Japanese Food
Japanese food in Singapore is widely celebrated for its focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, beautiful presentation, and a balance of flavors. With a growing number of Japanese restaurants and eateries offering both traditional and contemporary dishes, Japanese cuisine in Singapore provides something for everyone—from casual street food to fine dining experiences. Below is a comprehensive overview of Japanese food in Singapore, including traditional and modern cuisine, casual dining, high-end options, desserts, and grocery stores.
Traditional Japanese Cuisine
Traditional Japanese food emphasizes simplicity, seasonality, and balance, making use of fresh ingredients like fish, rice, seaweed, and vegetables. Singapore’s Japanese dining scene is rich with these authentic flavors, and many restaurants serve dishes that highlight the essence of Japanese culinary art.
- Sushi & Sashimi: Sushi is one of the most iconic Japanese dishes, consisting of vinegared rice topped with fresh fish or seafood. Sashimi, thinly sliced raw fish, is typically served with soy sauce and wasabi. Restaurants in Singapore like Sushiro and Sakae Sushi offer sushi and sashimi in a variety of forms, from nigiri (hand-pressed sushi) to maki (rolled sushi).
- Tempura: This deep-fried dish features seafood or vegetables coated in a light batter. It is typically served with dipping sauce and a side of rice. Tenzo Tempura and other dedicated tempura restaurants in Singapore offer crispy, delicate versions of this dish.
- Ramen: A beloved Japanese noodle soup, ramen consists of wheat noodles in a flavorful broth, topped with ingredients like pork (chashu), egg, seaweed, and vegetables. Popular ramen spots like Ippudo and Ramen Santoka are known for their rich, hearty broths and tender noodles.
- Teppanyaki: A Japanese grilling technique, teppanyaki involves cooking ingredients on a flat iron griddle. It’s commonly done in front of diners in interactive restaurants like Misono and Shima, where chefs prepare meats, seafood, and vegetables right before guests.
- Kaiseki: The traditional multi-course Japanese meal, often regarded as the epitome of fine dining in Japan. In Singapore, fine restaurants like Kinki Restaurant + Bar offer kaiseki menus that highlight seasonal ingredients and beautifully presented dishes.
Modern and Fusion Japanese Cuisine
As Japanese cuisine continues to evolve globally, many restaurants in Singapore have embraced fusion elements, combining Japanese flavors with international influences to create unique dining experiences.
- Sushi Burritos: A modern take on traditional sushi, sushi burritos feature sushi ingredients wrapped in a large seaweed sheet and served like a burrito. This fusion dish is popular at eateries like The Sushi Bar and Sushirrito.
- Japanese-Italian Fusion: Many chefs in Singapore are combining Japanese ingredients with Italian techniques, creating dishes like sushi pizza, Japanese risotto, and ramen pasta. The Flying Squirrel and Pasta Brava offer dishes that mix the two cuisines.
- Sake Cocktails: With Japan’s increasing interest in mixology, sake cocktails have become a trend in Singapore. Bars like The Other Roof serve inventive sake-based drinks that blend Japanese ingredients with Western cocktails.
- Donburi & Curry Rice: While donburi (rice bowls topped with various ingredients) and Japanese curry rice are traditional in Japan, many restaurants in Singapore serve creative versions with ingredients like fried chicken, grilled seafood, or even spicy flavors.
Casual and Street Food
Casual Japanese eateries in Singapore are popular for quick, affordable meals that provide an authentic Japanese street food experience. Many dishes are simple yet packed with flavor, often eaten on the go or enjoyed in informal settings.
- Takoyaki: These savory octopus-filled dough balls are a popular Japanese street food. Often served hot with bonito flakes and takoyaki sauce, they can be found at food courts and specialty stalls like Gindaco and Takoyaki Chan.
- Okonomiyaki: Often referred to as Japanese savory pancakes, okonomiyaki is made with a batter, cabbage, and various fillings like seafood, pork, or cheese. Okonomiyaki Mura and Kurobuta serve delicious and affordable versions of this dish.
- Onigiri: Rice balls filled with ingredients such as pickled plum (umeboshi), salmon, or tuna, wrapped in seaweed. Onigiri is a quick and easy snack commonly sold at convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, which also have their own in-house varieties of onigiri.
- Karaage: Japanese fried chicken, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served with a dipping sauce. Jidori and Sakura are popular spots in Singapore for karaage lovers.
- Yakisoba: Stir-fried noodles with vegetables, meat, and a savory sauce. These are commonly served at Japanese festivals and can be found at places like Sushi Tei and food stalls in Changi Airport.
High-End and Specialty Dining
For a more refined dining experience, Singapore offers a selection of high-end Japanese restaurants that focus on luxury ingredients, expert preparation, and the artistry of Japanese cuisine.
- Waku Ghin: A Michelin-starred restaurant at Marina Bay Sands, Waku Ghin serves a multi-course omakase meal featuring premium ingredients like Australian wagyu, truffles, and fresh seafood.
- Sushi Jiro: A highly regarded sushi restaurant known for its omakase experience, where the sushi chef curates a personalized tasting menu, often using rare, imported ingredients.
- Shinji by Kanesaka: Located at the St. Regis Singapore, Shinji by Kanesaka offers an intimate dining experience with high-quality sushi and sashimi prepared by master chefs from Japan.
- Sushi Kimura: A small, intimate restaurant offering sushi prepared with precision and care. Known for using the finest seasonal ingredients, Sushi Kimura is often considered one of Singapore’s top sushi spots.
- Tempura Matsui: A high-end tempura restaurant offering premium tempura prepared in the traditional style, with ingredients like seasonal fish, prawns, and vegetables dipped in a delicate batter and deep-fried.
Japanese Sweets and Desserts
Japanese sweets, known as wagashi, are an integral part of Japanese cuisine, offering delicate and unique flavors. In Singapore, many establishments offer traditional and contemporary takes on Japanese desserts.
- Matcha Desserts: Matcha (green tea) is a favorite flavor in Japanese sweets, often found in cakes, ice creams, cookies, and drinks. Matchaya and Chihiro are popular spots offering a variety of matcha-based desserts.
- Mochi: These chewy rice cakes filled with ingredients like red bean paste, matcha, or ice cream are a popular treat. You can find mochi at places like Mochi Sweets or Ice Cream Warabi Mochi.
- Dorayaki: A traditional Japanese snack made of two fluffy pancakes filled with sweet red bean paste. It’s commonly found at Japanese bakeries such as Don Don Donki and Patisserie G.
- Anmitsu: A dessert that consists of agar jelly cubes, anko (sweet red bean paste), fruits, and syrup, typically served with a scoop of matcha ice cream. It’s served in many Japanese dessert cafes like Kawaii Monster Café.
- Taiyaki: A fish-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste or custard, popular in Japanese street food culture. Kou Fu and Taiyaki Singapore offer fresh versions of this dessert.
Japanese Grocery Stores
For those looking to create authentic Japanese dishes at home, Singapore is home to several well-stocked Japanese grocery stores that provide ingredients not easily found elsewhere.
- Meidi-Ya: A well-known Japanese supermarket chain in Singapore, Meidi-Ya carries a wide range of Japanese products, including fresh produce, frozen seafood, rice, sauces, snacks, and beverages.
- Don Don Donki: A popular Japanese discount store, Don Don Donki offers a variety of Japanese groceries, from instant ramen and sushi ingredients to unique Japanese snacks, sweets, and beverages.
- Isetan Supermarket: Located in Orchard, Isetan offers a curated selection of Japanese grocery items, including fresh fish, rice, sauces, seasonings, and snacks.
- NTUC FairPrice Xtra: While primarily a local supermarket, the FairPrice Xtra at VivoCity and other locations also carries a significant selection of Japanese ingredients, catering to the growing demand for Japanese food at home.