Best Sushi in Singapore

Sushi in Singapore: what to expect

Sushi in Singapore covers a wide range. At one end are small counters with only a few seats. At the other are busy conveyor-belt restaurants in shopping malls. Sushi is vinegared rice paired with seafood, egg or vegetables. Many high-end counters fly in fish from Japan, so their menus change with the seasons.

Types of sushi

• Nigiri: a small, hand-pressed mound of rice topped with a slice of fish or seafood.
• Maki: rice and fillings rolled in nori (dried seaweed), then cut into pieces.
• Temaki: a hand roll shaped like a cone, eaten with your hands.
• Chirashi: a bowl of sushi rice with sliced raw fish on top.
• Sashimi: sliced raw fish served without rice. It is not sushi, but most sushi places serve it.

Sit-down counter or conveyor belt: how to choose

Sushi counters and omakase

Many high-end sushi places serve omakase. The word means 'I leave it to you'. You sit at a counter, and the chef serves one piece at a time. A meal can take around two hours. It suits a special night out. Seats are few, so book ahead.

For a sit-down sushi meal, look at these places on our list:

• Sushi Kimura in Orchard & River Valley.
• Shoukouwa in Marina Bay & CBD.
• Shinji by Kanesaka in Dempsey, Tanglin & Holland.
• Sushi Jiro in the HarbourFront area.

Check each listing to see the menus on offer. For more special-occasion meals, see Fine Dining.

Conveyor-belt sushi

Conveyor-belt sushi is quick, good value and fun for children. Plates pass by on a moving belt, and you take what you like. Many places also let you order on a tablet. The plate colour or the screen shows the price. Sushiro (Wisma Atria) is a conveyor-belt choice on Orchard Road. Conveyor-belt chains often sell cooked dishes too. That helps if someone in your group does not eat raw fish.

Rough prices

At conveyor-belt places, plates often cost a few dollars each. A top omakase dinner can cost several hundred dollars per person. Lunch menus at counters often cost less than dinner. Prices change, so check before you book.

Sushi etiquette and tips

• Book early for counters. Popular sushi counters can fill up weeks ahead. Many ask for a deposit or card details.
• Share allergies when you book. Tell the restaurant about shellfish allergies or foods you avoid. The chef can then plan your meal.
• Arrive on time. Counter meals often start at a set time for every guest.
• Use fingers or chopsticks. Both are fine for nigiri. Try to eat each piece in one bite.
• Go easy on soy sauce. At a counter, the chef often seasons each piece already. If you dip, dip the fish side lightly, not the rice.
• Eat the ginger between pieces. Pickled ginger, called gari, clears your palate. It is not a topping.
• Not a fan of raw fish? Look for cooked pieces, such as tamago (a sweet rolled omelette), grilled eel or seared fish.
• Skip strong perfume. It can affect the taste of delicate food for you and other guests.

Love seafood? See our Chilli Crab & Seafood guides for local dishes too.

FAQs about sushi

What is omakase sushi?

Omakase means 'I leave it to you' in Japanese. The chef chooses the menu and serves each piece one at a time, usually at a counter.

Where can I eat cheaper sushi in Singapore?

Conveyor-belt restaurants are the best value. Try Sushiro (Wisma Atria) on Orchard Road. Lunch menus at sit-down counters can also cost less than dinner.

Do I need to book a sushi restaurant?

For omakase, yes, often well ahead. Conveyor-belt places usually take walk-ins, though queues are common at meal times.

Is it rude to mix wasabi into soy sauce?

At a casual place, nobody will mind. At an omakase counter, the chef usually adds wasabi for you. Taste each piece as it comes first.

What other Japanese dishes should I try?

Try Ramen, Tendon or Tonkatsu for a quick, filling meal.