Latest news with #UmiNami
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beloved chirashi joint with nett prices to become 3rd major F&B closure, raising alarm over rent & chain monopoly
Known and loved for affordable bara chirashi, sashimi and other Japanese favourites at nett prices, Umi Nami is slated to shutter by end-Sep 2025. This comes after nearly a decade of being a go-to for many in the heart of Holland Village. 'Goodbye and thank you,' read the 27 Jul post in which the iconic establishment announced their impending closure. The team expressed gratitude for the memories and support over the years, while also noting probable changes in their menu and opening hours 'as [they] wind down'. Umi Nami has had a good run — from when it first swung open its doors in 2017, quickly earning a loyal following for quality chirashi bowls that don't leave a gaping hole in your wallet. Though not specified in their official announcement, owner Valerie Tang cited 'rental costs, declining footfall [and] increased competition from nearby establishments' as reasons for the eatery's decision to close, in an interview with AsiaOne. Notably, it will become the 3rd major eatery to bow out of Holland Village's bustling culinary scene, hot on the heels of stalwarts Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Wala Wala Cafe & Bar. The uptick of closures in the area in recent years has emerged as a flashpoint of online discourse. Many netizens have raised concerns over issues like fiercely rising rent, the dominance of larger chain businesses at the expense of indie spots, and even the waning charm of this once-hip neighbourhood. For one, Mr Khoo Keat Hwee (founder of the now-defunct Mentai-Ya) bemoaned the above in an impassioned TikTok video spurred by Umi Nami's closure announcement, calling them the '[realities] of today's F&B'. On the bright side, you've still got time to catch Umi Nami before they officially shut their doors. Treat yourself to a well-deserved fix with a bowl of their famed Bara Chirashi Don (S$12), featuring a generous serving of fresh tuna and salmon sashimi cubes, tamago and shrimp atop a bed of sushi rice. Or, if you're after a little smokier flair, the Aburi Salmon Don (S$16) will be right up your alley. Don't miss out on the Mixed Sashimi (S$16) platter either — presented beautifully with thick, buttery slices of salmon, tuna, hamachi and swordfish sashimi. Anyway, it's not too late to say sayonara; I'll see you there! 17 affordable Japanese food in Singapore that will make you go Oishii! The post Beloved chirashi joint with nett prices to become 3rd major F&B closure, raising alarm over rent & chain monopoly appeared first on
AsiaOne
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Daily roundup: I try 11 new Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 eateries to see if they're worth the hype — and other top stories today, World News
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. I try 11 new Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 eateries to see if they're worth the hype, here's my honest take It's the time of the year where Michelin announces which establishments have gotten a spot on its highly coveted guide. The 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand list was released on July 17, and there were nine new entrants plus two eateries that moved up from the Michelin Selected category, bringing the total to 11 new additions... » READ MORE 2. Driver, 83, hits motorcyclist and crashes into Clementi coffee shop bollards, missing diners An 83-year-old woman allegedly lost control of her vehicle, hitting a motorcyclist before crashing into bollards outside a coffee shop in Clementi on Monday (July 28). The incident occurred at about 6.35pm at Block 449, Clementi Avenue 3... » READ MORE 3. Japanese restaurant Umi Nami to shutter, in yet another F&B business closure at Holland Village Another one bites the dust at Holland Village as Japanese restaurant Umi Nami announced its impending closure in an Instagram post on Monday (July 28). In the post, the restaurant thanked customers for their support and stated that its menu and operating hours may change as it prepares for closure, and more updates will be available on the establishment's Instagram and TikTok pages... » READ MORE 4. Eleanor Lee wins defamation lawsuit in China, former assistant to apologise on Weibo Singaporean Eleanor Lee has won the defamation lawsuit against her former assistant, only known as Xiao Pang, who edited and released an audio clip online in April, damaging the actress' reputation in China. Her lawyer Yang Shuguang revealed this in a Weibo post yesterday (July 29), adding in his statement, the court recognised that Xiao Pang, despite knowing posting the fabricated content online could damage Eleanor's reputation, continued to do so just so that they could "vent their unhappiness"... » READ MORE editor@
AsiaOne
30-07-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Japanese restaurant Umi Nami to shutter, in yet another F&B business closure at Holland Village, Lifestyle News
Another one bites the dust at Holland Village as Japanese restaurant Umi Nami announced its impending closure in an Instagram post on Monday (July 28). In the post, the restaurant thanked customers for their support and stated that its menu and operating hours may change as it prepares for closure, and more updates will be available on the establishment's Instagram and TikTok pages. "Thank you for being part of our story. We hope to see you one last time before we close," the announcement wrote. Umi Nami was started in 2017 by 44-year-old Valerie Tang and her ex-husband, who is currently running Ryo Sushi at Orchid Hotel. Speaking with AsiaOne, Valerie attributed the closure to rental costs, declining footfall, increased competition from nearby establishments like One Holland V and the economic downturn. Valerie added that the final day of operations will be at the end of September, or possibly earlier if the landlord manages to find a new tenant. The decision to shutter was made three months ago, and she plans on taking a break, spending more time with her children and going back to school. The news comes after two F&B icons in the neighbourhood had announced their closure this year. Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, which had been running at Holland Village for two decades, closed down on June 30 after their lease expired. A spokesperson had told AsiaOne that they were evaluating opportunities for new outlets in other areas of Singapore as part of their ongoing business strategy. Wala Wala Cafe Bar, which has been in Holland Village since 1993, had also announced that they would be concluding their business by the end of the year after their lease is up, with end-August being the earliest possible date for their last day of operations. After the closure announcement, Umi Nami also reposted a reel from F&B consultant and growth strategist Khoo Keat Hwee, who's also the former owner of the now-shuttered Japanese eatery chain Mentai-Ya as he lamented the difficulties that F&B businesses in Singapore face such as high rent and low footfall. On these recent closures in Holland Village, Valerie said: "There are big boys who can survive but small ones like ours are hard to pivot due to increasing costs." F&B businesses aren't the only ones pulling out of the neighbourhood. Some other long-standing tenants have also shuttered their businesses in recent years, such as the iconic Thambi Magazine Store in May 2024 after 80 years and family-run furniture store Lim's Holland Village in November 2024 after 50 years. Their departures have sparked conversations regarding lost heritage and whether Holland Village is losing its lustre. [[nid:719040]]
