A Journey into the World of Japanese Hotate and Delectable Dishes

Whether raw or cooked, Japan’s premium hotate is an extraordinary culinary experience. (Photo from: Photo-AC.com)

Delightfully sweet and succulent, with just a briny hint of the sea. This is the exquisite taste of Japanese scallops, better known as hotate. These delectable hotate seduce your taste buds with their natural sweetness and plump texture, making them one of the most sought-after seafood delicacies in Japan and around the world. 

Japan’s northern prefectures, like Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, boast some of the best quality hotate. The secret lies in the clean, nutrient-rich ocean currents that surround them. Flourishing in these pristine waters teeming with plankton, the hotate grow exceptionally big and develop a delicious, distinctive flavour.

The plankton-rich waters of Uchiura Bay, located on the Pacific coast of Hokkaido prefecture, contribute to a thriving aquaculture industry. (Photo from: Photo-AC.com)

Japanese hotate is either caught from the wild or cultivated in special farms in the sea. Cultivated hotate are more common as it takes 2 to 3 years to harvest. As for natural wild-caught ones, they grow many years in the sea and are larger than farmed ones. Harvested fresh from the ocean using environmentally friendly methods, these tempting molluscs end up on your plate in a variety of delicious dishes.

With a lustrous sheen, raw hotate from Japan has a delicate texture with an irresistible sweetness. It can be enjoyed sashimi-style because of its freshness. They also taste incredible when cooked, especially over a grill or BBQ, as the flavours intensify and fill your palate with umami-rich goodness. 

From Japan to your plate in Singapore

To bring the finest tastes of Japanese hotate to food lovers in Singapore, two restaurants have curated a tantalising menu selection, highlighting the exquisite flavours of this sought-after shellfish. 

Prepare to savour an enticing dish at JAPAN RAIL CAFE, Singapore’s first Japan tourism-themed cafe operated by East Japan Railway Company. Featuring the finest seafood Japan has to offer, this cafe celebrates the bounty of the Japanese sea with its “Hotate Pasta with Uni Cream”.

The inviting interior of Japan Rail Cafe attracts Japanese food and culture lovers to convene and share insightful conversations.

Creamy garlic pasta is topped with succulent chunks of hotate that have been seared to a golden perfection. Accompanied by a generous mix of sea urchin cream sauce and a lavish sprinkling of salmon roe and green onion, every bite is a burst of delicious flavours and textures. 

Pair the indulgent seafood trio pasta with a refreshing iced Beauty Tea for a satisfying meal.

This scrumptious pasta is a luxurious seafood affair that you would want to get embroiled in. Complete this dish with a drink of your choice to round off your gastronomic experience.

Besides enjoying authentic Japanese cuisine at Japan Rail Cafe, this cosy bistro is also a community that brings Japan lovers together through travel news and culture sharing sessions. 

JAPAN RAIL CAFE

Address: Guoco Tower, 5 Wallich Street, #01-20 Singapore 078883

Opening hours: 

Monday to Wednesday - 11:00am to 9:00pm

Thursday to Saturday - 11:00am to 9:30pm

Sunday - 11:00am to 8:00pm

For those who like to get up close and personal with their food, head over to MASA SAITO INNOVATIVE for an unforgettable meal. 

Relish in dishes that incorporate the chef's vast experience, exceptional skills, and innovative ideas at Masa Saito. 

Helmed by the distinguished Chef Masanao Saito, this restaurant prides itself on innovation and using only the best seasonal ingredients. The menu changes frequently so that diners can always look forward to something new. The spotlight this season? Japan’s famed hotate. 

A perfect balance of flavours and textures, this specially-created hotate chawanmushi would please even the most discerning palates.

Fresh, sweet chunks of Japanese hotate drenched in a savoury ankake sauce nestled atop a bowl of silky-smooth steamed chawanmushi. Shiso leaves, echizen snow crab meat, salmon roe and myoga (Japanese ginger flower) add the finishing touches to this exquisite culinary creation. This seemingly simple dish, the chawanmushi, undergoes a delightful gastronomic transformation this season.

Elevate your dining experience by choosing to dine at the live counter seats and witness the captivating preparation of your meal firsthand.

MASA SAITO INNOVATIVE

Address: 6A Shenton Way, OUE Building, Downtown Gallery, #01-04, Singapore 068815

Opening hours: 

Monday to Saturday -

Lunch - 12:00pm to 3:30pm (last order 2:30pm)

Dinner - 7:00pm to 11:00pm

*Reservations are required

Salivating yet? Fortunately, you do not have to book a flight to Japan for a taste of sweet and plump Japanese hotate. Enjoy these top-quality hotate that are sourced directly from Hokkaido and the Tohoku regions right here in Singapore. Available only for two weeks from 27 February, or until stocks last, set sail on this one culinary adventure that you don’t want to miss. Make a hotate date with Japan Rail Cafe and Masa Saito Innovative now!