7 Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore [2023]: Fancy & Yummy!

Eat & Drink | March 10, 2023

Image: Mikuni

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.

1. Akira Back @ JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach

Image: Akira Back

Address

30 Beach Road, Level B1M, JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, South Tower, Singapore 189763

Phone

+65 6818 1914

Opening hours

Daily 12:00 – 14:30; 18:00 – 22:00

Website

http://www.jwmarriottsingapore.com/dining

jw.sinjw.akiraback@marriotthotels.com

Table reservation

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 it 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), 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 and hot shared plates, soups, salads, rolls and hand rolls, nigiri/sashimi selection, rice, mains, and desserts. Be on the lookout for special seasonal menus because they are as deliciously festive as it 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.

AVERAGE PRICE/PAX: S$115

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)

2. Mikuni @ Hotel Fairmont Singapore

Image: Mikuni

Address

Level 3 Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560

Phone

+65 6431 6156

Opening hours

Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri and Sat: 12:00 – 14:30; 18:00 – 22:00

Website

https://www.fairmont-singapore.com/dining/mikuni/

dining.singapore@fairmont.com

Table reservation

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, whether it be soup, appetizer, sushi/sashimi, entrees, rice, noodle, or dessert. 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.

AVERAGE PRICE/PAX: S$100

NOTE: Last order is at 21:30

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)

3. Sen of Japan @ The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Image: Sen of Japan

Address

2 Bayfront Avenue #01-86 The Shoppes Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972

Phone

+65 6688 7426

Opening hours

Daily 11:00 – 22:00

Website

www.senofjapan.com.sg

info@senofjapan.com.sg

Promotion

Get 10% off with Sen of Japan's dining voucher

Table reservation

Highlights

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.
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.
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 appetizer, soup, salad, tempura, entrees, sashimi and nigiri sushi, maki, and desserts. 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 ambience and a sweeping view of the Singapore cityscape—especially more beautiful in the evening.

AVERAGE PRICE/PAX: S$100

NOTE: 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.

4. Shukuu Izakaya

Image: Shukuu Izakaya

Address

8 Stanley Street, Singapore 068727

Phone

+65 6327 9240

Opening hours

Daily 17:30 – 22:30

Website

https://shukuu.sg/

info@shukuu.sg

Promotion

Get 10% off with Shukuu Izakaya's dining voucher

Table reservation

Highlights

Rated one of the best sake bars: Shukuu Izakaya takes great pride in this title, so much so that it is right below their 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. Don’t commit much to the menu as it constantly evolves according to the owners’ creative drive, but they have the Japanese trifecta of goodness down-pat: fresh, fried, and grilled.

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.

AVERAGE PRICE/PAX: S$50

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)

5. Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant @ Far East Plaza

Image: Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant

Address

Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #05-132, Singapore 228213

Phone

+65 6733 5666

Opening hours

Mon – Thu 11:45 – 14:30, 18:00 – 22:00; Fri – Sat 11:45 – 14:30, 18:00 – 22:30; Sun 11:45 – 14:30, 17:30 – 22:00

Website

https://nanbantei.com.sg/

Table reservation

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.
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 meat balls 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)

6. The Gyu Bar

Image: The Gyu Bar

Address

30, #01-08 Stevens Road, Singapore 257840

Phone

+65 6732 0702

Opening hours

Daily 11:00 – 22:00

Website

https://www.thegyubar.com.sg/

reservations@thegyubar.com.sg

Table reservation

Highlights

Choice produce and ingredients: The Gyu Bar is particular about every produce and ingredient that goes in and out of the kitchen, sourcing only the highest quality meat, seafood, organic rice and vegetables, and condiments straight from specialist farmers and trusted suppliers.
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: The star of The Gyu Bar’s menu, of course, is their Wa-Oh beef yakiniku selection. Other items available are yaki-shabu, steak, bar chows, rice and noodle options, desserts, and affordable lunch sets.

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.

AVERAGE PRICE/PAX: S$150

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

7. Shinzo Japanese Cuisine

Image: Shinzo Japanese Cuisine

Address

17 Carpenter Street, #01-01, Clarke Quay, Singapore 059906

Phone

+65 6438 2921

Opening hours

Mon - Sat 12:00 – 15:00, 18:30 – 22:30

Website

https://www.shinzo.com.sg/

shinzo@singnet.com.sg

Table reservation

Highlights

Lunch and dinner omakase: Starting at S$80, 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.
Renowned head chef: Shinzo’s head and sushi chef, Chef Patrick Tan, takes the art of making sushi seriously, not in a way that you see him with a stern expression, hunched over mouthwatering fish and seafood, but in they he dedicated more than 39 years of his life to study the art of preparing sushi. He makes it his goal each day to have his diners, whether strangers, friends, or family, share a special bond over sushi and sake.
Ever-changing seasonal menu: 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. 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$80), 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$38), 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.

AVERAGE PRICE/PAX: S$100

NOTE: Reservation is encouraged

GETTING THERE: