10 of the Best Japanese Buffets in Singapore
You’re craving Japanese. Just thinking about melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, crispy tempura and succulent yakitori is making you exceptionally hungry. If you’re in the mood for a hearty meal, why not head down to a Japanese buffet and indulge in an endless flow of your favourite Japanese dishes?
We’ve done the groundwork for you and scoured our sunny city for the best Japanese spreads in town that are worth your money and calories. Check out our recommendations below!
1. Shin Yuu Japanese Restaurant
Situated along Greenwood Avenue behind National Junior College, Shin Yuu is a cozy Japanese joint that has garnered many positive reviews (4.3/5 on both Facebook and Google) for its quality dishes and quick service. Orders are served fast by attentive staff, and buffet prices remain consistent for both weekdays and weekends. Expect endless thick-cuts of fresh sashimi and premium seafood with the likes of abalone, oyster, tuna belly, king crab, tiger prawn, and even grilled lobster. With every buffet dinner, you get a complimentary serving of toro sashimi, taraba kani, zuwa kani tempura and Japanese ice cream.
Must-tries: Signature chawanmushi – served with generous amounts of salmon roe, and melt-in-your-mouth aburi salmon sushi
Address: 16 Greenwood Ave, Hillcrest Road, Singapore 289209
Price: Lunch Buffet $39.90 ++ | Dinner Buffet $52.90 ++
2. Kuishin Bo
Kuishin Bo, a unique buffet-style concept by leading food giant RE&S Enterprises, brings together the authentic flavours of Japan at its carnival-like, family-friendly restaurant. Established in Singapore in 1988, RE&S currently operates over 60 Japanese F&B outlets in the region, including household joints like Ichiban Sushi and Men-ichi. Developed to offer an authentic Japanese buffet experience, Kuishin Bo prides itself on its succulent snow crab legs and dizzying array of over 100 sushi, sashimi, desserts, and hot dishes from various parts of Japan. A highlight is its cascading chocolate fountain, perfect for children and chocolate lovers. Expect fresh, replenished food and attentive staff.
Must-tries: Snow crab legs, fried maki, shabu shabu and charcoal grill sections, dorayaki (red bean pancake) and mochi
Address: Suntec City, North Wing #03 – 334, 3 Temasek Boulevard Singapore 038983
Price: Lunch Buffet $36.90 ++ (weekdays), $38.90 ++ (weekends) | Dinner Buffet $54.90 (weekdays) ; $58.90 ++ (weekends) | Special Weekday Lunch Buffet (1hr) at $25.90 ++
3. Ikoi Japanese Restaurant
Tucked on the ground floor of Havelock Road’s Miramar Hotel, Ikoi is highly popular among raw fish lovers for its extensive value-for-money spread of fresh and chunky free-flow sashimi, served ala carte buffet style. While the sashimi may be the stars here, do try other delectable offerings like the fried salmon skin handroll and Japanese rice porridge. Don’t forget to ask for your complimentary seafood soup – it’s given to every diner! As this restaurant is always fully booked, do make reservations at least 1 week in advance.
Must-tries: Sashimi, sushi, udon, grilled saba, tempura, soup in the teapot, crispy salmon skin temaki, juicy grilled mid-joints, Japanese rice porridge
Address: Hotel Miramar, 401 Havelock Road, #01-01
Price: From 38.80++ for Lunch/Dinner Buffet
4. Irodori Japanese Restaurant
This affordable buffet spot along Havelock Road sources its seafood exclusively from Australia, New Zealand, Norway and Europe. Be prepared to wait for your dish – food is cooked on the spot, and served piping hot. Adding to the lively atmosphere of the restaurant is an open-concept kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work. Expect an extensive range of food offerings here (numbering up to 100) with lots of fresh sashimi – freshly sliced. Be sure to try their signature silken green tea tofu and fried Japanese croquette.
Must-tries: Sashimi, silken green tea tofu, fried Japanese croquette, ebi mentai mayo
Address: Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, 382 Havelock Road, Riverview #03-01 Singapore 169629
Price: Lunch/Dinner from $36.80 ++
5. Himawari
Started in 2004, Himawari’s a la carte buffet has gained awards and recommendations from local media such as The Straits Times, Wine & Dine, and the Japanese publication Shin Nichi Ho. Its main outlet along Alexandra Road boasts 150 dishes, ranging from shabu shabu and premium sashimi to soft shell crab.
Must-tries: Melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, marbled sukiyaki beef slices, crunchy mixed tempura, and grilled teriyaki codfish
Address: 991B Alexandra Road, #01-08/09
Price: Lunch Buffet $45.80 (Mon – Thurs) ; $48.80 ++ (Fri – Sun)
Dinner Buffet $49.80 (Mon – Thurs); $52.80 ++ (Fri – Sun)
6. Hokkaido Sushi
Located on level 9 of M hotel, Hokkaido Sushi wins hands down for its superb quality, generous portions and intricate sushi. The restaurant imports fresh fish and seafood from Tsukiji and Sapporo every Tuesdays and Fridays, and only uses organic high-grade Nanatsuboshi rice for its sushi. Be sure to try dishes unique to the restaurant like the Hokkaido maki (packed with umami flavour) and hamachi truffle (drizzled truffle oil on yellowtail).
Must-tries: Signature ikura chawanmushi with generous servings of salmon roe, melt-in-your-mouth grilled halibut, smoky aburi scallop and salmon, hamachi truffle, and pitan tofu
Address: M Hotel Singapore Level 9, 81 Anson Road, Singapore 079908
Price: Lunch Buffet $41++ (on promotion) | Dinner Buffet $47++ (on promotion)
7. Mitsuba
Situated on The Central’s 3rd floor at Clarke Quay, Mitsuba aims to serve authentic yet inexpensive Japanese meals by going light on the garnishing. Despite a diverse selection of over 130 dishes, the food is consistent in quality – fresh thick slabs of sashimi, delicious handrolls, and a decent spread of grilled and deep-fried dishes. True to its mission to provide affordable Japanese cuisine, Mitsuba offers a variety of promotions: Ladies get 15% off every Monday, one dines free with every 3 paying adults, and NS men enjoy 15% off every Tuesday.
Must-tries: Sashimi platter, mentaiko pasta, handrolls
Address: The Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #03-88, Singapore 059817
Price: $38.90 ++
8. Sushi Kanazawa
Helmed by a local chef who took over the restaurant from his Japanese sensei, Sushi Kanazawa offers free-flow sushi which is freshly made upon order. Seats are limited – so come prepared to mingle with the chefs or for the less chatty, with a few friends in tow. There’s only a bar counter where diners can freely interact with friendly chefs and a private room at the back for larger groups. This restaurant has gained many positive reviews (4.5 stars on Google) for its bouncy-fresh sashimi including premium offerings (if you are lucky) like oyster and sea urchin, and expert chefs who focus on the littlest details of each dish – think swordfish sushi complemented with a mint leaf and tuna topped with fragrant sesame seeds. Come with an empty stomach as rice portions are generous and wastage is not tolerated.
Address: 360 Orchard Rd, #02-13, International Building, 238869
Price: From $40.00 ++
9. Kushi Dining Bar
Started in 2008, Kushi Dining Bar is helmed by expert chefs with over 20 years of experience. It has changed locations several times and is presently located in a tiny shophouse along McPherson Road. Importing a majority of its ingredients from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market, Kushi offers premium sashimi of various cuts, including unique dishes like lobster porridge and highlights like sweet prawns and melt-in-your-mouth fatty tuna. The restaurant has also received many positive reviews for its juicy chicken karaage and fragrant garlic rice.
Must-tries: Shiro maguro aburi sushi, ton toro kushiyaki, surume ika, hamachi kama, lobster porridge, chicken karaage and fragrant garlic rice
Address: 526 McPherson Road
Price: Classic Buffet $38.80 ++ (lunch), $42.80 ++(dinner)
Premium Buffet $59.80 ++ (lunch), $69.80 ++(dinner)
10. Kiseki Japanese Buffet Restaurant
The spread at this joint is bountiful and worthy of any buffet hunter looking for a mega spread without breaking the wallet. Expect an unlimited staggering selection of over 200 dishes from over 29 item categories. Situated on the 8th floor of Orchard Central, the restaurant’s alfresco dining area offers a breathtaking view of the Orchard landscape.
Must-tries: Sweet prawns and fresh salmon sashimi
Address: Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, #08 – 01/02/03
Price: Lunch Buffet $22.80 ++ ; $29.80 ++ (Weekdays)
Dinner Buffet $33.80 ++ ; $39.80 ++ (Weekends)