KOMA Singapore

KOMA Singapore is a Japanese restaurant, sushi bar and lounge at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. It is run by Tao Group Hospitality, the New York-based group behind other venues at the resort, and it opened in 2019.

The menu is a modern take on Japanese cooking, from sushi and robata grill dishes to Japanese wagyu. The room is just as much of a draw. It was designed by Rockwell Group, a New York design firm.

The setting

The way in is a 20-metre corridor of orange arches, a nod to the torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. It opens into a lounge with cocktails and a long sake list.

The main dining room has high ceilings and a traditional Japanese footbridge. Above it is a giant bronze bell, about 2.5 metres tall. Oversized lanterns and red wooden beams add to the drama. There is also an oversized sushi bar and a private dining room on the mezzanine. It is a big, theatrical space, better for a night out than a quiet meal.

What to order

The menu is long, so it helps to mix a few small plates with something from the grill. Starters include the salmon pillow, crispy Tokyo gyoza and a lobster avocado salad. Crispy hand rolls come with sweet shrimp or otoro tartare.

From the robata grill, there is Japanese wagyu yakitori and king crab sumiyaki. Larger plates include roasted miso black cod, wafu carbonara with uni and scallion fried rice. For a splurge, the kitchen offers snow-aged Niigata wagyu ribeye and A5 wagyu tenderloin.

If you want the chef to choose, there is a daily tasting menu, plus a KOMA Sushi Omakase that runs on Sunday evenings only. Save room for the Bonsai, a dessert made to look like a small potted tree. It combines molten dark chocolate with crunchy praline.

Good to know before you go

• Dress code: smart casual. Men should wear a collared shirt or a smart T-shirt, trousers or tailored shorts, and closed shoes. Slippers, singlets, swimwear or gym wear can get you turned away.
• Booking: reserve through Marina Bay Sands, or contact the restaurant by phone or email.
• Lunch: KOMA serves lunch as well as dinner, with lunch sets on the menu.
• Drinks only: the bar and lounge serves signature cocktails and sake, so you can stop by just for a drink.

Nearby

KOMA is on the basement level of the mall, so it pairs well with a visit to the ArtScience Museum or the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck. After dinner, walk across the Helix Bridge. Browse more Japanese restaurants and all restaurants in Marina Bay and the CBD, or read our guide to things to do in Marina Bay.