Ginkyō by Kinki

Ginkyō by Kinki is a modern Japanese bistro on the third floor of One Holland Village, at 7 Holland Village Way. It comes from Commonwealth Concepts, the group behind Kinki Restaurant + Bar at Customs House. The kitchen mixes Japanese cooking with flavours from around the world, and most dishes are made for sharing.

The bistro opened in December 2023. Head chef Terence Ong leads the kitchens at both Kinki and Ginkyō. According to its website, Ginkyō won a New Restaurant of the Year award in 2024.

What to order

The main menu is long and playful. It runs from small plates and sushi rolls to tacos, grilled skewers, claypots and rice bowls. Many dishes take a familiar idea and give it a Japanese twist. A few worth trying:

• Okonomi Rosti: shredded potato cooked like okonomiyaki, with cabbage, scallops, bacon and bonito flakes
• A4 Wagyu Hamburg: a wagyu patty with crispy rice, burdock chips and the house sauce
• Laksa Ebi Gyoza: house-made prawn dumplings
• Best of Toyosu Market: a rice bowl of seasonal seafood from Tokyo, with negitoro, caviar and black truffle
• Unagi Claypot: Japanese eel over the signature claypot rice
• Tempura Banana: fried banana with gula melaka, sago and coconut ice cream

Sushi and sashimi come by the piece or as platters. The rolls carry rock-song names such as AC/DC Dynamite and Welcome To The Jungle. On a first visit, the Taste of Ginkyō set for two is an easy choice. It moves from a miso toast starter and yakitori to sashimi, a clam broth, a rice bowl and the banana dessert. There are also set lunch and brunch menus.

The setting

The design draws on Icho Matsuri, Tokyo's ginkgo festival. An abstract torii gate marks the entrance, and golden ginkgo leaf motifs appear around the room. Arched ceiling panels split the indoor space into three sections. You can choose a window booth, a banquette or a seat at the bar. Indigo fabrics and prints based on festival yukata add colour.

Outside, the alfresco area has high bar tables and lounge seats. It works well for a drink before dinner. The drinks list covers sake and the bistro's own cocktails. A six-seat sushi counter hosts a sushi omakase on selected nights.

Good to know before you go

• Finding it: take the lift at Lobby E from the car park straight to level 3. You can also ride the escalator beside Din Tai Fung.
• Booking: reserve through the official website, by phone or by email.
• Sharing: the menu is built around small plates, so order several for the table.
• Your own wine: the restaurant publishes a corkage policy, so check it before you bring a bottle.

Nearby

Holland Village has plenty more places to eat and drink. For Mexican food in the same neighbourhood, try Cha Cha Cha Mexican Restaurant & Bar. A short drive away, Dempsey Hill has restaurants such as the omakase counter at Sushi Sato and the wood-fired kitchen at Burnt Ends. The Singapore Botanic Gardens are also close by.

You can browse more Japanese restaurants in Singapore, see all restaurants in Dempsey, Tanglin and Holland, or read our Dempsey Hill and Holland Village guides. Menus and bookings are on the official Ginkyō website.