Quick answer: Whether you’re marking a milestone or just giving yourself the dinner you’ve been putting off, Singapore’s best Japanese restaurants cover every craving. Shoukouwa and Sushi Sakuta are the go-to for Edomae purists chasing Michelin stars; Waku Ghin and Nobu shine for celebratory meals with a view; Akira Back and KOMA bring the buzz with fusion and theatre.
High-end Japanese restaurant omakase in Singapore demands a price check. The pragmatic diner knows lunch menus often use the same catch at a gentler touch, and a well-paced degustation can feel like better value than a scattered a la carte. These counters and dining rooms are the ones where the arithmetic actually works out.
Not sure this is the right list? Best Japanese Food in Singapore has 22 others alongside it.
Shoukouwa
This eight-seater at One Fullerton is as intimate as it gets – a quiet, hinoki-scented counter overlooking the waterfront. The omakase here is built on seafood flown in from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, and the two Michelin stars are not for show; they’re for the way a single piece of nigiri can make you put your phone down and pay attention.
It’s Edomae sushi done with almost religious restraint. The seasonal progression doesn’t shout; it whispers, and every course feels deliberate. They’ve got a private dining room if you prefer to keep the evening to yourselves. Worth booking for the milestone occasions when you want to remember why Japanese cooking can be so moving.
If every piece must count, here is your counter. With only eight seats, the focus is absolute: seafood from Toyosu, rice seasoned with intention, and none of the fuss. Book way ahead for an anniversary or a serious sushi milestone – the restraint here is a return on investment you can taste.
Address: 1 Fullerton Road, #02-02A One Fullerton, Singapore 049213
Phone: +65 6423 9939
Hours: 12:30–3 pm, 6–10:30 pm (Closed Sundays & Mondays)
Price: Premium omakase, reservations essential
Website: shoukouwa.com.sg
Waku Ghin
Tucked above The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Waku Ghin blends the elegance of a serene waterfront dining room with Chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s philosophy of shun – celebrating ingredients at their absolute peak. You’re not coming here for a quick bite; you’re here to let a multi-course degustation unfold over an evening.
They offer an omakase menu at the Chef’s Table, counter-style sushi, and private rooms for a more secluded affair. The menu changes with the seasons, but the standard is sky-high – this is one Michelin star territory where both surf and turf get equal star treatment. If you’re celebrating a big one, the setting on the bay and the polished service make it a steady choice.
Waku Ghin turns dinner into an evening, and that’s the value proposition. The multi-course degustation at the Chef’s Table lets you surrender to the rhythm of peak-season ingredients. If you’re celebrating something big, the waterfront private rooms make it feel properly special. Come with an open appetite and no other plans.
Address: #02-03, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
Phone: +65 6688 8507
Hours: 5–10:30 pm
Price: Fine dining degustation, book well ahead
Website: restaurant page at MBS
We compile these ourselves and take suggestions. If your business belongs on this list, tell us why.
While you’re at it, our guide to Restaurants on Amoy Street uncovers some real gems.
Sushi Ichi
Set inside Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel on Orchard, Sushi Ichi brings the same Edomae traditions from its Tokyo Ginza mothership to a proper hinoki counter in the heart of town. It’s a one-Michelin-star affair that focuses on seasonal seafood and rice marinated with a light touch of red vinegar – the sort of spot where you chat softly and let the chef do the talking through his knife work.
Lunch omakase is a gentler way in if the full dinner feels intimidating, but either way, you’ll get a progression of nigiri that shows real respect for the ingredients. Closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly. Great for a solo treat after a long week or a quiet catch-up with someone who actually appreciates sushi beyond the salmon roll.
Come at lunch – it’s the kiasu move. The same Edomae precision and Toyosu-sourced seafood reach the hinoki counter for a lighter touch on the wallet, making this one-Michelin-star experience a solid entry point. The red-vinegar rice is a detail you’ll remember. Good for a first serious omakase.
Address: 320 Orchard Rd, #01-04 Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, Singapore 238865
Phone: +65 6235 5514
Hours: 12–2:30 pm, 6–10 pm (Closed Mondays)
Price: Premium omakase, lunch sets available
Website: ginza-sushiichi.jp
Hamamoto
Over on Tras Street, Hamamoto is chef Kazuhiro Hamamoto’s intimate sushi-kappo counter, and it’s the sort of place where the parade of creative starters might make you forget you’re here for the sushi. Which would be a mistake, lah – the nigiri at the end is just as refined, but the inventive small plates set the tone. One Michelin star shines on the personalised, seasonal approach.
Only one seating for lunch and one for dinner, so you’re in for the full session. The counter feels personal, and Chef Hamamoto’s quiet warmth comes through in the way he adjusts each course. Good for someone who’s been to standard sushi spots and wants to see a more playful side of the tradition.
Chef Hamamoto’s sushi-kappo style means you’ll start with a parade of creative small plates before the nigiri finale. Don’t fill up too fast – the sushi is just as refined. With only one seating each for lunch and dinner, booking is a must. The progression feels generous, a meal that builds to a shiok payoff.
Address: 58 Tras Street, Singapore 078997
Phone: +65 9672 7110
Hours: Tue-Sat Lunch 12–3pm (last order 1pm), Dinner 6:30–11pm (last order 8pm); Closed Sun, Mon & PH
Price: Kappo omakase, reservations only
Website: hamamoto.com.sg
While you plan your Japanese feast, our picks for Restaurants in Katong bring a different kind of heritage to the table.
Sushi Sakuta
Sushi Sakuta hit the ground running with two Michelin stars for its Edomae-style omakase served on a centuries-old hinoki counter. Right now, the restaurant is in transition – moving from its Capitol Kempinski home to a new location, so double-check the address when you call. The sushi, though, remains a benchmark: precise rice, artfully sliced fish, and a deep respect for tradition that never feels stiff.
The chef’s presentations are often described as painterly, and there’s a private room for small, bespoke dinners. If you’re a serious sushi chaser, this one belongs on your radar. The move might even herald a fresh chapter, so stay close to the updates – you’ll want to be one of the first back through the door.
Even as it moves from Capitol Kempinski, the team’s benchmark Edomae sushi remains a constant. The ancient hinoki counter and the chef’s precise slicing make every visit feel like a private masterclass. It’s worth tracking down the new address for a dinner that respects tradition without being stiff.
Address (current): 15 Stamford Road, #01-88 The Capitol Kempinski Hotel, Singapore 178906
Phone: +65 6214 9477 / +65 9863 9302 (for new location updates)
Hours: 12:30–3 pm, 7–10:30 pm
Price: Premium omakase
Website: sushi-sakuta.com
Nobu Singapore
Nobu needs little introduction, but the Singapore outpost at Four Seasons on Orchard Boulevard adds a local shimmer to the global brand. The dining room is sophisticated without being stuffy, and the menu marries Japanese technique with Peruvian verve in ways that still feel fresh – the black cod miso is just as legendary as you’ve heard, and the hamachi jalapeño wakes up the palate.
They do a weekend brunch that leans into the lively side, and the bar stays open late with sakes and cocktails that are worth lingering over. Great for a group dinner where you need to please both the adventurous and the “I know what I like” friends.
The smartest way in might be the weekend brunch, where you can taste the legendary black cod miso and hamachi jalapeño without committing to a full a la carte spend. It’s a chance to sample Nobu’s Japanese-Peruvian signatures in a more steady setting. The dining room itself is quietly elegant.
Address: 190 Orchard Boulevard, Level 3, Singapore 248646
Phone: +65 6831 7653
Hours: Lunch Sun-Fri 12–2:30pm, Sat Brunch 12–2:30pm, Dinner daily 6–10:30pm, Bar from 5:30pm
Price: Upscale fusion, brunch sets available
Website: Nobu Singapore page
For something with a completely different vibe, check out Restaurants in Arab Street – atmospheric shophouse dining awaits.
Akira Back
Sitting at JW Marriott South Beach, Akira Back puts a Korean spin on Japanese fare with the kind of cheeky creativity you don’t always find in this bracket. The AB tuna pizza has a bit of a cult following, and the Nazo 9 Mystery Box omakase keeps things unpredictable. It’s the place you go when you want a fine-dining experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Korean spirits join the usual sake and cocktails, so the drinks list plays well with the bold, spicy touches in the food. Energetic and modern, it suits a celebratory dinner with a younger crowd or a date night where you want to try something a little left field.
Fine dining without the wayang – that’s what you’ll find here. The AB tuna pizza is a cult hit, but the Nazo 9 Mystery Box omakase keeps things playful. Weekday set menus give you a taste of the Korean-Japanese mash-up without the full splurge. Bring a group and order across the menu.
Address: 30 Beach Road, Level B1M, JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, Singapore 189765
Phone: +65 6818 1914
Hours: Lunch 12–2:30pm, Dinner 6–10:30pm
Price: Upscale, omakase and à la carte
Website: akiraback.sg
KOMA Singapore
Walk into KOMA and you might forget you’re in Marina Bay Sands – the soaring entrance modelled after Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine is pure theatre. Beyond the Instagram frenzy, the kitchen holds its own with robatayaki, sushi, and grilled wagyu that actually deliver on the promise of the setting. The grilled eggplant with miso is one of those deceptively simple dishes that’ll bring you back.
It’s a large, buzzy space with a sushi bar, lounge, and private corners, so you can steer the vibe from big-group celebration to a more tucked-away meal. If you’re bringing visitors who want a visual spectacle along with a solid Japanese dinner, this is a sure bet.
KOMA’s grand torii gate entrance is a spectacle, but the food holds its own. The robatayaki and wagyu are worth ordering, and that grilled eggplant with miso is the sleeper hit. It’s a buzzy, large space – book for a birthday dinner and enjoy the theatre, then let the flavours back it up.
Address: The Shoppes, B1-67, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972
Phone: +65 6688 8690
Hours: Lunch daily 11:30am–3pm, Dinner Sun-Thu 5–11pm, Fri-Sat & eve PH 5pm–12am
Price: Premium dining, à la carte and sets
Website: KOMA at MBS
And if you’re hunting for a more casual but still quality meal, our guide to Restaurants in VivoCity has you covered.
We compile these ourselves and take suggestions. If your business belongs on this list, tell us why.
How to choose
Start by deciding what kind of Japanese experience you’re really craving. If you’re a purist who lives for impeccably aged fish and perfectly tempered rice, the Edomae omakase counters – Shoukouwa, Sushi Sakuta, Sushi Ichi, Hamamoto – give you exactly that, with strong Michelin credentials to boot. For a grand, view-laden evening where the chef’s tasting menu steals the show, Waku Ghin and Nobu Singapore are the natural picks. If you’re after something more playful, Akira Back’s Korean-Japanese mash-ups and KOMA’s theatrical setting deliver celebration energy without sacrificing culinary heft. Most of these places demand a reservation weeks ahead, especially for counter seats. Budget-wise, omakase dinners typically run several hundred dollars per person before drinks; lunch sets are usually lighter on the wallet and a smart way to sample the kitchen’s style.
| Restaurant | Style | Michelin Stars | Setting | Signature Dish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoukouwa | Edomae omakase | 2 | Intimate counter, One Fullerton | Seasonal sushi from Toyosu |
| Waku Ghin | Modern Japanese degustation | 1 | Private rooms, bay views | Chef’s Table multi-course |
| Sushi Ichi | Edomae sushi | 1 | Hinoki counter, Marriott hotel | Marinated rice nigiri |
| Hamamoto | Sushi-kappo | 1 | Intimate counter | Creative starters & nigiri |
| Sushi Sakuta | Edomae omakase | 2 | Artistic counter (relocating) | Painterly seasonal sushi |
| Nobu Singapore | Japanese-Peruvian fusion | — | Sophisticated Four Seasons | Black cod miso |
| Akira Back | Korean-Japanese fusion | — | Modern at JW Marriott | AB tuna pizza, Nazo 9 box |
| KOMA Singapore | Contemporary robatayaki | — | Grand Kyoto-inspired, MBS | Grilled eggplant miso |
Summary
From the absolute precision of a two-star omakase to the fun of a Korean-Japanese mashup, these Japanese restaurants show why Singapore’s dining scene keeps winning hearts. Pick the one that matches your mood – but book early; the best counters fill up fast.
Disclaimer: All information has been gathered from publicly available sources. While every effort has been made to keep it accurate, details can change; please confirm directly with the business before visiting.
Frequently asked questions
What is omakase?
Omakase means “I’ll leave it up to you” in Japanese – the chef selects a multi-course meal based on the freshest seasonal ingredients. It’s the heart of many of these Singapore restaurants, offering a personal and spontaneous dining journey.
Do I need to make reservations?
Yes, all these restaurants strongly recommend advance booking, especially for omakase at the counter. Some like Shoukouwa and Hamamoto have limited seatings, so it’s best to plan weeks ahead.
Are there vegetarian or dietary options?
Most kitchens can accommodate dietary restrictions if informed in advance. Places like Nobu Singapore often have more flexibility due to their fusion menu, but it’s always wise to check when reserving.
What is the typical dress code?
Smart casual is the minimum; many diners opt for elegant attire. For venues within Marina Bay Sands or luxury hotels, a collared shirt and closed shoes are a safe bet – you’ll feel more at home.
Which restaurant is best for a celebratory dinner?
Waku Ghin’s private rooms and waterfront setting at Marina Bay Sands make it a favourite for anniversaries. Nobu Singapore and KOMA also have celebratory vibes with their glamorous interiors.
How much should I expect to spend?
Expect fine-dining prices. Omakase dinners can range from roughly $250 to over $500 per person before drinks and tax. Lunch sets are often more accessible; always confirm current menus.
