Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore
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Oishi! Our Top 20 Japanese Restaurants in Singapore

You don’t have to fly over to Japan to get a taste of authentic Japanese meals. There’s no shortage of Japanese restaurants in Singapore, and we’ve narrowed it down to some of the best the city offers, from sushi to omakase-style dining.

How We Picked

We assessed the best Japanese restaurants in Singapore based on the following criteria:

Value for Money: Some Japanese restaurants offer premium dishes at varying price points. We considered listings that offer great value for money, whether for sushi or fine dining.
Menu Diversity: Japanese food is diverse, and quality consistency is a crucial element to retaining the cuisine’s status in the food world. We gathered listings that offer great menu diversity and even seasonal offerings.
Crowd Level: Japanese restaurants are abundant in Singapore, and the best ones are regularly visited. We considered the crowd levels, ambience, and dining spaces of our listings.
Customer Service: Excellent customer service is tantamount in Japanese restaurants. We gathered listings that are known for their friendly staff members, ease of booking, and efficient service. 

Our Picks

Japanese Restaurant Type Our Pick
Best for OmakaseHakumai
Best for Yakitori  Izakaya Hikari
Best for YakinikuThe Gyu Bar
Best TeppanyakiMikuni
Best SushiGinza Sushi Ichi

Omakase

1. Hakumai

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHHakumai Signature Omakase
PRICE$268++ per head
ADDRESS10 Anson Rd, #01-50A International Plaza, Singapore 079903
WEBSITEhttp://www.hakumai.com.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS +6562244790 
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, 6:15 pm to 9:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

“Leave it to the chef” is the tagline of Hakumai, an omakase Japanese restaurant in Singapore that both locals and tourists rave about. 

We had the pleasure of celebrating a birthday here before, which is why it didn’t escape us for one minute to splurge on Hakumai’s signature dishes. 

One of Hakumai’s highlights is its diverse “omakase-only” menu items that Chef Gary Ng specially curates. The traditional yet refreshing take on Japanese food is deserving of praise from the restaurant’s loyal customers (like us!). 

It’s one of the reasons why dining here is best saved for special occasions and birthdays. Our orders came out in big portions, which is always appreciated. 

Although omakase-style restaurants are best experienced in person, we wish that some of the signature dishes could be available for delivery. 

That way, loyal customers like us can skip the lines and enjoy excellent Japanese food right from the comfort of our own homes. 

The restaurant’s signature dishes are also only available for dinner, which starts after a four-hour break in the afternoon. It’s best to get there before dinner starts, as lines tend to get long here!  

Must-Try Dish: Hakumai Signature Omakase

Price: $268++ per head

Pros

  • Great course diversity
  • Generous portions
  • Best for birthdays and special occasions

Cons

  • Long break
  • No delivery available

Customer Reviews

Best for special occasions

“Had their signature omakase meal for a birthday dinner. Each dish tasted different (different textures etc.) and were really nice – a very well curated menu and Chef Gary is nice). Do come with a very empty stomach as i was already full mid way through the courses 😂”—Juneeta G, Google Reviews

Generous portions

“Food is awesome, fresh, and you’re curious as to what is coming next. Had the Omakase special. Portion is generous and I almost couldn’t finish. Enjoyed sitting at the counter being engaged by Chef Gary. Will come back for more!”—Alvin Chua, Google Reviews

2. Ginza Sushi Ichi

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHOmakase Menu
PRICE$450++ per head
ADDRESS320 Orchard Rd, #01-04 Weddings at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, Singapore 238865
WEBSITEhttp://www.ginza-sushiichi.jp/english/shop/singapore.html
CONTACT DETAILS+6562355514
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday, 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

Ginza Sushi Ichi’s Michelin-starred reputation keeps us, Japanese food lovers, on its growing list of loyal guests. This place vows to serve only the best and freshest dishes—which is expected of an award-winning Japanese restaurant. 

We definitely didn’t want to miss out on the restaurant’s curated menu for this review! 

To make the most out of the experience, we highly suggest trying Ginza Sushi Ichi’s Omakase Menu which is personally customised by the head chef. 

Dishes are made with seasonal ingredients, so you can expect them to be fresh and delicious (of course, we had high expectations during our visit, especially for the price we were paying to dine here). 

Getting a seat at the table requires patience, as the limited seating policy retains exclusivity. We had to book our seats a few days in advance, and to our dismay, the staff member who picked up our calls could be a little nicer to accommodate us. 

Dining here was worth the wait, though, save for the customer service that didn’t meet our expectations. 

Pros

  • Michelin-starred restaurant
  • Customisable omakase menu

Cons

  • Limited seating
  • Customer service needs improvement

Customer Reviews

Worth every cent of its price

“Great omakase experience at Ginza Sushi Ichi! Both the wait staff and the chef are superb and makes you feel right at home. Besides great service, the food was amazing too! The charcoal grilled otoro literally melts in the mouth and taste absolutely heavenly. The uni and ikura were super delicious and fresh. All the sushi and sashimi were extremely fresh and delicious.”—Kai Ren Tay, Google Reviews

Great dining experience

“Had Botan lunch menu. Good combination of sashimi, sushi and cooked dishes. Quality is fantastic. Great dining experience. Thank you Chef Takeshi and Justea.”—Ben Tan, Google Reviews

Teppanyaki

3. Tatsu

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHWagyu Dinner Course
PRICE$128++ per head
ADDRESS30 Victoria St, #01-08 CHIJMES, Singapore 187996
WEBSITEhttp://www.tatsu.com.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS+6563325868
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

Searching for a Wagyu teppanyaki dinner experience that won’t break the bank? Tatsu’s Wagyu Dinner Course may just be the Japanese food you’re looking for. 

We first heard about Tatsu from a friend who regularly dines here. He raved about the ambience, meat quality, and overall customer service, so we couldn’t wait to try it out for ourselves. 

Tatsu specialises in teppanyaki and has lively and friendly chefs who work the stations with great skill. The servers are equally friendly and attentive, which is a huge plus for us (especially because they were very entertaining!). 

Since Tatsu is quite known in the city, strict dining time limits are in place to prevent long waiting times. To us, it seemed like the pressure to serve as many customers in a day affected the food quality in the end. 

We felt that we had to rush through all that we ordered and were left with little time to enjoy the whole experience together. 

While the chefs sometimes rush the course, dining here during off-peak hours offers a pleasant Japanese food experience that every food lover on a budget should try.

At least the servers were nice and polite. They attended to our every need and refilled our glasses with water without us having to ask!  

Pros

  • Attentive servers
  • Affordable Wagyu teppanyaki

Cons

  • Strict time limit
  • Inconsistent food quality

Customer Reviews

A feast for the senses

“Food really yummy. Very funny chef. Celebrating birthday and chef performed a ‘fire performance’ for beef tenderloin and ‘beating heart’ fried rice. Really entertaining. Service staff a little intimidating with repeated up-selling. Cosy place. Limited seating. Overall still a very wonderful experience.”—Thomas Cheah, Google Reviews

Impeccable service

“Service is impeccable! The servers waited patiently as we go through their extensive menu albeit the restaurant was fully booked. Ambience was cozy, great dine in and chill out place. Dinner was great. Every item we ordered were cooked to perfection. Especially the waygu which i request for medium well”—Happy, Google Reviews

4. Teppan-Ya

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHTeppan Kaiseki Course (Japanese Prime Wagyu)
PRICE$238++ per head
ADDRESS5 Raffles Ave., Floor 3 Mandarin Oriental, Singapore 039797
WEBSITEhttps://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/singapore/marina-bay/dine/teppan-ya
CONTACT DETAILS+6568853595
OPERATING HOURSTuesday to Sunday, 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

So, we decided to go a little fancier for our next visit—and don’t blame us, we think we all deserve to indulge in a bit of luxury now and then, especially when we have expensive taste! 

The Mandarin Oriental’s Teppan-Ya is one of the best places to experience teppanyaki in Singapore. 

It’s a more fine-dining experience with steeper price points, but the views of Marina Bay and excellent service justify the cost. 

We definitely took a lot of photos that evening. Plus, we felt that the views and tasteful ambience set the mood just right for a hearty dinner. 

It’s always thrilling to watch skilful chefs do their magic behind teppanyaki tables. But for the price points, Teppan-Ya’s portion sizes are a bit smaller than other Japanese restaurants. 

There’s an a la carte menu available for guests who want appetisers or lighter meals than a full teppanyaki course. 

We still went for the full-blown course but also added a few appetisers to tease our palate for the night. 

We suggest pairing your Japanese Wagyu with a light appetiser or drink from the menu. 

The servers were knowledgeable about what wine pairs well with the restaurant’s signature dishes, so we highly suggest asking them for their help (they didn’t disappoint us!).

Five Japanese dishes with salmon, shrimp tempura, side salad, and garnish
(From Teppan-Ya)

Pros

  • Great views of Marina Bay
  • Fine-dining atmosphere

Cons

  • Small portion sizes
  • Pricey menu items

Customer Reviews

Beautiful showmanship

“Lovely dinner experience from my love 💓! Great service and wonderful food… beautiful showmanship by Chef”—Archer Wee, Google Reviews

Comfy vibe and hospitality

“Amazing hospitality, vibes and food. You get a lot more in experience and in quality than what you are paying for! We sat at the Teppan counter with the view of the city which truly added to the experience. The chef was chatty and informative, and did justice to everything we ordered! The Wagyu was absolutely fantastic and was marbled well.. The unfiltered Sake hit the spot right and ofcourse there is this feeling of entering a comfortable coccoon as soon as you walk into the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental!”—Rahul Bhade, Google Reviews

Japanese Buffet

5. Mistuba

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISH Premium Buffet 
PRICE$99++ per head
ADDRESS6 Eu Tong Sen St, #03-88 Clarke Quay Central, Singapore 059817
WEBSITEhttp://www.mitsuba.com.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS+6562270388
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

At Mitsuba, you can fill your stomach with dozens of sushi and tendon dishes until you drop! We ordered quite a lot during our visit here, and safe to say, we were stuffed!

Free-flowing beer is available for refreshments, making this Japanese buffet restaurant a top spot for food lovers like us. 

We made sure not to chug too many drinks at a time though because we needed room for the main dishes. 

With views overlooking Clarke Quay and fresh seafood daily, Mitsuba is a solid Japanese restaurant for special occasions and celebrations. 

We didn’t dine here to celebrate anything special, and we found the ambience and chill atmosphere make it a great spot for us, casual dinners. 

Just make sure to book a table in advance, as tables are usually fully booked here. We were lucky to even get a table on a busy Friday evening. 

Customer service can be a bit slow due to the influx of guests, but the wait was pretty worth it! 

A plate of assorted grilled meat, prawns, steak, and sides
(Photo from Mitsuba)

Pros

  • Diverse buffet spread
  • Includes free-flowing beer

Cons

  • Customer service needs improvement
  • Usually fully booked

Customer Reviews

Exceptional value for money

“One of the best Japanese restaurant in Singapore – exceptional value for a buffet includes everything – great tasting dishes, super fresh seafood and great friendly service in a lovely cost setting overlooking Clarke quay. A definite must try place!”—Matt C, Google Reviews

Generous portions

“Awesome ambient and buffet food! The quality of the sashimi is quite good with generous thickness! Just do some reservations and all will be good, as it tends to get full house!”—Essper Tan, Google Reviews

6. Kumo Japanese Dining

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHBuffet Set
PRICEStarting from $48.50++ per head
ADDRESS321 Alexandra Rd, #01-08/09 Alexandra Central, Singapore 159971
WEBSITEhttps://kumo-japanese-dining.business.site/?m=true
CONTACT DETAILS+6583441278
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

If you’re a sashimi lover, then Kumo Japanese Dining’s seafood buffet spread might just be your cup of tea. 

As expected from a known Japanese buffet restaurant, tables tend to be fully booked, and the high influx of customers often leads to slow customer service. 

We got here just in time for our lunch reservation, so the whole place was pretty packed with people.

Food-wise, we were very happy with the portions and quality. Each cut was fresh and thick, with dozens of other side dishes to pair our chosen meals with. 

To be fair, there were a lot of choices on the menu, so we asked for recommendations from the servers. Our lunch here also wasn’t very expensive, much to our delight because we knew we’d be ordering a lot!

Even better, Kumo offers frequent promotions for its diners. You can follow them on social media or give them a call about any ongoing promotions you can take advantage of. 

Too bad we didn’t hear about the promotion when we dined here, so make sure to check out their pages!

If you don’t mind the wait, we highly recommend giving Kumo Japanese Dining a try!

Assorted plates of seafood, egg custard, tempura, and fish
(From Kumo Japanese Dining)

Pros

  • Frequent promotions
  • Diverse buffet spread

Cons

  • Customer service needs improvement
  • Usually fully booked

Customer Reviews

Just the right amount of Japanese food

“A worth it buffet if you are a sashimi lover. Theirs is fresh and came with thick cuts. Though their variety is lesser but it quite enough to enjoy some of your favourite Japanese typical food. At least all their fried stuff came hot and crispy.”—Peifa Zhou, Google Reviews

Fresh seafood cuts

“Great experience at Kumo , fresh sashimi and very nice tempura as well. Sushi options and handroll are also superb. Thank you for preparing the sushi cake as well as we are there to celebrate birthday. Looking to return again soon for another feast.”—OJH, Google Reviews

Japanese BBQ

7. The Gyu Bar

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHYakiniku Wagyu Foie Gras Bento
PRICE$58++ per serving
ADDRESS30, #01-08 Stevens Rd, Singapore 257840
WEBSITEhttps://www.thegyubar.com.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS+6567320702
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

To set the ambience bar a little higher this time, we decided to visit The Gyu Bar. We heard rave reviews about the Japanese restaurant’s elegant setting and crowd-pleasing food, so we definitely didn’t want to miss out on the hype. 

The Gyu Bar’s elegant setting makes it an excellent choice for dining with friends, family, and colleagues. It’s a contemporary yakiniku restaurant that provides diners with a gourmet dining experience.

In line with that, it surely isn’t a budget-friendly Japanese restaurant, with meal seats that cost about $30 to $50. 

Honestly, we knew what we were getting into when we booked a reservation here, but for those trying it out for the first time, expect to pay a little more than usual for a dinner. 

Delivery tends to be slow too, as each order is prepared with care. The food quality still remains unrivalled, though!

The Gyu Bar’s menu showcases their prime pride—premium Wa-Oh Japanese beef—which you can explore in different rare cuts, flavours, and textures. Every cow is raised in a stress-free environment and fed mainly vegetables.

We liked the responsible touch from The Gyu Bar. The food quality exceeded our expectations, so that’s a two-thumbs-up from us!

All in all, for its premium meat selection alone, it’s enough for us to call it one of the best Japanese BBQ restaurants in Singapore.

A bento box filled with Japanese wagyu, vegetables, and garnish
(From The Gyu Bar)

Pros

  • Premium meat selection
  • Sustainably sourced meat

Cons

  • Pricey menu items
  • Delivery speed needs improvement

Customer Reviews

Meat cooked to perfection

“My second visit here. The choices of cut of beef never disappoint and they are cooked to perfection in the kitchen before they are served to you. Price is very reasonable for the quality. Pork and prawn are equally awesome.”—Shane CPS, Google Reviews

Tasteful interiors

“Wide selection of beef. The olive one especially has a unique taste. The sukiyaki is delicious. Tasteful decor and friendly atmosphere.”—Omar Shoman, Google Reviews

8. Tampopo

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHCharcoal Grill Unagi and Mini Pork Katsu Bento
PRICE$15.80 per serving
ADDRESS391B Orchard Rd, #B2 - 33 Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872
WEBSITEhttp://www.tampopo.com.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS+6562352318
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 8:45 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

Tampopo sources seafood and other ingredients for yakiniku fresh from Japan. Customers can then enjoy these ingredients either in their raw forms with sashimi and shabu options or in refined Japanese dishes like udon and sushi.

The owner of this restaurant is even a part of one of the longest-running sake breweries in Japan. So we expected nothing but the highest quality of ingredients and products when we dined here for the first time. 

All of these delicious meals are even available for takeaway and delivery. Those who can’t visit any of Tampopo’s locations can simply order online, but free delivery is only available for orders above $200.

We tried the delivery option and we were happy with the food quality, prompt delivery, and portion sizes. Overall, we were very satisfied!

It’s also worth noting that Tampopo gets quickly fully booked, so it’s best to book a table a few days in advance. A representative was quick to respond to our booking concerns, so that’s a nice touch!

A Japanese bento with grilled meat, fish, and vegetables
(Photo from Tampopo)

Pros

  • Accessible locations
  • Fresh ingredients from Japan

Cons

  • Pricey minimum order value for free delivery
  • Usually fully booked

Customer Reviews

Good quality at decent prices

“One of the best Japanese restaurant chains around Singapore. Good quality at decent prices, they serve a wide variety of Japanese food items. My personal favourites are the ramen, katsu don and sushi rolls. Tempura is a great choice as well. Good for gatherings, but be sure to arrive early to avoid the queue.”—Deon Lim, Google Reviews

A taste of fresh Japanese food

“Good Japanese food here. We enjoyed our dinner here. Very good and fresh raw fish or “sashimi”, and other foods. Rather fast service and fairly priced.”—Suria Nataadmadja, Google Reviews

9. Yen Yakiniku

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHOyster Blade Japanese Wagyu A4
PRICE$68 per 100 grams
ADDRESS15 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069695
WEBSITEhttps://theyengroup.com.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS+6583600922
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

Yen Yakiniku has no shortage of the most premium beef cuts in Singapore. This was proven by our visit to the yakiniku restaurant—they really weren’t joking about the dozens of meat available for grilling! 

This yakiniku restaurant boasts the best meat and off-menu items that leave guests with lasting impressions. 

Some of the award-winning items we tried were the pork jowl, oyster blade, and ox tongue. The Yen specialities were the main highlights of our whole dinner!

Given the food quality here, it’s quite expensive to dine at Yen Yakiniku. But for the premium meat and attentive service, it’s worth every penny you spend. 

Our servers were very friendly, polite, and quick on their feet. 

Moreover, the ambience also speaks volumes about the premium you’re paying for. It was quiet and elegant enough for a romantic dinner date for two!

That said, only dinner is served here. Lunch hours are not available, which could upset some guests who prefer Japanese food earlier in the day.

Pros

  • Premium meat cuts
  • Classy restaurant ambience

Cons

  • No lunch hours
  • Pricey menu items

Customer Reviews

You get what you pay for

“The food was exceptional. You do pay for the quality so don’t expect it to be cheap. Our bill was 260 sgd per person and it was definitely worth it. It has bar seats only and it’s great to see the chef’s cook right in front of you. if you want your out of town guests to have an outstanding meal, go here.”—SuperCashSG, Google Reviews

The best quality guaranteed

“Melty beefy goodness in your mouth that tastes like heaven! Was so worth the anticipation & every cent spent. Although the price is steep, you’re guaranteed quality in everything they serve. A very cosy restaurant so you’re well taken care of by their attentive and friendly staff.”—Fanny Elias See, Google Reviews

Sushi Restaurant

10. Sushi Jiro

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHJiro Special Set
PRICE$68 per order
ADDRESS2 Keppel Bay Vista #02-01 Marina At Keppel Bay, 2 Keppel Bay Vista, Singapore 098382
WEBSITEhttp://www.sushijiro.com/
CONTACT DETAILS+6562524333
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

We chose Sushi Jiro as one of our favourite Japanese restaurants for sushi in Singapore. Each dish we ordered came out fresh and carefully plated. 

We learned that Sushi Jiro flies handpicked ingredients from Japan at least four times a week to retain the freshness of its dishes (talk about dedication!).

To reserve a seat at the coveted tables, we filled out online reservation forms and only had to wait a few minutes before our seats were confirmed. 

In case you can’t make it to the restaurant, Sushi Jiro also has delivery and takeaway options so you can enjoy delicious sushi from the comfort of your home. 

For some, delivery services may be the best way to enjoy Sushi Jiro’s food, especially since we’ve heard and read numerous complaints about its quality of service. 

However, our servers were a little slow to attend to our needs and didn’t seem to have any recommendations when we asked about their best-sellers. 

To add to this setback, you should know that Sushi Jiro is also among the most expensive Japanese restaurants in the city.

Our dinner went a little over our budget, but for the fresh sushi we had, we think it was still money well spent. 

A complete Japanese lunch set with sushi, rice, meat, and soup
(From Sushi Jiro)

Pros

  • Air-flown ingredients from Japan
  • Excellent delivery system

Cons

  • Customer service needs improvement
  • Expensive meals

Customer Reviews

Excellent dining pacing

“TVery value for money as the quality of the fishes is very fresh. The sequence of eating the fishes make sure that the more over powering fishes are serve last so as to taste the freshness. Will definitely go back again.”—Gwee Jie Ying, Google Reviews

Only the freshest ingredients possible

“Very fresh ingredients. Most of all their items were clearly made from scratch. Good stuff. Abit pricey but u get a decent marina view if u take the counter seats.”—Hugh Kwan, Google Reviews

11. KOMA Singapore

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHSpicy Tuna Maki
PRICE$22 per order
ADDRESS2 Bayfront Ave, # B1 - 67 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972
WEBSITEhttps://komasingapore.com/
CONTACT DETAILS+6566888690
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 12:00 am

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

KOMA Singapore’s tasteful interiors and Asian fusion cuisine are a few of the many highlights worth noting about this nice Japanese restaurant. Our dining experience here was filled with good food, service, and a lot of fun. 

We immediately thought that KOMA is a great social hub for guests who like to stay up late, enjoying quality sushi and drinks. 

Thanks to its long operating hours and comfy yet sociable ambience, KOMA is an excellent venue for social gatherings and special occasions. 

We didn’t celebrate anything special that evening, but we noticed other guests taking up lots of tables to have dinner with their friends and family.

The food was expertly plated, almost treated like works of art by the chefs. 

Food aside, it’s not surprising that a unique restaurant concept, like that of KOMA, would enforce a strict dress code. 

While the website says to dress smart casual, it’s best to dress up a bit formally instead. We took a mental note of this policy before heading to the restaurant (and thank heavens we did.).  

Customer service is notably concerning for some past guests, but we think service speed depends on the crowd levels. 

It was relatively busy on the night of our reservation, so it was understandable that our servers took a while to attend to our table. 

Pros

  • Long operating hours
  • Excellent ambience and interiors

Cons

  • Strict dress code
  • Customer service needs improvement

Customer Reviews

Amazingly decorated interiors

“The atmosphere is just wonderful. One of a kind even in Singapore. High ceiling. Amazingly decorated. Magical is a close word since it kinda transports you to a part of Japan.”—Jacob, Google Reviews

One of a kind Japanese dining experience

“Super exotic, posh restaurant located in one of the best malls in the city. I knew about it, but the presence inside was too elegant. Food felt exotic, and special. The desserts are to die for. It was great experience. Highly recommended for a lavish lunch or dinner with a date or even to hang out with friends.”—Vivekananda Bheemisetty, Google Reviews

12. Koji Sushi Bar

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISH10-Course Omakase
PRICE$158++ per head
ADDRESS252 North Bridge Road 03-28A Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
WEBSITEhttp://www.kojisushi.com.sg/contact-us.php
CONTACT DETAILS+6580282658
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

Koji Sushi Bar first came to mind when we thought of dining somewhere that offered innovative and creative takes on Japanese food. 

This sushi restaurant has garnered the support of both locals and tourists for its impressive sushi creations and fresh seafood dishes. 

When we got there, we were impressed by the amiable ambience. The vibe and atmosphere only amplified the inviting aura inside Koji Sushi Bar. 

We ordered the omakase-style specials which we expected to come in small servings per course. 

Our favourites were the sashimi rice bowl, salmon and roe bowl, and Koji Sushi set. Everything in the course were fresh and tastefully plated.

There were slight inconsistencies with customer service and speed, unfortunately, but with the number of customers the staff serve daily, it was understandable. 

At least, the servers were nice to us when we asked for drink refills. They weren’t the most expressive bunch, but we appreciated the effort to give us a pleasant dining experience.

A sushi bar with three sushi chefs
(From Koji Sushi Bar – Raffles City)

Pros

  • Excellent ambience
  • Innovative and creative sushi platters

Cons

  • Serving size can improve
  • Customer service needs improvement

Customer Reviews

Unique sushi creations

“This is my first time to Koji and it was such an enjoyable experience. The ambience, service and food quality are all great. Impressed with the fresh ingredients. I can’t wait to come back for their omakase! there are many innovative dishes that are not commonly found at other Japanese restaurants. I’ll let the photo speak for itself!”—rik, Google Reviews

Thoughtful staff members

“Celebrated my son and grandson’s birthday at our favourite restaurant, Koji today.We loved the food and ambience and also the good service provided. Today Chef Leong created something special for the birthday boy which made him so happy. Thank you for the sweet gesture.”—Lilian Tan, Google Reviews

13. The Sushi Bar

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHAssorted Sushi Specials
PRICEStarting at $2.90++ per piece
ADDRESS17 Stanley St, Singapore 068736
WEBSITEhttp://www.thesushibar.com.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS+6596853535
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Friday, 11:30 am to 2:15 pm, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Saturday, 5:30 am to 9:30 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

We absolutely loved the mouthwatering yakitori and rice bowls of The Sushi Bar. We’ve visited this Japanese restaurant multiple times and their specials continue to wow guests, whether new or returning. 

The portion sizes were huge, and the dishes were plated beautifully. It took us a good 10 minutes to finalise our orders from the menu (there were so many options to choose from!). 

Ambience-wise, the dining area was pretty small but cosy. Dining here cost us a little more than expected, but our palates were satisfied (which justified the cost, in our honest opinion). 

You might want to book a table ahead of time as well, as The Sushi Bar tends to get fully booked quickly. 

Pros

  • Great portion sizes
  • Diverse menu range

Cons

  • Relatively pricey menu items
  • Usually fully booked

Customer Reviews

Consistent quality

“The food is great, simply put. The quality has been consistent through the other restaurants I have been. Thick cuts, very fresh fish, fast customer service. Pricing very reasonable.”—Lionel, Google Reviews

Best sashimi for its price

“Sashimi! Best sashimi for this level and price

New kids on the block but already very crowded at night, don’t forget to whatsapp them 1-2 days prior to secure a table.”—Vicky Tan, Google Reviews

Yakitori

14. Izakaya Hikari

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHAssorted Yakitori
PRICEInquire for price per piece
ADDRESS190 Middle Rd, #03-01 Fortune Centre, Singapore 188979
WEBSITEhttp://www.izakayahikari.com/
CONTACT DETAILS+6589213779
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Friday, 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Saturday, 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

Yakitori restaurants in Signapore, like Izakaya Hikari, are usually crowded. So, we made sure to book a table a few days before our visit here.

When we got to the restaurant, we saw the long queue and were instantly glad to have made the call to reserve a table. 

So many guests were willing to wait for a seat here, and after binging on the restaurant’s specials, we understood why!

Firstly, Izakaya Hikari’s dishes are affordable! Everything we ordered barely made a dent in our budget for that evening, and we were super happy about that. 

The casual ambience only amplified the cosiness and convivial atmosphere of the restaurant. It became known to us that Izakaya Hiakari would be a top spot for hangouts after work. 

The service here, though, was a bit slow. Lunch hours are unavailable on Saturdays, which we think could be a bummer for lots of people. 

We highly recommend lining up early to avoid big crowds or reserving a table beforehand. It’s also best to come here before or after peak hours, especially if you prefer a quiet dining experience.

Pros

  • Affordable yakitori dishes
  • Great ambience

Cons

  • No lunch hours on Saturdays
  • Slow service speed

Customer Reviews

Front-row seats to watch the chef in action

“Great food, great ambiance. Enjoyed the potato croquette, highballs and salmon sashimi. Staff were friendly. Sit by the bar so you can see the chef’s actions and what other people ordered :)”—Natasha Angeline, Google Reviews

Unique yakitori dishes

“Always one of my favourite go to places.

Food is unique – love the grilled sting ray which tastes like cuttlefish. And the Hikari crackers (the biscuit looking thingy).”—Rachel C, Google Reviews

15. Yakitori Yatagarasu

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHAssorted Makimono
PRICEStarting from $3 per skewer
ADDRESS72 Circular Rd, #01-01, Singapore 049426
WEBSITEhttps://yakitori-yatagarasu.business.site/
CONTACT DETAILS+6562217785
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Sunday, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

Yakitori Yatagarasu’s menu is quite simple, and it’s what makes it a good Japanese restaurant. You choose the meat you want on skewers, and the staff members will grill them to your liking.

We asked a server what they recommend from the menu, and to our delight, everything they told us to order were delicious! 

If you’re looking for a quaint yakitori restaurant that’s just right for solo or a group of friends, Yakitori Yatagarasu is a solid place to visit. 

Skewers are relatively affordable, and you have dozens to choose from. There are no lunch hours available though, so we suggest booking a seat for dinner in advance. 

Since skewers are grilled on the spot, it’s not surprising that service speed tends to be slow. In our opinion, the perfectly grilled meat is worth the wait. 

Assorted Japanese grilled meat on a grill
(From Yakitori Yatagarasu)

Pros

  • Affordable yakitori dishes
  • Best for solo dining

Cons

  • No lunch hours
  • Slow service speed

Customer Reviews

Local favourite

“Loved the experience at Yakitori Yatagarasu and definitely understand why many say that it’s worth visiting. We ordered a mix of chicken and pork belly skewers and felt that overall, the chicken was the highlight. We especially enjoyed the chicken tail and loved how juicy it was. Definitely coming back here once we manage to get a booking!”—LHL, Google Reviews

Friendly service

“Friendly wait staff and good recommendation of sake. The coriander salad blew us away, so simple yet so delicious. Clam soup was amazing too with an umami broth. The skewers are served as and when and was very yummy in general..”—A.C., Google Reviews

Japanese Fine Dining

16. Fat Cow

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHWagyu Omakase
PRICE$320++ per person
ADDRESS1 Orchard Blvd, #01-01/02 Camden Medical Centre, Singapore 248649
WEBSITEhttps://www.fatcow.com.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS+6567350308
OPERATING HOURSSunday to Thursday, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Friday to Saturday, 12:00 to 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

When it came to trying out the best-tasting and finest Wagyu in Singapore, there was only one place we thought of visiting: Fat Cow. 

We won’t be surprised if you’ve already heard of the Japanese restaurant before because frankly, it’s one of the most famous Wagyu restaurants on the island. 

Fat Cow offers different menu options, including a lunch set, a la carte meals, dinner course, desserts, and fine sakes. 

We dined to our hearts’ content here and enjoyed a bottle of sake to cap off the dining experience. 

Service took a while though, but we weren’t bored while waiting because the chefs were so friendly and engaging. Our conversations were filled with laughter (a huge plus for the free entertainment!). 

Obviously, this is a Japanese fine dining restaurant, so we can’t recommend it if you’re searching for a quick dining spot for a lunch break. With its menu and price, it’s more appropriate for romantic dates and special occasions.

Premium Japanese Wagyu on a gold plate
(From Fat Cow)

Pros

  • Premium Wagyu beef
  • Classy food presentations

Cons

  • Expensive 
  • Slow service speed

Customer Reviews

Top of the line meat quality

“Booking was simple and quick. Nearing to the date of the reservation, they will call, and confirm the reservation. Had a 1 for 1 deal, and it was worth it. The beef was fatty, and melts in the mouth. The truffle rice was delicious as well, where chunks of truffle were used. Every mouth of the rice, with the beef was delectable. Understand that it is pricey but the quality of the beef here is something one cannot find at other restaurants.”—Nathaniel Tan, Google Reviews

Fantastic Japanese fine dining experience

“Had an omakase meal and the overall experience was fantastic. The ambience of Fat Cow and the interior setup were great. Upon entering, you were warmly welcomed and ushered to your seats by the waiter/waitress. They were great at introducing and having small chats to make you comfortable.”—Amy Fu, Google Reviews

17. Rakuya

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISH Chef’s Customisation
PRICE$328++ per person
ADDRESS25 Mohamed Sultan Rd, Singapore 238969
WEBSITEhttp://rakuya.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS+6591896459
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

Rakuya is a restaurant that puts a fusion twist on classic Japanese cuisine, making it one of the most unique Japanese fine dining restaurants in Singapore.

Its unique take on Japanese cuisine is made possible through the brilliant mind of Chef Kenji, a chef with more than two decades of experience working at Japanese restaurants and hotels.

We didn’t waste any time booking a table here to try the critically-acclaimed meals. We had to wait five days before the restaurant confirmed our reservation, but it was worth the wait in the end. 

Another thing to know about Rakuya is that it frequently changes its menu to keep everything fresh, so every dining experience here will be a different one. 

We ordered the chef’s customisation menu for our first visit, and we highly recommend trying it on your next visit!

The menu included light appetisers, assorted sashimi, chawanmushi, Kobe Wagyu beef, premium sushi, and a dessert. 

Seats are often fully booked and delivery services are unavailable, so we highly suggest reserving a table ahead of time. For the chef’s customisation menu, make sure to book at least five days in advance!

A chef holding a Japanese dish
(From Rakuya)

Pros

  • Customised menu 
  • Creative and unique Japanese dishes

Cons

  • No delivery services
  • Usually fully booked

Customer Reviews

New dishes every month

“Booking was simple and quick. Nearing to the date of the reservation, they will call, and they change the menu monthly so there will always be new items to share regular guests.

Service was excellent as usual and the Suzukagawa sake recommendation was spot on with just a hint of sweetness and mildly fragrant.

Foodwise we have never been disappointed so far, being pleasing to the eye and tasting just as lovely.”—Philiip Lim, Google Reviews

Prompt and friendly service members

“Prompt and friendly service. Food is great – tender sashimi, soft chawanmushi, and flavourful rice that comes in a cute fish bowl. Also gave a candle on the dessert for birthday. Very initiative in refilling our hot tea too. Even replaced part of the dessert as the candle unfortunately shedded some ashes on the fruit. Overall nice atmosphere and great food!”—Zi Ying Lim, Google Reviews

18. Mikuni

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHTeppanyaki Lunch Set
PRICE$135++ per person
ADDRESS80 Bras Basah Rd, Hotel Fairmont Singapore, Singapore 189560
WEBSITEhttps://www.fairmont-singapore.com/dining/mikuni/
CONTACT DETAILS+6564316156
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

After finding out that Mikuni is located inside Fairmont Hotel, we expected that our dinner here would lean toward fancy. 

Safe to say, it was a memorable Japanese fine-dining experience for us and we would definitely come by again! 

We ordered some of its best-selling meals including the Wagyu beef steak, grilled unagi, assorted sashimi, tokujo sushi, and unagi kabayaki. 

Most of its mains are usually made with either meat or seafood, both of which are of premium quality. Luckily, none of us had any food allergies or stomach sensitivities, so we had no problem experimenting almost anything special on the menu. 

It’s safe to say that guests will never run out of meal options when dining here. However, the menu wasn’t super budget-friendly, with its cheapest lunch set costing about $80. 

Our wallets quickly thinned as we stuffed our bellies.

Quick note: make sure to inform the restaurant about any dietary needs and requests before booking a table.

If you’re a vegan, you may want to think twice before dining here because of the limited vegan options. Other customers tend to look past this though, given that it’s a restaurant that specialises in fresh Wagyu and seafood.

Three Japanese dishes plated with garnish
(From MIKUNI)

Pros

  • Great range of menu offerings
  • Efficient booking system

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Limited vegetarian options

Customer Reviews

Entertaining fine dining teppanyaki experience

“I had the most wonderful teppanyaki experience here, period. Came here with much anticipation and expectations and it surpassed them in every way. It makes a world of difference sitting just in front of the teppanyaki hotplate as seeing the food prepared makes eating it thereafter even more mesmerising. The chef cooked the food with care and entertained us with the “fire show” flaming the food. All the dishes in the lunch set are amazing. Thanks to the very friendly staff Monica and the chefs for making our day.”—CP, Google Reviews

World-class service 

“Lovely ambiance at Mikuni with good food. The chiraishi don was teeming with hugely sliced, fresh seafood. My friend had the unagi set and the unagi was really soft and tender too. Staff were very attentive and quick to answer to our requests to top up our tea and to bring in the next course. Overall, a lovely experience.”—Sitti Parti, Google Reviews

19. Shoukouwa Restaurant

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISH Chef’s Special Omakase Menu
PRICE$680++ per person
ADDRESS1 Fullerton Rd, #02-02A One Fullerton, Singapore 049213
WEBSITEhttp://www.shoukouwa.com.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS+6564239939
OPERATING HOURSTuesday to Saturday, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

Shoukouwa Restaurant offers an exquisite take on authentic Japanese fine dining, made by Japanese chefs who are experts in their craft. 

That’s why we were so excited to try out the raved meals for ourselves! 

Our order included a full course of appetisers, nigiri sushi, miso soup specials, Japanese omelettes, a chef’s special, and other cooked dishes. 

Located in One Fullerton, the restaurant is easily accessible within Singapore’s business district. 

It didn’t take us long to get there, and some of our companions only had to walk from home. Think about it—you won’t have to fly to Japan to experience excellent and authentic Japanese food. 

One thing to note is that Shoukouwa is quite expensive and best reserved for special occasions. 

We expected our bill to come out stout, but if you’re willing to pay the premium to dine here, we won’t stop you from bringing lots of friends and family. 

There are no delivery and takeout options too, which solidifies the exclusive experience. 

Nonetheless, Shoukouwa is definitely a nice Japanese restaurant to visit at least once or even twice!

Pros

  • Specialises in authentic Japanese cuisine
  • Japanese chefs 

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No delivery and takeout option

Customer Reviews

Unforgettable Japanses fine dining experience

“Quality of the product are amazing, every dish come with an explanation, the chef cook is magic in front of you. Unforgettable japanese fine dining experience.”—Leo Leo, Google Reviews

Michelin-starred omakase

“Two Michelin stars – nothing else said. Head Chef Nishida-san was brilliantly part of the experience & humorous. One of the best omakase.”—Jamie Wong, Google Reviews

20. Takayama

TitleInfo
MUST-TRY DISHTottori Prefecture Menu
PRICE$350++ per person
ADDRESS6A Shenton Way, #01-09/10 OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815
WEBSITEhttp://takayama.com.sg/
CONTACT DETAILS+6591682639
OPERATING HOURSTuesday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Total Scores

Value for Money

Menu Diversity

Crowd Level

Customer Service

Takayama’s seasonal menu has been praised by locals and foreigners for its freshness and diversity. If you’re looking for a nice Japanese restaurant that offers a classy, fine dining experience, we recommend Takayama. 

Our dining experience here exceeded our high expectations. From the ambience to the food quality, we felt like we hit the jackpot. 

All the meals included in our order were seasonal Japanese fish and meat dishes, including Miyazaki Wagyu, Japanese lobster, foie gras, and dessert.

Prices are steep, though, which is expected from a Japanese fine dining restaurant. The service was top-notch, with friendly staff members and talented chefs who made sure we were having a great time. 

Seating here is quite limited, so tables around us were fully booked. We suggest booking a table in advance to ensure a comfortable seat for lunch or dinner. 

Pros

  • Top-notch service
  • Classy, minimalist ambience

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Usually fully booked

Customer Reviews

Excellent food quality and consistency

“Love the food and service here. Great quality and consistency – been here a few times now. The raw items were fresh and paired well with various condiments. The cooked items were fantastic and flavours will leave you wanting more. Drink selection is good too. Overall fantastic experience dining here and highly recommended.”—A.C., Google Reviews

Surprises for special occasions

“We held our anniversary at Takayama, we love Omakase & the surprises it bring. We thoroughly enjoyed our almost 10 course dinner, every course was a delight, from start to last dish! The service was excellent as you might expect, especially from Chef/ Owner & his team who expertly serve each of us a course with a explanation of the dish. We even have a small surprise for our anniversary, a cake with candle & a Polaroid picture in a wonderful card.”—Anthony Tay, Google Reviews

FAQS about Japanese Restaurants


More Japanese Dining Resources

Craving for more Japanese food? Here are more articles on Japanese dining in Singapore to help you find the best restaurants: