Tomi Sushi (Novena)

Tomi Sushi in Novena is a Japanese sushi restaurant on the second floor of Velocity@Novena Square. It is the Singapore arm of a sushi chain from Niigata, a region on Japan's west coast known for its rice, sake and seafood. The first Tomi Sushi opened in Niigata in 1954, and the brand now has many branches across Japan.

In Singapore there are four Tomi Sushi restaurants, at Millenia, Novena, Katong and Pasir Ris, plus Tommy's Sake Bar. The Novena branch serves sushi alongside noodles, grilled dishes and Japanese-style steak.

What to order

Sushi is the heart of the menu, and the restaurant pays close attention to the basics. It uses only Koshihikari rice from Niigata, one of Japan's best-known rice varieties. It also uses its own selected soy sauces and salt from the Sea of Japan.

Good picks from the menu include:

• Sushi Gozen: a sushi set meal, a simple way to try a range of fish.
• Tokujyo Chirashi: a premium bowl of sliced raw fish over sushi rice.
• Shun no Sushi Kaiseki: a multi-course meal built around seasonal sushi.
• Osusume Lunch: the recommended set, one of several lunch sets.

Beyond sushi, there are Japanese noodles, grilled items and wafu steak, which is beef cooked and served the Japanese way. The brand also takes pride in sake from Niigata, which pairs well with the seafood.

The setting

You can choose where to sit based on the kind of meal you want:

• The sushi counter: the best seats for the full sushi-bar experience, with a view of the fresh seafood flown in from Niigata.
• Booths: the restaurant suggests these for families, including those with small children.
• Tables: for meals with friends or colleagues.
• A private room: for birthdays, other celebrations and business meetings.

This mix makes Tomi Sushi a flexible choice. It works for a quick lunch set on your own or a longer dinner with a group.

Getting there

Tomi Sushi is at 238 Thomson Road, units #02-76/77, inside Velocity@Novena Square. The mall sits directly above Novena MRT station on the North South Line, so it is easy to reach by train. For opening times and menus, check the official website before you go.

Nearby

In the same mall, TungLok Peking Duck serves roast Irish duck in three courses. For Teochew cooking, try Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine on Keng Lee Road. For a cheap hawker meal, head to Adam Road Food Centre. To stay nearby, look at Oasia Hotel Novena. You can also browse more Japanese restaurants in Singapore or all restaurants in Newton and Novena.