Sushiro, one of the most popular kaiten sushi chains in Japan, took Singapore by a storm with their affordably-priced premium sushi. Now, they are expanding to the North of Singapore to open a third outlet at Causeway Point on 24 March 2020.

Aside from their already mouthwatering menu, they will be introducing new seasonal dishes such as Crab Roe Dry Ramen, Zhar Jiang Mien and other exciting menu highlights.

Their outlet in Tiong Bahru Plaza and Shaw Centre are still attracting long queues daily, but now you don’t have to travel all the way to the Central for their melt-in-your-mouth kaiten sushi.

Note: Soft-opening hours from 24 to 30 March 2020 are 11:30am – 9:30pm (Last orders by 9pm)

Sushiro Singapore
1 Woodlands Square Causeway Point
#05-16/17/18
Singapore 738099
Tel: +65 6908 5605
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Woodlands

It is that time of the year again; with the festive season just around the corner, we are undoubtedly reminded of decadent holiday treats and majestic wintertime roasts. Although many associate the holidays with the typical Western spread, not every meal needs to be an elaborate and extravagant affair of turkey, ham, and a copious amount of cranberry sauce. This festive season, why not treat your family to a casual yet delightful Japanese repast at Ichiban Sushi?

More than just a convenient option, Ichiban Sushi is a welcoming space perfect for families to spend some quality time together over the holidays. Instead of needing to splurge on lavish meals to be able to enjoy Japanese cuisine, the brand prides itself in offering an accessible alternative without skimping on standards.

Offering four value-for-money set meals, expect to indulge in a sumptuous meal that will leave you hankering for more. Each set is accompanied by a myriad of dishes, such as a main, rice bowl, chawanmushi and sides. They will be available from 12 November 2019 till 9 February 2020!

To add on something special, Ichiban Sushi is partnering Citi to offer diners a S$10 return voucher on every festive set ordered and paid with a Citi Card.

SPICY SHIROMI SEAFOOD WAZEN

Surely making a bold statement at your table is Ichiban Sushi’s luxurious Spicy Shiromi Seafood Wazen (S$23.90). The set is served with a delicious hotpot of Spicy Shiromi Seafood, succulent Kimchi Prawns, Seared Salmon Sashimi and Poached Egg Mini Sushi Rice bowl, Tuna Mayo Salad, and delectable sides such as Chawanmushi, Miso Soup, and fruits.

The glorious Spicy Shiromi Seafood hotpot is definitely the highlight of the set. Chock full of huge cream dory fish pieces and a medley of vegetables and mushrooms, the dish is served in a spicy, thick broth that is both fiery yet tangy. The soup base was aromatic and fragrant from the strong garlic notes, while the different capsicums added a hint of sweetness.

In line with the set’s seafood theme, Ichiban Sushi has included a seared salmon sashimi don, topped with spicy cod roe mayo and a poached egg atop a fluffy bed of sushi rice.

The sashimi was lightly seared to give it an aromatic char and crisp that added to its savouriness. Garnished with chopped chillis and coated with spicy cod roe mayo, both elements lent the dish a mild, tangy spice, making the rice bowl all the more delectable.

Though seemingly unassuming, the thick prawns are full of sweet flavour, which is further enhanced by the sweetness of the kimchi dressing.

While distinctly different in taste profiles, the kimchi flavouring is not too far removed from the peppery base of the teriyaki sauce. More importantly, it supplements the succulent freshness of the prawns versus being the highlight of the dish.

KIMCHI BEEF STEAK WAZEN

Introducing their premium Kimchi Beef Steak Wazen (S$23.90) — this delectable set comes in yet another hotpot stew comprising a myriad of colourful vegetables and prime steak. Accompanying it is a platter of Breaded Crab Sticks, Bara Chirashi-Don as well as the usual sides.

There is a good reason as to why Ichiban Sushi is confident enough in labelling the kimchi sauce as a house-special here. Unlike the subtle sprinkling of spice on the prawns from the previous set, the gravy here holds within it a much more complex blend of flavours. To fully appreciate this dish, allow for the beef slices to marinate for a moment in the sauce until a light glaze forms for the best possible taste experience.

The kimchi presence here is but an enhancement to the beef; it brings forth the full-bodied tenderness of the protein against the tangy zest of the red pepper seasoning.

The same goes for the bara chirashi number – the coldness of the dish cuts through the fiery zest of the beef, giving diners a temporary reprieve from any flavour saturation from the main protein.

As yummy as diced sashimi are on their own, their flavours are muted when compared to the myriad of tastes present in the other dishes. To prevent the rice bowl from fading into the background, the inclusion of the onsen egg adds a richness to the dish, and binds the distinct fish cubes into a cohesive whole.

Tempuras are a staple to include in every traditional Japanese set meal! This time, expect a twist to your the shrimp tempuras, as you will be served breaded crab sticks instead. Well-battered with a flaky, crispy crust, the crab sticks break apart easily to reveal a soft, substantial filling of fish paste.

CHEESY CHICKEN ROLL WAZEN

Get the best of both worlds with their Cheesy Chicken Roll Wazen (S$22.90) — what more can you ask for with their finger-licking sides of seafood, beef and chicken dishes?

This set is surely our personal favourite; we got to taste one of their festive oceanic gems such as the Grilled Scallop with Spicy Sauce & Cheese, as well as feast on the toothsome Yakiniku Beef Steak Rice Bowl and Bacon and Cheese-Stuffed Rolled Chicken!

Similar to a tori katsu, the chicken roll is nicely fried to golden-brown perfection, resulting in a crispy skin that is not overly greasy. It also had a nice skin to meat ratio – the thin layer of fat beneath the skin oozes juicy, savoury flavour, while the meat is tenderised and luscious.

All the chicken cuts also encase a gooey, cheesy middle and small bacon strips that simply melts in your mouth. Remember to coat the chicken with their recommended Tonkotsu Dipping Sauce.

The Yakiniku Steak Mini Rice Bowl features savoury yakiniku beef steak on Hitomebore premium rice.

Instead of drowning the beef in heavy sauces, the juices from the beef slices naturally accentuate the aroma of the rice base, making this simple dish a more subtle, but no less appetising end to an otherwise playful meal set.

The Grilled Scallop with Spicy Sauce & Cheese comes with a spicy dressing which is reminiscent of mentaiko sauce. The cheese is also lightly torched, adding a subtle, mouthwatering char.

HOT AND SOUR PORK NABE WAZEN

Truly boasting a grand aesthetic is the Hot and Sour Pork Nabe Wazen (S$22.90). This set is bound to leave you gobsmacked with its huge portions, fully-cooked sides and hearty rice bowl. Stealing the spotlight is none other than their Hot and Sour Pork Hotpot!

It comes with a multitude of ingredients including pork slices, mushrooms, tofu and corns. Topped with chilli slices, it adds an extra piquancy to the already sweet and sour broth.

The perfect accompaniment to the hotpot is none other than their udon. Served in a small portion, this tiny bowl of noodles is meant to be poured into the broth while you slowly slurp it up. Slowly let the chewy noodles simmer in the hot and sour base while it absorbs the spicy, tangy soup.

This is Ichiban Sushi’s Assorted Mushrooms with Scrambled Egg Mini Sushi Rice Bowl! Appearance-wise, it looks like an “Oyako Don”, except it consists of only mushrooms and eggs served with premium Hitomebore Rice.

We loved how there were two different types of shrooms, such as the shitake and enoki mushrooms, which gave the dish textural contrast to the soft rice and egg base.

This set includes a Seared Salmon with Tataki Sauce platter. Following this set’s fully-cooked theme, it is lightly seared to bring out the aromatic flavours and fattiness of the flesh. The flesh was succulent and thick, while the seared exterior brought out the umami in the salmon.

SIDES

Wazen is incomplete without a variety of sides! Take a break from their heavy mains and tuck into their staple sides, which comes in tiny portions perfect to cleanse your palate with. Included in each set is a small platter of fruits, chawanmushi and tuna salad. Savour their earthy miso soup as well, which also comes in all sets with the exception of the Hot and Sour Pork Nabe Wazen.

Do note that the fruits given each day will vary.

No festive season is complete without an exchange of gifts. Ichiban Sushi, in collaboration with Citi, is bringing two great holiday treats to all its diners. Between 12 November 2019 until 9 February 2020, customers who pay using a Citi Card will receive a S$10 return voucher with every Festive Set purchased while stocks last.

You can also stand to win S$30 worth of dining vouchers here at Ichiban Sushi every week by simply following their social media at @ichibansushi.sg, snapping a picture with their quirky menu and hashtagging them at #ichibansushisg.

Ichiban Sushi
53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
#02-01 AMK Hub
Singapore 569933
Tel: +65 6555 1617
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio
** Multiple outlets islandwide

This post was brought to you by Ichiban Sushi Singapore. 

With 5 different Japanese food concepts under one roof, Tsukiji Fish Market is quite a paradise for Japanese food lovers. They offer a wide range of Japanese cuisine at fairly affordable price points.

From hearty ramen to fresh sashimi air-flown directly from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market twice a week, this is one Japanese restaurant in the heart of Orchard Road to love if you don’t already know.

You’d be glad to hear that Tsukiji Fish Market is set to enthral with brand new additions to their vast variety of Japanese fare that they have to offer. From 9th July 2018 until 31st August 2018, you can quote ‘ladyironchef‘ to enjoy 20% off the total bill on the à la carte menu*.

Here is what you can expect on your next visit to Tsukiji Fish Market, in accordance to the concepts that they offer.

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET RESTAURANT

Sashimi lovers will rejoice at the multitudinous options that Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant has to offer for fresh seafood. They are one of the concepts available at Tsukiji Fish Market.

The Bara Chirashi Don (S$21.80) is the ultimate go-to if you want a sashimi-centric meal and it is one value-for-money dish at that—topped with generous portions of diced salmon, tuna, swordfish, crab, salmon roe and tamago. And there is also tobiko and a small portion of uni!

Have a hankering for sashimi? Go for the 7 Kinds of Sashimi on a Ship (S$41.80) which is gloriously presented with fresh cuts of sashimi in accordance to the season. Otherwise, the fresh Oysters is a great option for sharing too—creamy and easy on the salinity, these are oysters we would find ourselves returning for.

EBIZO TEMPURA RESTAURANT

The Ebizo Tendon (S$22.80) from the Ebizo Tempura Restaurant is one hearty bowl that will definitely fill you up. The golden-brown batter which coated the tempura impressed us with its crispiness despite being doused in a sweet soy dressing.

Generously topped with fresh ebi, sea eel, snow crab leg, squid, a tempura egg, and assorted vegetables, this bowl of goodness is sure to leave you satisfied especially if you are a sucker for such deep-fried goodness.

TORI-SHO CHICKEN

Tori-Sho is yet another concept within Tsukiji Fish Market specialising in an extensive range of chicken-centric dishes. Look forward to new offerings by Tori-Sho Chicken such as the Chiritori Nabe, or opt for their classic smoky, charcoal-grilled Yakitori.

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to that of Korean Army Stew, the Chiritori Nabe (S$36.80) is a dish that stands out amongst the rest. Think of it as a massive steamboat with overflowing ingredients such as mushrooms, prawns, squids, chicken dices as well as kimchi—all soaked in a pot of slightly spicy soup.

From the mild spiciness of the robust broth to the plenteous ingredients that the dish constituted, we were sold by the complex harmony of flavours from this dish.

The Tori-Sho Chicken menu also includes an extensive variety of yakitori, such as the usual chicken thigh, wing and fillet section, as well as the more acquired innards and soft bone.

Each yakitori skewer is grilled to perfection—we particularly loved those that were slathered with their in-house tare sauce that well complemented the intense smokiness of the grilled meats.

With prices starting from just S$2.20 per skewer, we’d understand why it is so difficult to say no to these delightful sticks of goodness.

TAKUMEN RAMEN GALLERY

Ramen is undoubtedly one of the most, if not the most, comforting Japanese food. Takumen Ramen Gallery serves a limited but tantalizing range of ramen so delectable it would make you go back for more.

Ramen fanatics will be pleased to hear that Takumen Ramen Gallery has come up with new offerings—Mentaiko Ramen (S$16.80) and Wabisuke Ramen (S$16.80).

For something more unconventional, albeit alluring, opt for the Mentaiko Ramen which features a sweeter-than-average broth.

IKEZAKI STEAKHOUSE

As its name suggests, Ikezaki Steakhouse has a wide range of beef-centric fare which serves as a good alternative if you are not a fan of the usual ramen and sashimi.

Served with cherry tomatoes, avocados, an onsen egg and a huge, thick beef patty is the Loco Moco Don (S$19.80)—the newest addition to Ikezaki’s menu. For those who believe in the notion that thick beef patties will always turn out dry and hard, the one featured in the Loco Moco Don will prove you wrong with its juicy and succulent meat.

The Wagyu Roast Beef Don (S$20.80) is another option to look forward to.

If you are one that gets excited over the sizzling sounds of barbecue and watching fresh seafood grill under your nose, the Hamayaki Grill at Tsukiji Fish Market is one that will win you over. Let the chef in you shine and grill your seafood as you like!

Their à la carte menu features options such as the Grilled Scallop with Mentaiko (S$13.80/ 3pcs), Grilled Oysters with Garlic Butter Sauce (S$12.80/ 3pcs) and the Grilled Sazae with Garlic Herb Butter Sauce (S$9.80/ 6pcs) which you wouldn’t want to miss out on. The Hamayaki Grill is available for à la carte during both lunch and dinner.

Here’s a gentle reminder to quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservations to enjoy 20% off your total bill.

*Do note that this offer is only valid from Mondays to Thursdays, excluding public holidays and eve of public holidays, from 9th July 2018 until 31st August 2018. This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, vouchers or offers.

Tsujiki Fish Market Restaurant
181 Orchard Road, #12-02
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Daily : 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun High Tea: 3pm – 5pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant.

Among the slew of cafes, supper spots and restaurants scattered all over bustling Upper Thomson Road, Japanese fare is perhaps one of the few rarities to find there unless you consider Tomoe Japanese Cuisine or even Sushi Tei in Thomson Plaza which is both a tad pricier in comparison.

New to the bustling food enclave, taking over what used to be Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Cafe, Maneko Japanese Restaurant is a cosy, 30-seater eatery that serves quick, fuss-free Japanese delights ranging from sashimi, sushi, donburi, soba, udon and a huge selection of sides.

They have a decent selection of sushi and sashimi options to choose from as well as a huge range of rice bowls—great for quick workday lunches.

All their items are priced as is with no GST & service charge and patrons can also opt to order their mains with a drink and a small side dish as a set for a top-up of S$6.

Feeling an itch for some fresh raw fish, we opted for their Assorted Sushi (S$15.90) that saw pairs of thickly sliced salmon, maguro (tuna) and yellowtail, nestled atop sushi rice.

While the texture and appearance of the fishes themselves did not boast the same immaculate quality one would associate with expertly crafted sushi, the individual varieties were fresh and flavourful nonetheless and did well to keep our sushi cravings in check.

For bold flavours and meaty goodness, we recommend getting the Truffle Yakiniku Don (S$14.90). Seared thoroughly to produce a beautiful caramelised crust whilst remaining pink in the middle, the beef was tender and tasty from start to finish.

The onsen egg provided a heightened richness and the truffle oil, while light, gave a dish a subtle aromatic lift. But in spite of it being a fairly fatty-flavoured bowl, the addition of the ripe cherry tomatoes and diced scallions helped to cut through all of that.

One of Maneko’s signatures and hands down one of the best mentaiko dishes we have ever tried is their Mentaiko Udon (S$11.90). For what it’s worth, we were completely blown away by how simple yet addictive this dish was.

Tossed in a light, creamy sauce with salted cod roe and served chilled, the dish hit all the right notes of savoury, umami and refreshing. The udon possessed a nice chewy texture and formed the perfect vessel for all that sauce to latch on. The onsen egg gave the dish a creamier consistency and the scallions cut through everything perfectly.

All in all, a brilliant dish and one we will surely return for!

Maneko Japanese Restaurant
227 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574359
Tel: +65 6909 5401
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

Sushi is a very big part of Japanese food culture and in Singapore, we are blessed with many great Japanese restaurants that are able to satisfy our sushi cravings. These Japanese restaurants range from affordable to mid-tier and right up to the fanciest restaurants that will cost you an arm and a leg when you dine there.

We have heard of sushi dishes that come with exorbitant price tags but not all of us are able to afford that kind of luxury on a daily basis. Then again, who says that good sushi has to be expensive?

If you are looking for good sushi bars in Singapore serving sushi at wallet-friendly prices, carry on reading this guide to find out more. 

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET RESTAURANT

Japanese food lovers, you need to know about this secret Japanese restaurant on the rooftop of Orchard Central—Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant! It houses 5 different restaurant concepts in one, serving up flavourful Japanese fare in generous portions at fairly affordable prices.

Dishing out a vast variety of Japanese food options spanning from sushi and sashimi, ramen, tempura and an assortment of chicken dishes and wagyu dishes, to say diners will be spoilt for choice is an understatement. And the best part is being able to order from any of the 5 menus and having them served and billed together!

181 Orchard Road, #12-02
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Mon to Thu, Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SENMI SUSHI

Do not be put off by Senmi Sushi’s fancy interior—the prices on their menu are actually very reasonable for the quality. Tucked in Marina Square’s Emporium Shokuhin, Semi Sushi is one Japanese restaurant you have to drop by for their scrumptious sushi sets and donburi bowls.

Our favourites at the Japanese restaurant have to be the Chirashi Don, (S$19), Salmon Lovers Platter (S$17.80) and the all-time favourite Dynamite Maki (S$16.80).

6 Raffles Boulevard
Marina Square #01-18
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6812 2179
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall / Esplanade / Promenade

KINSA SUSHI

A hidden gem in HillV2, Kinsa Sushi is one of the most popular restaurants in the area among residents living nearby as prices are kept affordable, despite the premium ingredients used.

Most dishes are priced under S$15, and the star dish is definitely the Wagyu don (S$24.80), served with Grade A4 Kagoshima Wagyu. Some other recommendations include the Kinsa Roll (S$14.80) and Salmon Mentai Maki (S$16.80).

4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

KOH GRILL & SUSHI BAR

Any Japanese food lover would have heard of ‘Shiok Maki’ (S$16.80) from Koh Grill & Sushi Bar in Wisma Atria. The melty cheese sauce was the perfect companion for the charcoal grilled eel wrapped with salmon maki.

For those who have not been keeping up, the Japanese restaurant has since launched a second generation of Shiok Maki which replaces unagi with tempura prawn instead. If you are looking for more options, consider their Pork Sukiyaki (S$14) or Yaki Udon (S$10).

435 Orchard Road
#04-21 Wisma Atria
Singapore 238877
Tel: +65 9180 3805
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

KOJI SUSHI BAR

Tucked in China Square, along Nankin Row, Koji Sushi gets naturally packed with people during lunch hours. Most people would have a bowl of the Chirashi Don (S$17) on their table, and we can safely say its popularity is due to its friendly price tag.

This stylish sushi bar has a curated menu featuring nigiri sushi sets (from S$9) and donburi bowls (from S$17).

3 Pickering Street
#01-42,Nankin Row
Singapore 048660
Tel: +65 6225 6125
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

STANDING SUSHI BAR

Standing Sushi Bar’s comprehensive menu includes a good variety of handmade sushi, fresh sashimi, agemono, robatayaki, noodle, grilled items and a large collection of sake stocked behind the bar counter.

The sushi bar runs various promotions throughout the week and loyal customers will know that Mondays and Thursdays are the best days to visit for salmon sashimi as they are going at only S$3 for five pieces. What a steal!

8 Queen Street
#01-03, Singapore Art Museum
Singapore 188535
Tel: +65 6333 1335
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

THE SUSHI BAR

Originally a small sushi place at Far East Plaza, The Sushi Bar has seen tremendous success amongst Singaporeans and currently has two outlets, with the other one located at Ngee Ann City.

They serve the standard dishes like sushi, sashimi, and donburi bowls, but if you only have room for one dish, you must try the famous Salmon Aburi Sushi (S$14.50).

#04-28 Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road
Mon to Fri: 12.30pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat: 12.30pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TOMI SUSHI

Tomi Sushi may not be the cheapest restaurant on this list, but the no-frills Japanese restaurant is still considerably affordable for its high-quality ingredients—prices range from S$20 for a tempura set to S$38 for the sushi bento.

9 Raffles Boulevard
#02-12/13 Millenia Walk
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6238 1123
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade/ Esplanade

RYOSHI SUSHI IKEIKEMARU

Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru charges by the plate, and prices range from $1.80 to $6.80 for different sushi. In addition, they also have a selection of à la carte dishes such as Tempura Udon ($9.60), Ebi Fried ($5.80), Chawanmushi ($3.80) and Salmon Avocado Salad ($7.60).

Their sushi dishes may not be the most outstanding when it comes to quality but certainly value-for-money and makes for a great everyday sushi restaurant without burning a hole in your pocket.

177 River Valley Road
Basement 1 Liang Court
Tel: +65 6337 1022
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

FISH MART SAKURAYA

Fish Mart SAKURAYA is a Japanese supermarket-cum-eatery that has branches at Anchorpoint Shopping Centre, West Coast Plaza and Parkway Parade.

You can find all kinds of Japanese food-related items in their mart—ranging from fresh sashimi to Japanese snacks and frozen ingredients to buy home. The SAKURAYA dining area is further inside and that is where you can enjoy air-flown fish from Japan and a wide array of affordable Japanese mains.

370 Alexandra Road
#01-32 Anchorpoint
Singapore 159953
Tel: +65 6474 2495
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

For more recommendations, read our guide on 10 Cheap Chirashi don in Singapore for S$18 and under.

Japanese food lovers, you need to know about this secret Japanese restaurant on the rooftop of Orchard Central—Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant! It houses 5 different restaurant concepts in one, serving up flavourful Japanese fare in generous portions at fairly affordable prices.

Dishing out a vast variety of Japanese food options spanning from sushi and sashimi, ramen, tempura and an assortment of chicken dishes and wagyu dishes, to say diners will be spoilt for choice is an understatement. And the best part is being able to order from any of the 5 menus and having them served and billed together!

Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant takes pride in providing diners with a variety of fresh seasonal fish and sashimi and you’d be happy to know that most of their seafood products are all air-flown from Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market twice a week.

With such a stellar array of Japanese eats at a fairly reasonable price point, this larger than life Japanese Restaurant is a sure-fire hit among foodies everywhere. Here’s the cherry on top: simply quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy a 20% off during dinner with a minimum spending of S$30 in a single receipt.  This offer is valid from now until 30 November 2017.

Located at the rooftop garden of Orchard Central, experience the pleasures of traditional Japanese cuisine presented to you in a fresh and exciting way. With 5 different dining concepts including a separate sake bar under one roof, it really does not matter what your heart desires because you can have them all in one seating.

At the Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant, diners have the freedom to choose from a wide selection of seasonal fish and seafood—prepared in the form of maki rolls, sushi, sashimi and even donburi—most of which are imported directly from Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo twice a week!

Let’s move on to the other three separate concepts to look forward to.

Ebi-Zo Ebi Tempura Restaurant specialises in tempura that is made only using fresh ingredients. Moving on, as its name suggests, Tori-Sho Chicken Cuisine presents diners with various chicken dishes from fried chicken to chicken hot pot.

Finally, Takumen Ramen Gallery centralises the most popular and mouth-watering ramen from all over Japan in one convenient location. From the classic chicken and pork based ramen to the more experimental versions featuring Italian flavours, there is bound to be something for all palates.

FRESH SASHIMI & DONBURI OPTIONS

If there is one dish worth getting at the Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant, it is the Tsukiji Special Bara Chirashi Sushi Don (S$19.80++)—a cornucopia of salmon, swordfish, tuna, salmon roe, and uni sashimi, this is an affordable option and you get a generous bowl of fresh fish and premium rice!

To turn it up a notch, the Hokkaido Don (S$29.80++) is truly worth the splurge with uni, jumbo prawn, scallop, salmon, salmon roe and crab.

Or if you would rather do away with the carbs and head straight for the good stuff, the 7 Kinds Of Tsukiji Sashimi On A Ship (S$39.80++) comes elegantly presented with all your favourites.

HEARTY RAMEN FOR THE SOUL

The menu offerings from Tori-Sho Ramen features three sumptuous ramen bowls with unique flavour characteristics. First, the Bigiya Ramen (S$16.80++) which comprises a springy special whole wheat noodle that swims in a rich, tasty stock made with fish and chicken, a marinated egg and two thick, tender slices of chashu.

The Sakuta-ya Ramen (S$16.80++) is an authentic home-style ramen that boasts pork and chicken as its main flavour components. The result is a robust and flavourful soup that is good enough to gulp down.

The Due Italian (S$16.80++) is made using a special noodle that is blended with rich cheese. This innovative bowl comes with two balls of mozzarella cheese, a whole marinated egg, as well a thin sheet of prosciutto. Mix in the cheese together with the delicious golden chicken broth and prepare your taste buds for something truly amazing.

SPICY MISO CHICKEN HOT POT

From the chicken-focused Tori-Sho Chicken Cuisine comes the Spicy Miso Chicken SUMO Hot Pot (S$28.80++), that although bears a similar resemblance to the iconic Korean army stew, boasts something entirely different.

It arrived at our table boiling hot and what you can expect to find in this pot of goodies are chicken, meatballs, assorted vegetable and mushroom varieties and a savoury spiced miso broth.

CRISPY TENDON

If you love tempura or basically anything fried then Ebi-Zo Ebi Tempura Restaurant has got you covered.

We had their highly raved Ebi-Zo Special Tendon (S$20.80++) which came with fresh ebi, sea eel, snow crab leg, squid, a tempura egg or onsen egg, and assorted vegetables. Although it may not take the cake in terms of being the best tendon around, it sure hits the spot.

TASTY FUSION ROLLS

The Salmon & Sea Urchin Truffle Roll (S$22.80++) is probably one of the most luxurious rolls on their menu. It comes with uni that rests atop the aburi salmon. The gorgeous roll is then given a generous drizzle of truffle oil for that extra hit of umami.

GRILLED CRAB AND MISO RICE IN A HALF SHELL

Perhaps one of the most savoury dishes on the menu is the Queen Crab Miso Rice Grilled In The Shell (S$9.80++). Fresh crab meat is mixed together with a mixture of miso-infused rice, topped with cheese and grilled over charcoal. Each mouthful is a hit of savoury and salty with an assertive, almost milky-like richness from the cheese providing a nice balance to it.

As mentioned earlier, quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy a 20% off during dinner with a minimum spending of S$30 in a single receipt. This offer is valid from now until 30 November 2017.

Tsujiki Fish Market Restaurant
181 Orchard Road, #12-02
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Mon to Thu, Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant. 

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Fish Mart SAKURAYA is a Japanese supermarket-cum-eatery that has branches at Anchorpoint Shopping Centre, West Coast Plaza and Parkway Parade.

You can find all kinds of Japanese food-related items in their mart—ranging from fresh sashimi to Japanese snacks and frozen ingredients to buy home. The SAKURAYA dining area is further inside and that is where you can enjoy air-flown fish from Japan and a wide array of affordable Japanese mains.

Fans of Japanese sweets and confectionaries will be spoilt for choice with the sheer variety of snacks on offer. Those who are keen on doing some grocery shopping there can purchase fresh fish, sushi, sashimi, dairy products, beer and more!

Proceed to SAKURAYA Dining at the back of the supermarket to enjoy Japanese mains and side dishes. If you are there for the sashimi, choose your preferred fish over at the display chiller before heading to your table. Pair your meal with some sake or beer to complete the dining experience.

Now, the real reason why we came to Fish Mart SAKURAYA was for its Bara Chirashi Don which is going at only S$15! While it came in a generous portion and is very reasonably priced, we felt that the freshness of the sashimi has been slightly compromised.

It is not for the serious diners but those who are on a budget can still give this a try!

Not a fan of raw food? You have plenty of other choices too!

The unassuming Saba Shioyaki (S$7) gave us a pleasant surprise. While it looks skimpy on the outside, the savoury meat was juicy on every bite. We highly recommend this dish when you are dining there.

Other donburi choices include Salmon Don (S$12), Tekka Don (S$12) and Una Don (S$15).

Fish Mart SAKURAYA
370 Alexandra Road
#01-32 Anchorpoint
Singapore 159953
Tel: +65 6474 2495
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

An unsuspecting restaurant nestled in the corner of Clarke Quay Central Soho 2, JJ.Com Fish Mart is a Japanese eatery that enjoys immense popularity from more than just the working crowd in the Clarke Quay vicinity.

With prices starting at a reasonable figure of S$12.80 for a Chirashi Don and S$4.50 for a Maguro Maki, it is a no-brainer why this eatery is an all-time favourite for many.

The Assorted Fish Chirashi (S$16.80) is one delight you must order. This don comes with 4 different types of premium sashimi; salmon, tuna and swordfish are staples whereas the fourth sashimi is on rotation subject to the available fish of the day.

Although some may find comfort in consistency, a little surprise and unpredictability at meal time is always welcomed.

Do not be deceived by the small bowl. Our don came with 2 to 3 thick, juicy slices per type of sashimi, a generous helping of fish roe, a few slices of cucumber atop sweet sushi rice.

Although not the most affordable choice for an everyday meal, it is one we would splurge on again as the Assorted Fish Chirashi was worth every penny.

JJ.Com Fish Mart’s Tempura Shrimp with Aburi Salmon Maki (S$14.80) was the proud recipient of the SR Signatures award in 2016. This was unsurprising as the presentation and taste of the maki was nothing short of fantastic.

A thick slab of smokey melt-in-your-mouth aburi salmon is layered precisely atop the rice filled with crispy and sweet tempura shrimp. Finally, the maki is topped off with Bonito flakes and Japanese mayonnaise drizzled all over the plate.

Overall, we can certainly say that JJ.Com Fish Mart is one Japanese eatery that we will be adding to our list of favourite casual Japanese eateries and it is definitely one worth the visit.

JJ.Com Fish Mart
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, The Central #01-68/69 Singapore 059817
Tel: +65 6221 0339
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

About the writer
A member of the team at ladyironchef, Claire’s mission is to lead a life without regrets—to explore the world and its treasures boldly. When she isn’t pursuing her interests in writing, academia and music, Claire spends her free time with family and her pets. She also hopes to run her own animal shelter in the future.

Japanese rice bowls are all the rage and we are happy that the trend is here to stay. Besides Kuro Maguro which just opened earlier this year, we have discovered another gem in Tanjong Pagar that offers affordable donburi.

Salmon Samurai in 100AM Mall mainly features S$9.90 customisable salmon donburi sets. Of a mere 10-minute walk from Tanjong Pagar Station, the Japanese eatery’s prime location and hospitable service make it a popular dining location for those who are working in the vicinity.

Ready for this quick and affordable salmon don fix?

Salmon Samurai goes by an efficient semi-self service concept where diners will make payment at the counter and collect their utensils before taking a seat. Once your food is ready, the wait staff will bring them to your table.

We decided to go with brown rice for our Garlic Shoyu Salmon (S$9.90). The huge serving came with generous pieces of tender salmon and an onsen egg sitting atop a bed of warm and moist brown rice.

If brown rice is not your thing, you can also choose to have your salmon with udon or mixed salad. For more flavours in your bowl, there are also extra toppings such as avocado and ebiko.

Don’t forget to complete your meal with a Warrior Maki (S$9.90). We really enjoyed the combustion of flavours which came from the crab meat, salmon sashimi, fresh cucumber and savoury chicken floss. The creamy garlic mayo added an interesting sweet and sour note to it.

Apart from Garlic Shoyu Salmon, diners also have other choices including Salmon Sashimi with Avocado, Salmon Mentaiko, Spicy Salmon and Salmon Poke (S$9.90).

While options are rather limited, the dishes are hearty and unpretentious just the way we like it.

Salmon Samurai
100 Tras Street
#03-22 100AM
Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 6543 6823
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Do you know that there is a little Japan Town in the City Hall precinct?

CHIJMES is home to 7 great Japanese restaurants. The central area of CHIJMES sits a beautiful cathedral and surrounding it are lush flowers and greenery. Within the area, there are your Japanese restaurants and bars.

This includes popular names such as Tatsu, Gyu-Kaku and Ikkousha Ramen. The Japanese restaurants in CHIJMES focus on different things – some specialise in ramen, others in healthy Japanese dishes. You can also find a traditional sushi bar with the freshest catch of the day.

With just a minute’s walk away from City Hall MRT and many surrounding bus stops, CHIJMES is easily accessible via public transport. If you drive, parking rates are reasonable too. Here are 7 Japanese Restaurants in CHIJMES to love.

#1 ASHINO

For an authentic sushi bar experience, visit Ashino at CHIJMES. Do not let the 10-seater restaurant’s obscure location deter you!

A multi-course lunch at Ashino ranges from S$120++ to S$250++ per pax, but what you get return is aged sushi prepared by Japanese Chef Taku Ashino who previously fronted Hide Yamamoto at Marina Bay Sands.

Over here, guests get to savour “shari–sushi rice” which has been cooked in an iron kettle with air-flown Mt Fuji water. The succulent Botan Ebi – sourced from Hokkaido – has been aged for three days and the end result is an insanely delicious shrimp sushi with a subtle sweet aftertaste. The aged chutoro and grilled nodoguro were unforgettable too. Quality sashimi always enhances a sushi experience.

#01-23 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6684 4567
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#2 GYU-KAKU

Gyu-Kaku is a reputable Yakiniku restaurant chain with over 600 outlets in Japan and five stores across our sunny island. The grilled meat specialty Japanese restaurant is perfect for those with a carnivorous appetite – but of course, healthy greens such as Horenso Spinach Salad (S$6++) are available too.

But we say focus on the meats.

Order the 180-gram Kagoshima Wagyu Premium Loin Steak (S$78++) – a premium well-marbled delicate Kagoshima beef that has so much fatty goodness to love.

Fancy a feast? Why not get the Gyu-Kaku Premium Set($61++ per pax, min. orders of 2 pax required) which includes Australia Wagyu Thick Tongue, Australia Wagyu Karubi, Kagoshima Wagyu Chuck Karubi, Kurobuta Belly, Kimuchi, Soup, Rice and more.

#01-01/02 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6333 4001
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#3 IKKOUSHA RAMEN

Ikkousha Ramen resembles a very authentic Japanese ramen bar with a cosy and intimate seating, complete with counter seats. The menu is pretty extensive and there are many different ramen choices to pick from.

The most popular one is the Tonkotsu Special (S$16.50), and it is also the most value-for-money bowl here. The pork broth is very creamy and extremely flavourful, and it comes with springy thin ramen noodles, soft flavoured egg and a generous amount of pork cha-shu.

Also, try the God Fire Ramen (S$14) – which is a spicy ramen option where you can pick your preferred spice level (level 1 to 4). But be warned that even level 2 is extremely spicy!

#01-07 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6338 8460
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#4 ON-YASAI

This is for all Japanese hotpot lovers. On-Yasai’s Buffet course represents great value when you are super hungry (adults – S$39.90++ per pax, kids/ seniors – S$29.90++ per pax) represents great value when you are super hungry.

The buffet includes five types of meat – beef karubi, beef chuck, pork collar, pork belly and chicken thigh – and unlimited dishes under the seafood, sushi, tempura, sides and vegetables section.

Customers are entitled to two types of soups;  the selections include  Golden Truffle Soup, Hokkaido Miso soup, Herbal Paiton Soup, Homemade Sichuan Soup, , Secret Sukiyaki Soup or Soya Milk Soup. A complimentary dessert is included in the buffet too.

You now know where to head to the next time you and your loved ones find yourselves craving for a crazy Japanese spread!

#01-03/04 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6336 4002
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#5 TATSU

Boasting a 28-seater restaurant with sushi bar and a teppanyaki counter, Tatsu is the ideal venue if you are after a gastronomical Japanese experience. Sit back, relax and watch in awe as the teppanyaki chefs cook up a theatrical storm!

Do not leave Tatsu until you have had their Flambé Wagyu Beef (S$168++) and Live Lobster (seasonal price).

The former is a high-quality marbled Japanese beef with intense marbling while the latter is a superbly fresh chef-recommended sweet crustacean. Both aromatic meats have been cooked till fork tender and are absolutely scrumptious.

To get more bang for one’s buck, order the Teppanyaki Course instead (from S$68++ to S$158++ per pax) where you get to indulge in a plethora of Japanese delights such as cod fish, wagyu steak, king prawn, scallop and lobster.

#01-08 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6332 5868
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#6 SHIROKIYA

Shirokiya focuses mainly on healthy Japanese dishes, with many of their menu items featuring Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen. While many go for their sumptuous hot pots, they also have great lunch options that are wallet-friendly.

Each of their lunch sets come with rice, salad, miso soup and pickles as well. Our favourite ones are the Luxury Salmon and Salmon Roe Rice Bowl (S$25) and Unagi Rice in Hot Stone Bowl (S$20).

If you are a salmon lover, treat yourself to the Luxury Salmon Bowl – filled to the brim with raw salmon, lightly torched salmon, fresh salmon roe and more. Lots of salmon goodness indeed! They also have a tuna option with a huge dollop of negitoro (chopped salmon and leek).

#01-05/06 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6337 5188
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: City Hall

#7 TONKATSU & SAKE BAR TONZAEMON BY MA MAISON

TONKATSU & Sake Bar Tonzaemon by Ma Maison has nailed it with their fragrant breaded deep-fried pork cutlets. Crispy on the outside, soft and juicy on the inside; these beautiful golden brown tonkatsu have successfully achieved an excellent texture thanks to the carefully aged and marinated meat used.

Lunch sets are very affordable and start from S$17.80++.

We highly recommend the Kuro Buta Katsu Set (S$31.80++) – diners can opt for either pork loin or pork fillet – which is essentially a Japanese heritage pig breed specially raised for its flavourful fatty meat. Note that every set is served with rice, tonjiru soup and pickles.

Itadakimasu!

#01-09 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6338 5907
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

This post is brought to you by CHIJMES.

Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar takes centre stage at SCAPE as an edgy fusion restaurant with signature tapas conveyor belt. It is uncommon to see anything other than sushi on conveyor belts, and Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar sure wins for novelty.

This very modern restaurant boasts a funky interior with colourful neon lights. The spacious cushioned booth seats make it very intimate and comfortable to hang out at, and ordering is made convenient with e-menus via iPad.

Here’s other tidbit – the fusion tapas conveyor belt items are all at a flat price of S$1.50 per plate.

Besides tapas, Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar also serves classy fusion mains with equally reasonable price tags. Think risotto, duck confit and so much more. Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar is surely a new restaurant in Singapore to love and check out in 2016.

FUSION TAPAS ON THE CONVEYOR BELT

The belts are lighted up with colour-changing neon lights; very fun, very trendy. And the selections on the conveyor belt will not “disappoint you” with the usual options of sushi and sashimi; instead, expect unique creations and interesting tapas that feature both Asian and Western ingredients. Some of our favourite tapas items were Duck Rillette Tartlet, Mushroom Tartlets with Feta Cheese, Salmon Tartlet and Iberico Ham with Fresh Melon.

All these bite sized treats are priced at S$1.50 per plate – regardless of what they are!

SUSHI & SASHIMI OPTIONS

This is not a fusion restaurant without sushi; you still get your Japanese food fix, in unconventional ways. The King Salmon Belly Aburi with foie gras (S$4 each) was to die for. Everything just melts in your mouth; delightful to say the least. It is one of those one-bite-wonders that really hits the spot, and you bet everyone at the table went gaga over it.

Another contender (especially for those who do not take salmon) was the Hamachi Belly Aburi (S$4 each).

Torched and slightly fatty, this winter fish sashimi is less fishy and easier to eat for all of you who are not huge fans of raw fish. Hamachi is Japanese amberjack, or more commonly known as yellowtail tuna.

DRINKS

We had both the Matcha Miruku (S$13) and the Iced Lemon Tea (S$7). And of course, being huge fans of matcha latte, the former worked better for us. The matcha did not reek of the generic processed taste and was a very pleasant drink alongside the dishes at Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar.

A-LA-CARTE MAINS & OTHER DISHES

The mains here really surprised us as we did not think that the mains could top the tapas dishes. The Ikura with Blinis (S$10) – was a surprising hit with everyone. The ikura (salmon roe) was generous and the mini blinis really balanced out the saltiness of the roe. The portion is also just right for sharing.

There was something about the perfectly cooked soba noodles that was simple but so refreshing; this dish of Cold Yuzu Somen (S$8) is good for days where you prefer light meals.

We know foie gras is not for everyone, but we have to point out that Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar’s rendition is our idea of temptation.

The price is not only reasonable, this Miso Foie Gras (S$14) was beautifully pan-fried and the presentation is the cherry on top.

Chirashi-don is not hard to find, but at Nouvelle, we have the Chirashi Tartare (S$12). Essentially diced sashimi atop sushi rice, this presentation is ingenious.

It is served with Yuzu/Shoyu foam on the side (which also comes as an add-on version for the sashimi platters), and this dish has redefined how chirashi-don can be enjoyed.

On to the main stars, which are the risottos; you’d be surprised by the renditions. The Truffle Cod Risotto (S$22) was stunning.

Every grained was cooked to perfection with a lovely truffle aroma, and the cod comes in a substantial portion that makes the dish so value-for-money.

The Curry Chicken Risotto (S$18) sure wowed us for its creativity and brilliant layers of flavours. The chicken was made into a roulade with ham and cheese, then battered and deep-fried to a golden brown.

Served on top of a bed of tasty curry risotto rice, which strangely reminded us of the Singaporean-style curry chicken rice, this risotto is one hearty and homely dish with a unique twist.

From the crisp skin to the tender meat inside, Nouvelle’s Duck Confit (S$22) is one of those dishes that will totally keep us coming back for.

This Matcha Fantasy (S$8) is such an adorable dessert dish that we can’t help falling in love with. Well, matcha anything always works for us, and the mini ‘watermelon’ mochi on the top only added to the likability of the dish.

For the latest updates, go to www.nouvellefoodconcepts.com, and like Nouvelle on Facebook and Instagram.

Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar
Scape, #03-03,
2 Orchard Link,
Singapore 237978
Tel: +65 6834 4063
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar.

Sushi Rolls are a prominent dish in most Japanese eateries or restaurants, or what we otherwise know as ‘maki’. These delightful rolls comprise amalgamations of flavours that can never go wrong, and the combinations are endless.

What we love about sushi rolls is the palatable fillings and toppings, often drenched with sauces that are absolutely addictive.

Without further ado, here we share with you 7 Creative Sushi Rolls That Taste As Good As They Look.

#1 ROLLIE OLIE - BOLLYWOOD SUSHI ROLL  

Rollie Olie serves up speciality sushi rolls which includes interesting fusion flavours. The Bollywood (S$14.95) features curry prawns and avocados cushioned in tasty sushi rice, topped with the most amazing tempura crunch and curry mayonnaise – proving that both Indian and Japanese flavours can triumph together.

The Star Vista
1 Vista Exchange Green, #02-05
Singapore 138617
Tel: +65 6316 5710
Daily: 11:30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

#2 MAKI-SAN - DIY SUSHI ROLL 

Maki-san sets itself apart by encouraging patrons to customise their sushi rolls and salads. At S$7.90, diners can create the Little San from an array of 27 toppings with your choice of rice, wraps, essentials, sprinkles, specials and house sauces.

Former Cathay Building
2 Handy Road, #B1-17/18
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 6737 8772
Daily: 11:30am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

#3 SUSHI BURRITO - HOT CHICK 

Sushi Burrito delivers sushi rolls that work as a quick snack or meal. At S$5.90 for a Half Roll and S$10.90 for a Full Roll, the Hot Chick is one of the bestsellers with pan fried spicy chicken as the highlight.

100AM Shopping Mall
100 Tras Street, #01-06
Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 6543 6860
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#4 KINSA SUSHI - HOTATE MENTAI MAKI 

Kinsa Sushi’s maki rolls are prepared using healthy purple rice – a good switch from your regular sushi white rice with its distinct nutty textures. The Hotate Mentai Maki is wrapped with French scallop slices, with deep-fried radish situated in the sushi centre that gives it a hearty added crunch. Wasabi-infused tobikko are then added atop the maki for a gorgeous finishing touch. What’s not to love about this?

4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
PH, Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

#5 MAD NEST - OISHII MAKI 

Even though Mad Nest is not a specialty Japanese restaurant, their sushi rolls still wow the crowd. The Oishii Maki (S$16) features grilled eel, roasted salmon and avocado, served with delicious homemade mayo and a generous dollop of ebiko. The soft and creamy flavours interplaying in our mouths made it immensely satisfying to savour.

370/380 East Coast Road
Singapore 428986
Tel: +65 6348 6861
Mon to Fri: 4pm – 1am
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am – 1am
Nearest Station: Eunos or Kembangan

#6 KOH GRILL & SUSHI BAR - SHIOK MAKI

Okay, this is it. If you are looking for the ultimate sushi roll to have in Singapore, then the Shiok Maki (S$16.80) at Koh Grill & Sushi Bar is the only answer. The Shiok Maki needs no introduction by now – that special blend of mayonnaise generously drenched on the sushi is something we can never get sick of.

Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
435 Orchard Road, #04-21
Singapore 238877
Tel: +65 9180 3805
Daily: 11:30am – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#7 THE SUSHI BAR - SALMON ABURI SUSHI 

The Sushi Bar is famed for their signature Salmon Aburi Sushi (S$16.90) that consists of salmon sashimi, tamago, crab stick and avocado, then wrapped with lightly grilled salmon slices and finished off with torched mentaiko. However, the standards are inconsistent and they vary from day to day.

Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road, #04-28
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 9653 6464
Mon to Fri: 12:30pm – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm
Sat: 12:30pm – 9pm
Closed on Sunday
Nearest Station: Orchard

For more recommendations, read our guide to 16 value-for-money Japanese restaurants in Singapore.

Kinsa sushi has just introduced a special Purple Fusion menu which consists of 8 maki rolls, 1 sushi and 1 #ChirashiCupcake - all of which are prepared with purple rice.

While these creations are beautiful to look at, a good point to note is that purple rice is brimming with vast health benefits, and is definitely a healthier option as opposed to regular white rice.

The Chirashi Cupcake is a one-of-a-kind creation by Kinsa Sushi, and we are guessing it might be the next must-have photo on your Instagram feed!

Excited about these purple wonders yet? That is not all! Look forward to SG50 vouchers when you dine here from 1 to 31 August 2015.

Why is purple rice healthy? Purple rice – sometimes referred to as black rice – contains anthocyanin antioxidants found in berries, which is vital for maintaining good health. It is also a great source of iron which helps metabolise proteins and prevents anaemia.

Now, Kinsa Sushi has incorporated this healthy grain into a spanking new menu of 10 different dishes, including a very special Chirashi Cupcake. It is hard to pick just one to love, but if we really have to, it will be the Salmon Mentai (S$15.80) purple rice maki.

Salmon Mentai is a true blue favourite amongst locals, but now, imagine having it on purple rice for a healthier alternative too. If any, this dish is so visually arresting! The salmon that is topped on the maki is generously drizzled with mentaiko sauce, then torched to a nice charred finish. Topped off with tobikko, these damned Salmon Mentai maki rolls are more addictive than you think!

The Black Beauty Kurokarei (S$16.80) is a star, and a masterpiece in its own rights. The centrepiece of a perfectly cooked shishamo is wrapped around by the same purple rice, then topped off with a mountain of tobikko.

Look out for the taste of savoury aburi mentai cheesy miso sauce for a truly mouth-watering bite; fans of fish roe and mentai should consider this as their main dish of choice.

We were definitely intrigued by the name ‘Chirashi Cupcake’ (search for #ChirashiCupcake on Instagram to see more photos). So, is it sweet or savoury? Is there actual cupcake and icing in this? To clarify, this gorgeous dish is really a beautifully plated chirashi-don, using purple rice and freshly sliced sashimi.

The rice is dressed with a nice sesame ponzu sauce and sandwiched with some denbu (pink fish flakes) for an extra oomph to the dish. We loved how, in this dish, you could taste the distinct yet subtle nutty flavour of the purple rice, which reminded us of a classic local dessert, Pulut Hitam.

This is a great choice especially for lunch and it comes at an affordable price of only S$15.80 per bowl.

The Hotate Mentai (S$17.80) maki will be a hit among scallop lovers. It is not hard to love this roll that comes with a crowning glory of fresh scallop slices, complete with an aburi-ed mentai top. Mentai can go no wrong and this maki was an explosion of flavours in our mouths.

Deep-fried radish and wasabi-infused tobikko sits atop this maki to jazz up its look, and gives the maki rolls a distinct crunch.

The Mango Maki (S$14.80) is one lovely tropical treat to try out. Cushioned in the purple rice is a combination of prawn tempura, cucumber and mango. Sweet mangoes are used in the preparation of this item, and the maki roll is served with a dipping sauce of homemade mango dressing.

Ichigo lovers, hands up! The Strawberry/Ichigo Maki (S$14.80) is for you. On the side, you will also be given a serving of the special house-made strawberry dressing to dip your maki rolls into. The hardcore ichigo lovers have the liberty to drizzle the sauce all over, but if you are doing this, we recommend you eat it immediately before the rice gets overly soggy.

And back to the savoury options, and for you spice lovers here – Fiery Salmon (S$16.80) is kick-ass. Generously topped with spice-marinated salmon and crowning each individual maki roll, this maki roll is for those who do not prefer mentai and are after a spicier option instead. For an added crunch, it is also served with lotus chips and deep-fried radish strips.

Vegetarians are not forgotten because Kinsa Sushi has also come up with a Veggie Delight Yasai Maki (S$14.80), wholesomely stuffed with carrot and asparagus strips, and complete with fresh and creamy avocado slices.

Meanwhile, some other highlights from Kinsa Sushi’s regular ala carte menu include the ever-popular Anago sushi that is gorgeously plated with a huge and generous piece of sweet anago.

The yakiudon comes in a really generous portion, but what delighted us greatly was this gyuniku udon that was so flavourful and hearty, we couldn’t stop slurping!

And no one should leave Kinsa Sushi without trying their bestselling Wagyu Don (S$24.90), made using Grade A4 Kagoshima Wagyu with an onsen egg.

As part of our nation’s SG50 celebrations, Kinsa Sushi will be offering a S$5 rebate* for every S$50 spent (before service charge and GST), valid for dine in only for the month of August 2015.

* T&Cs for Kinsa Sushi’s SG50 vouchers
- Valid for dine in only
- Voucher redemptions valid for subsequent visits
- Not valid with other discounts, promotions and vouchers
- Redemption amount is based on diners’ single receipt

For the latest updates, go to kinsasushi.com, like Kinsa Sushi on Facebook, and Instagram.

Kinsa Sushi
4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
PH, Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

This post is brought to you by Kinsa Sushi.

It is hard to resist a beautiful bowl of Chirashi-don that is filled to the brim with fresh, premium seafood. Apart from the fact that it is completely colourful and photogenic, a good bowl of chirashi-don does wonders for the soul with all the goodness in one serving.

Chirashi-dons come in many shapes and sizes. The most popular serving in Singapore is the classic chirashi-don, where big slices of sashimi are served atop vinegar-ed Japanese rice, and more often than not comes with a premium price tag. On days that we need our sashimi and rice fix without burning a hole in our wallets, we turn to ‘bara chirashi-don’, which typically refers to diced sashimi – sometimes marinated with mirin or soy sauce.

Thankfully, we have several affordable chirashi-don options in Singapore and most of the ones on this list are so affordable that we are not even kidding! Here is a guide to Chirashi-dons In Singapore That Are S$20 And Under.

#1 BABETTE

Served with plain Japanese Niigata rice, Babette’s Chirashi Donburi (S$19) first impressed us with the colourful assortment of sashimi, tamago and even mini carrot cubes that added a nice textural variety to the dish.

The sashimi blocks were marinated in a light soy dressing, so the donburi is good to eat on its own. Finished off with tobikko, Babette’s Chirashi Donburi was love at first sight, until the last bite.

165 Tyrwhitt Rd
Singapore 207569
Tel: +65 6341 7727
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 1am
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

#2 GINZA KUROSON

There are many restaurants along Robertson Quay, but most of them come with relatively higher price tags. If you are in the are during lunch hours, why not drop by Ginza Kuroson for some sweet deals? At S$20, you enjoy a serving of “fisherman’s bowl”. We do think this is a pretty darn value-for-money deal, because will you just look at the number of slices of sashimi, on top of a whole prawn?

Topped with ikura, the bowl’s variety may differ from day to day, but you will always be guaranteed a reasonable portion for S$20.

30 Robertson Quay
Singapore 238251
Tel: +65 6737 5547
Daily: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#3 HINOKI

Hinoki is known for their fresh sashimi, served in a semi-fine dining setting. A lesser known fact is that during lunch, they serve a chirashi-don for only S$16.80 in a set with salad and soup.

Besides just cubed sashimi, Hinoki also adds other ingredients such as pickled jellyfish. Upgrade your accompanying miso soup to a rich pork broth with tender pork slices for only S$1.50 to complete your meal.

22 Cross Street, #01-50/53
China Square Central
Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6536 7746
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

#4 IKKI

If you live near Buona Vista or work around the area, make sure you make a trip down to IKKI Izakaya, just a stone’s throw away from the MRT Station. For just S$14, you get a half Barachirashi Don with a half bowl of Udon.

On the side, you get a serving of deep-fried salmon, salad and miso soup. For the extremely affordable price, we are definitely loving what IKKI has to offer.

9N Buona Vista Drive, #01-06/07
Singapore 138588
Tel: +65 8138 8578
Mon to Thu: 11am – 12am
Fri: 11pm – 2am
Sat: 6pm – 12pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

#5 KINSA SUSHI

Kinsa sushi has just introduced a special Purple Fusion menu which consists of 8 maki rolls, 1 sushi and 1 #ChirashiCupcake – all of which are prepared with purple rice. Just to clarify, there is no cake nor icing in the Chirashi Cupcake, and it is actually just a beautifully plated chirashi-don, using purple rice and freshly sliced sashimi.

The rice is dressed with a nice sesame ponzu sauce and sandwiched with some denbu (pink fish flakes) for an extra oomph to the dish. We loved how, in this dish, you could taste the distinct yet subtle nutty flavour of the purple rice, which reminded us of a classic local dessert, Pulut Hitam.

This is a great choice especially for lunch and it comes at an affordable price of only S$15.80 per bowl.

4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

#6 KOJI SUSHI

Tucked in China Square, along Nankin Row, Koji Sushi gets naturally packed with people during lunch hours. Most people would have a bowl of the Chirashi Don (S$17) on their table, and we can safely say its popularity is due to its friendly price tag.

The main plus point of this Chirashi Don is the dollop of fatty negitoro and use of Japanese ginger flower for a unique and fragrant touch.

3 Pickering Street
#01-42 Nankin Row
Singapore 048660
Tel: +65 +65 6225 6125
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

#7 SUMIYA

We dare say that this is the most value-for-money chirashi-don in Singapore. The Bara Kaisendon (S$18.80) is a lunch-exclusive item at Sumiya, Orchard Central and this beauty features extremely generous cubes of sashimi, crowning a bed of perfectly cooked sushi rice.

The sashimi cubes are dress in a Japanese sesame dressing and is mixed in with Ikura, Tobiko and avocado pieces. The set comes with salad, soup, chawanmushi and a dessert too – definitely an amazing deal you can’t find anywhere else.

181 Orchard Road
#12-02 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6509 9618
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#8 SUSHI AIRWAYS

Also another lunch exclusive, Sushi Airways’s Bara Chirashi Sushi Set (S$15) surprised us with how fresh the sashimi were. Avocado cubes were also mixed in here and we loved how it added a nice creamy texture to the dish.

The set comes with a side of soup and for just $15, it is definitely worthwhile. Sushi Airways has a whole list of other lunch donburi sets, but we say skip the rest and dive right into this beauty.

20A Baghdad Street
Singapore 199659
Tel: +65 6291 1151
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#9 TEPPEI SYOKUDO

The Teppei group has had their loyal fans since they first started, has ventured out into other concepts, and now, even a takeaway counter. A mainstay in all of their outlets is the Barachirashi Don or Kaisendon (S$16), as it is referred to at Teppei Syokudo.

The marinate on the sashimi is possibly one of the best you can find in Singapore and the thick cubes of sashimi feels more satisfying.

391 Orchard Road
#B2 Takashimaya Food Hall, Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best chirashi-don in Singapore.

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

If there was only one kind of cuisine that we could live on, it would be Japanese food. There is no one reason why; if we really have to, the list will never end.

You see, there will always be something to love. Sashimi, sushi, ramen, tonkatsu… whatever you have a taste for, Japanese cuisine will answer that. And a Japanese meal need not necessarily burn a hole in your pocket. While it is true that the premium quality ingredients come with a hefty price tags, sometimes, all we really want is a quick and fast Japanese meal in between meetings, or to simply lift our moods, yes?

Yes, we hear you and we feel you. Here, we share with you our favourite haunts when we need an affordable fix. Enjoy our list of 15 Value-For-Money Japanese Restaurants in Singapore and eat to your heart’s content! Itadakimasu.

#1 AKASHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Among the many mid-tier Japanese outlets in Singapore, we love Akashi for its consistency. The menu is neatly categorised, and whether you are looking for sushi, sashimi or teishoku, there will be something to please. Or you can sit by the sushi counter and do an omakase meal while interacting with the chefs to understand more about what goes on your plate.

290 Orchard Road
#B1-01 Paragon
Tel: +65 6735 8887
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#2 BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP HOLLAND VILLAGE

The usual Bar Bar Black Sheep has Northern Indian, Thai and Western kitchens. But at the all-new Holland Village outlet, expect a large Japanese menu of comfort snacks and main courses.

Staying true to Bar Bar Black Sheep’s philosophy of serving affordable comfort food in a casual and chill-out setting, every dish on the Japanese izakaya menu is well priced under S$15. It is fuss-free, and the prices are unbelievably affordable, you’d do a double take and wonder if you were really at a bistro or a coffee shop!

17D Lorong Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 2161
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#3 CHIKUWA TEI

This is our all-time favourite. We LOVE Chikuwa Tei at Mohamed Sultan Road for their chirashi-don. So good that we have to use Chikuwa Tei’s Chirashi Sushi Set (S$25) as the benchmark for a good sushi rice bowl. Parking around that area may be a challenge, but we always find ourselves returning to Chikuwa Tei. Apart from chirashi-don, they have many other value-for-money sets like the Saba Teishoku (S$14), Sukiyaki Teishoku (S$24) and Tencha Soba (S$14).

Chikuwa Tei’s chirashi sushi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s Best Chirashi-don.

9 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6738 9395
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#4 GINZA BAIRIN

Tonkatsu – or deep fried breaded pork – is not a cheap dish to begin with. And of course, the bigger the price tag, the more premium quality you get. If you are not too fussy and you just want a simple and comforting tonkatsu option, stop by Ginza Bairin at Ion Orchard. Sitting within the food hall at Basement Four, this casual outlet has pretty decent tonkatsu with most options not costing more than S$20.

2 Orchard Turn
#B4-39/40/41/42 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 8101
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#5 ITACHO SUSHI

Salmon skin sushi for S$0.40 – everyone will know Itacho Sushi because of this. And more than that, they are a favourite because of the wide variety of sushi creations at very friendly prices. When dining at Itacho, treat yourself to a selection of makis, rolls and nigiris made with fresh ingredients. They have very value-for-money lunch sets, too.

Itacho Sushi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s Affordable Sushi Restaurants.

#03-03/31 Changi Airport Terminal 3
65 Airport Boulevard
Tel: +65 6241 8911
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Changi

#6 KINSA SUSHI

Nestled in the quaint HillV2, Kinsa Sushi is made for the heartlanders and all who love a simple Japanese meal. Prices are not at all intimidating to say the least, and the menu is well-covered with the usual Nippon favourites prepared with premium ingredients. Dishes that we love include the premium Wagyu Don at only S$24.80, Grilled Prawn Mentai (S$9.80), Kinsa Roll (S$14.80) and Tempura Bento Set Lunch (S$11.80).

It is not every day that we need to sit down for a lavish and aristocratic Japanese meal, because more often than not, what we seek is comfort food that will not have our wallets take a beating. A recent lunch at Kinsa Sushi fits this bill exactly, and we are so adding this to our list of all-time favourite inexpensive Japanese eats.

4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm

#7 KOH SUSHI GRILL & BAR

This place needs no further introduction, right? Koh Grill & Sushi Bar is a small eatery that sits within Wisma’s Food Republic, and they serve honest Japanese food at affordable prices. And the one dish that makes everyone go back again and again is the Shiok Maki. This is surely one place to head to for a quick fix of Japanese food in between shopping at Orchard Road. Be prepared to queue though; an hour’s wait is the norm.

Koh Sushi Grill & Bar is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s Affordable Sushi Restaurants.

435 Orchard Road
#04-21 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 9180 3805
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm

#8 MARUTAMA RAMEN

We do not usually fancy chicken broth for our ramen, but Marutama is an exception. Deserving exception, surely. For so many years, they have been serving diners nothing but the tastiest chicken broth ramen. At S$12 per bowl for the default ramen, you get a hearty serving of springy noodles with a few slices of chashu. There is also a spicy option at S$12 too.

Marutama Ramen is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen.

#03-90 The Central
8 Eu Tong Sen Street
Tel: +65 6534 8090
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#9 MIHARU SAPPORO RAMEN

The first few brands that we fell in love with when the ramen trend hit Singapore was Miharu Sapporo Ramen. The new outlet at Millenia Walk is slightly bigger and very comfortable, while your favourite ramen with the famous Nishiyama noodles specially imported from Japan, and rich miso broth is still flavourful as always. Our favourite ramen is most definitely the Tokusen Miso Ramen with a special miso blend (S$14.80++).

Miharu Sapporo Ramen is also listed in our guide to 7 affordable Japanese restaurants at Millenia Walk.

Millenia Walk #01-06
9 Raffles Boulevard
Tel: +65 6733 8464
Daily: 12.00pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Promenade

#10 RAMEN KEISUKE TONKOTSU KING

A good bowl of tonkotsu ramen is all we need sometimes. Keisuke is a fuss-free outlet that we turn to when the craving kicks in. There are various combinations for you to pick from – black, spicy and original – and they are all built on their famed tonkotsu broth. Rich, creamy and very porky; just the way we like our ramen broth to be. The ramen ranges from S$10.80 to S$15.80 per bowl.

Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen.

#01-19 Orchid Hotel
1 Tras Street
Tel: +65 6636 0855
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#11 RAKUICHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Rakuichi Japanese Restaurant has been around for a few years, and its much-lauded aburi sushi deserves a special mention. The Tokubetsu Set (S$28.60) – includes a salad, an assortment of 6-piece aburi sushi, stir-fried fish head with teriyaki sauce, seafood & vegetable tempura, miso soup, and sesame ice cream – is extremely value-for-money. There are also cheaper lunch sets like saba shioyaki, shake teriyaki and katsu don at S$18.60.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

10 Dempsey Rd
Singapore 247700
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#12 SYUN

An upmarket fine dining establishment by a celebrity chef usually comes along with hefty price tags, but we were pleasantly surprised by how affordable Syun’s set lunches actually are.

While prices are considerably higher than the other restaurants (mentioned in this guide), it is actually reasonable for the quality that you’ll get. The Sashimi Set Lunch (S$28) comes with three kinds of sashimi, as well as rice, miso soup, chawanmushi and a salad. Our favourite is the Bara Chirashi Sushi Jyu (S$32) - generous chunks of sweet sashimi and ikura atop plump Japanese rice drizzled with a ginger-like sauce.

Festive Walk, Resorts World Sentosa
8 Sentosa Gateway
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#13 TEPPEI SYOKUDO

Teppei first rose to fame with its super value-for-money chirashi-don at its nondescript outlet in Tanjong Pagar. Over at Millenia Walk, Teppei Syokudo is a hassle-free outlet where you can choose to eat in the outlet or takeaway your favourite sashimi rice bowl, and it is simply perfect for days when you need to pack lunch back to the office. Everyone’s favourite Kaisen-don is at S$16 for a serving, and if you do not want raw fish, sure, there is the Katsu-don (S$15.80) and Saba Miso Bento (S$12.80).

Teppei Syokudo is also listed in our guide to 7 affordable Japanese restaurants at Millenia Walk.

Millenia Walk #01-105
9 Raffles Boulevard
Tel: +65 6238 1945
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Promenade

#14 THE SUSHI BAR

The Sushi Bar at level four of Far East Plaza serves the standard dishes like sushi, sahimi, Japanese-style pastas and donburis, but if you only have room for one dish, you must try the much-lauded Salmon Aburi Sushi (S$14.50). It is one of the best rolls we’ve ever tasted, and you will see that every diner orders this when at The Sushi Bar.

The Sushi Bar’s chirashi don is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s Best Chirashi-don.

#04-28 Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road
Mon to Fri: 12.30pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat: 12.30pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#15 YAYOIKEN JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Of course, Yayoiken does not have the most incredible tastes, but its casualness and fuss-free setting is satisfying enough when we need a simple Japanese food fix, and the prices won’t have your wallet take a beating. Set lunches are mostly around S$10, just so you know. The next time you need an inexpensive lunch when you are at Orchard Road, this will be your answer.

313 Orchard Road
313@somerset #B3-33/34
Tel: +65 6884 7550
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

For more recommendations, read our guide to Singapore’s best Japanese restaurants.

We often gripe about the lack of affordable Japanese restaurants in Singapore. Sure, there are the usual household chains, but hole-in-the-wall concepts and humble neighbourhood joints are few.

It is not every day that we need to sit down for a lavish and aristocratic Japanese meal, because more often than not, what we seek is comfort food that will not have our wallets take a beating. A recent lunch at Kinsa Sushi fits this bill exactly, and we are so adding this to our list of all-time favourite inexpensive Japanese eats.

Nestled in the quaint HillV2, Kinsa Sushi is made for the heartlanders and all who love a simple Japanese meal. Prices are not at all intimidating to say the least, and the menu is well-covered with the usual Nippon favourites prepared with premium ingredients. Most dishes are priced under S$15, and the star dish – Wagyu don, served with Grade A4 Kagoshima Wagyu, is only S$24.80!

Here, we share the memorable dishes that we had at Kinsa Sushi, and all that are worth heading back for; every one a reason to love Kinsa Sushi, we’d say.

[ Giveaway ] We are giving away 3 X S$50 Kinsa Sushi dining vouchers. Leave a comment below, and share this post on your Facebook timeline to win. More details on the giveaway at the end of this post.

#1 KAGOSHIMA WAGYU DON

Now, this has got to be the first on the list because the Wagyu Don is unbelievably good! And the best part? It is only S$24.80! This is unheard of, because all the good wagyu-don in Singapore come with exorbitant price tags of at least S$50 and above, so this is a good 50% discount.

No, Kinsa Sushi does not scrimp on the quality. Prepared with Grade A4 Kagoshima Wagyu and prized for its premium marbling, your don will be nothing but divine. With a good 60g of wagyu slices, alongside a runny egg that is best eaten when beaten in and mixed with the rice, the Wagyu Don is a fantastically value-for-money one-dish meal and we already know we will head back just for this dish!

#2 KINSA ROLL – CUCUMBER AND AVOCADO MAKI ROLL WITH ABURI MENTAI

Hands up if you love aburi rolls like we do! Introducing the Kinsa Roll (S$14.80) – cucumber and avocado maki roll, wrapped with torched salmon and flying fish roe, and jazzed up with flamed mentai that adds some cheesiness and saltiness to the fresh roll. We love how the aburi is so well-controlled and that the salmon is left slightly raw and chewy. The warm mentaiko sauce just completes the roll and adds a punch to its overall blend of flavours. We’d love to think of the Kinsa Roll as a must-have Instagram-worthy item. Good to share, but sure, you can have it all to yourself too.

#3 GRILLED PRAWN MENTAI

A whole large prawn that is beautifully flame-grilled with mentai (marinated roe of pollock and cod), the Grilled Prawn Mentai (S$9.80) boasts a melty goodness that compliments the sweet prawn flesh so well. This is grilled to order, so expect a little waiting time. It will be worth your patience, surely. Once again, we were pleasantly surprised by the price tag. So, give us one serving per person, please! No need for sharing!

#4 CHIRASHI DON

We are on a never-ending quest to scout for good chirashi-don in Singapore. Well, another to add to our list is Kinsa’s verion at S$24.80 per bowl. You do not get the most colourful arrangement, but it is surely a hearty bowl with fresh sashimi slices.

If you have any preference, or there are specific fishes that you want or do not eat, just let the chef know and he will be happy to customize a bowl for you too.

#5 FOIE GRAS SOUP

Because drinking miso soup in a Japanese restaurant is too mainstream, we now indulge in foie gras soup. Unbelievable and too good to be true, but that is precisely how pampered your taste buds would be when you dine at Kinsa Sushi. A bowl of Kinsa’s Foie Gras Soup is only at S$6.80!

#6 OOTORO SASHIMI

A plate of good fatty tuna sashimi is always good for the soul. We love biting into a well-marbled one and feel the fats melt in our mouth. That comes with a hefty price tag, of course, and our hearts can’t take that shock too often. But lo and behold, Kinsa Sushi serves a portion of five slices at only S$35.80! There is no strings attached, and the ootoro is definitely fatty and fresh.

If you prefer salmon to tuna, Kinsa Sushi offers a portion of five slices of Salmon Belly at an unbeatable price of S$9.80.

#7 HOUBOU SASHIMI – FISH TANK/ SEASONAL PRICING

Kinsa Sushi flies in a limited batch of seafood and sashimi in a “fish tank” directly from Japan. You can get a whole fish – prepared in any style you like – (Prices range from $30 to $80 depending on seasonality, types/sizes of fish). Just go to the counter to pick the freshest catch; the chefs will advise on the best way to cook the fish.

You may choose up to 2 ways of preparing the fish. Usual methods would be to do a sashimi style and/or grilled. And no matter what method you opt for, no parts of the fish will be wasted. Even if you want the entire fish to be served ala sashimi style, the bones and other remnants can be used to brew a broth. Customers only pay for the fish selected at the tank; all culinary methods chosen are at no extra charge.

#8 GRILLED SQUID

Surume Ika, anyone? This reminded us of our times at Japan, when we would take a stroll along the streets on a wintery night, and street snack stalls would tempt us with their grilled squid on stick. A freshly grilled squid, lightly salted with a smokey flavour always warms our hearts in a very special way. This Grilled Squid (S$11.80) dish at Kinsa Sushi brings a taste of familiarity that we so covet.

#9 TEMPURA BENTO

Now, this is an extremely affordable lunch option if you need a fuss-free meal. For only S$11.80, lunch is a huge serving of tempura assortment with Japanese pearl rice, miso soup and a side salad. A nice, quiet lunch with comfort Japanese food is all we’d need to take a breather from work, yes?

KINSA SUSHI DINING VOUCHERS GIVEAWAY

1. Kinsa Sushi is giving away 3 X S$50 dining vouchers.
2. Leave a comment in this post to tell us which dish you would like to try at Kinsa Sushi, and why we should choose you.
3. ‘Like’ Kinsa Sushi on Facebook.
4. Share the link of this post on your Facebook timeline.
5. The contest starts from now till 23 April 2015, 2359 hrs.
6. Winners will be notified by email.

UPDATED ON 30 APR: The three winners are Angelize, Casy Ang, and Koh Hock Guan.

For the latest updates, go to kinsasushi.com, like Kinsa Sushi on Facebook, and Instagram.

Kinsa Sushi
4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

This post is brought to you by Kinsa Sushi.

Previously from Wasabi Tei, Mitsuba and Chikuwa Tei, Chef Peter Teo is no stranger in the local food scene. Despite his notorious reputation as a food nazi, he has always been known for serving excellent Japanese food.

Kaiware Japanese Restaurant at TripleOne Somerset is his latest venture. It offers a range of Teishoku (S$24 – S$32), Nabe (S$22 – S$35), Sashimi (S$30 onwards), as well as a pretty affordable 8-course Omakase set (S$58++/pax), but the only reason why we made a trip down was to try his famous Chirashi-don.

The Haru Chirashi Sushi (S$28) was decent, but it did not live up to expectations. The sashimi wasn’t particularly outstanding, and the rice could have been sweeter. We also didn’t like the fact that the sashimi was served separately from the rice, which kind of defeats the whole idea of a chirashi-don. At the same price, you can get better chirashi-dons at sushi restaurants like Chikuwa Tei and The Sushi Bar.

What we would return for is the nabemono. There are ten options under the Nabe category including the signature Cod Fish and Vegetables Nabe (S$30) and Steamed Sea Bream Head Nabe (S$32). The Sukiyaki (S$28) may seem deceptively simple, but we assure you that the soup stock was so gratifying, you would crave for more. The beef slices came in a generous portion, as with the veggies.

We would not be rushing to come back here just to have a meal, especially not when Fukuichi Japanese Dining – which offers excellent value-for-money Japanese food – is just next door. But if you have been a follower of Chef Peter Teo, you might want to check this place out the next time you are dining in Orchard Road.

Kaiware Japanese Restaurant
#02-15 TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Tel: +65 6735 2345
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Our usual go-to Japanese restaurant in the Novena neighbourhood is Tomi Sushi Bar, but when we were in the area last week, we wanted to try a new place for a change.

Located at the ground floor in the same building as Oasis Hotel, Rakuichi Japanese Restaurant has been around for a few years, and while we have noticed its branch in Dempsey Hill before, we never thought of trying it now until now.

Man, we’ve been missing out. Its much-lauded aburi sushi deserves a special mention. The Tokubetsu Set (S$28.60) – includes a salad, an assortment of 6-piece aburi sushi, stir-fried fish head with teriyaki sauce, seafood & vegetable tempura, miso soup, and sesame ice cream – is extremely value-for-money. There are also cheaper lunch sets like saba shioyaki, shake teriyaki and katsu don at S$18.60.

Rakuichi Japanese Restaurant
#01-05, Oasia Hotel
8 Sinaran Drive
Tel: +65 6659 6683
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

#01-22, 10 Dempsey Road
Tel: +65 6474 2143
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This guide to Singapore’s Top 10 Chirashi-don was last updated on 28 July 2015. 

Happiness in a bowl – this is how we define chirashi-don, which is essentially slices of sashimi scattered atop a good bowl of Japanese pearl rice. It is fuss-free, offers a myriad of flavours and textures, and more than comforting any time of the day.

What constitutes to a good chirashi-don? We all have different definitions, and one man’s meat may be another’s poison. But it is unanimous that freshness is key. And then, there is the variety of seafood, quality of rice, and temperature when the don is served. Other subjective factors include the presentation and the cut of the fish.

Since forever, we have been on a quest to suss out the best options in town. We spent so many lunches at Japanese eateries and restaurants; some were terribly disappointing that we do not even want to think about them, some are truly impressive and consistently good that we lost count of how much we contribute to the restaurants’ revenue.

So here it is. Our picks on Singapore’s top 12 chirashi-don. Did you spot any of your favourites too?

#1 AOKI RESTAURANT

AOKI at Shaw Centre is somewhere you can go to enjoy good quality Japanese food. The restaurant itself is small, and prices are definitely higher than average, but it is worth paying for. Choose between the Chirashi Sushi Jyo-sen (S$55), or the Bara Chirashi (S$45).

For a more affordable option, Aoki serves a Mazechirashi ($35) set that comes complete with miso soup, pickles, and dessert.

1 Scotts Road
Shaw Centre #02-17
Tel: +65 6333 8015
Mon to Sat: 12noon – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#2 CHIKUWA TEI

We LOVE Chikuwa Tei at Mohamed Sultan Road for their chirashi-don. So good that we have to use Chikuwa Tei’s chirashi sushi (S$25) as the benchmark for a good sushi rice bowl – freshness is top notch, slices are thick enough to bring out the sweetness of the fish, serving is generous and filling, and the cherry on top? Its super reasonable price tag. We always find ourselves at Chikuwa Tei when the craving for chirashi-don kicks in.

Chikuwa Tei
9 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6738 9395
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#3 HIDE YAMAMOTO

At Hide Yamamoto, diners can enjoy four different menus – namely: sushi, robatayaki, ramen and teppanyaki. The Ramen & Dining Bar is the least intimidating of all, with prices as low as S$20 for a maki platter.

But if you are willing to splurge, treat yourself to the Kaisen Chirashi Don (S$58). What you’d get is a large bowl of premium Japanese rice that is cooked to the perfect plumpness with every grain bursting with sweetness, together with a hint of dashi and vinegar. The fish comes in a rainbow of colours – from richly-hued salmon and maguro (tuna), to tako (octopus) and mekajiki (swordfish).

8 Bayfront Avenue
02-05 Casino Side Level 2, Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6688 7098
Daily: 12.00 – 15.00
Mon to Wed: 18.00 – 23.00
Thu to Sun: 18.00 – 03.00
Nearest Station: Bayfront

#4 ISHINOMAKI GRILL & SAKE BAR

Named after one of the municipalities in Japan where reconstruction began after devastation of the 2011 tsunami, Ishinomaki Grill & Sake Bar at Palais Renaissance specialises in izakaya and robatayaki dishes.

During lunch, it has a Barachirashi Ozen which comes with generous slices of tuna, salmon, octopus, sword fish, Amberjack, as well as tobiko. At S$23, it is a steal for the portion. We can see ourselves going back to Ishinomaki regularly just for this.

#B1-02/02A/03, Palais Renaissance
390 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6737 1065
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#5 KAIHO SUSHI

Cuppage Plaza is an old and dodgy building in the Somerset area, but it is also home to many fantastic Japanese restaurants and eateries. Kaiho Sushi, a hole-in-the-wall sushi joint, is one of them. It has been around for years and it is where food lovers in-the-know head to for good and quality Japanese food.

During lunch, it serves nine sets (at S$30) that range from Anago Don Set, to Sushi Set and Ebi Tendon Set. But the one that you should go for is the chirashi Set (S$30 during lunch, S$58 during dinner) which comes an assortment of sliced mackerel, salmon, tuna, scallop, squid, prawn, octopus, and crab meat.

5 Koek Road, Cuppage Plaza, #03-01/02
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 9734 9822
Nearest Station: Somerset

#6 MANZOKU JAPANESE RESTAURANT

By the guys behind Chikuwa Tei, Manzoku Japanese Restaurant is a nondescript Japanese restaurant tucked away in Purvis Street. Many argue about their Chirashi Don (S$25) – some claim that the fish slices are too thick and hard to chew on, some say they are not the freshest, some even pick on the rice!

But we say it is a rather awesome deal because for S$25, you get a delightful serving of sashimi – with each variety in proper, full slices instead of diced.

18 Purvis Street
Singapore 188597
Tel: +65 6734 4436
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#7 MEZZA9

This may come as a surprise to some, but mezza9 at Grand Hyatt serves a fantastic Sakura Denbu Chirashi during lunch. Expect nothing short of a bowl of heavenly goodness that is so visually arresting and beautifully presented. The seafood are sliced equally to perfection, and we really love how there is a generous serving of ikura (salmon roe) to complete.

It is part of their weekday set lunch menu, and you have two options – a two-course lunch (S$32++) and a three-course lunch (S$42++). One of the most value-for-money options, we’d say!

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Mezzanine Level
Tel: +65 6730 7188
Nearest Station: Orchard

#8 RYOSHI SUSHI IKEIKEMARU

Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru may be a kaiten (conveyer belt) sushi restaurant, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that they are but a mediocre joint. They have surprisingly fresh sushi at pocket-friendly prices.

But Ryoshi’s Chirashi-don (only available at the Westgate outlet) is one worthy mention. For S$29, you get a bowl of maguro slices, negitoro (fatty tuna with minced onion), hotate (scallop), tako, anago (conger eel), amaebi (sweet prawn), ikura, gizzard shad, ika (squid) and tamago (sweet egg omelette). Yes, we were pretty mind-blown by the sheer variety.

Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s affordable sushi restaurants.

#03-05, Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

#9 SYUN

The Chirashi Sushi (S$32) is a new-found favourite that will have us returning to Syun – a new Japanese outlet at Resorts World Sentosa – helmed by famous Japanese Chef Hal Yamashita again and again

You have no idea how picky we are about our Chirashi-don, but Syun’s version won our hearts for its generous chunks of sweet sashimi and ikura atop plump Japanese rice drizzled with a ginger-like sauce. The gorgeous flowers you see are edible, too! All Jyu Box Sets are served with Miso Soup, Kailan and Tofu, Steamed Egg Custard, and Green Salad Yuzu Ginger Dressing.

Festive Walk, Resorts World Sentosa
8 Sentosa Gateway
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#10 TATSUYA JAPANESE RESTAURANT

A stalwart of the local dining scene, Tatsuya is where in-the-know locals go for top quality Japanese food. The set lunches are extremely value-for-money, and it explains their evergreen popularity. Go for the Bara Chirashi (S$35.90), and you will not be disappointed.

We are usually not fans of diced sashimi, but this is one version that we dare say is among the bests in town, one that has earned our frequent patronage and loyalty. On a minute note, the different fish seem to always be scattered in an organized pattern, and the reds and oranges and yellows are so appealing that it is probably the most Instagram-worthy Bara Chirashi.

Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6887 4598
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#11 TEPPEI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Teppei Japanese Restaurant at the ground floor of Orchid Hotel has been gaining a steady following because of its extremely affordable omakase (prices start from S$50/pax). Another highly-raved about dish that has earned its regulars’ loyalty is its barachirashi (S$17.60).

The barachirashi is pretty decent and inexpensive – probably the cheapest chirashi you can get in Singapore – but it is not worth the queue. It suffices as an introductory bowl for first-timers, decent enough, but there are many more chirashi-don out there that shout freshness and variety way better.

#01-18, Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link
Tel: +65 6222 7363
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#12 THE SUSHI BAR

We like the idea of a small Japanese sushi bar ala hole-in-the-wall concept that caters to its regular patrons and the random walk-ins, and The Sushi Bar at Far East Plaza is one such place that has won the hearts of many Singaporeans.

The Sushi bar’s Chirashi-don (S$24.90) is one of our favourites, with thickly-sliced and super fresh sashimi. It comes with three slices of salmon, tuna, hamachi, mekajiki, scallop and ikura. For those who are willing to splurge, there is also a premium chirashi-don.

#04-28 Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road
Mon to Fri: 12.30pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat: 12.30pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

For more recommendations, read our guide to Singapore’s best Japanese restaurants.

If there is something that we can eat everyday, it would be Japanese food. Although we have our favourite to-go places for Japanese food, we are always game to try something new. One great place that we ate at is Tomi Sushi Bar in Velocity at Novena Square. 

Tomi Sushi is not fancy. But what you can expect from it is sushi and sashimi of a better quality than any other Japanese restaurant chains in town – it is a good sushi bar where you can go back time and again.

While it may not be the cheapest Japanese restaurant, it offers good value set lunches – prices range from S$20 for a tempura set to S$38 for the sushi bento. It is certainly worth a try if you are working or living in the Novena area. For those of you who prefer a more centralised location, they have another branch at Parco Marina Bay.

Tomi Sushi
#02-76/77 Velocity
238 Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6255 2355
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

#P3-04, Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard
Tel: +65 6333 4633
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Promenade

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best Japanese restaurants in Singapore.