Aoki, Singapore
Helmed by executive chef Kunio Aoki, the well-known and notoriously expensive Aoki still draws discerning diners with its finely-executed Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is not open on Sundays, but you have the other six days to tuck into chef Aoki’s top grade sushi that he flies in fresh everyday—hence the sky high prices. When in doubt, try the omakase, and let yourself be wowed.
Hashida Sushi, Singapore
The first overseas offshoot of famed Tokyo establishment Hashida Sushi, this is an elegant and minimalist spot with light wood all round. It’s very zen. Dine on lunch sets and dinner courses including seasonal nigiri sushi such as sea bream, ark shell and tuna, plus specialties like chawanmushi with fugu shirako (egg custard with blowfish milt), and salmon roe and sea urchin rice.
IKYU, Singapore
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Outfitted with industrial chic elements like exposed pipes and concrete floors, IKYU certainly fits into hip Tiong Bahru. A stylish yet casual place with restrained portions of good, albeit slightly overpriced food, the menu includes tempting options like the deep-fried soft shell crab roll and the crispy salmon skin kappa roll.
Set up by Hong Kong’s Taste of Japan Group, Itacho (which means “chief chef” in Japanese) imports its ingredients fresh from Tsukiji fish market, Hokkaido and Kyushu. The selling point here is clear: just “first class food at a low price” in the form of top‑class handmade sushi and Japanese chow. One to try: the smoked duck sushi.
There always seems to be a long queue right outside this little dining joint. Their sushi's got everyone's attention, particularly the legendary Shiok Maki, which consists of avocado, unagi and aburi salmon, topped with a sinfully good creamy mayo-like concoction.
Temari sushi at Mikuni, Singapore
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A big, well-dressed space that houses a teppanyaki counter, a sake/sushi bar and an intimate live robatayaki station, in addition to the main dining room. At its helm is Korean executive chef Moon Kyung Soo whose philosophy is best exemplified in innovative yet restrained dishes, including sushi creations like the Mikuni Maki, which features barbecued eel, cream cheese and caviar.
Oceans of Seafood, Singapore
Besides buying raw fish to take home at this multi-concept seafood joint (it's somewhat like an upscale wet market on one side and a restaurant on the other), you can opt to have a Japanese style meal, with favorites like hotate sushi and ikura sushi on the menu.
Standing Sushi Bar, Singapore
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It's sushi galore at this casual eatery inspired by Tokyo's standing sushi bars. Order classic items like toro (tuna belly) sushi, or better yet, go for set meals like the salmon aburi sampler, which features five pieces of seared salmon nigiri with all sorts of toppings.
Opened by the folks behind Les Amis, this zen restaurant features a full wood counter and minimalist Japanese decor. It may not be the cheapest joint, but the extensive range of assorted sashimi and sushi is actually where you will find one of the cheapest omakase sets in town. The place also has cooked items like udon ($8) and the decadent truffle seafood chawanmushi ($15) stuffed with prawn, crab and scallops.
Otoro sushi at Tatsuya Japanese Restaurant, Singapore
For premium sushi, few do it better than Tatsuya. Just be prepared to pay for the pleasure. The menu changes pretty frequently, but to get a taste of the menu highlights, go for the five-piece aburi sushi set. If you're on a budget, come for lunch; set menus make the same exquisite food available at a fraction of the dinner price.
