Restaurant Reviews & Analysis
Teppei Japanese Restaurant
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Signature Dishes:
- Bara Chirashi ($17.60) – Generous bowl of fresh sashimi over seasoned rice
- Omakase Dinner Sets – Chef’s selection showcasing seasonal ingredients
- Tempura Set Lunch ($16.50-$19.80)
Dish Analysis: The bara chirashi exemplifies quality-to-price ratio excellence. Fresh cuts of salmon, tuna, and seasonal fish are carefully arranged over vinegared rice. The fish-to-rice ratio is well-balanced, ensuring each bite delivers oceanic sweetness without overwhelming the palate.
Key Features:
- Walk-ins available for lunch
- Dinner reservations required months ahead
- Authentic Japanese preparation techniques
- CBD-accessible location
Delivery Options: Limited; best experienced dine-in for freshness
Koji Sushi Bar
Overall Rating: 4/5
Menu Highlights:
- Bara Chirashi ($17) with salad and miso soup
- Sushi sets ($9-$23)
- Lunch combinations
Facets & Traits:
- Freshness: Daily fish selection ensures quality
- Value: Complimentary sides enhance meal value
- Atmosphere: Busy CBD lunch crowd, efficient service
- Portion Size: Satisfying without being excessive
Best For: Office workers seeking quick, quality Japanese lunch
Tamoya Udon House
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Signature Item: Sanuki Udon
Price Points:
- Regular: $5.80
- Large: $7.80
Dish Breakdown: Tamoya specializes in authentic Tokyo-style udon with two preparation styles:
- Kake Udon – Served in rich golden dashi broth
- Sanuki Udon – Thick soy sauce-based broth
Texture Analysis: The noodles demonstrate proper sanuki characteristics: firm exterior with slight chew, tender interior. The broth achieves umami depth through bonito and kombu infusion.
Features:
- Fast casual format
- Customizable toppings
- Authentic Tokyo recipe
- Budget-friendly pricing
Popular Japanese Dishes – Deep Dive
Bara Chirashi (ばらちらし)
What It Is: Scattered sashimi bowl featuring various raw fish cuts over sushi rice.
Common Ingredients:
- Fresh sashimi (maguro, sake, hamachi)
- Sushi rice seasoned with rice vinegar
- Ikura (salmon roe)
- Tamago (egg omelet)
- Garnishes: nori, sesame seeds, wasabi
Quality Indicators:
- Fish should glisten, never appear dull
- Rice temperature: room temperature, never cold
- Proper seasoning balance in rice
- Fresh wasabi vs. powder
Price Range in Singapore: $17-$26
Yakitori (焼き鳥)
Description: Charcoal-grilled chicken skewers, a Japanese izakaya staple.
Common Varieties:
- Negima – Chicken and leek
- Tsukune – Minced chicken meatballs
- Tebasaki – Chicken wings
- Kawa – Chicken skin
Cooking Technique: Traditional binchotan charcoal grilling creates:
- Crispy exterior
- Juicy interior
- Subtle smoky aroma
- Caramelized tare glaze
Serving Style: Typically comes in sets, served hot with shichimi spice
Japanese Cooking Instructions
How to Make Bara Chirashi at Home
Ingredients (2 servings):
- 2 cups Japanese short-grain rice
- 300g mixed sashimi-grade fish
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- Ikura, nori, sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare Sushi Rice:
- Rinse rice 3-4 times until water runs clear
- Cook rice in rice cooker with 1:1 water ratio
- Mix vinegar, sugar, salt; heat until dissolved
- Fold seasoning into hot rice using cutting motion
- Cool to room temperature
- Prepare Fish:
- Ensure fish is sashimi-grade quality
- Slice against the grain in 1cm thick pieces
- Keep refrigerated until serving
- Assembly:
- Fill bowl with sushi rice
- Arrange fish pieces decoratively on top
- Add ikura, tamago slices
- Garnish with nori strips, sesame seeds
- Serve immediately with wasabi and soy sauce
Pro Tips:
- Use a wooden bowl for authentic presentation
- Fan rice while seasoning for glossy finish
- Mix fish varieties for color contrast
Sanuki Udon Recipe
Ingredients (2 servings):
- 200g dried sanuki udon noodles
- 3 cups dashi stock
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- Green onions, tempura bits for topping
Cooking Steps:
- Prepare Broth:
- Heat dashi stock in pot
- Add soy sauce and mirin
- Simmer 5 minutes
- Cook Noodles:
- Boil water in separate pot
- Cook udon 8-10 minutes
- Drain and rinse with cold water
- Serve:
- Place noodles in bowl
- Pour hot broth over noodles
- Top with green onions, tempura bits
Time: 15 minutes total
Menu Design Analysis
Typical Japanese Restaurant Menu Structure
1. Lunch Sets (定食 – Teishoku)
- Fixed combinations
- Includes rice, miso soup, pickles
- Price range: $12-$20
- Best value proposition
2. Rice Bowls (丼 – Donburi)
- Single-bowl meals
- Quick service
- Popular items: chirashi, katsudon, oyakodon
- Price: $15-$25
3. Noodles (麺類)
- Ramen, udon, soba
- Customizable toppings
- Price: $8-$18
4. Izakaya Items (居酒屋)
- Small sharing plates
- Grilled items, skewers
- Higher markup, sold individually
5. Omakase
- Chef’s selection
- Premium pricing
- Reservations required
Key Features to Evaluate
Freshness Indicators
✓ Daily fish delivery schedule ✓ Display case temperature control ✓ Clear eyes on whole fish ✓ Firm texture, no sliminess ✓ Ocean-fresh aroma
Service Quality Traits
✓ Knowledge of seasonal ingredients ✓ Explanation of preparation methods ✓ Attentive to dietary restrictions ✓ Efficient table turnover
Authenticity Markers
✓ Japanese staff or chef ✓ Imported ingredients (where applicable) ✓ Traditional cooking methods ✓ Seasonal menu changes ✓ Japanese-language elements
Value Assessment
✓ Portion sizes ✓ Included sides (miso soup, salad, pickles) ✓ Quality of ingredients vs. price ✓ Lunch vs. dinner pricing difference
Delivery Options in Singapore
Platforms Available:
- GrabFood – Widest restaurant selection
- Foodpanda – Frequent promotions
- Deliveroo – Premium restaurant focus
- Restaurant Direct – Some offer own delivery
Delivery Considerations for Japanese Food:
Best for Delivery: ✓ Don bowls (chirashi, katsudon) ✓ Bento sets ✓ Ramen (broth packed separately) ✓ Sushi rolls ✓ Grilled items (yakitori, teriyaki)
Not Ideal for Delivery: ✗ Nigiri sushi (texture suffers) ✗ Tempura (loses crispiness) ✗ Cold noodle dishes (temperature critical)
Packaging Quality Matters:
- Separate compartments for components
- Insulated bags for temperature control
- Sauce packets on the side
- Proper sealing to prevent spills
Delivery Radius:
Most Japanese restaurants deliver within 3-5km radius to maintain food quality.
Dining Tips & Recommendations
Best Times to Visit:
- Lunch (11:30am-2pm): Best value, set menus available
- Early Dinner (5-7pm): Avoid peak crowds
- Late Night (9pm+): Izakaya atmosphere
Budget Planning:
- Under $15: Udon, simple don bowls
- $15-$25: Chirashi, sushi sets, bento
- $25-$50: Omakase lunch, premium sets
- $50+: Dinner omakase, premium experiences
Making Reservations:
Popular spots like Teppei require 2-3 month advance booking for dinner. Book immediately when reservations open.
Conclusion
Singapore’s Japanese dining scene offers exceptional quality across all price points. From $6 udon to $50 omakase experiences, understanding the features, preparation methods, and value indicators helps diners make informed choices. Whether dining in or ordering delivery, prioritizing freshness and authenticity ensures a satisfying Japanese culinary experience.