20 Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore | Best of Food 2023

Fancy some sushi? How about sashimi, omakase, and sake? Or maybe you’d like some wagyu beef? Other than buffets, Japanese cuisine is undoubtedly one of the most popular in Singapore. In that case, before booking a reservation, please take note first of the COVID-19 restrictions at the moment and be informed of the MOH guidelines in Singapore. With an extensive variety of Japanese food in the market, which then is the best Japanese restaurant in Singapore? In our Best of Food series, we introduce the 20 Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore, providing quality recommendations based on your lifestyle and budget needs.

This article was last updated on 15 March 2023.

Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore

1. The Sushi Bar

Indulge in the exquisite dishes served here at The Sushi Bar. This restaurant is one of your best options for authentic Japanese food, serving standard dishes such as donburi, sashimi, sushi, and Japanese-style pasta.

The Sushi Bar’s goal is to serve fine food in a relaxed, unpretentious setting: A carefully curated special menu of constantly changing food items, as well as a wide selection of some common and rare Japanese Sake and Whiskey, round out the experience. They believe in providing diners with food that is good value for money.

2. Teppei Japanese Restaurant

Teppei, located on the ground floor of the Orchid Hotel, is one of the best places to satisfy your Japanese food cravings. This restaurant, known for its affordable dishes, has gained a large following among both regular and new customers.

Chef Yamashita, a lively chef who enjoys cooking for his customers, creates all of the dishes on the menu himself. Having lived in Singapore since 2006, he attempts to reimagine Singaporean cuisine for his menu. From omakase set dinners to bara chirashi lunch bowls, the restaurant’s extensive menu reflects the restaurant’s efforts to satisfy every palate. If you want to treat yourself or take your loved one out to eat, the omakase at Teppei Japanese Restaurant should be at the top of your list! 

3. Shukuu Izakaya 

Founded by four lifelong friends, each with different skills and a mutual love for all things Japanese, Shukuu Izakaya is a sensorial Izakaya adventure right at your doorstep. Shukuu Izakaya takes great pride in this title, so much so that it appears directly beneath their name on their website. The owners are certified sake sommeliers who have made it their mission to spread love and awareness for the underappreciated Japanese spirit in this part of the world. 

Shukuu’s menu, which includes more than 90 different types of tapas-style Japanese goodness, is proof of the owners and staff’s hard work and dedication to providing a total izakaya experience. You’ll be pleased to know that the dishes are also reasonably priced! 

4. Omoté

Inspired by flavours from around the world, Omoté creates dishes that marry Japanese cuisine with contemporary accents. Every menu is thoughtfully curated to form imagery that is meant to delight the senses while broadening the horizons of fusion flavours. With Omoté’s extensive menu offerings, it’s no surprise that there’s always a steady stream of diners coming in and out of the restaurant. There is something for everyone here. From raw to cooked, rice to noodles, they have it all!

5. Shinji by Kanesaka

The Shinji by Kanesaka is an extension of 1 Michelin-starred Chef Shinji Kanesaka’s Edo-style sushi restaurant, which first opened in Tokyo’s exclusive Ginza district. The deep philosophy underlying their endeavour is simply a passionate desire to share an appreciation for age-old Japanese culinary traditions without jeopardizing their integrity.

A native Japanese team of artisan chefs features and expertly executes an omakase menu (a menu selection entrusted entirely to the chef). The restaurant’s Okami-san, which ensures that restaurant guests are well-cared for, further embodies the Japanese fine dining experience. Shinji by Kanesaka is Chef Kanesaka’s first venture outside of Japan, and it honours the same prodigious quality that has made him a celebrated figure in the culinary world.

6. Fat Cow

If you’re looking for the best-tasting and finest Wagyu in Singapore, then look no further because there is only one place to go: Fat Cow. It is one of the island’s most well-known Wagyu restaurants. Fat Cow’s setting may be simple and minimalist, but its menu is one of the finest and most upscale of any Japanese restaurant we’ve ever visited. It primarily serves handpicked Wagyu beef sourced only from the world’s most reputable farms. This Japanese restaurant takes pride in its Wagyu beef offerings, which allow diners to select their preferred beef and preparation style. Sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, robatayaki, and sukiyaki are some of the ways to prepare it (which is the most popular). Fat Cow has different menu options including lunch, a la carte, dinner, desserts, and even sakes so you have a variety of meals to choose from. 

7. Sen of Japan

The Sen of Japan is a contemporary Japanese restaurant and bar that serves traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. With the concept of freshness or “Sen” in mind, their menu features well-flavorful creations made with a medley of fine Japanese ingredients curated by Nakano Hiromi, former head chef at the highly acclaimed NOBU Las Vegas. With one of the most extensive sake menus in Singapore, Sen has a large selection of sake and a sweetness-dryness guide to help you choose the best pairing for your meal.

8. Monster Curry (NEX)

Known for its delicious curry demi-glace, the food Monster Curry at the NEX mall is a must-try if you are in Serangoon Central. Their demi-glace is the result of the rigorous 2-day cooking process of 14 different vegetables and spices. If you prefer spicy food with a kick, then you will definitely love their special chilli sauce with 5 levels of spiciness.

Their well-known dishes consist of exquisite curry meals from katsu and seafood curries to curry ramen. Moreover, guests can enjoy the restaurant’s original curry with classics, such as cheese omelette curry and teriyaki chicken curry, as well as ramen curries. There are also combo curries that combine different meats and seafood to make a single filling dish. Alongside curry meals, the restaurant has a selection of pasta dishes, burgers, and pizzas on its menu. To cap off your meal, you can try their honeyed toast with various syrups and topped with Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream.

If you want curry while out and exploring the island, then you can visit their ION Orchard, Bugis, Jurong Point, Tampines 1, VivoCity, and Waterway Point locations.

9. Yamato Izakaya Japanese Restaurant

The Yamato Izakaya is a unique Japanese Restaurant because it hosts multiple dining establishments under one roof. These restaurants offer an exciting adventure in Japanese cuisine.

You can begin a meal with starters like edamame or steamed eggs. Afterwards, have a look at their diverse selection of classic Japanese mains from sushi to ramen to deep-fried delicacies. This also includes rice meals that are accompanied by premium wagyu or delicious seafood. If you are up for fresh and meticulously prepared sashimi, then you must also try their triple salmon set or grab a bite of their premium moriawase with the chef’s selection of premium sashimi. To accompany your meal, they also have several drinks and desserts for guests to choose from!

10. The Ramen Stall

Looking for some filling and savoury ramen? The Ramen Stall provides Halal-certified and mouth-watering bowls of ramen as well as other delicious Japanese food. Whether you prefer dry or wet ramen, each of their bowls will have you wanting more. Their ramen choices include chicken and beef bowls as well as a vegetarian option. Aside from ramen, you can also try their bento meals and healthy rice bowls. For those that like spicy food, they have both ramen and yakisoba dishes seasoned with mala. Moreover, the restaurant has sushi and sashimi that are prepared with only the freshest ingredients. 

11. The Ramen House

Open from dusk till dawn, The Ramen House is a perfect place for those late-night ramen cravings. Guests can choose from appetizers and mains made from fresh seafood, meat, and vegetables. Indulge in their savoury ramen bowls or have a bite from fresh plates of sushi. Additionally, they have large sashimi sets that are ideal for groups of up to 5 people. You can also enjoy vegetarian dishes such as stir-fried mushrooms with asparagus and vegetable tempura. Furthermore, their menu has several barbecue options as well as kushiyaki skewers that will be an ideal side dish for your meal.

12. Colony

Located within the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the Colony restaurant serves a variety of dishes ranging from Asian to Western cuisines. Here, guests can enjoy single servings of local favourites as well as their Indian and Western specialities. In addition to their a la carte menu, the restaurant has several regular and limited buffet menus filled with must-try food. If you are looking for some fresh and tasty sashimi, then we suggest reserving a table for dinner time from Thursday to Sunday. This is because of their dinner buffets with an assortment of Asian dishes such as sashimi platters, roasted meats, and several other culinary delights.

13. Tomo Izakaya (Clarke Quay)

One of the leading izakaya-style Japanese restaurants in Singapore, the Tomo Izakaya at Clarke Quay is one of the best places for authentic Japanese food. The restaurant is an ideal location for events and parties. With comfortable are both indoors and outdoors, you and other guests can unwind while enjoying the food that the restaurant has to offer. Whether your preference lies in fresh, fried, or grilled food, this restaurant will have the right dish for you! Guests can choose from numerous meat-based and fish-based Japanese food from sushi rolls to rice meals. Several of their meat skewers also go along great with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. 

14. Uya 四代目菊川 Japanese Unagi Restaurant

At the Uya 四代目菊川 Japanese Unagi Restaurant, you can get authentic Japanese unagi cuisine at an affordable price! The eels used for their dishes are expertly selected based on colour, plumpness, and tenderness. These eels are accompanied by a special sauce made from a 4-generation secret family recipe that originated from Japan. Aside from individual plates, their menu also has set meal sets that contain eel dishes paired with other premium ingredients as well as classic dishes. Some of their set items are sea urchin and wagyu rice bowls and unagi rice bowls with a mix of vegetables. 

15. Kinki Restaurant

Make lunches and dinners a gourmet experience when dining at the Kinki Restaurant. Have a taste of classic dishes such as fresh sashimi, rolls of sushi, and various dons. In addition to traditional Japanese cuisine, they also have signature dishes like Cowabunga which has A-4 wagyu, beef slices, vegetables, and homemade spicy mayo and soy reduction. You can also check out their all-star meal set where you can choose from the best dishes they have to offer. Furthermore, the restaurant has a rooftop bar where guests can unwind order light meals and drinks. Their bar menu holds a selection of traditional Japanese sake and wines as well as original cocktail blends. 

16. KOMA Singapore

If you are out and exploring the Marina Bay Sands, then you should definitely grab a bite at KOMA Singapore. This authentic Japanese restaurant offers 2 to 3-course meals, as well as a la carte options for sharing, for both lunch and dinner. These meals contain premium ingredients, such as A-5 wagyu beef, and are meticulously prepared by their talented chefs. You should also check out their limited special menus such as their Miyazaki special which contains cuisine inspired by the Miyazaki prefecture. With ingredients imported from the prefecture, they present guests with dishes like sea urchin udon and hamo eel and mushroom yaki as well as a complete sampler course.

17. Torasho Ramen & Charcoal Bar

Serves the most delicious Tsukemen Broth

Torso Ramen & Charcoal Bar is known as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Singapore that serves the most delectable Tsukemen broths with the perfect ratio of tonkotsu and seafood broths in a bowl. The restaurant has an open kitchen that lets you see the magic behind the scenes as they prepare your mouthwatering food. The ambience is laid back and relaxed so you won’t feel left out whether you are coming into either office or gym clothes. Torso Ramen & Charcoal Bar’s menu varies from dry ramen to dipping ramen and more.

If you are into Truffle dishes, you’ll love this Japanese restaurant’s umami bomb of flavours such as Truffle Wagyu Ramen, Truffle Tonkotsu and even snacks like Truffle Edamame. The restaurant is open from lunch and dinner all week so if you are near Tanjong Pagar, give it try. 

18. Atrium Restaurant

Whether you are staying at or visiting the Holiday Inn hotel, you must not miss out on dining at the Atrium Restaurant. As a Halal-certified restaurant, they make sure that all guests can enjoy their food to the fullest. Choose from classic a la carte dishes that include Asian and Western cuisines. The restaurant also has signature dishes such as their wagyu beef charcoal bun burger and nasi goreng istimewa. Furthermore, guests can opt for their affordable buffet options such as the restaurant’s Halal-certified buffet, lunch buffet, and Taiwanese-themed buffet.

19. Bincho at Hua Bee

Best Japanese Yakitori restaurant 

Inspired by a Yakitori-ya in Osaka, Bincho at Hua Bee offers the best all-in-one Japanese yakitori restaurant in Singapore by Chef Asai Masashi. The restaurant has a funky vibe and serves the best produce of the season as featured on the menu. The menu is inspired by the 24-micro seasons in Japan so get ready for a smokey experience with this top Japanese restaurant in Singapore. Some of Bincho’s must-try foods are Yakitory Dishes (chicken parts), Stuffed Mentaiko Wings and Miyazaki Style Grilled Chicken Necks. You can find this famed Japanese yakitori restaurant discreetly tucked away in Tiong Bahru. 

20. Wheeler’s Yard

The Wheeler’s Yard is a bicycle-themed restaurant where you can grab a hearty meal or unwind by yourself or with a group of friends. The large space inside the restaurant lets guests soak up the relaxing ambience while dining on local favourites and fusion dishes. Check out signature dishes like their chilli crab pasta as well as classic meals like miso pork belly bowl. For a true pampering experience, do also take a look at their premium selection of wagyu dishes. Their A4-grade wagyu beef can be served with a side of grilled eggplant and asparagus or in a rice bowl and drizzled with homemade suki and yakiniku sauce. 

We hope that our guide on the 20 Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore has helped you to choose the best Japanese restaurant in Singapore for your Japanese food cravings. Please share this with your family and friends if you have found it useful.

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