I choose sushi the way I choose music.
Some nights when I don’t to get hammered at a Japanese izakaya, I want silence and a sushi counter, every piece of exquisite nigiri sushi placed in front of me like a small, wordless kindness. Other nights, I just want salmon, a booth, friends who talk too loudly, and a bill I don’t have to breathe through.
Both are real cravings. Neither is better.
So this isn’t a ranking. It’s more like a map of moods. Six sushi restaurants I keep returning to, each with a different kind of evening vibe—from the hushed omakase counters boasting premium ingredients to the casual salmon runs on a tired Tuesday. I’ve eaten at these tables, read what other diners quietly complain about, and I’ll tell you the truth about each. The good, and the parts that might not be for you.
Here’s the quick version before we sit down properly.
Quick Summary For The Best Sushi Singapore Has To Offer
Restaurant | Best For | Price Range | Location | Izzah’s Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Traditional omakase, special occasion | $$ | Tanglin (St. Regis) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Purists, quiet celebrations | $$$ | Orchard (Conrad) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Adventurous, aged sushi lovers | $$ | Club Street | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Creative, personality-led dates | $$$ | Sentosa | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Mixed groups, family dinners | $ | ION Orchard | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Casual sushi, salmon cravings | $ | Marina One, City Hall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
1. Shinji by Kanesaka: Best Sushi Singapore for Nigiri Sushi and Omakase
Price: $$
Izzah’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There’s a stillness to Shinji that I didn’t expect the first time.
This sushi restaurant is one of Singapore’s established names for Edomae sushi, holding one Michelin star and running quietly since 2010. What strikes you isn’t spectacle. It’s restraint. The chefs don’t drown the fish in sauces or clever toppings. They age it, cure it, and shape the sushi rice (shari) with a kind of patience that feels almost private. Each piece of nigiri sushi arrives, and you understand it was crafted for that exact moment.
The nigiri lunch set starts from around $150, and the Edomae dinner menu sits near $250, with longer omakase menus climbing from there. Yes, it’s a lot. This is not a place where you casually add three more pieces and look away from the bill. The formality can feel too composed if you came for something lively, and I understand that. But for a certain kind of special occasion, the quiet is the whole point.
During my visit, the exquisite sushi served at Shinji by Kanesaka truly satisfied my craving for authentic Edomae sushi. Each plate was a work of art, with the sushi chef expertly preparing nigiri using seasonal seafood flown in from Japan, ensuring the freshest selection. The main dish, a carefully curated omakase platter, featured a round of nigiri pieces that showcased the chef’s mastery in balancing the delicate flavors of the fish with perfectly seasoned, warm sushi rice made from premium grains. The plate was a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, from the buttery otoro to the subtly sweet amaebi, each bite a testament to the tradition and precision behind the craft.
Good Vibes For: Anniversaries, milestone birthdays, and anyone who loves the slow ceremony of a traditional sushi counter.
Hard Pass If: You want fusion rolls, big portions, or a loud group dinner.
2. Sushi Kimura+: Premium Sushi and Fresh Seafood Flown Direct from Japan
Price: $$$
Izzah’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nine seats. That’s the whole room.
Sushi Kimura+ is an Edomae sushi counter led by Chef Tomoo Kimura. It specialises in ageing, curing, and serving seasonal fresh seafood flown in from Japan. The progression feels serious rather than showy. A recent menu moved through seasonal white fish, squid, a signature zuke tuna, otoro, silver-skinned fish, Japanese prawn, uni, and the restaurant’s toro-ume handroll. Nothing rushed. Each piece earning its place.
Lunch runs $250++, dinner $380++, with add-ons like anago from $15++, zuke maguro at $20++, and toro-ume sushi roll at $25++. It’s firmly special-occasion territory, and the booking terms are strict, requiring a full deposit that’s non-refundable once confirmed. So this isn’t a meal for people whose plans shift. But the precision of the sushi rice and care in the aged fish reward the commitment. During my visit, I enjoyed the main dish, a beautifully curated omakase platter that showcased the chef’s skill in balancing delicate flavors. Each piece of nigiri was served with perfectly warm, lightly seasoned sushi rice made from premium grains, enhancing the natural sweetness of the fresh seafood flown directly from Japan. .
Good Vibes For: Sushi purists, experienced omakase diners, and small, intimate celebrations.
Hard Pass If: Your calendar changes often. The deposit leaves little room for spontaneity.
3. Sushi Ashino: Fresh Sashimi and Aburi Sushi with a Modern Twist
Price: $$
Izzah’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This one changed how I think about freshness and premium sashimi.
Sushi Ashino works with jukusei, the Japanese practice of ageing seafood to deepen its flavour and shift its texture. Chef Taku Ashino lets selected fish mature under careful conditions, which means the sushi here can taste more concentrated and savoury than the bright, clean sashimi you might be used to. The menu wanders into less familiar seafood too, alongside cooked dishes like tempura, monkfish liver, oysters, and seasonal shellfish.
The light lunch set omakase is $165, the light dinner $235. There’s an old ice-block refrigerator behind the counter, the kind of detail that tells you this place cares about the old ways. I’ll be honest though: if your idea of good sushi is only about immediate freshness, aged fish and aburi sushi can feel more intense than you expect. It rewards curiosity more than comfort. During my meal, the main dish—a beautifully arranged omakase platter—showcased a thoughtful selection of aged sashimi and aburi nigiri, each piece delivering a depth of flavor that was both surprising and satisfying. The aburi salmon, lightly seared over an open flame, had a smoky richness that paired perfectly with the subtly vinegared, warm sushi rice. The aged mackerel offered a concentrated umami punch, a testament to the chef’s mastery in balancing traditional techniques with seasonal ingredients flown in from Japan.
Good Vibes For: Adventurous eaters, repeat omakase diners, and food-focused dates where you actually want to talk about the meal.
Hard Pass If: You’re new to sushi and prefer familiar salmon, tuna, and sweeter sauces.
4. IYASAKA by Hashida: Sushi Restaurants with a Modern Twist and Premium Ingredients
Price: $$$
Izzah’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some omakase counters feel like a temple. This one feels like a conversation.
IYASAKA is Chef Kenjiro “Hatch” Hashida’s intimate, counter-only concept, and what I love is that it keeps the discipline of a proper omakase dinner while leaving room for warmth and play. The meal isn’t just a line of nigiri sushi. Depending on the season, it moves through chawanmushi appetisers, assorted sashimi, cooked dishes, sushi rolls, miso soup, and dessert. Chef Hashida has a way of making an expensive meal feel personal instead of intimidating, which is rarer than it sounds.
Lunch menus start from $200++, with a higher one at $320++, and dinner omakase runs from around $450++. A few honest notes: it’s counter-only, everyone in your booking picks the same menu, and cancelling within 72 hours can cost you. One more thing worth flagging, the current address has moved over time, so reconfirm the venue when you book.
During my dining experience at IYASAKA by Hashida, the main dish was an exquisitely crafted omakase platter that truly showcased the chef’s dedication to Japanese culinary tradition. Each piece of nigiri sushi was served with perfectly warm, lightly seasoned sushi rice made from premium grains, enhancing the natural flavors of the fresh seafood flown in from Japan. The selection included a variety of seasonal fish, carefully chosen to highlight the best of the current offerings, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to seasonal ingredients. The balance of textures and tastes was impeccable, with delicate cuts of sashimi alongside expertly prepared nigiri and a few creative twists that added personality without overshadowing the classic flavors.
Good Vibes For: Creative omakase, celebratory dates, and diners who want craftsmanship without solemnity.
Hard Pass If: You want a quick à la carte sushi meal or lots of dietary swaps.
5. Sen-ryo: Affordable Sushi Restaurants with Fresh Seafood and Family-Friendly Menu
Price: $
Izzah’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is my “we can’t agree on anything” restaurant.
Sen-ryo sits comfortably between casual chain sushi restaurants and full omakase. It serves nigiri, assorted sashimi, grilled dishes, tempura, noodles, and the usual Japanese comforts, with fresh seafood sourced from Japan, in a modern room inside ION Orchard. It’s where I go when one person wants otoro, another wants tempura, and someone at the table is emotionally attached to chawanmushi. The menu is broad enough to keep everyone happy without treating the sushi as an afterthought.
Expect around $35 to $80 per person, depending on how deep you go into the sashimi and nigiri sushi. People rave about the supreme sushi platters, the otoro, the engawa, and the mentai tamagoyaki. During my visits to Sen-ryo, the main dish that stood out was their supreme sushi platter, a generous assortment of fresh nigiri sushi and sashimi crafted with seasonal seafood flown in from Japan. Each piece was served with perfectly warm, lightly seasoned sushi rice, made from premium grains that enhanced the natural flavors of the fish. The otoro was buttery and rich, melting effortlessly on the tongue, while the engawa offered a delightful texture with a subtle sweetness that complemented the sushi rice beautifully. The mentai tamagoyaki, a fluffy Japanese omelette topped with spicy cod roe, added a unique burst of flavor that balanced the platter perfectly.
Good Vibes For: Shopping-day lunches, family dinners, birthdays, and mixed groups who can’t commit to a tasting menu.
Hard Pass If: You’re expecting conveyor-belt bargain pricing.
If you are still in Orchard, why not take a small detour and visit Singapore’s Little Japan, Orchard Plaza? Click here to discover more so I can SENDs you to a great Japanese dining adventure 😉
6. Standing Sushi Bar: Cheap and Affordable Sushi Express with Salmon Cravings
Price: $
Izzah’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
And then there’s the Tuesday sushi roll craving.
Standing Sushi Bar is the most casual, wallet-friendly pick here, and I mean that as a compliment. The fish is filleted in-house, the sushi is crafted by hand, and the promotions are what pull people back. There’s Salmon Madness on Monday and Thursday, nigiri and sashimi specials on Tuesday, half-price sushi rolls on Wednesday, and discounted sashimi on weekends.
You’re looking at roughly $20 to $40 per person, less if you time the deals right. It’s more functional than luxurious, and I won’t pretend otherwise. Service and atmosphere can wobble during busy promotional hours, and if you arrive at peak, the queue can quietly eat into your savings. But for fresh sashimi without turning lunch into an event, it does exactly what it promises.
During my visits, I particularly enjoyed the main dish—a vibrant sashimi platter featuring a choice selection of fresh salmon, tuna, and seasonal fish flown in from Japan. The sashimi was thickly sliced and vibrant, showcasing the quality of the seafood. Each piece was paired with perfectly warm sushi rice, lightly seasoned with vinegar, enhancing the natural flavors without overpowering them. The experience is casual, ideal for those who want a quick walk-in sushi fix without the formality of omakase. The store’s multiple outlets make it easy to find a convenient location, and the promotions forward the appeal for budget-conscious diners.
Good Vibes For: Office lunches, affordable sushi dates, salmon lovers, and casual gatherings.
Hard Pass If: You want a ceremonial omakase or a particularly romantic room.
So, Which One?
It depends on the kind of night you’re having in Singapore.
If you want your first proper omakase to feel traditional and safe, start with Shinji by Kanesaka. If you’re a purist ready to pay attention to ageing, rice, and fresh seafood flown in from Japan, Sushi Kimura+ will reward every ounce of that focus. Sushi Ashino is for the curious ones, the people who want to taste what matured fish and aburi sushi can become.
For something creative and personality-led, IYASAKA by Hashida is the warmest room on this list. When the group can’t settle on a tasting menu, Sen-ryo is the easy, polished peace treaty. And for a normal Tuesday when you just want salmon and no drama, Standing Sushi Bar is the sensible, honest answer.
None of these need hype from me. They just need you to know what you’re in the mood for.
If this helped you decide, come sit with us a while longer at Social Eats ‘N’ Drinks, where we share more food guides, honest reviews, and dining ideas worth your time. We’re always out somewhere, paying attention, so you don’t have to guess.
