Japanese cuisine deals my loyalty every time because of the varied ways it boosts my endorphins. Once, I ordered an omakase course for two at a restaurant inside the now-defunct Japan Food Town. Instead of soaking up a candle-lit ambience, we got first-row counter seats to witness the chefs in action. Maybe some people would just like to enjoy the company of their romantic company, but this flurry of disciplined movements lent another dimension to the exquisite plating and mouthwatering dishes whose array of flavours married well to offer me a burst of umami.