# Japanese Restaurants in Singapore River

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: 85
- Matched to a government licence/register: 12
- Median years in business: 12

## 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)
- [Shinzo Japanese Cuisine](https://lookup.sg/biz/shinzo-japanese-cuisine), Clarke Quay · 17 Carpenter St · 1 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2013
- [Mitsuba Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/mitsuba-japanese-restaurant), Clarke Quay · 6 Eu Tong Sen St, #03-88 The Central · 1 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2014
- [Irodori Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/irodori-restaurant), Robertson Quay · 382 Havelock Road, Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview, Hotel, #03-01 · 4 min walk from Havelock MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2020
- [Authentic Hock Lam Street Popular Beef Kway Teow](https://lookup.sg/biz/authentic-hock-lam-street-popular-beef-kway-teow), Raffles Place · 13 N Canal Rd, #01-01 · 4 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT · registered 2005
- [Kuriya Dining](https://lookup.sg/biz/kuriya-dining), Singapore River · 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #01 - 127 Great World · 1 min walk from Great World MRT · registered 2001
- [Tajimaya Yakiniku](https://lookup.sg/biz/tajimaya-yakiniku), Singapore River · 1 Kim Seng Promenade #B1 - 115 · 1 min walk from Great World MRT · registered 2018
- [Aburiya](https://lookup.sg/biz/aburiya), Robertson Quay · 60 Robertson Quay, #01-03 The Quayside · 7 min walk from Fort Canning MRT · SFA licensed
- [Yakiniquest](https://lookup.sg/biz/yakiniquest-raffles-place), Raffles Place · 48 Boat Quay · 4 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · SFA licensed
- [Neon Pigeon](https://lookup.sg/biz/neon-pigeon), Clarke Quay · 36 Carpenter St #01-01 · 2 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT
- [Douraku Sushi](https://lookup.sg/biz/douraku-sushi), Clarke Quay · Lobby Level, Park Regis Hotel · 2 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT · registered 2021
- [issho izakaya Great World](https://lookup.sg/biz/issho-izakaya-great-world), Singapore River · 1 Kim Seng Promenade #01-123 Great World City · 1 min walk from Great World MRT
- [Kuriya Japanese Market (Great World)](https://lookup.sg/biz/kuriya-japanese-market-great-world), Singapore River · 1 Kim Seng Promenade B1-132 Great World · 1 min walk from Great World MRT
- [Ramen Matsuri](https://lookup.sg/biz/ramen-matsuri), Raffles Place · 7 N Canal Rd · 4 min walk from Raffles Place MRT
- [The Hitsuji Club](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-hitsuji-club), Raffles Place · 65 Circular Rd, #01-01 · 4 min walk from Raffles Place MRT
- [Marutama Ramen](https://lookup.sg/biz/marutama-ramen-059817), Clarke Quay · 6 Eu Tong Sen St, #03-90 The Central · 1 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT
- [Mikoto Singapore Japanese Izakaya](https://lookup.sg/biz/mikoto-singapore-japanese-izakaya), Robertson Quay · 60 Robertson Quay · 7 min walk from Havelock MRT
- [Marutama Ramen](https://lookup.sg/biz/marutama-ramen-clarke-quay), Clarke Quay · 177 River Valley Rd · 1 min walk from Fort Canning MRT
- [Aburiya](https://lookup.sg/biz/aburiya-clarke-quay), Clarke Quay · 78 Boat Quay · 3 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT
- [Tori Sanwa](https://lookup.sg/biz/tori-sanwa), Singapore River · #B1-K117, Great World · 1 min walk from Great World MRT
- [Watami](https://lookup.sg/biz/watami-clarke-quay), Clarke Quay · 6 Eu Tong Sen St · 1 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT
- [Ikoi Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/ikoi-japanese-restaurant), Robertson Quay · 401 Havelock Rd, #01-01 LOBBY LEVEL 1 · 5 min walk from Havelock MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2000
- [Shin Minori Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/shin-minori-japanese-restaurant), Clarke Quay · 81 Clemenceau Ave, #03-15/16 · 2 min walk from Fort Canning MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2010
- [Sun King Ryoriya](https://lookup.sg/biz/sun-king-ryoriya), Robertson Quay · #01-14/15, Robertson Walk · 4 min walk from Fort Canning MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2009
- [Nanjya Monjya Waterfront](https://lookup.sg/biz/nanjya-monjya-waterfront), Robertson Quay · 390 Havelock Rd, #01-03/04/05 Waterfront Plaza · 2 min walk from Havelock MRT · registered 2003
- [Ichiban Boshi](https://lookup.sg/biz/ichiban-boshi-singapore-river), Singapore River · 1 Kim Seng Promenade · 1 min walk from Great World MRT · registered 2000
- [En Japanese Dining Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/en-japanese-dining-bar), Robertson Quay · 207 River Valley Rd · 4 min walk from Fort Canning MRT · registered 2000
- [Omotenashi Dining Gosso](https://lookup.sg/biz/omotenashi-dining-gosso), Raffles Place · Boat Quay Conservation Area, 64 Boat Quay · 3 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · SFA licensed
- [Katanashi](https://lookup.sg/biz/katanashi), Clarke Quay · 77 Boat Quay · 3 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT · SFA licensed
- [E.Pachi](https://lookup.sg/biz/e-pachi), Raffles Place · 40/40A Boat Quay · 3 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · SFA licensed
- [Nakasei Sushi](https://lookup.sg/biz/nakasei-sushi), Clarke Quay · Central Mall, 1 Magazine Rd · 5 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT · SFA licensed

## 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.