The first time I understood what sashimi could be, I wasn't looking at my phone. A chef in Newton had just laid down a slice of chutoro, and for a moment I forgot to reach for anything. It sat there, faintly warmer than I expected, catching the light. I ate it. And then I sat quietly with the taste for a while, the way you do with a song that ends too soon.
I’ve wandered through Singapore’s sushi bars, returning to eight bowls that quietly linger in memory. Some cost a month’s grocery budget, others just a casual lunch. What they share is care and precision, the kind that makes a single slice of sashimi feel like the whole reason you came.
If you’re curious to explore each one, you can see the full list of these best chirashi don Singapore. Each bowl has its own rhythm, its own quiet story, and a moment worth pausing for.
The Restaurants Behind Each Slice:
- Tatsuya – Newton
- Shinji by Kanesaka – City Hall
- Shoukouwa – Marina Bay
- Ki-sho – Orchard
- Tatsu – City Hall
- Tomi Sushi – Ngee Ann City
- Standing Sushi Bar – Central
1. Tatsuya – Newton: Quiet Precision in a Japanese Cuisine Haven
How to arrive: Newton MRT, 8 mins walk through quiet streets to Goodwood Park Hotel
What it costs: Sashimi bento ~£45++
When this bowl shines: Weekday lunches, soft hotel hum, unhurried pace
Inside Goodwood Park Hotel, Tatsuya is steady rather than theatrical. The sashimi bento is a lesson in restraint — thin slices firm but yielding, rice seasoned to gently complement, never compete. Watching the chef work at the counter is part of the meditation. It’s a place to relearn how a simple slice of raw seafood, eaten raw with a delicate balance of texture and flavor, can hold your attention.
Not for when…: You crave bold, modern, showy plates
Little-known pleasures: Counter seats over the tatami — the knife work by skilled chefs is part of the meal
2. Shinji by Kanesaka – City Hall: Tradition in Every Grain of Japanese Food and Best Sashimi Singapore
How to arrive: City Hall MRT, 5 mins walk to Raffles Hotel
What it costs: Omakase menu £180–£220
When this bowl shines: Special evenings or milestone celebrations
Shinji is reverent, each piece of Edomae sushi and sashimi crafted with the highest quality ingredients, including bluefin tuna, placed with attention. The rice’s warmth, the fish’s cool silkiness — it all demands patience. Portions are intimate but enough to linger over, making this omakase an unforgettable dining experience for the discerning palate.
Not for when…: You want casual, fast, or experimental dining
Little-known pleasures: The cypress-scented hinoki counter heightens every bite
3. Shoukouwa – Marina Bay: Michelin Elegance with Premium Sashimi and Opening Hours to Note
How to arrive: Raffles Place MRT, 8 mins walk to One Fullerton (#02-02A)
What it costs: Omakase ~£220+
When this bowl shines: Quiet, indulgent evening with attention on the fish
Two Michelin stars, seafood flown from Japan four times a week. The rice blend is exact, dressing enhances without overwhelming. Each bite is precise; each course a lesson in restraint, the quiet echo of skill and the authentic taste of traditional Japanese cuisine.
Not for when…: You’re budget-conscious or in a hurry
Little-known pleasures: The white fish courses reveal the chef’s true restraint and respect for seasonal seafood, popularly served with vinegared rice to enhance the experience
4. Ki-sho – Orchard: Intimate, Refined Omakase with Seasonal Ingredients for the Discerning Palate
How to arrive: Orchard / Newton MRT, 10 mins walk
What it costs: Omakase menu ~£120–£160
When this bowl shines: Intimate meals for couples or small groups
Along Scotts Road, Ki-sho feels warm and refined. Sashimi is delicate, rice subtle, experience attentive. The pacing allows conversation, reflection, and genuine appreciation without formality.
Not for when…: You need quick or group seating
Little-known pleasures: Lunchtime is quieter, ideal for slow tasting and appreciating premium sashimi and sushi, crafted with a delicate balance of flavors
5. Tatsu – City Hall: Flexible Japanese Food Comfort with Other Dishes
How to arrive: City Hall MRT, 5 mins walk to CHIJMES
What it costs: Flounder with truffle oil ~£45–£55
Tatsu balances raw, lightly torched, and teppanyaki dishes. It’s generous and versatile, ideal for groups with mixed preferences. Simple yet considered, a place that delivers without fuss, offering tempura and cold soba alongside fresh sashimi and sushi dishes.
When this bowl shines: Groups wanting both raw and cooked dishes
Not for when…: You want only sashimi-focused counter seating
Little-known pleasures: The flounder with truffle oil quietly steals the meal
6. Tomi Sushi – Ngee Ann City: A Hidden Gem for Fresh Salmon Sashimi and More in Japanese Restaurants
How to arrive: 5-minute walk from Promenade MRT Station to Millenia Walk
What it costs: Sushi rolls from $4; sashimi platters from $32
Opening hours: Varies by location; many offer lunch menu and dinner menu options
Tomi Sushi is a hidden gem that popularizes the authentic taste of Japanese food with premium ingredients flown in regularly.
Their sashimi in Singapore is carefully prepared to preserve natural flavors and kill parasites, ensuring safety and quality. The menu offers both lunch and dinner options, making it accessible for different occasions.
When this bowl shines: Casual diners craving fresh seafood and assorted sashimi
Not for when…: You want a formal omakase experience
Little-known pleasures: Sashimi platters featuring six to eight kinds of fresh fish, including fatty tuna and sea urchin, popularly served as signature dishes
7. Standing Sushi Bar – Central: Casual Yet Skillful Sushi and Sashimi Experience
How to arrive: Multiple locations including Odeon Towers and Ngee Ann City
What it costs: Omakase menu from $48; set meals from $19.90; a la carte dishes from $7
Opening hours: Varies by location
For those who want to enjoy fresh sashimi without the formality of a long sit-down meal, the Standing Sushi Bar offers an efficient and often more affordable way to experience fresh seafood. Here, the fat content and freshness of the fish shine through in every bite, accompanied by soy sauce and grated ginger to enhance the natural flavors.
When this bowl shines: Quick bites of fresh sashimi and sushi in a lively setting
Not for when…: You want a formal, slow-paced meal
Little-known pleasures: Salmon sashimi specials and affordable seafood dishes served raw with traditional condiments
Choosing Your Sashimi Restaurant in Singapore
Not one of them is the "best sashimi Singapore" universally. That word never sat right with me when it comes to food. There's only the right one for the night you're having. For a curated guide to these spots and more, Expat Eat has thoughtfully mapped out where to find bowls that make raw fish feel like an occasion.
If you're marking something that matters, Shoukouwa or Shinji will give you a meal you'll carry around for weeks. If you want craft with a wink, Sushi Masa. If the table is split between raw fish and other dishes, Tatsu. If you're easing someone into omakase for the first time, Hana — and there's no shame in starting there. Some of my favourite food memories cost the least.
So book the seat. Sit at the sushi bar if you can. And when that first slice of fresh sashimi arrives, let it do the talking before you do. That quiet moment is the whole point — and it's waiting at every one of these tables.
