7 Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore [2023]: Super Yummy!
Eat & Drink |
March 27, 2023
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The past few decades have seen the rise of Japanese cuisine overseas, especially here in Singapore. Japanese cuisine entails intricate preparation, and a dish passes Japanese standards only if it uses high-quality and fresh ingredients. This premise sits well with the Singaporean cultured palate, which explains the exponential growth of sushi, ramen, izakaya, and yakitori restaurants in the country.
We have compiled the 7 best Japanese restaurants in Singapore [updated 2023] for when you’re craving a beautifully-plated sushi nigiri but cannot possibly hie off to the Land of the Rising Sun.
See also: 6 Best Izakaya Bars in Orchard for After-Office Chill-Outs
See also: Best Places in Tokyo to Shop for Cheap Clothes
Image: Akira Back
Imagine the profound level of confidence a chef has to have in himself to name a restaurant with simply his name. With a Michelin Star attached to his toque blanche, Chef Akira Back’s culinary portfolio includes 20 years of experience and 16 restaurants in Asia, Africa, Middle East, and America.
The menu at the upscale Akira Back Singapore is a reflection of Chef Akira’s cultural influences: Korean roots, American upbringing, and a deep passion for Japanese flavors. Take for example the much-raved-about Holy Cow! (S$32), shrimp tempura fried to perfection, rolled in fragrant sushi rice, topped with a delicate sliver of Tajima striploin, and finished off with a tangy-sweet kimchi peach emulsion—absolutely guaranteed to make you exclaim, “Holy Cow!”
Highlights
- Award-winning modern Japanese menu: Chef Akira Back’s DOSA in Seoul received one Michelin Star from the 2018 Seoul Michelin Guide in recognition of its menu’s curious take on “Japanese flavors with Korean accents”. The chef has also been hailed “Best Chef in Las Vegas” by Las Vegas Weekly and “Rising Star” by Restaurant Hospitality in 2008. One of his genius masterpieces is the 48 Hrs “Sanchoku” Short Rib (S$50), melty Sanchoku Wagyu beef in braising jus that is just pure decadence.
- Live Omakase with Chef Akira Back: You would want to stay glued to their social media pages for any future announcements of live omakase with Chef Akira Back himself. “Omakase”, loosely translated to “I leave it up to you”, is when the chef lets his creativity run wild, much to the diners’ delight. Slots are limited to only 10 seats, so do not even hesitate.
- Dreamy desserts: Akira Back’s desserts are the kind that you would want to take lots of pictures of, hoping to have them ingrained in your memory. Each plate is a sight to behold, looks almost sacred for you to even think of eating it, but, of course, you have A must-try is the AB Egg (S$20), which looks literally like a real egg perched on a nest but it actually is mango passionfruit crème floating on sublime vanilla foam, encased in edible eggshell, sitting on date tea granite.
MENU: Akira Back curates an award-winning “Japanese with Korean accents” menu that showcases
- Cold shared plates: S$20 – S$66
- Hot shared plates: S$17 – S$68
- Soups: S$6 – S$8
- Salads: S$8 – S$25
- Rolls: S$25 – S$32
- Hand rolls: S$14 – S$16
- Nigiri/sashimi: S$10 – S$32
- Rice: S$20 – S$44
- Mains: S$28 – S$72
Be on the lookout for special seasonal menus because they are as deliciously festive as they can get.
MUST-TRIES:
- 48 Hrs “Sanchoku” Short Rib (S$50)
- Hot Mess (S$27)
- Una-Q (S$16)
- Fatty Tuna-Otoro (S$36)
LOOK & FEEL: Looks nothing like your typical Japanese restaurant—Akira Back’s Phillipe Starcke-designed Singapore restaurant is sleek, chic, and with tiny refreshing pops of color.
NOTE: Reservation is highly recommended
GETTING THERE:
- Buses: 10, 100, 197, and 77 (1-min walk from bus stop 01619)
- Nearest MRT station: Esplanade (CC3)
Image: Mikuni
Mikuni at Fairmont Singapore takes pride in its modern rendition of the traditional kaiseki experience, skillfully crafting a menu that highlights seasonal premium produce to result in dishes that are always fresh, crisp, and oishi.
The restaurant is revered for its top-notch sashimi, credit to the fact that their fish are specially flown straight from the Tsukiji fish market in Japan. Mikuni’s live sushi, teppanyaki, and robatayaki stations are almost a theatrical experience that showcases traditional Japanese culinary techniques, an absolute must-try.
Highlights
- Premium fish straight out of Japan’s Tsukiji fish market: Ever wondered how good the quality of fish is at the famed Tsukiji fish market? Take a seat at Mikuni’s live sushi station and find out for yourself. Feel free to pick the fish of your choice or leave it all up to the chef and order Tokujou Sashimi (S$198), a selection of 7 seasonal sashimi handcrafted to Japanese standards.
- Live sushi, teppanyaki, and robatayaki: You may opt for traditional seating, but if you want your appetite all worked up by the theatrics of traditional Japanese food preparation, the live stations would be perfect for you.
- Monthly lunch specials and grand tasting menu: The monthly lunch specials and the grand tasting menu are the perfect way to sample the best of what Mikuni is proud to offer. The grand tasting menu (starts at S$245) is a 7-course menu that starts with an appetizer of the freshest seafood, highlights a Wagyu entrée, and finishes off with an indulgent dessert.
MENU: Mikuni’s lunch and dinner menus specialize in contemporary kaiseki dishes with
- Soup: S$18 – S$45
- Starters: S$33 – S$78
- Sushi/sashimi plates: S$138 – S$288
- Sushi/sashimi a la carte: S$22 – S$58
- Sushi rolls: S$20 – S$60
- Tempura: S$15 – S$43
- Wagu: S$108 – S$238
- Mains: S$50 – S$95
- Noodles: S$38 – S$58
- Rice bowls: S$48 – S$138
- Desserts: S$15 – S$50
The restaurant also offers set menus and an extensive line of international wine, sake, Japanese beer, and cocktails.
MUST-TRIES:
- Hotante Mentaiko (S$35) – Hokkaido scallop, marinated cod roe, onion butter
- Tokujou Sashimi (S$198)
- Mikuni Lobster Maki ($45) – Lobster, tobiko, caviar, cucumber, ohba leaf, tempura flakes, truffle sauce
- Kurobuta Pork Katsu (S$48)
LOOK & FEEL: Come in your smart casuals to complement Mikuni’s modern black interior with Japanese wooden accents.
GETTING THERE :
- Buses: 100, 106, 16M, 197, 7A (4-min walk from bus stop 01611)
- Nearest MRT station: Esplanade (CC3) and City Hall (EW13/NS25)
Image: Sen of Japan
Japanese food is centered on the philosophy of ‘sen’, meaning ‘fresh and pure’. Sen of Japan attributes the identity of the restaurant to this philosophy which is evident in every dish that comes out of its kitchen.
This Marina Bay Sands restaurant instantly became a hit when it opened in 2016, and with no less than NOBU Chef Nakano Hiromi at the helm, its success has already been pretty much written in the stars. Add to that the fact that they offer premium sushi, sashimi, rice bowls, and bento sets at prices that you won’t expect in such an upscale location.
Highlights
- Premium selection of maki: Chef Nakano Hiromi has crafted an inspired line of maki, which could very well be a result of fresh ingredients coming together. One of the showstoppers is Mala Maki (S$24), soft-shell crab tempura, cucumber, crab meat, tobiko, flame-seared salmon, and finished off with a spicy mala.
- Affordable weekday lunch sets: Take a break from your usual lunch fare and indulge in some weekday decadence. We did say “affordable”, right? Starting at S$19.90 and available from 11:30 to 15:00, Sen of Japan’s weekday lunch sets come with a chef’s appetizer, tempura, salad, miso soup, rice, and dessert.
- One of the most extensive sake menus in Singapore: There’s no better accompaniment to a Japanese meal than sake or Japanese rice wine. Sen offers a long list of sake with a sweetness-dryness guide to help you choose the perfect pairing for your meal.
MENU: Voted 2020 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice, Sen of Japan’s menu celebrates fresh Japanese produce and ingredients in the form of
- Cold starters: S$21 – S$58
- Warm starters: S$8 – S$39
- Salads & Soups: S$6 – S$27
- Noodles & Rice: S$23 – S$89
- Tempura: S$18 – S$28
- Mains: S$41 – S$168
- Sashimi & Sushi platters: S$58 – S$198
- Sashimi|Nigiri sushi: S$8 – S$45
- Sen special maki: S$26 – S$88
- Desserts: S$8 – S$17
They also have a comprehensive beverage menu where you are sure to find the perfect spirit for any celebration.
MUST-TRIES:
- Premium Bara Chirashi Don (S$46)
- Hamachi Carpaccio (S$23)
- Anago tempura (S$20) – Salt-water eel
- Umeshu Raisin Cheesecake (S$15)
LOOK AND FEEL: Sen of Japan has a romantic feel to it with its intimate ambiance and a sweeping view of the Singapore cityscape—especially more beautiful in the evening.
HAPPY HOURS: Enjoy 50% off wines, sake, and beer during Happy Hour, 15:00 to 18:00, Mondays through Thursdays
GETTING THERE:
- Buses: 97, 106, 518, 133, 502, NR1, NR6 (Bus stop 03509 is right outside Marina Bay Sands Tower 2 lobby.)
- Nearest MRT station: Marina Bay Sands is directly connected to CE1/DT16 Bayfront Station. Take exits C and D to get straight to The Shoppes.
Image: Shukuu Izakaya
There are two things that bind together the owners of Shukuu Izakaya: first, a lifelong friendship, and second, a deep love for Japanese food, sake, and culture. This is strongly evident once you walk into the izakaya and take a moment to look around: the interiors, the choice of decors, and the overall commune vibe between and among patrons, owners, and staff.
While the ambiance is both casual and welcoming, Luis, Mario, and their two other co-owners are serious about bringing the best izakaya experience to Singapore, starting with air-flown ingredients straight from Japan, down to the pride of their business—their artisanal line of sake.
Highlights
- Rated one of the best sake bars: Shukuu Izakaya takes great pride in this title, so much so that it is right below its name on the website. The owners are actual fully-certified sake sommeliers who have made it their mission to spread love and awareness for the underrated Japanese spirit in this part of the globe. Go for the full izakaya experience by getting sake pairing recommendations. Kanpai!
- More than 90 kinds of tapas-style Japanese goodness: Shukuu’s menu is a testament to the hard work and dedication that the owners and staff put in to deliver a total izakaya. You’ll be delighted to find that the dishes are affordable, too! One of their best-sellers, Kaki No Sakamushi, 3 pieces of sake-cooked oysters, goes for only S$12.
- Sake Sake tasting events: If you’ve ever dreamed of being a sake connoisseur, be on the lookout for Shukuu’s annual Sake Sake tasting events where they showcase a grand number of sake from different parts of Japan for your drinking pleasure, and education, perhaps?
MENU: Shukuu Izakaya offers tapas-style Japanese delights that are easy on the pocket and pair so well with their curated line of sake.
- Starters: S$6 – S$10
- Sashimi & Sushi: S$6 – S$20
- Torched: S$14 – S$18
- Cooked: S$10 – S$22
- Baked: $10
- Deep fried: S$8 – S$16
- Charcoal grilled: S$13 – S$22
- Kushiyaki: S$4.50 – S$8 per stick
- Noodles: S$10 – S$14
- Mini donburi: S$11 – S$14
MUST-TRIES:
- Ika Kuro-Age (S$10), Surume squid in ink batter
- Shukuu Tamago (S$3.80), Sweet egg nigiri
- Torikawa Oroshi Ponzu (S$8), Chicken skin with grated radish and citrus sauce
- Hotate Mentaiyaki (S$18), Hokkaido scallops with mentaiko and cheese
LOOK AND FEEL: Shukuu Izakaya’s ambiance is decidedly Japanese, you just know you’re in for a great, casual izakaya evening.
NOTE: Reservation is highly recommended.
GETTING THERE:
- Buses: 10, 57, 655, 785, 97, 97E (Nearest bus stop is 03041.)
- Nearest MRT stations: DT18 and EW15 (Less than 5-min walk)
Image: Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant
With 38 years in the business, Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant was the first—and for many years, only—yakitori restaurant in Singapore. Their first branch at Far East Plaza has served over 637,858 yakitori sticks and has delighted more than 9,867 customers.
The key to Nanbantei’s success is the delicate grilling process that starts with a special kind of coal and ends with a skewer that is perfectly char-grilled outside but is succulent and flavorful inside. Nanbantei is committed to delivering an authentic yakitori experience, which is why they source their fresh and seasonal produce straight from Japan.
Highlights
- Live yakitori: While traditional seating is offered, the best yakitori experience starts with witnessing how your orders are prepared—over open flame sizzling from dripping meat fat and juices, so do not hesitate to be seated by the grilling station. Enjoy the delicious simplicity of fine ingredients grilled to perfection, right as your order leaves the grill.
- Yummy bento and lunch set menu: Starting at S$16, Nanbantei’s bento and lunch sets are an excellent choice for when you’re on a tight lunch break and you can’t be bothered to mix and match dishes. Their top bento choice is the Yakitori Bento, Nanbantei’s bestselling yakitori skewers served with vegetables, rice, and dessert of the day.
- Free delivery for orders S$125 and up: Want to stay safe from the crowds? You can enjoy traditional yakitori fare in the safety and comfort of your own dining room. Place your order on their website or via WhatsApp and enjoy free delivery for orders S$125 and above.
MENU: Yakitori is Nanbantei’s absolute show-stopper, but they also offer bento, donburi, sashimi, fried and grilled dishes, and sides. They also have an assortment of soft drinks, hard drinks, osake, sake, and shochu.
MUST-TRIES:
- Butabara Yuzukosho (S$8.10), Pork belly with yuzu citrus paste
- Tsukune (S$7.10), Chicken meatballs with sauce
- Tebasaki Platter (S$18.20), Chicken mid wings
- Truffle Kurobuta Don (S$20), Grilled black Iberico pork slices with truffle oil and paste, topped with Onsen egg and pickles
LOOK AND FEEL: The wooden interiors give Nanbantei a cozy, homey feel, with the yakitori grill serving as a powerful conversation starter.
AVERAGE PRICE/PAX: S$35
NOTE: Accepts Visa credit card
GETTING THERE:
- Buses: 105, 143, 190A, 502 (1-min walk from bus stop 09219)
- Nearest MRT station: NS22 (9-min walk)
Image: The Gyu Bar
The Gyu Bar is set at giving Singapore a top-notch artisanal gourmet dining experience, starting from their exceptional choice of Wa-Oh beef from the Kumamoto prefecture. The silky beef has a superior balance of marbling and meatiness, a result of the cattle’s special diet of vegetables, clean air and water from Mount Aso, and being raised in a stress-free environment.
With a seating capacity of only 35, The Gyu Bar places a premium not on customer turnover, but on customer satisfaction.
Highlights
- Top-level wagyu menus for wagyu fans: At the Gyu Bar, beef lovers can indulge in the finest wagyu dining experience. This restaurant is renowned for its premium wagyu sourced from Japan and cooked to perfection using a range of techniques including yakiniku, sukiyaki, and shabu shabu.
- Japanese “Omotenashi” culture: Staying true to the Omotenashi spirit of hospitality, The Gyu Bar gives every guest a complimentary cup of sake with every meal. Guests are also invited to choose their own cup from the Sake Glass Wall, wonderfully adding to the restaurant’s sense of commune.
- Chef’s Omakase (S$138): Certainly the best way to take the highest pleasure in The Gyu Bar’s offerings is by entrusting the chef to prepare a 10-course “gastronomical journey”. Just imagine what masterpieces their chef can come up with when their creativity is paired up with purely the best ingredients.
MENU:
- Yakiniku (Wagyu Beef): S$30 – S$58
- Yakiniku (Pork, Chicken, Seafood & Vegetables): S$8 – S$32
- The Signature Chawanmushi: S$7 – S$28
- Wagyu Steaks: S$80 – S$138
- Rice: S$4 – S$28
- Soup: S$4 – S$26
- Salads & Side Dishes: S$8 – S$26
- Noodles: S$15 – S$28
- Desserts: S$6 – S$10
MUST-TRIES:
- Tzubozuke Karubi (S$38), 24-hour pot marinated marbled beef
- Tokujo Karubi (S$46), Premium marbled beef
- Yukki Uni Cone (S$38), 4 pieces of beef tartare and sea urchin on sesame cone
- Signature Roast Beef Don (S$35), Slow roast beef, chef’s secret gravy, Onsen egg
LOOK & FEEL: The Gyu Bar capitalizes on subdued hues complemented with tall glass windows that welcome natural light during the day while the night lights make for a romantic ambiance in the evening.
NOTE: The Gyu Bar has limited seating capacity, so place your reservations especially if you’re celebrating an important milestone
GETTING THERE:
- Buses: 105, 132, 190, 190A, 972 (1-min walk from bus stop 40209)
- Nearest MRT station: DT10
Image: Shinzo Japanese Cuisine
“Shinzo”, which literally translates to “heart”, operates on the principle that the best sushi starts from premium fish sourced straight from Japan and prepared with utmost love and respect for the ingredient.
Shinzo Japanese Cuisine’s Chef Patrick Tan has over 39 years of mastering the art of making sushi as a sushi shokunin. This level of expertise and dedication results in sushi experience that is both satisfying and unforgettable.
Highlights
- Lunch and dinner omakase: Starting at S$118, Shinzo offers lunch and dinner omakase sets that highlight their fresh and seasonal produce. It is composed of appetizers, sashimi, a cooked dish, sushi, soup, and dessert.
- Sushi by the renowned head chef: Shinzo’s head and sushi chef, Chef Patrick Tan, takes the art of making sushi seriously. However, this doesn’t mean he’s always seen with a stern expression while hunched over mouth-watering fish and seafood. Rather, he’s devoted over 39 years of his life to studying the craft of preparing sushi. Every day, his goal is to help his diners – be they strangers, friends, or family – share a special bond over sushi and sake.
- Ever-changing seasonal menus: If you fancy yourself as a sushi connoisseur, it is highly advisable for you to visit Shinzo at the start of every season because that’s also when their menu changes to make way for the bountiful produce of the season. This puts freshness at the pinnacle of each dish that makes its way to the dining table.
MENU: Shinzo’s menu changes seasonally, making their omakase meals a top recommendation.
- Ume Lunch Omakase: S$118
- Take Lunch Omakase: S$138
- Nigiri Lunch Omakase: S$120
- Jyo-sen Dinner Omakase: S$228
- Tokusen Dinner Omakase: S$268
- Chef’s Omakase Special: S$328
- Omakase Kisetsu Sushi (Lunch & Dinner): S$248
They also offer lunch sets that start at S$38, which already goes with an appetizer, salad, simmered dish, main course, and dessert.
MUST-TRIES:
- Ume Omakase (S$118), 2 kinds of appetizer, 5 slices of assorted sashimi, a Chef’s creation cooked dish, 6 pieces of sushi nigiri, miso soup, and dessert of the day
- Unagi Lunch Set (S$48), A lunch set that highlights a perfectly grilled unagi
- Wagyu Beef Don (S$45), Pan-seared Wagyu beef with onsen egg over steamed rice
LOOK AND FEEL: Shinzo Japanese Cuisine’s wood panel interiors and artworks make you feel like you’re in a Japanese neighborhood but the friendliness and hospitality of the chefs and staff will make you feel right at home.
NOTE: Reservation is encouraged
GETTING THERE:
- Buses: 2, 12, 33, 54, 147, 190
- Nearest MRT station: NE5
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