Jap Restaurants

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.

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.

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.