The chocolates were supposed to take five minutes.
That was the plan. Walk into Thomson Plaza, located at 301 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574408, buy two boxes of something nice for the friends flying in next week, walk out. A simple errand. The kind I can't even ruin.
Reader, I ruined it.
Because on the way to the chocolate shop, I passed Chirashizushi Shou, a Japanese restaurant on Level 2 of Thomson Plaza (#02-09), and felt a small tug of recognition. I'd written about this outlet before. It made my list — 9 Chirashi Don Spots That Will Change How You Eat Sushi in Singapore — a title I stand by, mostly, though I'll admit I'd forgotten I'd actually been inside.
So I went in. Purely for research. To confirm my own credibility, you understand. Very professional.
The room's bright and easy — mall Japanese, tables close together, nobody performing. A family nearby was negotiating over the last piece of tamago. Someone was catching up with a friend they clearly hadn't seen in a while, their bowls long empty.
It's comfortable. Not fancy. You could come here in gym clothes and no one would blink, which, for the record, I sometimes test.
Living in Singapore has taught me that some of the best memories begin with simply finding the right table. My journey through Singapore food experiences that help newcomers discover the city has shown me how ordinary meals can become familiar landmarks.
I arrived a little before 6pm on a weekday. Good timing, as it turned out — by the time I left, a small queue had gathered by the door, all of them presumably with their own chocolate errands to forget.
Sumo Truffle Chirashi Don and Salmon Belly: Highlights from Chirashizushi Shou Thomson Plaza
I started with the Irodori Chirashi Don — assorted sashimi over a bed of vinegared rice, a little crown of uni on top. This chirashi bowl is a great introduction for anyone new to chirashizushi shou. The fish is fresh, the rice soft, and the uni gives you that brief sweet-briny moment before vanishing, like a good idea you didn't write down.
Then came the Premium Kaisen Don (S$33.20), and this is where my five-minute errand quietly died.
The cuts are thick. Genuinely thick — salmon sashimi, salmon belly, swordfish, tuna, yellowtail, and a scallop that gave way soft under my chopsticks. The salmon belly especially, with its fatty edge almost dissolving against the cold rice, was a standout. Salmon roe (ikura) scattered over the top popped salty every few bites, cutting through all that richness.
I looked up at one point and realized I'd stopped thinking about anything else. Chocolates included. Deadlines included. My own name, briefly, included.
Truffle Oil and the Sumo Truffle Chirashi Don Experience
Because I have no self-control and call it "thoroughness," I also ordered the Sumo Truffle Chirashi Don (S$25.90). Big cubes of salmon, tuna, yellowtail, red snapper, and salmon belly, with flying fish roe and tamago, all under a generous slick of truffle oil.
I liked it. But I'll be honest — the truffle oil has opinions. Loud ones. It fills the whole bowl and, on some bites, I found myself squinting to locate the fish underneath. If you love that earthy, modern thing, you'll be thrilled. If you came for clean seafood, stay with the Kaisen.
One small note, because I promised myself I'd tell you: the rice wasn't perfectly even. Most of it was lovely, but I hit a firmer patch near the bottom of one bowl. Minor. But I noticed, and now so do you.
Mini Chirashi Don, Tokusen Salmon Don, and More from the Menu
I didn't order the cooked dishes this time, like ramen or salads, though the menu at Chirashizushi Shou offers a variety including maki rolls and ramen for those who want more than chirashi bowls. They're fine — they'll feed you — but they're not why anyone remembers this place. The raw fish don bowls are the whole point.
The Mini Chirashi Don (S$11.90) is a great affordable price option for a lighter meal. It features a bed of rice topped with a variety of sashimi and a handful of ikura, offering a satisfying bite with every spoonful. Meanwhile, the Tokusen Salmon Don is a must-try for salmon sashimi lovers, served with generous slices of fresh salmon sashimi laid over rice and topped with spring onions.
Ambience and Operating Hours at Chirashizushi Shou Outlets
Service was quick and pleasantly unfussy. A plate appeared before I'd fully settled in. I've heard it slows once the room fills, and I believe it — the place is small and clearly beloved by the neighbourhood. But early on a weekday, it moved.
Chirashizushi Shou has several outlets beyond Thomson Plaza, including Bukit Timah Plaza (#B1-55A, Jalan Anak Bukit) and The Hillford outlet at Jalan Jurong Kechil. The Bukit Timah outlet, located at Bukit Timah Plaza, is another popular spot where you can dine daily from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, including Sundays. The operating hours are consistent across outlets, making it easy to plan your visit.
Why Chirashizushi Shou Makes a Great Place to Dine in Singapore
Nearest MRT to Thomson Plaza is Upper Thomson, about a five-to-eight-minute walk depending on which entrance confuses you least. Most people spend somewhere between S$20 and S$35 per meal. Lunch runs 11:30 AM to 4 PM, dinner 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Come before 6 PM if you'd rather not join the queue of fellow procrastinators.
So, who's this for?
Anyone who wants a lot of fresh, generous sashimi without Orchard prices. Salmon and scallop people. Anyone who lives around Thomson, Bukit Timah, or Jalan Jurong Kechil and needs a regular, no-drama comfort spot.
If you want a proper sushi counter, hushed lighting, an omakase moment — this isn't that, and it has the decency not to pretend.
I left full and content. I got all the way to the carpark before I remembered the chocolates.
They remain, to this day, unpurchased. My friends land Thursday.
