Hawker centres and food courts across Singapore serve more than just local favourites. They’ve become hotspots for quality Japanese cuisine at wallet-friendly prices. Whether you’re craving donburi, ramen, curry, or skewers, these stalls deliver serious flavour without the frills.
1. Jinggho Shokudo
Location: Yishun Park Hawker Centre, 51 Yishun Ave 11, #01-17, Singapore 768867
Must-try: Unagi Ju Tendon, Beef Suki Don, Toji Tonkatsu
Price range: S$6.50–S$8.90
Grilled eel so large it’s likened to a face-size portion. That’s the kind of commitment Jinggho Shokudo brings to its donburi bowls. The Unagi Ju Tendon is a signature draw, with well-grilled eel atop rice. Tamagoyaki here doesn’t fall into the trap of being rubbery—it’s soft and clearly handmade. Generous portions and fair pricing win regulars, though their miso soup could benefit from deeper flavour.
2. Oh My Don
Location: 431 Yishun Ave 1, #01-01, Singapore 760431
Must-try: Beef Steak Don with Truffle Ponzu, Chicken Katsu Don, Salmon Mentaiko Don
Price range: S$6.90–S$15.90
Run by Lester Lai, a former hotel sous chef, Oh My Don is a one-man culinary performance. Each donburi is plated with precision. The beef steak bowl comes topped with truffle ponzu for an umami punch. Japanese short-grain rice anchors each dish with flavour. Operations may be small-scale, but execution is consistently tight.
3. Ajiya Okonomiyaki Restaurant
Location: 104 Jln Jurong Kechil, Singapore 598603
Must-try: Seafood and Meat Combo Okonomiyaki
Price: From S$14
This spot blends theatre with flavour. Sit at the counter and watch chefs prepare your okonomiyaki or teppanyaki on a hot grill right in front of you. The Seafood and Meat Combo is a fan favourite for its hearty portions and balance of textures. It’s casual, authentic, and budget-friendly for this style of cuisine.
4. Lagoon in a Bowl
Location: Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Rd, #01-48, Singapore 069111
Must-try: Norwegian Salmon Rice Bowl
Price: S$10
Salmon is cooked sous-vide and torched with mentaiko mayo. Butterfly pea tea rice adds colour and a slight floral note. Sides of corn, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes keep the bowl fresh. The presentation is thoughtful and balanced. The stall was started by Zilch, inspired by his friend Daniel from Gyu Nami.
5. Maruhachi Donburi & Curry
Location: Happy Hawkers, 671 Edgefield Plains, Singapore 820671
Must-try: Iberico Curry Rice, Fried Oyster Udon
Ingredients are selected with care. Iberico pork in curry sauce stands out, along with plump, juicy oysters in udon bowls. The flavours hit hard, and dishes feel premium without the matching price tag.
6. Don And Udon
Location: Chinatown Complex Market, 335 Smith St, #02-167, Singapore 050335
Must-try: Unagi Don, Beef Don, Chicken Cutlet Udon
Price range: S$4.50–S$7
One of the most affordable stalls on this list. S$7 Unagi Don is a highlight, as is the S$5.50 Beef Don. Udon bowls may need extra seasoning, but the fried chicken cutlet holds up with a crispy bite. Japanese curry and bento sets round out the menu.
7. Kazan Japanese Cuisine
Locations: Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith St, #02-01, Singapore 050335
Must-try: Unagi Bento Set
Price range: Around S$8
Getting good unagi at under S$10 isn’t common, but Kazan makes it happen. The bento set includes a sweetly glazed, tender unagi slab with rice and sides. While there may be some small bones, the quality and portion make this one of the best-value options in the city.
8. Kuro Kare
Locations: 80 Stamford Road #B1-65 SMU School of Information Systems, 178902
Must-try: 36-hour Japanese Curry Rice, Fried Chicken Add-on
Price range: S$9.90–S$11.90+
Chefs trained at Michelin-starred Meta and Fleurette helm this stall. The Japanese curry simmers for 36 hours, building layers of flavour. Add crispy fried chicken for contrast. Service is fast but personal.
9. Buta Kin
Location: Beauty World Food Centre, 144 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, #04-28, Singapore 588177
Must-try: Special Tonkotsu Ramen, Tonkotsu Red, Tonkotsu Black
Price range: S$6.90–S$7.50
Rich broth from pork bones, chicken bones, and chicken feet boiled for up to 7 hours. Three thick slices of chashu, a whole soft-boiled egg, black fungus, and nori round out the bowl. Noodles lean towards ban mian texture, but that doesn’t deter the loyal crowd.
10. The Burning Oak
Location: The Bedok Marketplace, 348 Bedok Rd, #02-16, Singapore 469560
Must-try: Beef Short Ribs, Iberico Pork Cheeks
Price range: S$5–S$15
Binchotan charcoal brings out the best in their meats. Slow-cooked beef ribs and Iberico pork cheeks offer tenderness with a smoky finish. Served with onsen egg and rice. The stall has a modern, bistro-like setup. Skewers are grilled to order, so expect a wait.
Where to Head First
If you’re after bold donburi, Jinggho Shokudo and Oh My Don should be your first stops. For grilled options, The Burning Oak and Ajiya bring both theatre and taste. On a budget? Don And Udon and Kazan Japanese Cuisine stretch your dollar. Every stall adds something different to the table, and they all show how Japanese food can be both accessible and satisfying in Singapore.
