# Japanese Restaurants in Novena

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: 42
- Matched to a government licence/register: 2
- Median years in business: 22

## 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)
- [Nara Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/nara-japanese-restaurant), Novena · 167 Thomson Rd · 3 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2004
- [Maji Curry](https://lookup.sg/biz/maji-curry), Novena · 10 Sinaran Dr, #02-07 · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Teochew Kway Tiao Mee](https://lookup.sg/biz/teochew-kway-tiao-mee), Novena · 91 Whampoa Dr, #01-07 · 11 min walk from Boon Keng MRT
- [Ichiban Boshi](https://lookup.sg/biz/ichiban-boshi-307591), Novena · 101 Thomson Rd · 4 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 2000
- [Ichiban Boshi](https://lookup.sg/biz/ichiban-boshi-novena), Novena · 238 Thomson Rd, #02-13 Novena Square · 1 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 2000
- [China Whampoa Home Made Noodle](https://lookup.sg/biz/china-whampoa-home-made-noodle), Novena · 91 Whampoa Dr, #01-24 Makan Place · 11 min walk from Boon Keng MRT · registered 2007
- [Sakae Sushi](https://lookup.sg/biz/sakae-sushi-novena), Novena · Square 2, 10 Sinaran Dr, #02-85/86/89 · 1 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 1997
- [Monster Curry](https://lookup.sg/biz/monster-curry-novena), Novena · 238 Thomson Rd, #02-78/79 · 1 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 2009
- [Matsuo Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/matsuo-restaurant), Novena · 1 Goldhill Plaza · 2 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed
- [Xin Mei Xiang Zheng Zong Lor Mee](https://lookup.sg/biz/xin-mei-xiang-zheng-zong-lor-mee), Novena · 586 Balestier Rd, #01-01 · 8 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 2021
- [Adam Fishball Noodle](https://lookup.sg/biz/adam-fishball-noodle), Novena · 2 Adam Rd, #01-25 Adam Food Centre · 3 min walk from Botanic Gardens MRT
- [Kei Kaisendon](https://lookup.sg/biz/kei-kaisendon-novena), Novena · 10 Sinaran Dr, #02 - 95 · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Miyabi Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/miyabi-japanese-restaurant), Novena · 1 Plymouth Ave, Level 2 Raffles Town Club · 2 min walk from Stevens MRT
- [Novena](https://lookup.sg/biz/novena), Novena · Square 2, 10 Sinaran Dr · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Tomi Sushi](https://lookup.sg/biz/tomi-sushi-novena), Novena · 238 Thomson Rd, #02 - 76 / 77 · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Akane Japanese Restaurant (Members Only)](https://lookup.sg/biz/akane-japanese-restaurant-members-only), Novena · 120 Adam Rd · 11 min walk from Botanic Gardens MRT
- [Bari Uma Ramen](https://lookup.sg/biz/bari-uma-ramen), Novena · 273 Thomson Rd, #01-03/04 Novena Gardens · 2 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Gyu-Kaku](https://lookup.sg/biz/gyu-kaku-novena), Novena · 238 Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen](https://lookup.sg/biz/tonkotsu-kazan-ramen-novena), Novena · Novena Square 2 · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [YAYOI Japanese Restaurant | United Square Novena | Teishoku | Tonkatsu | Chicken Namban](https://lookup.sg/biz/yayoi-japanese-restaurant-united-square-novena-teishoku-tonkatsu-chick), Novena · United Square Thomson Rd, #B1-54/55 · 4 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Mademoiselle Tang Noodle](https://lookup.sg/biz/mademoiselle-tang-noodle), Novena · Irrawaddy Rd, 103 at, #01-10 Royal Square · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [umisushi](https://lookup.sg/biz/umisushi-novena), Novena · 11 Jln Tan Tock Seng, #01-09 Tan Tock Seng Hospital · 2 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Sukiya](https://lookup.sg/biz/sukiya-novena), Novena · #01-47/48/51 to 53, Square 2, 10 Sinaran Dr · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Sandai Izakaya](https://lookup.sg/biz/sandai-izakaya), Novena · 103 Irrawaddy Road #01-05 Royal Square@Novena · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Hokkaido Fish Market](https://lookup.sg/biz/hokkaido-fish-market), Novena · 10 Sinaran Dr · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Pontian Wanton Noodles](https://lookup.sg/biz/pontian-wanton-noodles-novena), Novena · United Sq, 101 Thomson Rd · 4 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Best Lu Mian in Town](https://lookup.sg/biz/best-lu-mian-in-town), Novena · Whampoa Drive Makan Place Blk 91 91 Whampoa Dr · 11 min walk from Boon Keng MRT
- [我家面](https://lookup.sg/biz/business-66), Novena · Boon Keng Ville, 17 Upp Boon Keng Rd · 9 min walk from Boon Keng MRT
- [Mega Fishball Noodle](https://lookup.sg/biz/mega-fishball-noodle), Novena · 567 Balestier Rd · 8 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Ajisen Ramen](https://lookup.sg/biz/ajisen-ramen-novena), Novena · #02-92/93/94 Square 2 · 1 min walk from Novena 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.