# Japanese Restaurants in Downtown Core

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: 298
- Matched to a government licence/register: 21
- Median years in business: 11

## 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)
- [Yamagawa Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/yamagawa-japanese-restaurant), Kampong Glam · 7500A #01-305 Beach Rd The Plaza 199591 · 4 min walk from Nicoll Highway MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1992
- [Hokkaido Sushi](https://lookup.sg/biz/hokkaido-sushi), Tanjong Pagar · 81 Anson Rd level 9 m Hotel Singapore · 1 min walk from Cc32 MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2012
- [Yoshinoya](https://lookup.sg/biz/yoshinoya), Bugis · 230 Victoria St B1-10 · 1 min walk from Bugis MRT · SFA licensed
- [Hakumai](https://lookup.sg/biz/hakumai), Tanjong Pagar · 10 Anson Rd #01-50A International Plaza · 1 min walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT · SFA licensed
- [The Public Izakaya](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-public-izakaya), Tanjong Pagar · 100 Tras St #01 - 09 · 3 min walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT · registered 2014
- [Sushi Jiro](https://lookup.sg/biz/sushi-jiro), Downtown Core · #04-600 PARKROYAL COLLECTION · 2 min walk from Esplanade MRT · registered 2015
- [DOMO Modern Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/domo-modern-japanese-restaurant), Downtown Core · 252 N Bridge Rd, #03-00 Fairmont Singapore · 2 min walk from City Hall MRT · SFA licensed
- [Chikuyotei](https://lookup.sg/biz/chikuyotei), Bugis · 80 Middle Road, a, #01-01 Luxury Collection Hotel, Frasers House · 3 min walk from Bugis MRT · SFA licensed
- [Ramen Keisuke Tori King](https://lookup.sg/biz/ramen-keisuke-tori-king), Tanjong Pagar · 100 Tras St, #03 - 15 · 3 min walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT · SFA licensed
- [Misaki](https://lookup.sg/biz/misaki), Marina Bay · 12 Marina Blvd, #01-01 · 2 min walk from Downtown MRT · SFA licensed
- [Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/watami-japanese-casual-restaurant), Downtown Core · 6 Eu Tong Sen St · 1 min walk from Esplanade MRT · SFA licensed
- [A Noodle Story](https://lookup.sg/biz/a-noodle-story), Tanjong Pagar · 7 Maxwell Rd, #01-39 · 2 min walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT · registered 2021
- [Doco Donburi](https://lookup.sg/biz/doco-donburi), Tanjong Pagar · 10 Anson Rd #01-16 International Plaza · 1 min walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT
- [Ichikokudo Hokkaido Ramen](https://lookup.sg/biz/ichikokudo-hokkaido-ramen), Bugis · B1-135 (Tower 4) Suntec City Mall 3 Temasek Blvd 038983 · 3 min walk from Promenade MRT
- [Sushi SEIZAN](https://lookup.sg/biz/sushi-seizan), Bugis · 470 North Bridge Rd #03-19 Bugis Cube · 2 min walk from Bugis MRT
- [Itacho Sushi](https://lookup.sg/biz/itacho-sushi), Bugis · 200 Victoria St #B1-05 Bugis Junction · 1 min walk from Bugis MRT
- [Ippudo Tanjong Pagar Centre](https://lookup.sg/biz/ippudo-tanjong-pagar-centre), Tanjong Pagar · 7 Wallich St #B2 - 16 Guoco Tower · 1 min walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT
- [Tonkotsu Kazan Volcano Ramen](https://lookup.sg/biz/tonkotsu-kazan-volcano-ramen), Clarke Quay · 107 North Bridge Rd #B1-23 Funan · 4 min walk from City Hall MRT
- [Sushi Koga](https://lookup.sg/biz/sushi-koga), Tanjong Pagar · 70 Shenton Wy, #01-21 Eon Shenton · 1 min walk from Cc32 MRT · registered 2024
- [Robata Hikari](https://lookup.sg/biz/robata-hikari), Bugis · 7 Fraser St, #01-48/49/50 Duo Galleria · 1 min walk from Bugis MRT · registered 2025
- [Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ](https://lookup.sg/biz/gyu-kaku-japanese-bbq), Downtown Core · 6 Raffles Blvd #02-106 Marina Square · 2 min walk from Esplanade MRT
- [Koji Sushi Bar - Raffles City](https://lookup.sg/biz/koji-sushi-bar-raffles-city), Downtown Core · 252 North Bridge Road 03-28A Raffles City Shopping Centre 179103 · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT
- [Aburi-EN](https://lookup.sg/biz/aburi-en-tanjong-pagar), Tanjong Pagar · 1 Wallich St, #B2 - 09 · 1 min walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT
- [Aburi-EN](https://lookup.sg/biz/aburi-en-downtown-core), Downtown Core · 3 Temasek Blvd, #B1-121 · 3 min walk from Promenade MRT
- [Itadakimasu by PARCO](https://lookup.sg/biz/itadakimasu-by-parco), Tanjong Pagar · 100 Tras St, #02-10/11, #03 - 10 to 15 and #03 - K1 · 3 min walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT
- [KOMA Singapore](https://lookup.sg/biz/koma-singapore), Marina Bay · 10 Bayfront Ave, B1-67 The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands · 4 min walk from Bayfront MRT
- [Kan Sushi | Izakaya & Sake Bar (寛寿司 Tanjong Pagar)](https://lookup.sg/biz/kan-sushi-izakaya-and-sake-bar-tanjong-pagar), Tanjong Pagar · 10 Anson Rd, #02-54 · 1 min walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT
- [Keyaki](https://lookup.sg/biz/keyaki), Downtown Core · 7 Raffles Blvd, Level 4 Pan Pacific Singapore · 3 min walk from Promenade MRT
- [Kinki Restaurant and Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/kinki-restaurant-and-bar), Raffles Place · 70, #02-02 Collyer Quay, Customs House · 3 min walk from Raffles Place MRT
- [OUMI Modern Japanese Kappo Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/oumi-modern-japanese-kappo-restaurant), Raffles Place · 88 Market St, #51-01 · 2 min walk from Raffles Place 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.