I’ll never grow tired of visiting Japan, but let’s be honest — it’s not the most wallet-friendly place to visit. Naturally, the next best option when I get Japanese food cravings is to hunt down authentic restaurants in Singapore. That’s how I found the top Japanese restaurants in Singapore. Read on and prepare your tummy juices for an oishii feast!
01 • Koma Singapore
Need to impress a special someone? Koma cooks up a feast for both the eyes and the stomach. This stunning Japanese restaurant transports you to an ethereal world with its dramatic, larger-than-life decor, making it the perfect setting for a celebratory dinner.
While their sushi and sashimi are top-notch, you have to try the Wafu Carbonara with Uni. The rich, creamy carbonara sauce coats every strand of al dente pasta, and the fresh uni adds a luxurious, briny sweetness that elevates the entire dish. It's a bold fusion that just hits all the right spots.
📍 Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, B1-67 The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018956
📞 Phone: 6688 8690
⏰ Opening hours: Sun to Thu, 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5 – 11pm
🌐 Website: taogroup.com/venues/koma-singapore
🍴Halal: Not halal
02 • Shinrai
Shinrai is a fantastic place for a laid-back meal with friends or a casual date night. Their unique retropop-styled interior exudes an air of playful elegance. They're known for their modern take on Japanese cuisine thanks to dishes that are both comforting and exciting.
A must-try here is the Buta Yakiniku Don. Imagine tender slices of grilled pork belly, caramelised to perfection, and served over a bed of fluffy Japanese rice. The savoury-sweet sauce and hint of smokiness from the grill make every bite absolutely addictive.
Their assortment of sushis and sashimi is also not to be missed. The Otoro sushi may be premium, but it’s well worth its price. The intricately marbled tuna meat packs an explosion of intense richness and flavour, and is delicately mellowed out by tangy sushi rice. It's a delicacy everyone should experience at least once.
📍 Address: 173 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068622
📞 Phone: 8858 8831
⏰ Opening hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm daily
🌐 Website: shinrai.sg
🍴Halal: Not halal
03 • Kinki Restaurant + Bar
For a dining experience with an urban edge, Kinki is the place to be. Overlooking Singapore’s iconic city centre and complete with its own rooftop bar, there's no trendier place to be. This chic restaurant serves up Japanese food with a modern twist.
One of their standout dishes is the Wagyu and Foie Gras Donburi. The rich, buttery slice of foie gras melts in your mouth, complementing the perfectly cooked Wagyu beef, to create a decadent and unforgettable explosion of flavours.
📍 Address: 70, #02-02 Collyer Quay, Customs House, Singapore 049323
📞 Phone:8363 6697
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Sat, 12 – 3pm, 6 –10:30pm
🌐 Website: kinki.com.sg
🍴Halal: Not halal
04 • The Ushi Club
The Ushi Club is nestled within a narrow street lined with restaurants, so don’t blink lest you miss this incredible hidden gem. A haven for beef lovers, the menu is a celebration of exquisite cuts of meat and a dream come true for yakiniku fans.
A dish that's both a visual and culinary delight is the Raw Beef Tartare. The finely sliced, melt-in-your-mouth beef is seasoned with a unique blend of spices and served with an egg yolk on top. Mix it all for a smooth and velvety texture that’ll keep you dreaming about it for days after.
📍 Address: 64 Circular Road, #01-01, Singapore 049418
📞 Phone: 6423 9060
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Sat, 6:00pm – 11:00pm
🌐 Website: reserve.toreta.in/ushiclub
🍴Halal: Not halal
05 • Tora Tora Tora
If you're craving fresh seafood and a great selection of sake, head to Tora Tora Tora. This cosy seafood and sake bar offers a wide variety of fresh sashimi and other seafood dishes.
You can’t go wrong with their Kaisen Sashimi Don, which is a vibrant bowl brimming with an assortment of the freshest seafood flown in from Japan. Each slice of sashimi is firm yet tender, tasting clean and sweet against the vinegared rice.
📍 Address: 62 Ubi Road, Oxley Bizhub 2, Rooftop, Level #11-19, Singapore 408734
📞 Phone: 9852 9148
⏰ Opening hours: Sun to Thu, 11:30pm – 2:30pm, 6:00pm – 11:30pm | Fri and Sat, 11:30pm – 2:30pm, 6:00pm – 1:00am
🌐 Website: toratoratora.sg
🍴Halal: Not halal
06 • Ka-EN Grill & Sushi Bar
Ka-EN is a great spot to hit up for a satisfying Japanese meal when you need to unwind. Their menu features a wide variety of grilled items and fresh sushi, all made with quality ingredients. There’s also a comprehensive list of sake.
For a truly indulgent experience, order the Roast Wagyu with Ikura Don. The tender and juicy slices of roasted Wagyu are draped over a bowl of rice and topped with glistening pearls of ikura. Each spoonful offers a mix of rich, meaty flavour and a burst of salty goodness from the salmon roe.
📍 Address: 15 Stamford Road, #01-82 Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, Singapore 178906
📞 Phone: 6284 3788
⏰ Opening hours: Sun to Thu, 11:00am – 10:00pm | Fri and Sat, 11:00am – 12:00am
🌐 Website: ka-en.com.sg
🍴Halal: Not halal
07 • Nozomi
Nozomi translates to “hope” in English and that’s exactly what this restaurant aims to do. Crafted by a team of seasoned Japanese chefs, their menu seeks to bring hope and harmony to people through food.
Something you can order is their signature Special Chirashi, which is an impressive platter featuring 9 different types of seasonal sashimi, including otoro, amaebi, and Hokkaido uni. Each piece of sashimi promises exceptional quality, melting in your mouth with an explosion of flavor and freshness.
📍Address: 1 Vista Exchange Green the Star Vista #02-20 Singapore 138617. See other locations
📞 Phone: 9759 3622
⏰ Opening hours: Mon, 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:00pm – 9:00pm | Tue to Fri, 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:00pm – 9:30pm | Sat, 11:30am – 9:30pm | Sun, 11:30am – 9:00pm
🌐 Website: nozomi.sg
🍴Halal: Not halal
08 • Sanpoutei Ramen
Sanpoutei Ramen is a must-visit for any ramen aficionado. Their signature dish is the Niigata Shoyu Ramen, which is based on a recipe that’s been attracting hungry diners since the restaurant's founding in 1967.
The soup is made from a combination of a 6-hour stewed broth of vegetables, chicken, and pork bone, along with a flavourful fish stock made from 2 types of dried sardines imported from Japan. The homemade noodles are fresh and have a firm and springy texture that leave you with a satiated feeling. The broth is clear, delicate, and has a clean umami flavour.
This classic bowl also comes with tender slices of Aburi Chashu, a perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg, and crunchy chye sim, which provides a nice contrast to the silky noodles.
📍 Address: 253 Holland Avenue #01-01, Singapore 278982. See other locations
📞 Phone: 6463 7277
⏰ Opening hours: Sun to Thu, 11:30am – 9:30pm | Fri and Sat, 11:30am – 10pm
🌐 Website: sanpoutei.sg
🍴Halal: Not halal
09 • Yakiniku Like
This is the perfect spot for a solo dining experience. Yakiniku Like is all about casual, convenient, and affordable yakiniku.
The Karubi and Harami Set is a popular choice, offering a delicious mix of beef short plate and skirt steak. The Karubi, or short ribs, are succulent and packed with flavour. The Harami, or skirt steak, is a lean and flavourful cut that's a delight to grill.
The set comes with rice, kimchi, and seaweed soup, providing a satisfying and complete meal.
📍 Address: 3155 Commonwealth Avenue W, #05-35/36/37, Singapore 129588. See other locations
📞 Phone: 6974 9956
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: yakinikulike-home.qbe.ee
🍴Halal: Not halal
10 • Mensho Tokyo SG
Mensho Tokyo is a premium ramen restaurant that has gathered a global following. After tasting their ramen, I completely understand the hype.
The Garlic Ramen, also known as Garlic Knockout, is a must-try for garlic lovers. It comes with house-made wavy noodles in a rich and creamy chicken broth. The broth is infused with 5 different forms of garlic: fresh, roasted, chips, flakes, and blackened garlic oil. The result is a bold, rich, and aromatic burst of taste.
For a side dish, the Enoki Chips are a popular choice. These deep-fried enoki mushrooms are crispy with no oily aftertaste, making them a great snack to pair with your ramen.
📍 Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #03-43 Raffles City, Singapore 179103
📞 Phone: 8380 8467
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 9pm daily
🌐 Website: facebook.com/menshotokyosg
🍴Halal: Not halal
(Featured photo adapted from: Japan Center, Tokyo Cheapo, and Wander Eat Write)
