Tempura Oji: The Japanese Gastrobar With A Secret Door To A Party Lair

Tempura Oji isn’t your ordinary gastrobar (Credit: Tempura Oji Facebook page)

Yoroshiku to one of the trendiest nightlife newcomers in town. If there’s one thing that matches my passion for the local music scene, it’s my unsnuffable fascination with Japanese culture. In recent months, there’s been one simmering hangout that’s brought these two entities together, surfacing swiftly as the Keong Saik spot, Tempura Oji. And from the positive reception it’s gotten from the scene so far, its arrival hasn’t been lukewarm.

As you might’ve gathered from its moniker, Tempura Oji is a Japanese gastrobar, or a modern izakaya, if you will. From the hefty sake barrels lining its entrance to the rosy, sakura-like foliage that blankets the ceiling, and the vintage posters of geisha figures scattered across the walls, the décor elements of Tempura Oji declare their intentions loud and proud – to transport you into a Nipponesque escape.

Complementing the ambience is a nocturnal menu that makes Tempura Oji perfect as both a dinner haunt and supper spot. Battered and deep-fried tempura bites take centrestage here, with items like the Supamu Tempura (spam fries) and Tempura Moriawase (mixed platter) all suited for sharing. Tempura Oji takes pride in its Dr. Fry technology, a healthier way of frying tempura that reduces oil content while retaining crispness, ensuring you never feel bloated for the long night ahead. Inaniwa udon and Hakata-style ramen bowls are also served here, alongside other izakaya staples like Tori Karaage (deep-fried chicken chunks) and Korokke (potato croquette).

No izakaya experience is complete without the booze, and Tempura Oji doesn’t fall short in that department. In line with the establishment’s concept are craft beers from Japanese breweries, Hitachino Nest Beer and Far Yeast Brewing Company, as well as an ensemble of Japanese whiskies. The bar does, however, stock a worldly selection in case there are other poisons you fancy, including a list of original cocktails that run the gamut where mixology is concerned.

With all these treats and tipples in tow, Tempura Oji is an oasis that has your party pre-game agenda covered. What’s even better, though, is that you don’t need to leave the premises for your boogie fix. But before I get into that, it’s worth highlighting the team that turned the F&B waterhole into a nightlife sensation.

As pointed out in my list of 10 milestones that coloured the local party scene in 2019, the programming and marketing arm of Tempura Oji is run by Manifest, a brand marketing agency that’s pushed out several prolific events in the past year. Some of you might be familiar with the rooftop pool parties at SO Sofitel Singapore or the Afro-inspired Jungle BEATS at Marcello – those are all promoted by Manifest as well. With that in mind, Tempura Oji was never going to be just a tempura bar. Tempura Oji does, in the same vein, sport a party trick up its sleeve.

Saluting the tradition of speakeasies with secret entrances, Tempura Oji boasts a club arm that hides in plain sight, and it’s a surprise that never loses its kick. Once you do find it (imagine a Narnia Door for ravers), your whole perception of the venue does a backflip.

Everything changes once you find the hidden entrance (Credit: Tempura Oji Facebook page)

Past a neon sign that yells “Brown Sugar”, you enter a darkened party den that does away with the Japanese aesthetic. White brick walls surround you, as red exposed bulbs and a glistening disco ball hang from above. On opposite ends, a filled bar helmed by a bartender crew, and a DJ console flanked by a Funktion-One soundsystem. By all means, it is a bona fide club space, and it’s proven to be a credible nightspot over the past few months.

One great thing about Manifest is that it’s always been a champion of local talent, and with Tempura Oji, such homegrown selectors have a new stage to play around with. Always inclusive, this clandestine back room embraces soundtracks of techno, house and tech-house, punched out by veterans like Erin Khan, Sivanesh and Erwin Linden, and fast-risers like Zafirah Zainal, Aman Anand and James Selva.

Local selectors who have played here include Sivanesh (Credit: Tempura Oji Facebook page)

And Aman Anand (Credit: Tempura Oji Facebook page)

Another indicator of Tempura Oji’s mounting influence is the trust it’s received from other promoters. Collectives such as Fat Fish Familia, Blackout, .KORSAIR and Darker Than Wax have all held parties in this space. In a tough club climate inhibited by licence restrictions and rental issues, where even pivotal establishments can disappear abruptly, spaces suitable for club music are a rarity these days. The emergence of Tempura Oji sees it rising to the occasion, and it’s a big gesture that is much appreciated by all players in the scene.

Jeevan Leroy on the decks (Credit: Tempura Oji Facebook page)

What Manifest has done with Tempura Oji is not just sculpt it as a new nightlife entrant, but an all-rounded, cohesive concept that panders to patrons looking for something unforgettable. From its tempura nosh to the obscured beat haven it harbours, it all presents an unparalleled incursion that makes it one of the most unique experiences in the city.

At Tempura Oji, it can be where your night both starts and concludes.