Now that Phase 2 of re-opening post Circuit-Breaker has arrived in Singapore (hurray!), many of us are itching to be reunited with our favourite Japanese dishes. Have a birthday party coming up, or need to find a location for the perfect date? Fret not - Nani Boy is back with a list of his favourite Japanese restaurants in Singapore! (But remember, take away while you can and observe safe distancing!)

Check out this list of authentic and Nani-Boy-approved restaurants perfect for takeaways!

Keisuke - Tori King

The first on our list is no stranger to most. The Keisuke chain has 14 outlets (and counting!) and serves a variety of Ramen, Don and even Omurice. The chain at 100AM mall in Tanjong Pagar is one of Nani Boy’s favourites. The decoration at Tori King is reminiscent of streetside Ramen stalls back in Japan - a small space, yellowish lighting and brightly coloured posters pasted randomly all over the walls. The quaint, unassuming atmosphere adds to its charm! 

Their signature dish is their Tori King Ramen ($11.90++ without toppings, $15.90++ with all toppings): Ramen served in a thick chicken broth, topped off with a huge chicken thigh. Optional (but highly recommended!) toppings include seaweed, flavoured eggs, and even chashu. This particular Ramen is my go-to because it is a no-fuss ramen that ticks all the checkboxes: flavourful toppings, springy noodles, and a rich creamy broth. 

Each table is set with a basket of hard-boiled eggs that you are free to munch on while waiting for your food to arrive. There is also a jar of marinated bean sprouts which I LOVE. It really whets your appetite!

Keisuke Tori King

Tel: 6604 6861

Address: 100 Tras Street, 100 AM, #03-15 Singapore 079027

Opening Hours: Weekdays - 11.30am to 3.00pm and 5.30pm to 10.00pm. Weekends & Public Holidays: 11.30am to 10.00pm

Tendon Kohaku

For tempura and tendon lovers, this particular chain is a must-try! The first thing that drew me to the shop was the long and snaking lunchtime queues. Any Singaporean would know that this is a sign of really great food! So I braved the long wait, and joined the queue, hoping to see what the hype was about!

The bowl of Hokkaido rice was topped with a generous portion of a variety of tempura, drizzled in a special house-made sauce. The tendon was adorned with prawns, a variety of vegetables, and a huge slab of chicken breast! I felt that the portion was incredibly generous and filled me right up.

After my meal, I found myself raving about it to my friends and family. Definitely worth the wait!

Tendon Kohaku

Tel: 6604 6861

Address: 100 Tras Street, 100 AM, #03-15 Singapore 079027

Opening Hours: Weekdays - 11.30am to 3.00pm and 5.30pm to 10.00pm. Weekends & Public Holidays: 11.30am to 10.00pm

WaaCow!

WaaCow’s dons are perhaps one of the most affordable and value-for-money on the market! Their signature Wagyu beef bowl ($20.90) consists of a generous portion of beef torched to perfection, laid on a bed of fluffy Japanese rice and topped with a side of onsen egg. The smokiness of the wagyu helped to accentuate the meaty flavour. I was pleasantly surprised at the mind-blowing quality of the bowl - at a very affordable price too!

Salmon lovers like I am would be keen to try out their Mentaiko Salmon bowl ($19.90). The salmon was fresh and the mentaiko added a burst of flavour, but did not overwhelm the subtle sweetness of the salmon. The torched mentaiko really added another layer to what would otherwise be a typical salmon don! My only gripe would be the price, which hovers on the pricier side given the abundance of cheaper salmon dons out there!

WaaCow!

Address: 

NUS Outlet - 2 College Ave West, Stephen Riady Centre, #01-06, Singapore 138607

Marina One Outlet - 5 Straits View, Marina One The Heart West Tower, #01-09, Singapore 018935

Opening Hours (for both outlets): Weekdays - 11.30am to 8.30pm. Weekends - 12pm to 830pm.

Sun with Moon

For those who need a sushi fix, Sun with Moon is the place to go. Their signature dish is the Premium Seafood Kamameshi ($36.80++) - which is raved about by almost all who visit. I can definitely testify that the dish lives up to the hype! This dish contains salmon, scallops, and eel. The seafood is plump and fresh, and is complemented perfectly with the fluffy rice. It comes with homemade chicken soup, which you can drink on its own, or pour over rice! 

The Mixed Roll Sushi ($20.80++) is a unique and colorful dish that I highly recommend. The sushi is rolled with eel, salmon, avocado, and mangoes. The crunchiness of the cucumber, sweetness of the egg, tanginess of the mango and the savoury eel come together perfectly to make this one-of-a-kind dish!

Sun with Moon

Tel: 6733 6636

Address: 501 Orchard Road, Wheelock Place, #03-15, Singapore 238880

Opening Hours: 11.30am to 2.15pm and 2.30pm to 5.15pm

Yujin Izakaya

Decked at Zion Road, this eatery is the best place to unwind after a long day of work. The thought of its Kawaage makes me salivate now, and I can't imagine how good the grilled chicken skewers recommended by the staff would be, pairing with a pint of beer. Oh yes, they serve really affordable beers! Be it lunch or dinner, this hip and funky joint is definitely a comfort spot.

Check out our in-depth review of Yujin Izakaya here!

Tel: 6235 0429

Address: 56 Zion Road, Singapore 247781

Opening hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5pm to 10pm