# Japanese Restaurants in Chinatown

Japanese restaurants in Singapore span conveyor-belt sushi, donburi chains, izakayas and omakase counters. All must hold an SFA licence, and since January 2026 a SAFE grade shows each outlet's food-safety track record – relevant for raw fish. Expect "++" pricing at sit-down restaurants, adding about 19.9% to the menu price.

## Key facts
- Listings: 63
- Matched to a government licence/register: 4
- Median years in business: 3

## Licences
- **Food Shop Licence (SFA)** (Singapore Food Agency (SFA), required): Every restaurant, cafe, bakery, stall and food court outlet selling food to the public must be licensed by SFA. Since 19 Jan 2026 the licence carries a SAFE grade (A, B, C or NEW) based on the outlet's food-safety track record; scan the QR code on the displayed licence to see it. Check: https://go.gov.sg/sfa-track-records
- **Liquor Licence** (Singapore Police Force (Police Licensing & Regulatory Department), required): Any outlet selling alcohol for consumption on or off the premises needs a liquor licence, which sets its permitted supply hours. Sale to anyone under 18 is an offence for the licensee. Check: https://www.police.gov.sg/e-Services/Police-Licences/Liquor-Licence

## How to choose
- For raw fish, check the SAFE grade on the SFA licence (scan the QR code): grade A means more than three years without a major lapse.
- Lunch sets are usually far cheaper than dinner at the same restaurant – omakase counters often charge half or less at lunch.
- Izakayas serving alcohol need a liquor licence; ask about last orders, which follow the licence hours.
- For halal needs, a few Japanese chains have MUIS-certified outlets; mirin and sake are common in standard Japanese cooking, so do not assume a 'no pork' menu is halal.
- Book counter seats in advance – they are limited and usually require a card guarantee.

## Listings (top 30)
- [The Flying Squirrel](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-flying-squirrel), Chinatown · 92 Amoy St, #01-02 · 2 min walk from Dt18 MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2012
- [Izakaya Yoppi](https://lookup.sg/biz/izakaya-yoppi), Chinatown · 33 Neil Rd, Level 1 · 1 min walk from Maxwell MRT · registered 2022
- [Catfish](https://lookup.sg/biz/catfish), Chinatown · 5 Gemmill Ln #01-01 · 1 min walk from Dt18 MRT
- [Kiwami](https://lookup.sg/biz/kiwami), Chinatown · 133 New Bridge Rd, #02-38 Chinatown Point · 1 min walk from Chinatown MRT
- [Monzushi](https://lookup.sg/biz/monzushi), Chinatown · 13 Neil Rd · 1 min walk from Maxwell MRT
- [Tanuki Raw](https://lookup.sg/biz/tanuki-raw-chinatown), Chinatown · Tanuki Raw at Cross Street Exchange, Capri by Fraser China Square, 181 South Bridge Rd · 2 min walk from Dt18 MRT
- [Kyoto Ramen Hachicken](https://lookup.sg/biz/kyoto-ramen-hachicken), Chinatown · 133 New Bridge Rd, #01 - 51 · 1 min walk from Chinatown MRT
- [Abura Kappo](https://lookup.sg/biz/abura-kappo), Chinatown · 77 Amoy St · 2 min walk from Maxwell MRT
- [Li Xin Teochew Fishball Noodle](https://lookup.sg/biz/li-xin-teochew-fishball-noodle), Chinatown · #B1-47 Chinatown Point · 1 min walk from Chinatown MRT
- [Tamago-En](https://lookup.sg/biz/tamago-en), Chinatown · #01-44 Chinatown Point · 1 min walk from Chinatown MRT
- [九 | KYUU BY SHUNSUI Keong Saik](https://lookup.sg/biz/kyuu-by-shunsui-keong-saik), Chinatown · 29 Keong Saik Road · 1 min walk from Outram Park MRT
- [Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/nanbantei-japanese-restaurant-chinatown), Chinatown · 133 New Bridge Rd, #02-40 Chinatown Point · 1 min walk from Chinatown MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2005
- [Monster Curry](https://lookup.sg/biz/monster-curry-chinatown), Chinatown · #02-45/46 Chinatown Point · 1 min walk from Chinatown MRT · registered 2009
- [Beppu Menkan](https://lookup.sg/biz/beppu-menkan), Chinatown · 3 Pickering St, #01-32/33 China Square Central · 2 min walk from Dt18 MRT · SFA licensed
- [Izy](https://lookup.sg/biz/izy), Chinatown · 27 Club St · 1 min walk from Dt18 MRT · SFA licensed
- [Mei I Sushi](https://lookup.sg/biz/mei-i-sushi), Chinatown · Tanjong Pagar Plaza, 7 Tg Pagar Plz · 1 min walk from Maxwell MRT · registered 2017
- [AN Omakase](https://lookup.sg/biz/an-omakase), Chinatown · 33 Keong Saik Rd. · 1 min walk from Outram Park MRT · registered 2023
- [MOSS CROSS TOKYO Singapore](https://lookup.sg/biz/moss-cross-tokyo-singapore), Chinatown · 181 S Bridge Rd, #2nd floor Capri By Fraser China Square · 2 min walk from Chinatown MRT · registered 2023
- [古月麵 - The Noodle Memories](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-noodle-memories), Chinatown · Hong Lim Complex, 531A Upp Cross St · 2 min walk from Chinatown MRT · registered 2026
- [Kairyu Omakase](https://lookup.sg/biz/kairyu-omakase), Chinatown · 33A Neil Rd, level 2 · 1 min walk from Maxwell MRT · registered 2025
- [Uma Haus](https://lookup.sg/biz/uma-haus), Chinatown · 335 Smith St, #02-118 Chinatown complex · 2 min walk from Maxwell MRT · registered 2025
- [Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist](https://lookup.sg/biz/ji-ji-wanton-noodle-specialist), Chinatown · 531A Upper Cross St, #02-48/49 Hong Lim Market & Food Centre · 1 min walk from Chinatown MRT
- [Chiew Kee Noodle House](https://lookup.sg/biz/chiew-kee-noodle-house), Chinatown · 30 Upper Cross St · 1 min walk from Chinatown MRT
- [Senshi Sushi & Grill](https://lookup.sg/biz/senshi-sushi-and-grill), Chinatown · 333 New Bridge Rd, #01-01 Dorsett Singapore · 1 min walk from Outram Park MRT
- [Yen Yakiniku](https://lookup.sg/biz/yen-yakiniku), Chinatown · 15 Ann Siang Rd · 1 min walk from Maxwell MRT
- [Gochi](https://lookup.sg/biz/gochi), Chinatown · 133 New Bridge Rd, #02-41/42 Chinatown Point · 1 min walk from Chinatown MRT
- [Kei Hachi](https://lookup.sg/biz/kei-hachi), Chinatown · 8 Keong Saik Rd. · 2 min walk from Outram Park MRT
- [Teochew Fishball Noodles](https://lookup.sg/biz/teochew-fishball-noodles), Chinatown · 1 Kadayanallur St · 1 min walk from Maxwell MRT
- [Honcho](https://lookup.sg/biz/honcho), Chinatown · 12 Ann Siang Rd · 1 min walk from Maxwell MRT
- [Kiten](https://lookup.sg/biz/kiten), Chinatown · 181 South Bridge Road Cross Street Exchange, #01-04, #01-K3 · 2 min walk from Dt18 MRT

## FAQs
### What happened to the A, B, C, D hygiene grades in Singapore?
From 19 January 2026 SFA replaced the annual A–D hygiene grade with the SAFE framework. Outlets now get A (more than three years with no major lapse), B (one to three years), NEW (operating under a year) or C (a court conviction for a food-safety offence or a licence suspension under the demerit-points system). Scan the QR code on the SFA licence at the counter to see the current grade.

### What does "++" mean on a Singapore menu?
"++" means a 10% service charge and 9% GST will be added. GST is charged on the service charge too, so the multiplier is 1.1 × 1.09 = 1.199 – a $50++ meal costs about $59.95. IRAS lets restaurants that levy a service charge show pre-GST prices, but they must state prominently that prices are subject to GST and service charge.

### Is Japanese food halal in Singapore?
Not by default. Japanese cooking often uses mirin, sake and other alcohol-based seasonings. Some Japanese restaurants hold MUIS halal certification – check the exact outlet on the MUIS directory or MuslimSG app and look for the original certificate on display.

## Sources
- SFA – New Safety Assurance for Food Establishment (SAFE) framework: https://www.sfa.gov.sg/news-publications/newsroom/new-safety-assurance-for-food-establishment--safe--framework--to-strengthen-food-safety
- IRAS – Displaying and quoting prices (GST): https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-(gst)/basics-of-gst/invoicing-price-display-and-record-keeping/displaying-and-quoting-prices
- MUIS – Certified Eating Establishments: https://muis.gov.sg/Halal/Halal-Certification/Certified-Eating-Establishments

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Source: Lookup (https://lookup.sg) · Data as of October 2026 · Listings compiled from Singapore government open data (data.gov.sg), OneMap and Overture Maps places. Free listings never show contact details; featured listings are labelled.