The stellar menus at these authentic Japanese restaurants in Singapore are good enough to rival even the famous ones in Japan...
Can’t get enough Japanese food? If you’re a devoted enthusiast who loves ramen, omakase dining, shabu shabu and teppanyaki, we’re guessing your sushi game is strong. Whether it’s hand-pressed nigiri you’re craving or delicately wrapped temaki, amazing sushi always hits the spot. On that note, we bring you the top Japanese restaurants in Singapore for stunning sushi and sashimi. Bookmark this list!
Best Japanese restaurants in Singapore
1. The Sushi Bar
There’s always a line to get into this no-frills joint, but we’d gladly wait patiently for a taste of its masterful menu. You have to try the chirashi don (available in three prices, sorted according to grade and toppings) and the salmon aburi roll. Plus, everything’s pretty wallet-friendly, which we love.
The Sushi Bar, multiple locations including Far East Plaza and Ngee Ann City
2. Sushi Kimura
Head chef Tomoo Kimura brings 15 years of experience (including a stint at the Michelin-starred Ginza Restaurant) to this modern sushi-ya at Palais Renaissance. The best way to savour his creations is to opt for the ever-changing omakase menu – done in traditional edo-mae style – that showcases handpicked seasonal highlights from Japan.
Sushi Kimura, #01-07, Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road, Singapore 238871
3. Ikoi Japanese Restaurant
Do all-you-can-eat Japanese buffets make your heart flutter? Then Ikoi should be your go-to restaurant in Singapore. Expect the likes of sashimi, sushi, tempura and yakitori. It’s one of our top picks when we need a full-on feast, but be warned: you need to book early to avoid disappointment.
Ikoi Japanese Restaurant, #01-01, Hotel Miramar, 401 Havelock Road, Singapore 169631
4. Hashida Singapore
Chef Kenjiro ‘Hatch’ Hashida’s namesake restaurant makes a comeback with a new space at Amoy Street. Step into the Shinto shrine entrance and be whisked away to one of the three private dining rooms for an exquisite dining experience. At its core, Hashida is an omakase restaurant, so count yourself lucky if you get to taste Hatch’s signature hand-carved otoro.
Hashida Singapore, #01-01, 77 Amoy Street, Singapore 069896
5. The Ramen House
Don’t be fooled by this moniker. The ramen may be good, but the sushi is just as satisfying. Plus, it’s perfect for late-night cravings because it stays open till 3am. Our faves are the torched beef sushi, tuna sashimi and unagi maki. Wash it all down with a chilled can of Sapporo.
The Ramen House, 6 Short Street, Singapore 188213
6. Koh Grill and Sushi Bar
If you haven’t heard of Shiok Maki, perhaps you’ve been living under a rock. Located on the fourth floor of Wisma Atria, this fast food-style sushi bar serves the aforementioned maki-style roll. There are two versions and we must say, both are equally lip-smacking. The secret is in the sauce – it’s all kinds of creamy and savoury!
Koh Grill and Sushi Bar, #04-21, Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, 435 Orchard Road, Singapore 238877
7. Sushi Jin
Joining other great Japanese restaurants under the Les Amis Group (Aoki and Shabu Shabu Gen), Sushi Jin focuses on the freshest ingredients air-flown from Tokyo – sugoi! We highly recommend you try the aburi sushi moriawase, aka six kinds of torched sushi. Other noteworthy dishes include unagi and wagyu don.
Sushi Jin, #01-11/12, Owen Link, Farrer Park Hospital, 1 Farrer Park Station Road, Singapore 217562
8. Tomi Sushi
First opened in 1954 at Niigata, the establishment ventured out of Japan in 2010, bringing its brand of Japanese food to Singapore. If you adore sashimi, you’ll be pleased to know that they’re thickly sliced and uber fresh here. Feeling hungry? Try the Tokujyo Chirashi. It comes with a treasure trove of oceanic delights, including maguro chutoro, served atop a bed of Niigata Koshihikari rice.
Tomi Sushi, multiple locations including Novena and Katong
9. Standing Sushi Bar
Reasonably priced sashimi and drinks? Best. Combo. Ever. Standing Sushi Bar serves up some pretty attractive promotions that’ll make you come back again and again. For example, on Mondays and Thursdays, you can get salmon sashimi for $3, beer for $5 and a glass of sake for $2.
Standing Sushi Bar, multiple locations including Odeon Towers and Marina One
10. Sabar
After moving out from Japan Food Town in Wisma Atria, Sabar has a new home in Tanjong Pagar. Specialising in mackerel dishes, the joint offers sushi packed with its signature fish in different styles, such as grilled and flame-seared.
Sabar, #03-14, 100AM, 100 Tras Street, Singapore 079027
11. Hakumai
From premium Koshihikari variety rice to the specially concocted garnishing sauce, every sushi at Hakumai is made with the finest ingredients. Leave it to the chef and get the Sushi Omakase that comes with an assortment of premium sushi, kawahagi, soup, and ice cream.
Hakumai, #01-50A, International Plaza, 10 Anson Road, Singapore 079903
12. Ki-Sho
Chef Hamamoto, formerly from Waku Ghin, uses his wealth of experience to create an unforgettable dining experience at this omakase restaurant. While you can’t choose your sushi, you can rest assured you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the exquisite creations that make up your eight- to 10-course meal. Always trust the chef!
Ki-Sho, 29 Scotts Road, Singapore 228224
13. Misaki
If you want to impress your business counterparts, Misaki is the place to be. With its stylish modern interior and devoted chefs, this intimate restaurant serves a plethora of exquisite sushi sets. Indulge in the deluxe assorted sushi set, which comes in at $52. It’s an expertly curated feast for the eyes and palate alike.
Misaki, #02-08, MBFC Tower 3, Marina Bay Link Mall, 2 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018984
14. Aoki Restaurant
This upscale Japanese dining resto offers front-row seats to see the chefs in action. Watch as they dextrously prep your meal and serve it to you with the utmost precision. Besides whipping up a mean bowl of bara chirashi, they also do quality sushi sets. Order the nigiri shushi tokusen and savour nine types of sushi and a maki roll.
Aoki Restaurant, #01-19, Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, Singapore 228208
15. Shinji by Kanesaka
When it comes to decadent Japanese food in Singapore, there aren’t many that come quite as elegant as Shinji by Kanesaka. It’s run by chef Shinji Kanesaka, who holds two Michelin stars. His much-revered establishment serves fuss-free yet formidable menus that boast fresh sushi and sashimi in nine-, 12-, or 15-piece sets. The space even features a sushi counter carved from the trunk of a 220-year-old hinoki tree. Not to mention, exquisite omakase sets that can shake things up with all sorts of gastronomical curveballs!
Shinji by Kanesaka, multiple locations including The St. Regis Singapore and Carlton Hotel Singapore
16. Shiraishi
Shiraishi takes pride in serving edomae-styled sushi. Seafood caught in the waters of Tokyo are prepared fresh with the addition of soy sauce, vinegar and wasabi. Stop by for lunch and try the edomae special 1.5, which includes 15 different delectable sushi bites. Or have your fill of sashimi and sushi simultaneously with the nagisa sushi course.
Shiraishi, #03-01/02, The Ritz- Carlton, Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039799
17. Kinki
Mention sushi restaurants and you’ll think of zen-looking places with an air of formality. Kinki shatters stereotypes with its lavish use of graffiti art and red lanterns strung around the restaurant. Dine at this rebellious establishment in the CBD and enjoy the views at its swanky rooftop bar. Unconventional sushi selections include AC/DC Dynamite, sushi made fresh and deep-fried seafood with Sriracha soy sauce, and Dragon Chaser, made with seared foie gras and eel and fried breaded prawn.
Kinki, #02-02, Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049323
18. MaguroDonya Miuramisakikou Sushi and Dining
As the name implies, this Japanese restaurant in Singapore prides itself on being true maguro (bluefin tuna) mavens. We’re home to several Japanese speciality beef eateries, but this is the first time we’ve seen a specialty maguro one. Needless to say, the restaurant freshly imports maguro directly from Japan. Tuck into the five-cut sashimi platter for prime cuts of maguro – including the buttery, fatty bits!
MaguroDonya Miuramisakikou Sushi and Dining, #03-310, Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983
19. Shoukouwa Restaurant
Why Shoukouwa? For starters, it’s the only two Michelin-starred sushi spot in Singapore. This fine dining establishment quickly beat other Japanese stalwart restaurants in its opening year to snag those coveted stars in Singapore’s inaugural Michelin Guide. Its omakase menu stands out for featuring ingredients fresh from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market. So expect to splash some cash on this remarkable dining experience.
Shoukouwa Restaurant, #02-02A, One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213
20. Akira Back
Award-winning chef Akira Back made his Singapore debut with the opening of JW Marriott Singapore South Beach. The menu features modern Japanese cuisine with a Korean flair while emphasising seasonal produce. Look forward to innovative handrolls like Magic Mushroom, which offers spicy bulgogi flavours with truffle and tortilla.
Akira Back, JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, 30 Beach Road, Singapore 189763
Get a taste of the Land of the Rising Sun at these excellent Japanese restaurants in Singapore!