Nobu @ Toranomon (2025)

Iron Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Oscar-winner Robert De Niro, restaurateur Drew Nieporent, and investor Meir Teper agreed to a joint venture. On the 17 September 1994, the first Nobu opened. The rest, as they said, is history.

Known primarily as a business district full of skyscrapers, Toranomon 虎ノ門 is not your usual tourist spot which most other Nobus are located. However I am glad they are here, as Nobu Tokyo is just below my office.

Nobu is quintessentially a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant, so I am not sure how accepted is that concept in Japan. After all, Peruvian cuisine is not readily available in Japan. And the bold flavours used in the cooking of classic Japanese dishes is also something worth exploring

The place as bustling with activities when we arrived at 12.30pm.

Today’s Appetiser 本日のアペタイザーより1品

While living in Lima, Peru, Matsuhisa developed his signature style: melding Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients. Like this yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno カンパチのハラペーニョ添え. The acidity is something not usual for Japanese, but it really wakes up one’s appetite.

Chef’s Sushi Tasting シェフのおまかせ寿司

Only four pieces of nigiri sushi – maguro, tai, saba, maki – and they were quite small too. I was beginning to worry if I would not have enough. The quality of the fish was OK, and the sushi would at most be the quality of Sushizanmai at Tsukiji.

Assortment of Tempura 天ぷら 盛り合わせ (a la carte)

Knowing that we will not have enough, I added an assortment of tempura 天ぷら 盛り合わせ from the a la carte menu. They were as good as the washoku restaurants in Singapore, but not much better.

Fish Dish of the Day with Baby Leaf Salad 本日のお魚料理のベビーリーフサラダ添え

I had the roast beef the last time I was here, I decided to try their fish course even it was wild-caught salmon. It did not disappoint. The grilled salmon topped with a soy sauce glaze was delicious, the salad was tossed in a classic soy sauce vinaigrette.

Cold Soba 冷たいお蕎麦

The last time everyone laughed when I finished the cold soba in two mouthfuls. This time everyone offered theirs to me. It was nice, but simply too little.

Mini Dessert and Coffee ミニデザートとコーヒー

The dessert of the day was a ball of strawberry ice cream with strawberry cream puff, fresh strawberries and muskmelon. Much better than the last time I was here.

The set lunch was almost SGD 80, as everything has a 15% service charge (which is uncommon in other Japanese restaurants). The service was really good with all the service staff speaking English, so this is the perfect place to host your foreign guests. Food was just average in a city where even the smallest Japanese eatery is outstanding. Need I say more.

Nobu Tokyo
1F Toranomon Tower Office
4-1-28 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001
〒105-0001 東京都港区虎ノ門4-1-28
虎ノ門タワーズオフィス1F
Tel : +81 3-5733-0070 (Reservations)

Visited Mar 2025