7 Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore: Super Yummy!

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:

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)

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:

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)

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:

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.

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:

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)

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:

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)

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:

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

“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:

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