Whether you’re on the hunt for a secret sushi bar, or in need of a comforting rice bowl, here’s a list of the best Japanese restaurants in Singapore, sure to make you go OISHI!
LessAt Tamashii along North Canal Road, you get an elegant blend of tradition and panache, food is served on wooden oars in homage to Japanese fishermen who did the same once upon a time. The freshest ingredients are flown in regularly from Japan, and Chef Patrick Tan continuously goes out of his way to prepare the amazing produce in tantalising, and occasionally fascinating ways!
Bincho at Hua Bee, quite literally tucked away in a disguised heritage coffee shop near Tiong Bahru, is an attention-grabbing new spot by famed restaurateur Loh Lik Peng. Inspired by a yakitori-ya in Osaka, the all-in-one Japanese yakitori restaurant by Chef Asai Masashi is a true find for more than one reason!
Established over three decades ago, Nanbantei was Singapore's first and only Yakitori restaurant. 30 years on, and they're still standing strong, serving up stick after stick of their signature skewers. Lightly seasoned with sea salt to let the flavours of the meat shine through, each skewer is grilled to perfection over high heat using a special type of charcoal, which imbues the meat with a distinctive smoky aroma.
Pure creamy and melt-in-your-mouth indulgence. And no, we’re not talking about ice cream here. The Gyu Bar brings in one of the rarest wagyu in town — Wa-OH beef from the Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu Island. At Gyu Bar, you’ll find some surprising cuts as well as the usual ribeye and sirloin fillets.
Sitting pretty on the 4th level of Pan Pacific Singapore, Keyaki is an elegant Japanese restaurant that has a whole lot to offer. Boasting a menu with freshly sourced sashimi, authentically prepared teppanyaki, immaculately presented sukiyaki, and more - this Japanese wonderland is ideal for just about any occasion.
Jinjo is a modern Japanese sumiyaki restaurant by the Les Amis Group that focuses on the Japanese art of grilling. Japanese charcoal-grilling mastery is celebrated through a prefecture focused menu where prime seasonal ingredients are sourced from all over Japan, just so that guests get the best flavours of the season. Cooked over charcoal, these ingredients are imbued with a delicious smokiness and transformed into delectable dishes.
Gyu-Kaku takes pride in bringing you an authentic ‘Yakiniku’ (Japanese BBQ) experience. Serving premium ‘Japanese Wagyu’ and many other quality food items at reasonable prices. Their menus include mouth-watering appetisers, fresh salad, tantalising seafood items, desserts, beverages, and so much more. Come dine at Gyu-Kaku for that exquisite taste of Japan, served to you at your table!
Simple and authentic, Shin Kushiya serves up affordable, quality Japanese cuisine in an elegant and contemporary setting.
Book your seats at Magosaburo if you like your beef of an excellent grade. For starters, this elegant Japanese restaurant brings in some of the best Ohmi and Kobe beef, featuring exclusive cuts like the zabuton, a prime yakiniku cut taken from just behind the neck. Tender and flavourful, it’s a must-have at authentic yakiniku restaurants. For melt-in-your-mouth beef, the Ohmi Wagyu Ribeye is streaked with a mesmerising web of snow, served tableside, cubed and grilled.
Yakiniku is one of the great pillars of Japanese cuisine: the practice of grilling succulent cuts of meat over a charcoal fire. The basic elements are almost religious in their simplicity: beautifully marbled and fresh meat, a smoky fire, and some subtle dipping sauces to go along. Oh, and bowlfuls of steaming hot rice on which to baste those hot, meaty drippings.
Constantly on the hunt for the best wagyu in town, Aburiya is the true champion of Japanese wagyu beef. Visit the Japanese restaurant located at Boat Quay to embark on a real Japanese wagyu beef journey in more ways than one.
Bringing authentic Japanese ‘Kappo’ cuisine with scenic views of the bay, Oumi is the go-to dining restaurant to impress your guests. Experience a lively atmosphere as you enjoy delicious courses cooked before your very eyes and served with flair by talented chefs here at Oumi. True to the Kappo style of making use of the freshest ingredients, each dish is prepared with care and with cooking methods that truly bring out the full potential of each ingredient.
Opened in 2011, its calm interior is founded in the concept of wabi-sabi – the art of finding beauty in things modest, simple and humble. At the eight seater omakase counter, the Chef's Table brings a contemporary and creative approach to seasonal fresh produce. Fat Cow is led by veteran Tokyo-born Chef Shigeru Kasajima. The luxurious Japanese restaurant serves an extensive handpicked selection of finest Wagyu from reputable farms in Japan.
Delight in an unexpected and exploratory culinary style of modern Japanese cuisine as chef reinvents the traditional Japanese playbook of dining with a menu where elegant melding of cultures inspires the evolution of culinary tradition. Signatures include Tuna Pizza, thinly-sliced fresh Tuna by pairing it with an umami aioli with a sprinkle of truffle oil atop the delicate crust. Discover Akira Back’s signature flavours, where the show is not just in the mouth.
Featuring sushi, robata and izakaya style dining, KOMA is a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar offering a modern interpretation of Japanese cuisine through innovative, original creations. The restaurant also boasts a bar and lounge that serves an extensive selection of over 30 types of sake sourced from across Japan.
Neon Pigeon brings energy and life, and that’s what you need to know. It’s a Japanese Izakaya like you’ve never seen before, equal parts Tokyo soul and East Village rebel, mixed with a block party vibe. Escape into the graffiti-clad space welded together by a punched-up menu, an all-new Raw Bar and the long-awaited upgrade for a bar worthy of their larger-than-life attitude.
Sen of Japan is a modern Japanese restaurant and bar with a carefully curated menu using a dazzling medley of premium quality ingredients. The meaning of ‘Sen’ in Japanese is fresh, we believe that the quality of each dish lies in the source of ingredients – ‘to be fresh’. Sen of Japan aims to bring together key elements of traditional Japanese cuisine combined with modern flavours and techniques for a sophisticated flavour in every bite.
Housed at the 7th floor of Funan’s rooftop, NOKA by Tippling Club is a modern-Japanese restaurant serving spirited small plates bursting with flavour and omakase with a sexy arsenal of Japanese whisky highballs and artisanal sake. Helmed by award-winning Chef Ryan Clift of Tippling Club, known for its ultra-progressive cuisine and cocktails.
The latest venture by Chef Darwin Wong who helms modern European restaurant Buerre, Jidai is an innovative interpretation of the tastes of Japan together with his arsenal of French techniques. Get whisked away to an enchanting French-Japanese wonderland, through Chef Wong's magical creations.
If you can’t get enough of these deep-fried delights, there’s finally a place to sate your cravings. Founded in Osaka in 1971, this historic restaurant pays homage to the beloved Japanese dumpling. Every single dumpling is filled with the right amount of filling and is fried to crisp perfection without a hint of greasiness.
Shin Minori is all about value in Japanese dining. Offering all sorts of cravings from sushi to tempura, this is your one stop shop for Japanese feasting without the splurge. Best known for its a la carte buffet option, Shin Minori is the UE Square eatery that's ideal for group gatherings or family dinners, where a variety of palates need to be pleased.
Dining with a view has to be one of our favorite things and you get that and much, much more when you dine at Mitsuba Japanese Restaurant. Sprinkled with keyaki booths for a more traditional experience, dining here is perfect for date night, birthday dinners, and family gatherings! Settled right in the heart of Clarke Quay in Central, Mitsuba Japanese Restaurant is a vibrant eatery serving authentic Japanese cuisine.
The pet project of owner-operator, this restaurant specialises in Wagyu Beef Yakiniku, and is one of the hidden gems of Singapore’s thriving Japanese restaurant scene. From his humble beginnings in Japan as a dishwasher to a chef of a yakiniku chain, he has come a long way, and the expertise he gained reflects in his menu of beloved Japanese classics. There is a range of barbecue meats on offer at this restaurant, although the main draw is the wagyu meat.
Shinzo Japanese Cuisine started in 2013 fueled by a passion to bring affordable high-quality omakase to Singapore. The word Shinzo means heart in Japanese. Having spent more than 39 years honing his skills as a sushi shokunin (sushi artisan), Chef Patrick Tan knows that the best sushi is made from the heart. At Shinzo, one can expect nothing less than the freshest ingredients flown in directly from Japan. Just as the ingredients varies with the seasons in Japan, so does Shinzo’s menu.
Torio's menu combines premium ingredients to dish out delicious recipes at affordable prices. Named after the Japanese word for trio, this restaurant is dedicated to showcasing the camaraderie, contribution, and commitment of its founding partners through their dishes.
Located along Mohamed Sultan Road, Ginza Shinto is a contemporary Japanese sushi and omakase restaurant where fresh produce and rich flavours are the secrets to a hearty meal. The restaurant has separate menus for lunch sets, a la carte appetisers and sashimi platters. The Omakase menus are also updated biweekly to incorporate the freshest produce of the week.
A heavyweight in the sushi counter-culture, Kinki Restaurant has been wowing the hip and tasteful crowds along Marina Bay for years, and the throngs of merrymakers show no signs of slowing down. A palatable selection of mains includes the High Roller Wagyu Don - features ohmi A4 wagyu, Hokkaido uni, ikura, summer black truffle, onsen egg, Premium Unagi Claypot with homemade umami sauce and more.
You might be forgiven for thinking that you’ve been transported to an intimate restaurant in one of Tokyo’s back alleys. Nestled cosily in the trendy yet historic corner of Stanley Street is Shukuu Izakaya, a trendy hotspot featuring a bevy of eclectic small plates that will tickle taste buds. The intimate space features iconic red lanterns and a traditional Japanese mural to create a chic vibe that makes the experience so authentic.
If you find yourself craving Japanese food while shopping, make a beeline for issho izakaya. This modern Japanese outfit has something for everyone. Do check with their friendly staff for their seasonal fishes for the best cuts of sushi and sashimi which changes regularly.
Tucked along Zion Road is Yujin Izakaya, a lively hangout where one and all are received as friends. Immerse in this casual laid-back enclave where one can enjoy an eclectic mix of Japanese Izakaya food over a round of beer or sake. The menu spans inspired cold and hot appetisers, smokey grilled vegetable, meat, and seafood dishes, beautifully singed skewered items, and light desserts.
Since the early Edo period, izakayas (or ‘sit-down sake shops’) have been an indispensable fixture in the Japanese way of life and a few years ago, they found their place in Singapore’s flourishing culinary landscape. Shunjuu Izakaya, situated along the beautiful Robertson Quay, adds a refreshing spritz of excitement to the modern Izakaya with their specialty in Sumiyaki, charcoal-grilled dishes which may very well be the Japanese answer to tapas.
Embark on a culinary tour of stunning creations fresh from Mikuni’s teppanyaki and sushi live stations at Fairmont Singapore. Helmed by various master chefs, each station highlghts different premium Japanese produce. Complemented with signature dishes and innovative modern kaiseki dishes that never disappoint, visit the restaurant to feast your senses on mouthwatering Japanese delights.
At Sushi Jin, you get the supreme freshness of ingredients flown in 3 times a week from Tokyo's Tsukiji market, known to be the world's largest and busiest fish market. This means, you can now save on airfare to Japan's favourite destination among jet-lagged tourists with predawn hours to kill, on top of a price-savvy menu. Its menu boasts a plethora of appetizers, sashimi, sushi, maki, agemono, grilled items, noodles, rice, soup, and dessert.
Koji Sushi Bar is a trendy and casual Japanese sushi and sashimi-only joint with a simple menu focusing on quality fresh sea produce and with speed and affordability in the day to cater to office crowd. In the evening, Omakase (chef decide) menu is served along with a good selection of sake and shochu for a relaxed dining experience.
The chefs at Kurama Robatayaki are bringing more Japanese cuisine to Nihon Street. Robatayaki is the style of food preparation that allows for interaction between the chefs and the guests, as chefs grill the selection of seafood, vegetables and more. Pop by for dinner and stay for a casual drink of sake and enjoy bar snacks.
Located along the hip Duxton Road, the winsome Mitsu Sushi Bar charms diners with the best and freshest sushi in the city, thanks to its premium seafood that gets flown in from Japan five times a week. Under the deft hands of Fukuoka-native Chef Mitsuyasu Tatsuro, simple sushi ingredients are made to shine.
The grand-daddy of teppanyaki restaurants in Singapore, Shima has been firing up Japanese food à la minute at the stately Goodwood Hotel since 1980. The table-side acrobatics of its Japan-trained chefs has become a part of the meal as the delicious flash-cooked dishes made from fresh ingredients. The menu has since expanded to include sushi and sashimi dishes to go along with the hot plates, satisfying that Japanese cuisine craving of yours under one roof.
Established in a refurbished shophouse and seating less than 50, this intimate eatery serves up fresh sukiyaki, sashimi, and sushi made with fresh ingredients sourced directly from Japan. However, the true highlight is a “reversed” Omakase experience, where diners can give celebrated Japanese chef Kenji Okumura guidance on their desired ingredients and flavours, and the chef will do his best to incorporate them in a bespoke menu.
Tucked away in Tras Street, Singapore’s Japanese enclave, Teppan Works is a cosy spot that offers diners a taste of Osaka. The Japanese city is well-known for its popular okonomiyaki dishes, and you’ll find this a mainstay on the menu at Teppan Works. Try the Signature Cheese Okonomiyaki, made from your choice of sharp gorgonzola, a light buffalo mozzarella, creamy camembert, or a rich raclette.
Uya 四代目菊川 may have opened its doors at Wheelock Place just recently, but it has served discerning diners for more than four generations back in Japan. What it does best is the exquisite, perfectly grilled traditional unagi and Uya 四代目菊川 aims to offer up its authentic rendition of the Japanese delicacy at affordable prices. The eels are carefully selected and this commitment to quality and freshness shows from the crispy, fluffy, and creamy unagi.
Revel in delight as you watch our Unagi chefs cook up your favorite unagi cuisines over charcoal grill. Slathered with our in-house sweet & savory tare and grilled over hot charcoal resulting in a glistening crispy exterior and soft and tender interior boosting a fragrant smoky aroma. Savor Unagi in different styles, or pair them with your favorite sake at Una Una.
Having been in business for over a century, and having recently received a Bib Gourmand, you’d think the people at Miyagawa would know their stuff, and you’d be absolutely right. With 20 outlets in Japan, this is the first overseas outpost of the beloved unagi franchise. Famed for their expert grilling techniques and secret in-house sauces, this unagi restaurant is a must-visit for diners who love fine Japanese dining.
Torasho Ramen & Charcoal Bar prides itself on serving one of the best Tsukemen broths in Singapore, with the perfect ratio of tonkotsu and seafood broths in a bowl. An open kitchen lets you have a peek at the magic that goes behind the scenes. Chef Sho helms the kitchen, that dishes out appetisers, ramen, robata (charcoal and wood grill), and fresh sashimi.
Here’s a halal Japanese eatery that opens till 5am, serving a wide array of ramen infused with a local twist. They’ve swapped the typical tonkotsu ramen broth with a chicken base, one that’s been patiently simmering for 30 hours, resulting in a rich and smooth texture.