Merge

Among the charming streets of Wilston Village sits Merge—a pan-Asian yakitori bar serving up a playful mix of street food and sophisticated Japanese-inspired cuisine. Merge is all about fancy food that’s affordable. Head Chef John, who previously worked with celebrity clients and in fine dining restaurants, was inspired to go back to basics.

“Good food should be yummy, good food can be affordable. Good food doesn’t have to be fancy and pricey.”

The menu blends traditional Japanese yakitori with a touch of Southeast Asian flair. Their standout yakitori skewers are prepared with fine-dining precision, glazed with house-made spiced oil, and grilled to perfection over Binchotan charcoal. Menu favourites include their charcoal-grilled Filipino pork belly, where the pork belly is confited overnight, pressed the next day, then finished over a charcoal flame. Their juicy pork and prawn gyoza are also a signature— lovingly wrapped, pan-fried until golden and crispy, and served with a ponzu sauce perfect for soaking up every last bite.

House-made mocktails are a speciality of theirs, with options like the tropical, tangy Mango Lychee Soda or the refreshing Morning Green—a blend of crisp apple, cucumber and sweet elderflower. If you’re after a little buzz, you can opt for their Autumn Gin cocktail with yuzu liqueur, pineapple, zingy lemon and osmanthus, or stick with Japanese classics such as sake and beer. 

This moody, intimate eatery is perfect for an after-work bite or a relaxed mid-week dinner.