13 Best Places for Chirashi in Singapore

DSTLLRY is definitely not what you would consider a traditional Japanese restaurant, but don't underestimate the quality of their food. In particular, their lunchtime dons (rice bowls) seem to be irresistible. The chunks of plump and fresh salmon, maguro and hamachi are tossed in a special mix of mirin, dashi and soy sauce, making their Barachirashi Don ($16.90), quite simply, to-die-for. What's unique is that you can opt not only for a salad instead of rice for your Barachirashi, but also a Barachirashi Spicy Ramen, if you're not a chirashi purist, that is. The only catch? This dark, sexy bar and art gallery is kinda hidden in the depths of Portsdown, so please keep this chirashi in mind should you be in the area during lunch!

Tatsuya is a long-standing sushi restaurant at Goodwood Park that has managed to maintain its quality over the years. Not many places serve aburi (torched) chirashi, and if you ever decide to try it (which you should), the Aburi Chirashi Bowl here is game-changing. Fresh slices of sashimi imported from Tsukiji Fish Market are seared with a blowtorch, giving you an ever-so-slightly charred exterior that melts in your mouth. However, at $150 for a small bowl and $180 for a big bowl, this extravagant chirashi is something you should save for special occasions. For a more affordable option, go for the Barachirashi set lunch priced at $35.90!

If you're a fan of Chikuwa Tei's chirashi (yes, another place you should check out), then you'll love Manzoku, their sister outlet. Expect to find their signature fresh, thick-cut sashimi of hamachi, toro, otoro, mekajiki, kanpachi, hotate, uni and more atop vinegared rice in their Chirashi Special Set ($68). For a less extravagant option, the Chirashi Don ($25) that comes with salmon, tuna, swordfish, amberjack, ikura, and tamago is more than enough to please. If thick cuts of sashimi aren't quite your thing, there's always the Bara Chirashi ($28), which features nicely cubed fish. Grab a couple of friends for dinner after work at this casual joint, but note that parking in the area can be tough! Make a reservation to avoid waiting.

This fairly new Japanese restaurant in Capitol Piazza will make you forget all these chirashi bowls with their OKAMOCHI BOX ($45) — a Japanese-style 'tingkat' that was commonplace in Japan during the Edo period. You'll be amazed as the server slides the front panel of wooden box to reveal three levels of awesomeness. The first drawer reveals a sprawling landscape of barachirashi — huge chunks of fish, prawn, tamago and ikura atop pearly rice, while the second tier contains side dishes including grilled chicken and salad. At the bottom, you’ll find sheets of seaweed, makisu (bamboo mat), a rice paddle, plus the usual condiments, everything you need for some hands-on fun! This generous portion makes it very value-for-money, and you can share this with a friend along with another dish. Ryu's also boasts fantastic sakes, and is a lovely, elegant spot that shouldn't be missed.

If you have yet to come here, you've been sorely missing out on one of Orchard's greatest lunch treasures. For $18.80, the Barachirashi set at Sumiya is hard to fault. You get a massive portion of assorted cubed sashimi (mostly salmon and tuna), avocado, and an overwhelming amount of ikura on a bed of sushi rice. The sashimi is very decent, and will certainly satisfy, but it is the generosity of the rest of the set that is incredible. Served with pickles, salad, an appetiser, chawanmushi, miso soup, super duper mochi and free flow green tea, if you think that this isn't value-for-money, then pretty much nothing is.

Aoki has been known for their mazechirashi long before pieces of raw fish sitting on rice became all the rage. Their rendition stars a mountain of marinated mixed sashimi, sweet cubes of tamago, bursts of briny ikura, creamy dabs of uni, and sliced cucumbers. All this goodness gently rests on just the right amount of perfectly cooked and seasoned sushi rice, giving you that hard-to-achieve ratio of toppings to rice. The Mazechirashi lunch set goes for $40++ — fantastic value considering both the incredible quality you get and the hefty price tag for dinner here. This is one of those lunches you should treat a loved one to, or perhaps a zen afternoon all to yourself. Reservations are a must!

This larger, swankier outlet of The Sushi Bar is certainly a nicer place to dine compared to its humble flagship at Far East, especially for bigger groups and those looking for a place to unwind. Prices are slightly steeper here, but still very affordable considering the portions. If you've never had it, get their Normal Chirashi Don so you can finally understand what the long queues are for. For the well-acquainted, give the Aburi Kaisen Chirashi Don ($26.90) a try, and savour the delicately charred finish you get when a blowtorch meets fresh, raw fish. You get the same variety of fish as in the Normal Chirashi Don, but you might just enjoy this sweeter, smokier finish a little more. As always, don't forget to make reservations if you're coming in a group on a weekday! p.s. No reservations on weekends, so queue early.

Formerly known as Sushi Kuu, Ginzawa now offers a revitalised menu with more reasonable prices. If you were familiar with Sushi Kuu, then the outstanding Premium Sashimi on Sushi Rice ($45) should be no stranger to you. Artfully plated, this elaborate bowl is a bountiful feast for the eyes and the belly — think 11 types of premium seafood such as otoro, kinmedai, shima aji, hirame, hotate, botan ebi, akami, and super fresh uni! This is full-on decadence. However, this decadence can only be experienced during lunch, as it's served in a set comprising chawanmushi, miso soup and ice cream (seal the deal with the additional salmon sashimi or California roll for $5 more). If you miraculously find yourself with a little more time and cash to spare at lunch time, you know where to go.

If you don't want just raw fish slices in your chirashi, you should definitely go for the Nagekomi Donburi, or "Fisherman's Haul Donburi", at Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru, situated at Liang Court's basement. Aside from the usual sashimi cuts, you also get minced fatty tuna, prawn, both boiled and raw scallops, and a massive slab of grilled eel. All these cuts are beautifully presented in a bowl for your dining pleasure. While there is a second outlet at Westgate, and a similar item at sister concept Ginza Kuroson, it is strongly recommended to visit the original outlet for an optimal Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru experience!

With three live stations — teppanyaki, sushi and robatayaki — it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the vast selection offered in Mikuni’s menu. While the excellent Unagi Don ($48) and superb Kagoshima Wagyu Beef Don ($48, comes with a battered crispy egg!) are understandable default options for most, save the Mikuni Chirashi ($90) to pamper yourself or someone you're dying to impress. You might think for a second that you were given a sashimi platter instead, cos the mound of rice is hidden underneath decadent slices of salmon, tuna belly, prawn, uni, tamago and a spoonful of ikura. Pricey? Yes, but so worth it!

Teppei Syokudo's much raved-about Kaisen Don is one of the most value-for-money ones out there, and it doesn't compromise on quality or flavour (they even use freshly grated wasabi!). Add four beautifully sweet, plump scallops for just $1.80 (bringing the total to $17.80), and dig in to what is quite possibly the most indulgent takeaway food. Available at all five outlets (flagship restaurant Teppei included), the marinated chunks of salmon and tuna are perfectly meaty and fresh, punctuated by salty bursts of ikura. Even more value-for-money is the Sashimi Cake ($40), a 20cm wide 'cake' made up of stacked sashimi that can easily feed three; and yes, it will really make you feel like it's your birthday.

From the same group as AOKI (Les Amis), Sushi Jin offers quality Japanese cuisine in a lovely setting — but at fairly reasonable price point. Their seafood is flown in from Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo thrice each week, so you can expect fresh, quality sashimi. For a no-brainer, opt for the Bara Chirashi ($32), featuring a generous amount of fresh sashimi, tamago, ikura (salmon roe), and tobiko (flying fish roe). Alternatively, the Hokkaido Don ($38) boasts a more delicate flavour profile with its trio of sea urchin, ikura and scallops. The rice brims with a pleasantly subtle umami kick, thanks to the special seasoning of shiitake mushrooms. If you're coming in a pair, sit at the counter. There are also a few small tables for groups of three to four, just right for an intimate catch up with friends. Recently extending their operating hours to include Sundays, why not have chirashi brunch for a change?