Japanese Restaurants in Singapore
April 19, 2010 | 57 Comments
If there’s one thing that Singaporeans love other than buffet, it’s definitely Japanese food.
Japanese cuisine has always been very popular in Singapore. While I am not a big fan of Japanese food, it’s easy to understand why people love Japanese food. From affordable Japanese restaurant chains in Singapore like Sushi Tei, to fine dining Japanese restaurants like Tatsuya – there are always plenty of options to choose from.
Here’s the top Japanese restaurants in Singapore that I want to try (or revisit) this year. It doesn’t need to be Japanese fine dining restaurants, and it definitely does not include all the Best Japanese restaurants in Singapore.
Hello Sushi, Sashimi and tonkatsu!
Akanoya specialises in robatayaki. For the uninitiated, robatayaki is a technique in Japanese cuisine; customers sit around an open counter where fresh ingredients are displayed, and they can just point to order. The chefs will then grill the ingredients like seafood, meat, and vegetables over charcoal, and serve it to the customers using a long wooden paddle.
1 Tanglin Road
#01-01 Orchard Parade Hotel
Tel: +65 6732 1866
Much has been said about Chikuwa Tei at Mohamed Sultan road, the Japanese restaurant opened by the former Chef of Wasabi Tei at Far East Plaza. After going there for dinner, I think I understand why Wasabi Tei used to be so popular.
Chikuwa Tei is a place that I will go back again when I am craving for Japanese food. The offerings are generally good, and the prices for the bento set and ala carte menu are very reasonable.
9 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6738 9395
I will cut to the chase and tell you to go En Japanese Dining Bar at River Valley for their 50% promotion off Sushi and Sashimi from 6pm – 8pm daily.
Do note that the food promotion of 50% discount off Sushi & Sashimi is only available at their Mohamed Sultan branch (River Valley road). For those who cannot make it for the early bird discount from 6pm to 8pm, you can go there for supper as the Mohamaed Sultan branch opens till late night 3am on Friday and Saturday.
207 River Valley Road
#01-57 UE Square Singapore
Tel: +65 6735 2212
It is a good place to bring your clients for a business luncheon if you are working in the area. At night, it is perfect as a place for a quiet dinner. If you don’t want to splurge, go for the bentos – they are slightly more affordable, prices range from $32 to $38.
22 Cross Street
#01-50/53 China Square Central
South Bridge Court
Tel: +65 6536 7746
IKOI Japanese Restaurant – Japanese Buffet
401 Havelock Road #01-01
Hotel Miramar Singapore
Tel: +65 6887 3788
// Japanese ala carte buffet
Weekday Japanese ala carte Buffet $33++
Weekend Japanese ala carte Buffet $33++
* Reservations highly recommended
For me, there is no doubt that Ippudo at Mandarin Gallery is one of the best ramen restaurants in Singapore. The question is, are you willing to queue up for it?
333A Orchard Road
#04-02/03/04 Mandarin Gallery
Tel: +65 6235 2797
Izakaya Nijumaru is a great hidden gem with good Japanese food at very affordable prices. If you are meeting your friends in town and trying to decide what to eat in Orchard, you may want to drop by Izakaya Nijumaru at Cuppage Plaza for a drink and some Japanese food.
5 Koek Road #02-10
Cuppage Plaza Singapore
Tel: +65 6235 6693
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant
With so many restaurants lined along the two sides of Lorong Mambong, it’s easy to miss out Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ restaurant if you are new to Holland Village. How many times have I walked past it when I was in the area? Plenty. I can’t believe that it took me until now to try the Japanese restaurant, but boy am I glad that I finally went there for dinner recently.
Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ restaurant is not cheap. But it serves good quality meat, and I like the fact that you won’t smell like BBQ after a meal. I will definitely come back when I am craving for wagyu beef.
29 Lorong Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6466 4001
While I am not a fan of Keisuke Tokyo, it is one of the more popular ramen places in Singapore, so if you haven’t been there before, do drop by for a visit when you are in the area.
9 Raffles Boulevard
#P3-02 Parco Marina Bay Millenia Walk
Tel: +65 6337 7919
My friends are probably hatching a plot to murder me as I type this, but I’m going to risk it and tell you guys anyway — Koh Grill & Sushi, a small Japanese eatery in Wisma Atria Food Republic, is an amazing place for good Japanese Food at very reasonable prices.
435 Orchard Road #04-21
Wisma Atria Singapore
Tel: +65 9180 3805
If you are looking for Robatayaki, Mikuni Japanese Restaurant at Fairmont is another place to check out. Rest assured that you are in the good hands of the chefs there. Just sit back and enjoy a wonderful meal.
80 Bras Basah Road
Level 3 Fairmont Singapore
Tel: +65 6431 6156
Ootoya at Orchard Central has good Japanese food at decent prices, but I’m not sure if I’ll be coming back. Don’t get me wrong, it has nothing to do with the service, or food, or prices – I’m just too lazy to queue up.
181 Orchard Road #08-12
Orchard Central Singapore
Tel: +65 6884 8901
Ramen Santouka is one of my favourite ramen places in Singapore. Go there during off-peak timings, if not be prepared to queue up for half an hour.
6 Eu Tong Sen Street #02-76
The Central Singapore
Tel: +65 6224 0668
Saboten is definitely one of the better tonkatsu restaurants in Singapore, but it is not my favourite. I still prefer other places like Tampopo, Tonkichi, and Tonkatsu by Ma Maison.
Having said that, I can see myself coming back as the food is generally good, and reasonably-priced.
80 Airport Boulevard
#031-004 Departure Check-in Hall Level 3
Changi Airport Terminal 1
Tel: +65 6214 9504
Senki Japanese Buffet Restaurant
The Japanese Buffet at Senki Japanese Restaurant is $30++ for lunch, and $33++ for dinner. Prices are the same for weekday and weekend. For eve/public holidays, it is $39++ for the buffet dinner.
109 Killiney Road
Tel: +65 6734 5565
Shin Kushiya Japanese Chargoal Grill
Most of the items on Shin Kushiya’s menu are reasonably priced, and the Japanese food is competent. I can definitely see myself coming back if I’m having dinner in Vivocity.
1 Harbourfront Walk
#02-120-122 VivoCity Singapore
Tel: +65 6275 8766
Standing Sushi Bar has established a good reputation for good quality Japanese cuisine since opening back in 2009. The quirky concept of standing-in-a-sushi-bar has also helped boost their popularity in the Singapore Food Scene.
The outlet at 8Q at SAM on Queen Street is a place where you can dine in peace and have good Japanese food.
8 Queen Street #01-03 Singapore
Tel: +65 6333 1335
Sugisawa Japanese Restaurant at Robertson Quay has very good value for money bento sets. Like other Japanese restaurants, the bento set is inclusive of rice and miso soup. But what makes Sugisawa different from the rest is that the portions are really generous and they even come with sashimi.
30 Robertson Quay
#01-16 Riverside View
Tel: +65 6235 0212
One of my favourite Japanese Restaurants in Singapore, Tampopo at Liang Court serves good and reliable food. I will go so far as to say that they have one of the best Tonkatsu in Singapore. It is something that I would go back every week just to have it.
177 River Valley Road
#01-23/24 Liang Court Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6338 3186
Tonkichi is no stranger to Tonkatsu lovers. It is one of the most popular Tonkatsu Restaurants in Singapore. It has a menu that focuses on sinful but oh-so-good deep-fried food. Most people would probably go for the signature Kurobuta Kata Rosu Set ($32.9), Rosu Katsu Set ($22.9) or Hire Katsu Set ($20.9). For seafood lovers, they have options like the Mixed Seafood Katsu Set ($25.9), and Oyster with Rosu Katsu Set ($26.9).
181 Orchard Road
#07-06 Orchard Central
Tel: +65 6238 7976
Watami Singapore Japanese Restaurant is the place to go if you want a casual and affordable Japanese dinner in town.
2 Orchard Turn
#B3-23 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 9366
After having lunch at Yayoiken Japanese Restaurant, I’ll go so far as to say that my hunt for a place that serves inexpensive and good Japanese food has ended with this casual restaurant located at the basement of Liang Court.
Meidi-ya Supermarket
177 River Valley Road
#B1-50 Liang Court Shopping Centre
* * *
I will be adding this list to the top of my Delicious page. Meanwhile, let me know if you have a particular favorite Japanese restaurant to share with everyone. For the past two weeks, I went to a few Japanese restaurants in Singapore, and I will be blogging on three of them this week. Watch this space.
Tags: # Japanese Restaurant Singapore > # Japanese Restaurants in Singapore > Best Japanese Food > Best Ramen in Singapore > Best Singapore Food > Japanese ala Carte Buffet > List of places to eat > List of Restaurants in Singapore > Ramen Restaurants in Singapore > Singapore Food Blog > Singapore Japanese Food
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ladyironchef is a Singapore Food Blog that features restaurant review on the best food in Singapore
April 19th, 2010 @ 9:38 am
Looking at the pictures make me hungry. hahaha
April 19th, 2010 @ 9:46 am
tweeted abt this & now i shall share with u all my 2cents worth.
personally, i kinda like ippudo coz it’s pretty good except i find it wayy to salty, i couldn’t bring myself to drink the broth after i’m done without fear that i might get msg/sodium poisoning. lol.
as for wasabi tei, my sis wen last week and she is very disappointed. her chawanmushi (mind e spelling) was tasteless and her sushi set was served warm coz while the chef was doing it, he keep getting distracted with other things and end up leaving it there half done for too long while he goes about doing other stuff. but she said the udon was passable. lol
if u all wanna try ala carte jap buffet, do give shin yuu @ greenwood ave a shot. the variety may nt be out of this world, but they have a few stuff worth trying.
hope that helps ((:
April 19th, 2010 @ 10:21 am
you *need* to try Goto. please do.
http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/goto_japanese_restaurant/
http://www.chubbyhubby.net/blog/?p=527
http://casslovescooking.blogspot.com/2008/02/goto-japanese-restaurant.html
it’s exquisite… on Sundays for lunch, the lovely people from Enso Kitchen serve shojin ryori there too:
http://www.ensokitchen.com/order.htm
http://living-vegan.blogspot.com/2009/08/shojin-ryori-at-enso-kitchen.html
i’ve visited all the restaurants you have on your list, but for me, Goto wins hands-down. in fact, there’s no competition… hehheh.
April 19th, 2010 @ 11:41 am
SHAMELESS
April 19th, 2010 @ 12:34 pm
Yeah, delete the critical comments, keep the good stuff. Then, put up lists when he has not visited many of them, call it top 10. A clever person would know it’s just to keep his blog there for google searches. I’m not a hater, but I’m very much amused by such antics.
April 19th, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
hater = coward. Must be an owner of a failed competing japanese restaurant or a failure in life in general.
This post makes me want to eat japanese! Yums.
April 19th, 2010 @ 12:55 pm
Yay! Glad LIC finally revealed what he sees everyone as, as a perfect unit for his much treasured TRAFFIC. Of course, his “fans” can’t see this, and won’t even entertain the thought. Trust me, someday, you will, and you will remember my words people.
April 19th, 2010 @ 1:03 pm
i heard the wasabi tei management changed – no more the scary uncle and aunty. lemme know if its still good! (:
April 19th, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
@Miss Steel Gourmet – You are obviously a kid, still schooling and taking pocket money. For a blog like Lady Iron Chef’s to continue churning out good content, he needs an audience or in another words, traffic.
No one single blogger starts a blog so that they don’t get readership or – traffic.
What stupid thing to say. Yes I will always remember your words cos it’s embarrassingly stupid.
April 19th, 2010 @ 1:20 pm
Or, I’m not pathetic enough to depend on a blog for traffic traffic traffic. Good content? Sorry, I may not have a blog, but I know of some others that are more sincere about writing. Ah Ben Ben, you sound like LIC too
April 19th, 2010 @ 1:21 pm
good job by the way brad, you’re finally not deleting comments. phew, at least you’re maturing steadily.
April 19th, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
Erm, if you don’t like ladyironchef, why are you sticking around his blog? Shouldn’t you go elsewhere? Shouldn’t you not come back?
Why are you keeping track of further comments to see if people reacts to your comments?
Shouldn’t you spend time on succeeding in life like ladyironchef is working hard doing rather than go around flaming?
What a fool, do you even know you’re making a fool out of yourself?
I’m sure you don’t. Grow up.
If you come back and leave another comment, you’re nothing but a childish kid or failure in life who has nothing to do but get jealous of people’s success.
April 19th, 2010 @ 1:39 pm
I like to be amused by deluded people. LIC is succeeding in life? It’s a success?
April 19th, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
At least more successful than you? LOL. Hey, go get a job. I’m sorry for your broken life.
April 19th, 2010 @ 3:07 pm
@Miss Steel Big Mouth – Get a life please.
You do NOT own this blog nor have you contributed to it in any way except SPAM your futile comments which have inadvertently helped this post rank better in Google. Shows how much you really know about search engine strategy.
Brad can write whatever he likes about food because HE owns it and its content and can exercise his right to delete whatever comments he deems unnecessary or like yours, down right stupid.
I’m sick of people like you who don’t even own a blog, yet feel compelled to tell hard-working bloggers like Brad how to run theirs…
Pretty sad that you have to troll a food blog…a food blog of all places!?
If you have nothing constructive to say go wriggle back to the hole from which you came from.
P.S. I LOVE JAPANESE FOOD!
April 19th, 2010 @ 3:43 pm
Brad, love your blog to the max =DD so dun get affected by anyone who tries to pull you down (: cheers !
April 19th, 2010 @ 3:46 pm
For tonkatsu, Tonkichi and Tampopo are my all-time favourites.
April 19th, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
@ best geek blog (by nuffnang standards): who said i didnt want to draw attn to this post, nice to know pple will arrive here to see a top ten list, only three of which have been visited.
work hard brad, still only seeing sparklette and ieat on the first google page for “singapore japanese food”.
April 19th, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
steel = ice? too obvious.
April 19th, 2010 @ 4:21 pm
ice? i’ve heard of her before, she’s another one of the bloggers right? but she has more character in putting her name/credentials down wherever she goes. anyway, i have an email that lic can reply me, but pity not one to clarify or talk to me till today.
April 19th, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
I love Japanese food! Thanks for the list! Can I add some pls pls?
Hanabi, En Dining Bar, Shin Yuu (Greenwood, buffet!) and Ootoya!
More Japanese posts pls!
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
hey brad, i’ve been enjoying your blog for some time but too shy to comment. but i love jap food! is tatsuya ex? so far i’ve only been to tetsu after reading your post!! and i love the tonkatsu! try ikoi too
)
April 19th, 2010 @ 5:30 pm
very funny, what do you want him to reply you about? like forcing him to admit on the things you claimed then you’ll be happy? i’m sure you must be feeling quite frustrated by now because he doesn’t even want to response lol. if it were me, i won’t waste my time too
April 19th, 2010 @ 6:11 pm
Come to think of it, Brad I think you were too kind in letting Miss Steel Grot’s comment be published. It just distracts readers from what you’re talking about in the post and just sets the stage for other trolls to join the party…
April 19th, 2010 @ 8:44 pm
TAMPOPO! haha Miharu at Gallery Hotel is not bad too and sometimes, i do have occasional cravings for Sushi Tei =Pp
April 19th, 2010 @ 10:35 pm
I shall work much harder at infecting you with my love for Japanese food. It is just soooo good! Ramen me this, udon me that, yakitori at night, sushi in the morning…
April 19th, 2010 @ 10:56 pm
woah whats up with the crazy hater/stalker on your blog?
Anyway I for one am always craving for Japanese food! I think the best I have tried in Singapore is Sushi Yoshida!
I need to try everything on your list as well!
April 19th, 2010 @ 11:08 pm
I want my Cha Soba!! You are now making me crave for it againnnnnn!
April 19th, 2010 @ 11:42 pm
at abt $38 for Hanabi buffet dinner, you get unlimited sashimi n many other dishes.
i think it’s not fair that many said Hanabi isn’t any good, i was there for dinner with my colleagues the week before, the sashimi was fresh and most of the other dishes we ordered were quite decent too(except the shishamo, pls skip that)
jus bare in mind at $38, you cant expect $138 quality. ordering 2-3 dishes at any regular Jap eatery would have easily cost you $38, and they dun alway taste good too.
i totally agree with LIC, jus go experience gorging yourself silly..lol.(do remember to ask e waitress for small servings)
April 20th, 2010 @ 1:31 am
u should try sushi yoshida at killiney area
April 20th, 2010 @ 4:59 pm
Thanks for the list! Now I know where to go for Jap food
April 20th, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
I love japanese food. Always have them after my badminton game. Nice.
April 20th, 2010 @ 10:35 pm
Nanbantei at Far East Plaza serves authentic yakitori. Really nice and very homely. Must reserve or go early.
Inagiku @ Fairmont is also another great place with really high quality fresh ingredients.
Then there’s Sushi Jiro at East Coast Rd and Chanko @ Hong Leong Gdn Shopping Centre West Coast, both are small, home run style places, not too commercialised and most importantly, great food.
April 20th, 2010 @ 11:14 pm
I think Saboten @ Parco Millenia walk has much better tonkatsu and salad than Tonkichi.
U guys can give it a try.
April 21st, 2010 @ 12:51 am
For Japanese ala carte buffet, I would prefer Senki to Hanabi in my humble opinion. More variety at Senki. Just my two cents worth.
April 21st, 2010 @ 10:14 am
wow everyone! thanks for the recommendations and tip-off! i will take down all the places and check them out when my partner is craving for Japanese food : )
May 5th, 2010 @ 10:51 am
forget about Wasabi Tei. Not worth going since Peter sold the place. completely lost its character
May 6th, 2010 @ 10:42 am
gy: OH! u mean wasabei tei has changed owners already? oh dear, what a shame. Is he like opening a new place somewhere else?
October 5th, 2010 @ 1:34 am
you’re missing some great ones!
for fusion japanese, waku ghin at MBS.
for buffet japanese, en japanese dining (mostly shabu shabu but other stuff as well)
for expensive but best toro, shiraishi
for fantastic but expensive sushi, kanesaka
October 12th, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
jac: wow you been to waku ghin already? i heard it’s very difficult to get in! how much is the Japanese buffet at en Japanese dining bar?
October 15th, 2010 @ 2:24 am
I love your site! My husband and I are coming for our first visit to Singapore in June 2011. We will be there for one week. We are “foodies” and I have trolling the net to find recommendations. As far as Japanese goes, I would love to know what restaurant does Shabu Shabu?
December 3rd, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
The owner and chef for wasabi teh is now at shifted to a new restaurant, Chikuwa Teh at 9 Mohammed Sultan. Still serving very good and quality sashimi.
December 14th, 2010 @ 9:49 am
Aoki at Shaw Building, love there Maizen Chirashi.
January 31st, 2011 @ 11:21 am
Nice post. Best Japanese Yakitori in Singapore http://www.nanbantei.com.sg.
February 11th, 2011 @ 11:57 am
Nice blog regarding Japanese food, Haha:D i’ll like to recommend euu to try the chasoba and udons (men-rui)s at Hoshi Japanese Restaurant:D They also provides buffet too:D It’s first time passing by and starts reading your blog. Hope to see more foods from your blog:D
May 3rd, 2011 @ 4:43 pm
Hoshi Japanese Restaurant – what is the price like? Gd or not?
June 23rd, 2011 @ 11:28 am
I recommend Go Go Curry at B4 of ION Orchard! Very nice and afforable! Rich and superlicious curry! Opposite Guardian (:
July 1st, 2011 @ 8:20 pm
Chikuwa TeH at mohammed sultan..is the ex-Wasabi Teh. Maybe you have already know.
August 16th, 2011 @ 10:39 pm
hey there, do you know about kiseki japanese buffet ? my friend and i are planning to go there on the upcoming September. Please write about the review if you’ll go there
Thnkyou before!
August 28th, 2011 @ 8:49 pm
I have just recently discovered this site about 2 months ago and am a big fan already. I love Japanese food, and I’d like to suggest the following restaurants which I hope make it on your list in the future:
1. Waku Ghin in Marina Bay Sands – pricey but worth it! I’ve written a blog entry just recently. I ate there a few days ago and the experience was amazing. http://goodfoodishappiness.blogspot.com/2011/08/waku-ghin-japanese-fine-dining-and.html
2. Saboten in Parco Department Store, Millenia Walk – I saw one of the readers suggest this as well. This is my all time favorite tonkatsu place! Try the tenderloin tonkatsu set.
3. Tonkichi – Also a favorite tonkatsu place of mine. The kata rosu (black pork) is divine.
I have also heard good reviews about Takumi in Marina at Keppel Bay. That is next on my list of places to try out.
September 29th, 2011 @ 1:32 am
my humble contribution which you may want to explore – sakuraya for sashimi, kushingin for yakitori esp during lunch there is special set lunch value for money but quality not compromised. tks for the list. do add on to it… en dining – depend if you want the beef side free flow or not, if so its about S$50 per pax. just craving for hotpot only… wondering where there is good ones.. any recommendation? tks
December 9th, 2011 @ 10:51 am
Ikoi at Hotel Miramar is probably the worst Japanese restaurant in Singapore or probably in the whole region. Food is prepared by and served for Chinese tourists who have no clue. Disgusting!! Really
April 11th, 2012 @ 5:56 pm
have u tried KUMO at ICON village, Gopeng street?
April 11th, 2012 @ 11:17 pm
@kim I just went there tonight! haha really good value Omakase.
May 14th, 2012 @ 4:52 pm
Goes to show just how many Japanese restaurants there are in Singapore – I love Japanese and have only been to one or two you have listed here ! Looking forward to eating my way through your list – thanks !
May 15th, 2012 @ 12:30 am
Hi Brad,
I love Japanese food! I can’t believe that Kazu sumiyaki at Cuppage didn’t make it to this list. It’s really good and be sure to make a reservation or you’ll never get to sink your teeth into those yummy perfectly bbq-ed foie gras.
Thanks for your list! Always wanted to try Chikuwa Tei!
May 16th, 2012 @ 1:32 pm
And about the Nogawa @ Concorde Hotel?