# Japanese Restaurants in Kovan

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: 7
- Matched to a government licence/register: 1

## 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 7)
- [Yoshinoya](https://lookup.sg/biz/yoshinoya-kovan), Kovan · #01-133, Heartland Mall · 1 min walk from Kovan MRT · SFA licensed
- [Tachinomiya](https://lookup.sg/biz/tachinomiya), Kovan · 211 Hougang St 21 · 4 min walk from Kovan MRT
- [Sushi Express - Heartland Mall](https://lookup.sg/biz/sushi-express-heartland-mall), Kovan · 205 Hougang St 21, #02-18 Heartland Mall · 1 min walk from Kovan MRT
- [Ng Kuan Chilli Pan Mee Kovan](https://lookup.sg/biz/ng-kuan-chilli-pan-mee-kovan), Kovan · 943 Upper Serangoon Rd · 2 min walk from Kovan MRT
- [Wanton Egg Noodle](https://lookup.sg/biz/wanton-egg-noodle), Kovan · Kovan Hougang Market & 209 Hougang St 21 · 2 min walk from Kovan MRT
- [First Street Fried Prawn Noodles](https://lookup.sg/biz/first-street-fried-prawn-noodles), Kovan · 1014 Upper Serangoon Rd · 5 min walk from Kovan MRT
- [Chai Chee Prawn Noodles Hougang Branch](https://lookup.sg/biz/chai-chee-prawn-noodles-hougang-branch), Kovan · #01-03, Kovan Food Centre · 3 min walk from Kovan 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.