Whenever we talk about Japanese food whether it’s your humble conveyor belt sushi or a full-on gastronomic omakase experience, the same question never fails to pop up—is it worth the splurge?

Well, while a 500-dollar omakase meal may not qualify for a typical weekday dinner, there are in fact, plenty of Japanese restaurants of varying price points that allow even the most thrifty of individuals to have a pretty solid Japanese meal whenever they are craving for Japanese cuisine—even if they are on a budget constraint.

From top-of-the-line Japanese dining establishments to humble hole-in-the-walls, here is our list of Japanese restaurants in Singapore for every budget.

AFFORDABLE JAPANESE RESTAURANTS IN SINGAPORE

DISTRICT SUSHI

District Sushi is a cosy little shop located inside Sunshine Plaza that serves up delicious Japanese fare at wallet-friendly prices.

Their stellar Bara Chirashi Don, which is priced at an unbelievable S$13 per bowl (no GST and service charge), is stacked high with generous cubes of fresh marinated fish and is one of their most frequently ordered items. Besides that, the casual eatery also has a range of sashimi, nigiri sushi and a la carte sides that are mostly below S$15.

91 Bencoolen Street, #01-15
Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Bencoolen

FISH MART SAKURAYA

Fish Mart SAKURAYA is a Japanese supermarket-cum-eatery that has three branches in Singapore. 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—think Don Don Donki without the jungle.

Once you’re done shopping, 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.

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

IZAKAYA NIJUMARU

Izakaya Nijumaru is one hidden gem (literally) tucked at a corner on the second level of Cuppage Plaza.

The nondescript outlet has been around for three decades. We actually only discovered it about seven years ago but it has since remained as a favourite of ours whenever we want a simple, affordable Japanese meal in Orchard Road.

5 Koek Rd, #02- 228796,
10 Cuppage Road
Tel: +65 6235 6693
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

KOH GRILL & SUSHI BAR

Nestled in the centre of a bustling food court in Wisma Atria, yet serving up restaurant-quality maki rolls, yakitori and sushi is Koh Grill & Sushi Bar. The Japanese restaurant is extremely popular so reservations are recommended.

Must-try’s include their stellar Shiok Maki as well as their various grilled skewer offerings that just ooze smoky deliciousness—if you’re ballsy, go for the chicken heart.

435 Orchard Road #04-21
Wisma Atria Singapore
Tel: +65 9180 3805
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

OMOTE

Omote—formerly known as Sushiro—is a haven for anyone who’s a sucker for raw fish and lots of it. Snaking queues form from as early as before the eatery opens, all just to get their hands on their famous Bara Chirashi Don.

Stacked high, and generously with thick cubes of raw fish and at such an affordable price point too, there is no reason why you should give this a miss if you truly love sashimi—or Japanese food for that matter.

301 Upper Thomson Road
#01-22/30 Thomson Plaza
Singapore 574408
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Mon to Sun: 11.45am – 2.15pm, 5.45pm – 9.15pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

SUMO BAR HAPPY

If you are looking for a casual ramen restaurant which does not compromise on service or quality of food, Sumo Bar Happy is the place to check out. This casual dining concept is brought to you by the team behind Standing Sushi Bar, Tanuki Raw, Shinkansen and The Secret Mermaid.

What makes the ramen bowls there better than average is its collagen-rich tonkotsu ramen broth which can only be achieved through 48 hours of simmer. Every bowl of ramen comes with bean sprouts, toasted seaweed, black fungus and free-flow soft-boiled eggs.

261 Waterloo Street
01-24 Waterloo Centre
Singapore 180261
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue & Wed: 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Thu & Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

THE SUSHI BAR

Hankering for a quality Japanese meal without the over-exorbitant price tag? Then The Sushi Bar is just the place you need to visit—preferably in a group of 3 or more so you can order more dishes for sharing.

This hole-in-a-wall delights with an impressive array of Japanese food such as sushi, sashimi, Japanese-style pasta and donburi but if you only have room for one dish, you must try the much-lauded Salmon Aburi Sushi.

14 Scotts Road
#04-28 Far East Plaza
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5pm – 9.45pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 9.45pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

Located on the rooftop garden of Orchard Central is Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant! It houses 5 different restaurant concepts in one, serving up flavourful Japanese fare in generous portions at fairly affordable prices.

Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant takes pride in providing diners with a variety of fresh seasonal fish 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.

181 Orchard Road, #12-02
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MID-RANGE JAPANESE RESTAURANTS IN SINGAPORE

EN SAKABA

En Sakaba at Capital Tower enthrals with their stellar shabu shabu offerings, visually stunning à la carte items as well as a selection of curated Japanese whiskies and sake for your after-work tippling pleasure.

At the heart of their food offerings, their highly prized A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef is something that warrants a visit. From top-notch farms in Japan to the waiting mouths of hungry patrons, this elite offering is one that promises sheer, melt-in-your-mouth decadence in every bite—whether in the form of shabu shabu or even as a nigiri sushi.

168 Robinson Road #01-10
Capital Tower
Singapore 068912
Tel: +65 6423 0110
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: Tatsu

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.

To get more bang for one’s buck, order the Teppanyaki Course instead where you get to indulge in a plethora of Japanese delights such as codfish, wagyu steak, king prawn, scallop and lobster.

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

UNI GALLERY

Nestled in the basement of The Plaza (which is just behind PARKROYAL on Beach Road) is this sea urchin-oriented dining concept that specialises in a wide array of uni-centric dishes. Uni Gallery is where your senses take flight with premium uni that originates from Japan and countries such as L.A’s Santa Barbara and British Columbia in Canada.

Standouts include their Uni Sampler Set that allows you to savour the sheer majesty that is uni of different varieties, as well as the Uni Oyster Shot that sees both ikura and uni atop a massive oyster.

7500A Beach Road
#B1-310 The Plaza
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 9838 8209
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway

JAPANESE FINE DINING RESTAURANTS IN SINGAPORE

FAT COW

A place where terrific food, culinary finesse and Japanese hospitality all come together, Fat Cow is one of those restaurants that bears timeless appeal.

Helmed by Chef Shigeru Kasajima—a seasoned Japanese chef with many decades of French culinary skills under his belt—every course in his Chef’s Table Omakase menu takes you on a gastronomic trip from the first course right to the very last.

Camden Medical Centre #01-01/02,
1 Orchard Boulevard,
Singapore 248649
Tel: +65 6735 0308
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: Keyaki

KEYAKI

Located on the 4th floor of Pan Pacific Singapore, Keyaki is an elegant Japanese restaurant that is perfect if you’re looking to impress a date. Masters at their craft, the chefs here at Keyaki serve up a culinary experience that is as fresh and vibrant as the quality seasonal ingredients that they use.

Here, diners can look forward to a myriad of freshly-sourced sashimi, teppanyaki and lots more, making this restaurant great for any occasion.

7 Raffles Boulevard,
Level 4 Pan Pacific Hotel,
Singapore 039595
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

MIKUNI

Captivating in both its stylish, somewhat seductive interiors and top-notch food, Mikuni is one place that takes the values of presentation, produce and culinary technique seriously. The restaurant features 3 live stations—Sushi, Robatayaki, and Teppanyaki—and depending on what you’re craving, will promise you a truly memorable dining experience nonetheless.

Exercising Japanese precision and modern technique into preparing only the highest quality of produce, what you can expect is nothing short of sheer perfection.

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2 Stamford Road,
Swissotel The Stamford,
Singapore 178882
Tel: +65 6431 6156
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

SHINJI BY KANESAKA

Boasting an exquisite selection of fine sake, food and impeccable service, Michelin-starred Shinji By Kanesaka over at Carlton Hotel Singapore promises a dining experience like no other.

An extension of 1 Michelin star Chef Shinji Kanesaka’s Edo-style sushi restaurant in Tokyo’s exclusive Ginza district, the restaurant promises nothing but the finest Japanese cuisine around.

76 Bras Basah Road
Carlton Hotel Singapore
Singapore 189558
Tel: +65 6338 6131
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah / City Hall

SUSHI JIRO

As far as Japanese fine dining goes, Sushi Jiro still remains one of our top few picks for the very simple reason that top quality ingredients remain at the heart of their food.

Their lunch donburi options are stellar and come packed with premium ingredients such as wagyu beef, fatty tuna and more but what you must definitely go for is their omakase. Armed with culinary skills gleaned from his 2-decades-long experience preparing sushi and cooking Japanese food, Chef Kenji astounds with his repertoire of dishes that make use of only the finest produce.

6 Raffles Boulevard
#04-600 Marina Mandarin Singapore
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6445 3055
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

TATSUYA

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.

Their menu changes every fortnight and comprises fresh seasonal produce directly imported from Japan. Go for the Bara Chirashi and you will not be disappointed.

22 Scotts Road,
Goodwood Park Hotel,
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 6737 7411
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

For more recommendations, read our guide on the 10 best Omakase restaurants in Singapore.

Nestled within Emporium Shokuhin in Marina Square, Gyuu+ Yakiniku Grill is Japanese beef heaven. 

Their all-you-can-eat buffet option is available for lunch but the premium a la carte wagyu dinner buffet is what you should be looking out for. Featuring the best of Japanese beef cuts—including succulent beef aged for 14, 21 and 28 days—and other types of fresh meat, seasonal fish and seafood, this is one Japanese barbecue restaurant that will leave you with happy bellies.

Boasting a refined interior with low and warm lighting for a sophisticated ambiance, Gyuu+ Yakiniku Grill’s dark wood theme and personal dry aging room reminds us of high-end yakiniku restaurants in Japan. Yes, this is the place to impress your significant other and business associates.

Signature dishes include A5 Miyazaki Shin, USDA Sirloin Steak, USDA Prime Sirloin, Kurobuta Pork Rosu Steak and Pork Shoulder Tare that are air-flown all the way from Japan, Australia and U.S.A.

If you think all that premium meat sounds heavy on your wallet, rest assured that prices are kept affordable as Gyuu+ Yakiniku Grill leverages on Emporium Shokuhin’s direct sourcing means. Top-notch Japanese beef at lower prices? We are sold.

Seafood lovers are not neglected too—the restaurant gets its selection of live lobsters and crabs from the tanks at Emporium Shokuhin. Tasty a la carte options you have include Hon Maguro Steak (S$18++), Madai Fillet (S$16++), Scallops (S$18++) and Prawns (S$13++).

Mon to Thu: S$98++
Fri to Sun, Eve of PH & PH: S$108++

Gyuu+ Yakiniku Grill
6 Raffles Boulevard
#01-18, Emporium Shokuhin
Marina Square
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6224 3433
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall / Esplanade / Promenade

All-you-can-eat buffets make up a big part of Singapore’s vibrant dining culture and it is evident from the uncountable options we have, ranging from top-notch hotel buffets to casual Korean barbecue restaurants. But they don’t exactly come cheap, and not everyone is willing to break the bank for them.

Here is where eatigo comes into play—the dining app offers reservation service for over 2000 partner restaurants across 6 countries: Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, India and, of course, Singapore. And the best part? You get to enjoy up to 50% off your dining bills every day—including all-you-can-eat buffets.

Sounds a little too good to be true? We explore how eatigo has made discounts beneficial to both the restaurants and diners like yourself! But first, check out 5 All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Places In Singapore With Up To 50% Off when you book through eatigo.

FOUR POINTS EATERY

The Four Points Eatery’s stellar Oceania Seafood Dinner Buffet does not fall short in satisfying your cravings for snow crabs, prawns, mussels and freshly-shucked Canadian oysters.

Dishes that steal the limelight include the Assam Curry Crab, Oatmeal Cray Fish, Salted Egg Mushroom Morsels as well as the live Sashimi station. The Live Prawn station is another noteworthy option—enjoy fresh prawns in a bowl of herbal soup and let the aroma tantalise your taste buds.

For desserts, tuck into the decadent Durian Pengat or select from the dizzying array of cakes, which includes the Carrot Cake, Black Forest Cake and Peach Crumble.

With eatigo, enjoy massive savings when you reserve to dine at 40% off (8pm) or 50% off (8.30pm and 9pm). Hotel buffets need not be exorbitant and everyone can enjoy delectable buffet spreads at wallet-friendly prices now!

Mon to Thu: S$60.00++ (Adult), S$30.00++ (Child)
Fri to Sun: S$63.00++ (Adult), S$32.00++ (Child)

Four Points Eatery
382 Havelock Road
Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview
Singapore 169629
Tel: +65 6349 4872
Daily: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

GYUU+ YAKINIKU GRILL

Nestled within Emporium Shokuhin in Marina Square, Gyuu+ Yakiniku Grill is Japanese beef heaven. Their eat-all-you-can buffet option is available for lunch but the premium a la carte wagyu dinner buffet is what you should be looking out for.

Featuring the best of Japanese beef cuts, other types of fresh meat, seasonal fish and seafood, this is one Japanese barbecue restaurant that will leave you with happy bellies.

Signature dishes include A5 Miyazaki Shin, USDA Sirloin Steak, USDA Prime Sirloin, Kurobuta Pork Rosu Steak and Pork Shoulder Tare.

Finish off with Gyuu+’s signature Matcha and Goma ice cream.

With eatigo, you get to savour succulent Japanese beef without breaking the bank. Enjoy 50% off (11.30am and 6pm) when you reserve through the app.

Mon to Thu: S$98++
Fri to Sun, Eve of PH & PH: S$108++

Gyuu+ Yakiniku Grill
6 Raffles Boulevard
#01-18, Emporium Shokuhin
Marina Square
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6224 3433
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall / Esplanade / Promenade

I’M KIM JUNIOR

Located conveniently at Orchard’s *SCAPE, I’m Kim Junior is a casual Korean BBQ restaurant that is popular amongst the young crowd. Following the success of I’m Kim at the School of the Arts (SOTA), I’m Kim Junior has a menu that features new items such as Korean Army Stew.

With an all-you-can-eat buffet spread at low prices, it’s hardly any wonder why I’m Kim Junior is packed during lunch and dinner hours. For those who prefer something lighter, I’m Kim Junior offers a Korean Army Stew Buffet on top of their Korean BBQ offerings.

Besides a wide selection of marinated meats and seafood (not included on weekdays), patrons can look forward to other Korean favourites such as japchae (Korean stir-fried glass noodles), Korean chicken wings and the new cheezy chicken galbi (cheezy grilled chicken).

In addition, patrons get 50% off (11.30am) and (9pm) when you make a reservation via eatigo. If you are seeking an affordable place to satiate your Korean food cravings, I’m Kim Junior is the place check out.

Mon to Thu: S$23.80++
Fri to Sun & PH: S$24.80++

I’m Kim Junior
2 Orchard Link
#03-01 *Scape
Singapore 237978
Tel: +65 6634 0420
Daily: 11.30pm – 3.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

ROYALE

Royale—an all-day dining restaurant located at Mercure Singapore Bugis—is a relatively new restaurant in town that offers continental fare. Helmed by Royale’s Executive Chef Nicholas Sia, guests can indulge in their dinner buffet or choose from the a la carte menu, which features signatures such as the Pan-Seared Angus Ribeye Steak ($36++) and Wok-Charred Salmon ($24++).

For the entire month of December, delight yourself in ‘A Globetrotting Christmas’ buffet feast from S$48++ per adult/ S$24++ per child. The spread features over 40 holiday recipes that all come with refreshing Asian-inspired twists. Highlights include the Oven Baked Nonya Turkey served with Homemade Chili Sauce and Baked Honey Cinnamon Gammon Ham with Citrus Sauce.

Make your reservations through eatigo so you can indulge without feeling the pinch—diners receive special promotions at 35% – 50% off every day.

Royale 
Level 3, Mercure Singapore Bugis
122 Middle Road
Singapore 188973
Tel: +65 6521 6030
Buffet Lunch: 12pm – 2.30pm
Buffet Dinner:  6pm - 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

SUKI-YA

Oh glorious, glorious meat! An all-you-can-eat sukiyaki and shabu shabu buffet at wallet-friendly prices is a dream come true for all meat lovers.

The lunch buffet is going at S$18.90++ (Mon to Thu) and you get to choose from five different soup bases such as clear and light shabu kelp stock, and thick and milky miso stock with free-flow meat and vegetables.

Create your own dipping sauce or go for one of their special dips such as ponzu, spicy peanut sauce and fresh egg. Diners can also customise their pot with other ingredients such as mushrooms, eggs, tofu, cheese balls and more.

To get more bang for your buck, eatigo is offering 50% off at 11.30am, 5.30pm and 6.00pm when you book through the app!

Suki-Ya
#46, 2 Bukit Panjang Rd
Bukit Panjang Plaza. Singapore 677743
Tel: +65  6765 8815
Daily: 11.30am – 1pm       
Nearest Station: Bukit Panjang

WHY DOES EATIGO WORK?

All these discounts are great, but is there a catch?

Not at all. The app makes use of yield management to bring peak-hour crowds to off-peak hours.

Restaurants are often packed during traditional mealtimes but tend to be almost empty during off-peak hours (say, 3pm). This isn’t good for restaurants, especially when costs for manpower, electricity, water and rent are still being incurred.

But would you shift your eating times for no reason at all? We wouldn’t too. eatigo’s yield management gives us that reason. These time-based discounts are offered throughout the day. Higher discounts of up to 50% offered during off-peak hours, while peak hours yield lower discounts, at a minimum of 10%.

This way, while us diners are enjoying meals at a lower cost, restaurants can also continue turning a profit during off-peak hours even after the given discounts, resulting in a win-win situation for both.

This post is brought to you by eatigo.

Niku Katsumata in Ebisu Japan is exclusive for members only but the grilled meat restaurant has since expanded to Singapore shores at Duxton Road. Their menu features yakiniku (grilled meat) and they are best known for their Kagoshima wagyu beef.

Known for offering reasonable prices without compromising on quality, diners at this Japanese restaurant can expect premium beef cuts in their A4 Wagyu Beef Set (S$38++) and A4 Wagyu Donburi (S$25++). What a steal!

Drop by the restaurant after work for a delectable dinner and a range of alcoholic beverages.

For the uninitiated, wagyu is classified into five different grades (from 1 to 5) to rate its meat quality based on various factors with a rating of five being the best. With that being said, you should know that Niku Katsumata’s A4 Wagyu Beef is of a pretty high standard.

Before we begin, the friendly server shared with us about the various cuts of the beef we were going to try. We had our wagyu beef grilled to medium rare doneness on the crystal plate and the tender meat melted in our mouths—it was so good! You cannot leave the place without trying this.

Another affordable option is the A4 Wagyu Donburi (S$25++) which is moist Japanese rice wrapped with Tataki Wagyu and topped with Ikura. Try the wagyu on its own first before pouring in the soup that is given to complement the rice.

There are also condiments at the side to enhance the taste of the wagyu but we think that it is great on its own.

For S$38++, our A4 Wagyu Beef Set came with six pieces of Wagyu beef, rice with beef curry, salad and pickles.

Choose a topping of your choice for the A4 Wagyu Donburi including Caviar, Foie Gras, Ikura and Urchin.

Niku Katsumata
47 Duxton Road
Singapore 089511
Tel: +65 9162 7502
Daily: 5.30pm – 11pm
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.

Aburiya is a common name that I have always heard from friends when we talk about Japanese BBQ restaurant. Though I am a frequent diner of the restaurants at Robertson Quay, I only found myself stepping in to Aburiya some time recently. And after my dinner, I can understand why Aburiya has its steady flow of customers nightly.

The ala carte menu offers plenty of choices for beef, pork, lamb, chicken, vegetables and seafood, but we recommend opting for the sets – the signature beef set (S$80) comes with an assortment of beef such as prime short rib, tenderloin and skirt; the seafood set (S$75) with prawns, scallops and squid; and the premium wagyu set (S$120) which offers beef tongue, cube-cut steak, skirt and prime short rib.

We started with the Wagyu Jo Karubi (S$21.90). The wagyu prime short rib was good but not life-changing. Next up was the Tan Negi (S$8.90) – beef tongue with Japanese leek – which was gone within minutes. Another of our favourite was the Kurobuta Karuni (S$10.90). We ordered two portions of the pork belly in shio and hot miso sauce. We preferred the latter – the hot miso sauce was spicy and tangy, and it complemented the pork belly very well. We also had the Beef Tenderloin (S$14.90) with taro sauce, Garlic Pork Sausage (S$7.90) and Wagyu Ribeye (S$29.90). While nothing was deliciously arresting, all the meat were well-marinated, tasty and satisfying.

In a nutshell, Aburiya is one of the better Japanese BBQ restaurants in Singapore. It is the kind of place to go for a fun night out with a group of friends to pig out.

Aburiya Yakiniku
#01-03 The Quayside
60 Robertson Quay
Tel: +65 6735 4862
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 11.30pm
Sun & PH: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

For more recommendations, read our guide on Japanese Restaurants in Singapore

With so many restaurants lined along the two sides of Lorong Mambong, it’s easy to miss out Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ restaurant if you are new to Holland Village. How many times have I walked past it when I was in the area? Plenty.

I can’t believe that it took me until now to try the Japanese restaurant, but boy am I glad that I finally went there for dinner recently. Gyu Kaku means bull horn in Japanese, but to me, it translates to meat heaven.

Besides Holland Village, the Yakiniku restaurant also has other two branches at Chijmes and UE Square. There’s really nothing better than the sizzling sound of wagyu beef over the red-hot charcoal grill.

The manager suggested the Fuku Set ($179/2pax, $249/3pax, $309/4pax) which comes with assorted kimchee, aburi bacon, choice of salad, assorted mushroom, wagyu fillet steak, wagyu karubi, wagyu rump cap, kurobuta pork collar, duck breast, gindara miso foil grill, ishiyaki mentaiko and a choice of dessert. There is also the Warai set ($149/2pax, $209/3pax, $269/4pax) which is slightly more affordable and comes with choices like lamb chop, wagyu tongue, and wagyu nakaochi.

This is the Horenso Salad at Gyu-Kaku restaurant, which is essentially a Japanese style Spinach salad topped with bacon and creamy sesame dressing. If it was up to me, I’d call this the awesome-Japanese-salad.

After finishing the fantastic salad, we continued with the assorted kimchee, aburi bacon and the Japanese stone grill rice. I wasn’t really paying attention to them, though. I was distracted by the huge plate of wagyu-goodness on the table…

I ate a slice of beef. Two. Three. And then half the plate was gone. It was impossible to slow down. They were so good. Oh my god. A piece of Wagyu fillet steak, a bite of wagyu karubi, a mouthful of wagyu rump cap – I can die without regrets now.

Halfway through the meal, we shifted our focus to the kurobuta pork collar, duck breast and gindara. The grilled cod was not bad, but I felt that it was a distraction from the beef. Who needs cod when you can have wagyu beef? The same goes for kurobuta pork collar and duck breast. Still, everything was gone in a flash. More meat please!

The servings of the Fuku set should be enough for most people, but my brother is a big meat eater, so we ordered more food from the ala carte menu.

If I had eaten the Wagyu Brisket ($13.9/small, $19.9/large) first, it might have tasted fantastic, but there was no turning back after we had the wagyu fillet steak and rump cap.

Even though we already had a lot of meat, it was impossible to resist the 200g Wagyu ribeye steak ($89.9). Our bellies were bursting when we were done with the steak. This is the reason why I can never be a vegetarian.

I was quite amazed that we didn’t smell like BBQ after finishing dinner. The air ventilation of the restaurant was very good; the fumes from the BBQ were ventilated efficiently through the vents. It was also great that the staff came along often to change the grill plate.

Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ restaurant is not cheap. But it serves good quality meat, and I like the fact that you won’t smell like BBQ after a meal. I will definitely come back when I am craving for wagyu beef.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant
29 Lorong Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6466 4001

81 Clemenceau Avenue
#01-18/19 UE Square
Tel: +65 6733 4001

Note: This was an invited media tasting.

For more recommendations, please read my list of Japanese Restaurants in Singapore