Drinking establishments located right smack in the middle of Orchard Road ain’t cheap, but you still can find extremely affordable tipples if you know where to find them. Take Sumiya, for example, a Japanese restaurant located on the 12th floor in the rather messily laid out interior of Orchard Central with happy hour prices that may make you gasp in surprise.
Operated by local Japanese food giant RE&S – which also owns the likes of Ichiban Boshi, Kuishinbo and Kuriya Dining, casual izakaya Sumiya was recently opened in the space that used to be occupied by the far more formal Kuriya Dining. And its prices are also far more wallet friendly too. A mug of draft Asahi Super Dry comes at $8.50++, which comes down to just $4.90 during happy hour (12-3pm, 6-7pm). A 3-litre tower of the same beer is $65++, and is just $42++ at happy hour.
We’re also enamoured by its special house sake served from a bamboo receptacle, at $11++ for a 180ml serve. There’s also house shochu specially imported from Japan that’s further matured locally in charcoal-lined claypots – which acts like the Lincoln County process of charcoal filtering in Tennessee whiskey to filter impurities – for a cleaner, distinctive taste.
Even better, pick up a promotional flyer downstairs in Orchard Central (or just ask courteously from a Sumiya wait staff) and present it for a special promo price for the house sake of just $8.80++.
But if you find beer or sake too ださい, there’s also Suntory Kaku Highball ($6.80++), at happy hour all day. (A tip: you can top up your highball with more whisky at just $8++ per 30ml shot.)
And if you’re feeling peckish, Sumiya is an izakaya after all, with many of its dishes made specifically to pair with alcohol. We highly recommend the Maitake Mushroom Tempura ($6.80), Fried Semi-Dried Stingray ($7.80), as well as Chiai Karaage ($5.80), the latter the dark red meat of a bluefin tuna coated in batter and deep fried.
That promotional flyer also allows you special prices on various menu items, including their signature Fresh Bluefin Tuna Steak-style Chunky Sashimi ($98.00++), which brings the price down to a very decent $58++ for a cut of sashimi that includes the highly regarded – and pricy – otoro and chutoro parts of the prized fish.
So if you’re looking to rest your feet and wet your flutes after a busy day of shopping at Orchard Road, Sumiya offers a great respite at very affordable prices.
Sumiya is located at 181 Orchard Road, #12-01 Orchard Central.
