiors are a big bonus here. Dishes are generally very flavorful and they come in big portions. Dessert lovers may be disappointed with the dessert selection deeming it as “too healthy”. Only lighter and more wholesome options here, which may not suit hardcore dessert fanatics. The warm dishes and broths are hearty enough to be meals. However, the food is rather salty and I found myself thirsty. Diners, who dislike salty food, may want to take extra care and precaution about what they order, or perhaps ask for some recommendations, as some of the dishes can be rather “heaty”, especially in humid weather. Prices on the whole are considerably reasonable, however some dishes are rather costly, so be prepared to pay above average for the meal. Overall though, it was a pleasant dining experience. Be it for pampering yourself after a hard day's work, or as a treat for that special occasion, some good comfort food at Japanese Dining Sun should do the trick.