The first time someone took us here, we almost walked past it.
Cuppage Plaza sits just off Orchard Road, a short stroll from Somerset MRT Station, and it does not announce itself. The escalators creak. The signage is a jumble of Japanese characters and faded shopfronts. But step inside, and you find why locals call it Singapore’s Little Tokyo — a hidden gem where authentic Japanese restaurants thrive, serving all the food that fans of Japanese cuisine could crave.
This is where Japanese expats come after work. Where the Cuppage Plaza food scene runs deeper than any glossy Orchard chain restaurant. Many of these Japanese restaurants are run by Japanese chefs, including chef Steven Lee of Hanashizuku Japanese Cuisine, who uses only the freshest ingredients flown in regularly from Toyosu Market in Japan. The careful attention to cooking and quality makes these places well worth repeat visits. We, the SENDs Team, have been to Tokyo, Japan in 2025, so we can attest that these restaurants do feel authentic.
We’ve spent enough evenings wandering these floors to have opinions. Some are smoky and loud. Some are quiet enough to hear the soy sauce being poured. Here are six worth knowing, and who each one is really for.
Quick Look at Cuppage Plaza Food
Restaurant | Best For | Price Range | SENDs Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
After-work charcoal grilling with subtle smokiness | $$$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Quiet date nights, omakase, private dining room | $$$$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Old-school sashimi dinners, ramen | $$$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Group drinks, casual bites | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Solo lunches, everyday meals | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Authentic Kyoto-style obanzai dishes, intimate counter seating | $$–$$$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
1. Kazu Sumiyaki Restaurant
Price: $$$ (~$40–70 per person)
SENDs Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kazu Sumiyaki Restaurant has been doing one thing well for over three decades — charcoal grilling. This is robatayaki in its truest form, yakitori skewers grilled over hot coals until the edges catch and the fat renders down into something quietly smoky. The room is small, a little worn, and full of the kind of warmth you can’t fake. It feels less like a restaurant and more like a neighbourhood izakaya someone airlifted out of Tokyo.
The assorted yakitori is the order we keep returning to, partly because it lets you taste the range of what the grill can do. The pork belly skewers come out glossy and rich, and the grilled hokke (a butterflied mackerel) is the kind of dish you tear into without much conversation. None of it is fussy. All of it is well executed. The honest catch is the space. It’s tight, and on a busy night the smoke hangs thick, so come knowing your clothes will carry the evening home with you.
Good Vibes For: After-work drinks, yakitori lovers, anyone chasing real Japanese nightlife near Orchard Road.
Hard Pass If: You want a roomy table or dislike leaving a meal smelling faintly of charcoal.
SENDs Hack: Sit at the counter if there’s space. Watching the chef work the coals is half the reason to come, and the grilled items somehow taste better when you’ve watched them happen.
2. Hanashizuku Japanese Cuisine
Price: $$$$ ($60–150+ per person)
SENDs Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If Kazu is the loud, smoky heart of the building, Hanashizuku Japanese Cuisine is its quiet counterpoint. This Kyoto-style restaurant, led by head chef Steven Lee, is kaiseki-inspired and built around the seasons. Hanashizuku leans on restraint, letting the ingredient speak rather than burying it under sauce. The room is hushed, the service impeccable, and you feel yourself slowing down to match it.
The omakase here is where the place makes its case, with seafood flown in from Toyosu Market three times a week that tastes like it was swimming recently. The chawanmushi arrives silken and warm, the kind of dish that asks nothing of you except attention. The foie gras dishes are a highlight, alongside the sashimi moriawase that showcases only the freshest ingredients. This balance makes Hanashizuku an ideal choice for those seeking quality and ambiance akin to fine dining establishments in Singapore, but without the hefty price tag.
Good Vibes For: Date nights, business lunches, anyone wanting Japanese dining with a calm, considered pace.
Hard Pass If: You’re hungry for volume or prefer casual izakaya vibes.
SENDs Hack: Come for lunch and ask about the seasonal seafood flown in from Japan. You’ll taste what makes this kitchen special without the dinner bill.
3. Shinjuku Restaurant
Price: $$$ ($40–80 per person)
SENDs Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Shinjuku Restaurant has the comfortable air of a place that stopped chasing trends long ago. It’s an old-school Tokyo izakaya at heart, built on sashimi and grilled fish, and never felt the need to reinvent itself. The interior is dated, but there’s something reassuring about a dining room that knows exactly what it is.
The assorted sashimi moriawase is the reason most regulars walk in, generous and fresh, the slices cut with care rather than flourish. Don’t sleep on the grilled black cod, tender and just sweet enough from the marinade. The kitchen handles both raw and grilled with equal confidence, which is rarer than it sounds. The downside is timing; during peak dinner hours, service slows noticeably, so this is not the spot for a rushed meal.
Good Vibes For: Traditional Japanese dinners, sashimi devotees, diners who value substance over decor.
Hard Pass If: You care about a modern interior or have a tight dinner schedule.
SENDs Hack: Order one grilled item alongside your sashimi moriawase. The contrast of cool raw fish and warm grilled cod makes the meal feel complete.
4. Izakaya Nijumaru
Price: $$ ($30–50 per person)
SENDs Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some nights you don’t want ceremony. You want a cold drink, a table of friends, and a stack of izakaya classics to pick at. Nijumaru is built for exactly that. It’s a lively Japanese pub running through all the izakaya classics, with an extensive sake and beer list and prices that won’t make you wince at the end.
The chicken karaage is a reliable starter, crisp and juicy, and the mentaiko fries are the sort of guilty-pleasure order that disappears faster than anyone admits. The beef tataki is worth a look if you want something a little more refined among the comfort food. The menu is large, portions made for sharing, and the energy is the whole point. On weekends it gets noisy, which is either the appeal or the problem depending on your mood.
Good Vibes For: Groups, casual dinners, happy-hour catch-ups that stretch later than planned.
Hard Pass If: You want a quiet table or intimate conversation. This room hums.
SENDs Hack: Arrive before 7pm for shorter waits and a calmer room, and check happy hour drinks. Sharing plates stretch further with a bigger group.
5. Keria Japanese Restaurant
Price: $$ ($20–40 per person)
SENDs Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Keria Japanese Restaurant is the one we’d send you to on an ordinary weekday, when you don’t want production, just a good, honest meal. This home-style Japanese eatery doesn’t bother with fusion or flourish. The interior is simple, almost plain, but the food has the unhurried warmth of something made the same way for years.
The katsu curry rice is a solid order, the cutlet crisp without turning oily, and the curry rice is exactly the comforting bowl you want when the day has worn you down. Keria’s noodle dishes and tofu selections round out the menu nicely. It’s not a place for celebrations or flashy interiors, but for everyday Japanese cuisine that respects your wallet, it quietly delivers.
Good Vibes For: Solo diners, office lunches, anyone wanting no-fuss Japanese food.
Hard Pass If: You need an interior worth posting or a festive atmosphere.
SENDs Hack: Go for the lunch sets. They’re significantly better value than piecemeal dinner ordering.
6. Izakaya Naniwa
Price: $$–$$$ (varies by dish)
SENDs Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Izakaya Naniwa is one of Cuppage Plaza’s best kept secrets, known for its authentic and traditional Kyoto-style obanzai dishes. This intimate izakaya seats just 12 people around the counter, creating a cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying a variety of small plates paired with sake or your favorite drink.
The menu changes daily to showcase seasonal and fresh ingredients, with offerings including sashimi, tempura, grilled skewers, and other classic izakaya fare. The unassuming building hides a gem that emphasizes home-style cooking and genuine hospitality, making it a favorite among Japanese expats and locals alike.
Reservations are recommended due to limited seating and its popularity among those seeking a true izakaya experience.
Good Vibes For: Intimate dining experiences, fans of authentic Kyoto-style home cooking, and those who enjoy pairing small plates with drinks in a cozy setting.
Hard Pass If: You prefer spacious dining areas, fixed menus, or a more bustling atmosphere.
SENDs Hack: Arrive early to secure a seat at the counter and ask the chef for daily specials to fully enjoy the seasonal obanzai offerings.
Hidden Gems Beyond Japanese Cuisine at Cuppage Plaza
While Cuppage Plaza is renowned for its authentic Japanese eateries, it also offers delightful options beyond traditional fare. Orchard Yong Tau Fu, for instance, is a local favourite known for its wallet-friendly yong tau foo featuring stuffed lady’s fingers, salted duck eggs, and other fresh ingredients served in a light soybean broth. Despite the long queues during lunch hours, this eatery offers a comforting alternative to the Japanese-centric options.
Meanwhile, Ebi Bar brings a unique twist with its Singaporean-style prawn noodles, showcasing rich umami flavours that complement the plaza’s diverse food scene. These spots highlight how Cuppage Plaza food extends beyond Japanese cuisine to cater to a variety of tastes, making it a versatile destination for private gatherings or casual meals alike.
If you want to explore more beyond Cuppage Plaza, then why not travel down to Orchard Plaza to discover more dining options?
So Where Should You Start Your Cuppage Plaza Food Journey?
Choosing where to start your Cuppage Plaza food adventure depends entirely on the kind of evening you want.
For the full Little Tokyo vibe—thick with smoke, sizzling skewers, and lively chatter—Kazu Sumiyaki Restaurant is the perfect launch point. If you prefer something more serene and refined, Hanashizuku Japanese Cuisine’s lunch service offers a deliciously elegant experience without the heavier dinner prices. When it’s all about fresh, quality sashimi and you don’t mind a no-frills setting, Shinjuku Restaurant is your reliable go-to.
For casual group outings, Izakaya Nijumaru delivers a vibrant atmosphere with affordable, shareable dishes that keep the night flowing. On quieter weekdays, Keria Japanese Restaurant stands out as the ideal spot for comforting meals like katsu curry rice or hearty noodles when you want to eat well and keep things simple.
This unassuming mall near Somerset MRT Station doesn’t try to impress with flashy facades or crowds. Instead, it quietly serves a loyal following, including many Japanese expats who could dine anywhere but choose Cuppage Plaza for its authentic, delicious food and warm, inviting atmosphere. That loyalty speaks volumes about the quality and authenticity found within these walls.
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