If there’s one thing Singaporeans love, it’s a good buffet. And the Food Capital’s Sakura Serenity Buffet is here to deliver just that. Running from now to 15 June 2025, this Japanese-centric culinary spread is the brainchild of Chef Elson Lee – who trained under the late Michelin-starred Chef Santaro Lee – resulting in a gorgeous, modern izakaya-style buffet!
This marks the second cultural-themed dining experience from Food Capital, following the colourful success of their Phuket Flavourscape Buffet. With so many dishes on offer, it was hard to know where to begin – but I did the noble work of pacing myself (somewhat) and narrowing it down to these highlights. Here are my takes on the Sakura Serenity spread!
Chicken Yakitori
Fresh off the robatayaki grill, the Chicken Yakitori was a humble classic. While it didn’t exactly sweep me off my feet, it still delivered on what you’d expect from a solid skewer – juicy enough, with a smoky finish that hinted at its time on the open flame. There’s a comforting simplicity in grilled chicken done well, and this one leaned into that.
What did stand out, though, was the sauce. Coating the chicken in a glistening layer of umami goodness, it had just the right amount of saltiness, rounding out each bite with a punch of flavour that lingered pleasantly. All in all, this was a feel-good staple that I imagined would anchor any of the more adventurous dishes nicely.
Rating: 7.5/10
Assorted Sushi
Now, the Assorted Sushi selection at the Sakura Serenity Buffet was nothing short of impressive – this vibrant spread could easily tempt even the fullest stomach! I genuinely wished I had more room to sample every variation laid out before me.
Of the ones I did try, the cucumber maki stood out with its unexpected hint of sweetness. It was light, refreshing, and the perfect palate cleanser between bites.
Another particularly memorable roll was wrapped in seaweed and rice – and topped with ikura, of course. Inside, it was filled with imitation crab, cucumber, and tamago, all classic sushi components that came together in a hearty mouthful.
The salmon varieties, too, were a highlight, with each slice melting effortlessly in the mouth like butter. Altogether, it truly felt like sushi Christmas!
Rating: 9/10
Okonomiyaki
First bite into the Okonomiyaki, and I was greeted with a host of textures – a promising start. But things took a bit of a dip from there. Maybe it was my fault for letting it sit too long while I made my way through the earlier dishes – oops, the sushi was distracting – but by the time I tucked into it properly, it had gone cold and a little clammy, which dulled the experience.
Flavour-wise, it leaned heavily on the flour base, without much else pushing through to lift it. I kept waiting for the sweet-savoury zing you’d usually expect from a good okonomiyaki, but it never quite arrived.
That said, I did enjoy the grill on the cabbage – it had a lovely char that gave the dish a tiny boost of smokiness. So not a total miss, just not a standout either. Hopefully, a fresher, piping-hot version would tell a different story! Perhaps you could be the judge of that?
Rating: 6.5/10
Pumpkin Croquette
Now, pumpkin isn’t usually something I gravitate toward – but boy am I glad I gave the Pumpkin Croquette a shot! This golden nugget completely changed the game for me. The moment I bit through that crispy, delicate shell and hit the soft, creamy center, my tastebuds lit up. The texture contrast was chef’s kiss!
The pumpkin filling was smooth, velvety, and had this rich, almost buttery mouthfeel that made each bite feel super indulgent without being heavy. I did pair it with a scoop of the sesame sauce on the side – mainly out of curiosity – and while it added lovely nutty notes – the croquette honestly didn’t need it. The interior was moist and flavourful enough to hold its own. No notes; what a happy ending to my savoury dishes!
Rating: 10/10
Coffee Pudding
Time for some dessert! The Coffee Pudding looked innocent at first glance – a neat cube topped with a swirl of cream and a golden coffee bean – but one bite in, and the deep, smoky coffee notes hit instantly, unapologetically. It wasn’t your average sweet treat – it had character, like the memory of a dark roast that lingers on your palate long after the last sip.
That said, it did tip a little too far into the intense side for me. Even with the petite portion, I found myself slowing down after the second bite – the richness was just a tad overwhelming. With this being a pudding, I admittedly went in hoping for something a tad lighter and airier, which would’ve knocked it out of the park!
Still, for fans of bold, bittersweet flavours, this one’s for you. But if you’re like me and prefer a gentler dessert to wind down your buffet journey, you might want to share this one.
Rating: 8/10
Hojicha Crème Brûlée
There’s something deeply satisfying about cracking the caramelised top of a crème brûlée. The audible snap, the resistance of the shell giving way under your spoon – or in this case, teeth – revealing that velvety custard underneath. With the Hojicha Crème Brûlée, that experience was as divine as ever.
The custard itself was creamy and luxuriously smooth – exactly what you’d want from a well-executed crème brûlée. My only small qualm; I wish the hojicha notes had come through just a touch more. I was bracing myself for a wave of roasted tea goodness, but it was gentler than expected!
Perhaps it was the deep caramelisation that mellowed out the tea’s natural intensity (a worthy sacrifice), but that didn’t take away from how rich the custard was. I’d relive my first bite in a heartbeat!
Rating: 9/10
Try the buffet for yourself!
And that’s a wrap on my culinary journey! Now it’s your turn to catch the Sakura Serenity Buffet at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel before it ends. Don’t forget to quote our promo code ‘DANAMICJPN30’ to enjoy 30% off – just mention it when making your reservation or let the service manager know at the restaurant!
🗓️Date: Until 15 June 2025
📍Location: Food Capital @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, 392 Havelock Rd, Singapore 169663
💲Price:
- S$72++ per adult; S$36++ per child (Lunch – Monday to Saturday)
- S$102++ per adult; S$51++ per child (Weekday Dinner – Sunday to Thursday)
- S$112++ per adult; S$56++ per child (Weekend Dinner – Friday and Saturday)
⏰Time:
- Lunch: 12pm to 2.30pm
- Dinner: 6pm to 10pm
For more information and to place your reservations, head over to the Food Capital @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel’s page. Come hungry and have your fill!
Photos By Heng Yu Cheng of the DANAMIC Team.
