The Sakura Buffet Is Back!

Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore’s Sakura Serenity Buffet is returning following its 2025 debut. This seasonal Japanese buffet, led by Chef Elson Lee, draws inspiration from the cherry blossom season, with a focus on seasonality, craftsmanship and cultural expression. Rather than excess, the emphasis is on technique, balance and attention to detail. It starts on Wednesday 4 March and runs until the end of May!

More about this Sakura Buffet in Singapore

Highlighting the buffet is a four-hands collaboration between Michelin-trained Chef Elson Lee, who leads the hotel’s culinary team, and Guest Chef Keiji Matoba, whose background spans traditional Japanese kitchens and international fine dining. Together, their approach draws on established Japanese culinary foundations, refined through contemporary technique.

The Sakura Buffet menu takes its cues from spring in Japan, a season closely associated with renewal and balance. Dishes are composed with careful attention to texture, timing and proportion. Within the broader buffet, Chef Matoba’s signature dishes – including a wagyu creation and a sea bream claypot – reflect his training and interpretation of classic flavours, adding a personal thread to the line-up.

The programme opens on the evening of 5 March, with a live 40kg tuna cutting, offering a rare look at a skill that typically stays behind the scenes. Watching the process adds context to what later arrives on the plate, showcasing the precision involved. The launch evening also includes a cultural programme by HIBIKYA, featuring Taiko drumming and Koto performances, along with a lucky draw.

Availability and pricing

Beyond the launch event, the Sakura Serenity Buffet in Singapore is available for both lunch and dinner. Lunch is priced at $72 per person from Monday to Saturday, while dinner is $106 from Sunday to Thursday, and $116 on Fridays and Saturdays. Children are half price, while those aged five and under dine for free.

Three signature dishes to try at this Japanese buffet

#1 Sea Bream Claypot
#2 Japanese Wagyu Yakiniku
#3 Pitan Tofu

392 Havelock Road
tinyurl.com/SakuraSerenityBuffet

This article on a Japanese buffet dining experience first appeared in the February 2026 Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription or read the digital version free now.

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