Take a walk down the city of Singapore and you will realise there’s bound to be a Japanese restaurant or eatery decked in every corner. Moreover, Japan undeniably has a greater foot in Singapore in the recent years - it seems that everyone’s favourite food or their top-city to visit will always be something from Japan. Now, you might be thinking to yourself if it’s the same for you.

Spoilt with so many choices, it may be difficult for Japanese food lovers to get your cravings fixed (or even pick your personal favourite). You might have a headache scrolling through endless options for your Japanese food fix. Not to fret, here’s a curated list of Nani Boy’s 5 Japanese eats to cope with his homesickness in Singapore. A taste of home for him and an authentic taste of Japan for you.

1. Amazing Hokkaido

The first thing that comes into everyone’s mind when one mentions “Japanese cuisine” is Salmon. Recently there is a hype in Singapore about Salmon Roe, also known as salmon fish eggs.

Being an instagram-worthy food freak, I knew I had to try the Bursting Salmon Roe Rice Bowl from Amazing Hokkaido when I walked past the restaurant one fine day after work.

Salmon roe is known as Ikura in Japanese. This bowl comes with overflowing amount of Ikura over some freshly steamed rice. The sight of this generous amount of orange pearls is unexplainably satisfying.

Just imagine when each pearl bursts straight when you put it into your mouth… Honestly, where else better than here to satisfy your Ikura fix. You probably get your 1 month (1 week for me) worth of Ikura just from this bowl.

Each bowl is served with a ceremony by the staff. Accompanying with the beats from taiko, the staff chants “Yoisho! (よいしょ!) Yoisho! (よいしょ!)” as they scoop out these Ikura. And if you are wondering, Yoisho is a term used when you are beginning something and as a form of encouragement for oneself or others.

Amazing Hokkaido

30 Robertson Quay, #01-16 RIVERSIDE VIEW, Singapore 238251

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday - 11am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 9pm. Closed on Wednesdays.

Tel: 6235 0212

Amazing Hokkaido is currently closed from 4th May till 1st June (the end of Circuit Breaker).

2. Bari Uma

It may be difficult for one to stand out when there are so many Japanese ramen stalls everywhere in Singapore.

Bari Uma is one of my favourite to-go ramen stall when i need some tonkotsu soup. Tonkotsu broth is most Japanese’s favourite broth. This broth is made from simmered pork bones and the essence of a tonkotsu broth is the amount of time put into simmering it.

Compared to other tonkotsu broth, Bari Uma’s is one of the richest i have tried. Paired with the right texture of noodles, I find myself slurping non-stop! It is just the perfect dish for a rainy day.

Bari Uma

1. United Square Shopping Mall, #B1-08

   Opening hours: Everyday - 11am to 10pm

   Tel: 6354 3711

2. Tanglin Shopping Center, #B1-01/02

   Opening hours: Everyday - 11am to 10pm

   Tel: 6887 4484

Bari Uma offers takeaway and delivery option during this Circuit Breaker period! For delivery, they are available via GrabFood & FoodPanda.

3. Tomi Sushi

Japanese are very particular about the quality of sashimi and will definitely not settle for anything less than the best.

I was thrilled when i know that Tomi Sushi has an outlet here when i just shifted to Singapore. This restaurant is very famous in Japan with 21 branches. At Tomi Sushi, you will only find 100% guaranteed fresh and genuine food, which is why not only the Japanese love, the locals in Singapore love this place too!

There are wide variety of food selections from Tomi Sushi but i will personally recommend you to try their Tokujo Chirashi ($54) if it is your first time there! Different pieces of sashimi and layered with seaweed on top of some Niigata KOSHIHIKARI rice (famous for its superior quality and is best-loved in Japan), this dish from Tomi Sushi successfully make it into Nani Boy’s favourites.

Tomi Sushi

1. Millenia Walk, #02-12/13.

   Opening Hours: Everyday - 11.45am to 2.30pm, 5.45pm to 9.30pm.

   Tel: 6238 1123

2. Velocity @ Novena Square, #02-76/77.

   Opening hours: Everyday - 11.30am to 9pm

   Tel: 6255 2355

3. Katong V, #02-14/15/16

   Opening hours: Everyday - 11.45am to 2.30pm, 5.45pm to 9.30pm.

   Tel: 6348 7897

4. 35 Cuppage Road, Cuppage Terrace

   Opening hours: Everyday 4pm to 11.30pm

   Tel:  6333 4633

Takeaway is available at Novena and Katong outlet during this Circuit Breaker period!

4. Sun King Ryoriya

Making it into the list is a Taiwanese-Japanese fusion restaurant - Sun King Ryoriya. I first visited this restaurant when my Japanese friend told me he needed to bring me to his secret hideout. It turns out that this place is many Japanese expats’ favourite restaurant because everyone loves how authentic, consistent, and affordable the food is!

Their menu consists of a wide variety of selections, and I always make sure to enjoy their special promotion (choice of 7 dishes + free-flow drinks for 2 hours).

Be sure to order my top 2 picks! The lady boss always makes sure that the chicken balls are handmade freshly daily, which explains the unique taste that you can’t get it elsewhere.

The chicken balls are super juicy and tender, and it is unlike any other fried chicken you would have at fast food joints. Each bite of this big size ball is a succulent taste that sends you signal wanting more. It’s difficult to put it into words, hence you definitely need to try it for yourself!

The sliced pork with garlic sauce is a cold appetiser best having it before any of your fried and carbo items. I make sure to order these 2 dishes with my Sapporo beer or Highball every time. And this combination is my best way to unwind after a long day at work.

Sun King Ryoriya

1. Robertson Walk. 11 Unity St #01-14/15 S237995

   Opening hours: Everyday - 11.30am to 2.30pm, 5.30pm to 11.30pm. Except on Sundays where it closes at 10.30pm.

   Tel: 6836 5633

2. Far East Square. 134 Amoy St #01-01 S049963

   Opening hours: Monday to Friday (excluding PHs) - 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

   Tel: 6536 7011

Sun King Ryoriya’s Robertson Walk outlet is open for takeaway and delivery during this Circuit Breaker period. They are available on GrabFood, Deliveroo, and FoodPanda.

5. Uya 四代目菊川

Having travelled Nagoya just start of this year, I came back to Singapore with huge withdrawal symptoms from the unagi I had!

Some visited Uya on reasons such as the unwillingness to join in long lines of queues at Man Man. But I need to speak for Uya’s Hitsumabushi dish as well since it is quite underrated!

Hitsumabushi is a speciality dish originated from Nagoya. There are steps on how to consume Hitsumabushi in the most traditional and savoury style. Every eel from Uya is freshly shipped and kept alive right before it is cooked. This factor alone plays a huge part in the quality of Hitsumabushi.

Couples who have varying food preferences, you might have to accompany your partner for his/her unagi fix but yet worrying that you have nothing else you can order. There are other food selections available at Uya, such as their Chirashi Don and Uniku Don, which I both personally recommend as well!

Uya

501 Orchard Road, #02-15/16 Wheelock Place 

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday - 12pm to 2.30pm, 6pm to 9.30pm. Friday and Saturday - 12pm to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10pm.

Tel: 6732 1096

Takeaway and islandwide delivery is available from Uya!

The end of Circuit Breaker is less than 2 weeks away. It is still not too late to show some love and support for the F&B industry during this period. Even better, let’s make a virtual agreement to enjoy all of the above in stores when the Covid-19 situation is kept at bay, hopefully very soon!

If you would like to satisfy your Japanese food cravings, you know where to look for now!