The first thing I noticed about sushi in Singapore is that the best meal is not always the most expensive one.
Sometimes, I want to sit at a sushi counter and watch each piece come together. Other times, I just want to share a sushi platter, order some fresh sashimi, and enjoy a relaxed dinner.
Singapore has plenty of choices, from familiar names like Sushi Express, Sushi Tei, and Tomi Sushi to more specialised spots such as Sushi Dan, Sushi Sato, Sushi Zushi, Sen Ryo, and Ganko Sushi. There are also options for different budgets, whether you are after affordable sushi or a more elaborate omakase experience.
Around Raffles City Shopping Centre, Millenia Walk, One Fullerton, and other dining areas, Japanese restaurants have their own ways of approaching sushi and Japanese food.
But Marina Bay Sands offers a particularly varied selection. Here, sushi can be part of a quiet omakase, a contemporary dinner, or a meal shared with a group.
These are sushi restaurants worth considering.
1. Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda
Price Range: $$$$
Must-Try: Chef’s Table Omakase
Nearest MRT: Bayfront MRT Station
Waku Ghin is the kind of Japanese restaurant I would save for an occasion.
Its Chef’s Table Omakase focuses on seasonal ingredients, premium seafood, and carefully paced preparation. At S$550++ per person, it is certainly not affordable sushi, but the experience is about much more than the price of each piece.
The menu changes with the ingredients available, with seafood, rice, and other premium ingredients taking centre stage. Each dish is given room to stand on its own, rather than being overwhelmed by too many elements.
For diners looking for exquisite sushi, the appeal is in these small details. Ingredients such as fatty tuna, sea urchin, or seafood paired with caviar can feel especially indulgent when they are treated with restraint.
For diners searching for the best sushi Singapore has to offer, Waku Ghin is worth considering when craftsmanship and the overall experience matter as much as the food.
Avoid if: You’re looking for affordable sushi or a quick meal. This is better suited to a special occasion.
Insider tip: Reserve the Chef’s Table Omakase for the full Waku Ghin experience.
2. WAKUDA Restaurant & Bar
Price Range: $$$
Must-Try: Sushi Experience, Otoro, Uni, A5 Wagyu Nigiri
Nearest MRT: Bayfront MRT Station
What I like about WAKUDA is that it does not fit neatly into one category.
It sits somewhere between a traditional Japanese restaurant and a contemporary dining space. The menu combines traditional Japanese cuisine with French techniques, giving familiar ingredients a modern twist.
Sushi selections include salmon, akami tuna, chutoro, otoro, and uni, while the wider menu includes cooked options for diners who want something beyond raw fish.
You can focus on premium sushi or build a broader meal around tempura, noodles, and other Japanese dishes. For diners who enjoy sashimi, the selection offers different textures and flavours, with Japanese sashimi dishes worth trying in Singapore ranging from familiar cuts to more premium options.
If you enjoy seeing how Japanese food can evolve without losing its foundation, WAKUDA is one to keep in mind.
Avoid if: You want a traditional sushi-only experience. WAKUDA is more contemporary and varied.
Insider tip: Sit at the sushi counter and order a few pieces of à la carte sushi if you want to focus on the seafood.
3. KOMA Singapore
Price Range: $$$
Must-Try: KOMA Roll, Sushi Omakase
Nearest MRT: Bayfront MRT Station
KOMA is one of those places where the setting is almost as memorable as the food.
The dramatic interior, large sushi bar, cocktails, and contemporary Japanese menu give it a livelier feel than a traditional sushi restaurant. You can order individual sushi and sushi rolls, or choose from one of the restaurant’s omakase sets.
The KOMA Roll is one of its more indulgent choices, while the wider menu gives groups plenty to share.
KOMA also brings out a more social side of Japanese dining. There is food, conversation, drinks, and a lively atmosphere that feels closer to a modern interpretation of vibrant izakaya culture than a quiet sushi counter.
For me, KOMA makes more sense when you want sushi to be part of the evening rather than the entire focus. It works particularly well for dinner, dates, or group dining.
Avoid if: You prefer a quiet, traditional sushi restaurant. The atmosphere here is part of the experience.
Insider tip: Come for dinner when the restaurant is at its liveliest.
4. Sen of Japan
Price Range: $$–$$$
Must-Try: Chef’s Omakase Sashimi Platter, sushi selections
Nearest MRT: Bayfront MRT Station
Not every sushi meal needs to be a special occasion.
Sen of Japan offers a more approachable way to enjoy Japanese food, with sushi, fresh sashimi, rice bowls, bento sets, and other seafood dishes on the menu.
I find it a good middle ground for diners who want quality without committing to a full luxury omakase. You can order a few pieces of sushi, share an assorted sashimi platter, or settle in for a proper lunch or dinner.
There are also lunch sets for those who want a more straightforward midday meal.
If sushi is what you are craving, you can look at the menu for a sushi platter or individual pieces. A little soy sauce on the side is enough for some diners, while others prefer to appreciate the seafood without adding much seasoning.
For those comparing the best Japanese restaurants in Singapore, Sen of Japan is worth considering when you want something polished but still relatively relaxed.
Avoid if: You’re specifically looking for an elaborate omakase experience. There are more focused options for that.
Insider tip: Order the sashimi platter if you want to try a variety of fresh seafood, or look at the lunch sets for a simpler meal.
5. RISE Restaurant
Price Range: $$–$$$
Must-Try: Sushi, sashimi, aburi sushi, maki rolls, miso soup
Nearest MRT: Bayfront MRT Station
RISE takes a different approach.
Rather than being a dedicated sushi restaurant, it offers sushi and Japanese selections as part of a larger international buffet. That makes it practical for groups where everyone wants something different.
The Japanese selection includes sushi, sashimi, aburi sushi, maki rolls, and miso soup, alongside cooked dishes and other cuisines.
There are plenty of options beyond sushi too. Someone who wants something warm can choose from dishes such as ramen, udon, noodles, or tempura, while another person can head straight for the seafood and sashimi.
That variety is the main appeal. A dedicated sushi restaurant usually asks you to make a more specific choice about what kind of meal you want. At RISE, everyone can simply choose what looks good.
For families and larger groups, that can make dining easier. One person might want raw fish, another might prefer cooked food, and someone else may simply want a bowl of soup and a few sushi rolls.
Avoid if: You want a dedicated sushi restaurant with a focused menu. RISE is better for variety and group dining.
Insider tip: Check the sushi and sashimi stations during your visit, as selections can rotate.
Finding the Best Sushi Singapore Has to Offer
There is no single answer to what makes the best sushi.
Singapore’s sushi scene ranges from casual options to specialised restaurants and omakase counters. Some diners look for low prices, while others are happy to spend more on premium sashimi or an omakase experience.
Marina Bay Sands offers a little of that range too. Waku Ghin suits special occasions, WAKUDA brings a modern twist to Japanese dining, KOMA puts more emphasis on atmosphere, Sen of Japan offers a more relaxed option, and RISE works well for groups looking for variety.
I think that is what makes choosing sushi in Singapore fun. There is no single way to enjoy it. You might want carefully prepared nigiri, a plate of fresh sushi, an omakase, or simply a meal shared around the table.
Even the idea of premium sushi can mean different things. Some diners might look for seafood associated with Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, while others care more about the preparation, rice, or balance of the finished dish.
The best choice is ultimately the one that suits the occasion and the people you are sharing it with.