I almost walked past it.
Cuppage Plaza does that. You take the lift up, the corridor’s a bit dim, and you start wondering if you’ve got the wrong floor. Then a door slides open, charcoal smoke drifts out, and you know you’re in the right place.
I visited on a Tuesday, around 7pm. Quiet night. That’s the night I’d recommend.
Walking Into Kemuri, Cuppage Plaza
Kemuri is small. Around eleven counter seats and two private tables that’s the whole room. You sit close to the open kitchen, close enough to watch the charcoal glow and hear the fat hiss when it hits the grill.
Take the counter if you can. The two private tables are fine for a small group, but the counter is where the meal actually happens. Head Chef Yuki Saito previously sous chef at Michelin-starred kaiseki Komuro and his team work with a quiet precision that’s worth watching up close. It’s kappo-style cuisine, live fire cooking, Japanese ingredients treated with real care.
The room is warm, low-lit, a bit of jazz in the background. It used to be a yakitori omakase spot, but Kemuri transforms its concept in July 2025. Same craft, different shape.
Smoked Meats, Sushi, and What I Actually Ordered
I started with the Otoro Sashimi ($16). Just cold, fatty tuna nothing dressed up. It softened the second it hit my tongue. No soy needed. The fish did the talking.
Then the Straw-Smoked Bonito ($16). This one you smell before you taste. The smoke gets into the fish without drowning it a clean bite, still cool inside, with a faint char at the edges. I sat with it longer than I planned.
The Slow-cooked Chicken Thigh ($14) reminded me why this place built its name on the grill. Juicy, well-marinated, a little char where it counts. Most things here are small plates the idea is to share and order a few, not arrive expecting one large main.
The Grilled Whole Kinki Fish ($79) is the splurge. Seasoned with salt alone, the charcoal sitting in the background rather than announcing itself. The meat came off the bone sweet and tender. If you’re marking an occasion, this is where the money goes.
I ended with the Salmon Belly and Ikura Claypot Rice ($40). Don’t skip this one. The rice stays moist, the salmon belly melts into it, and the ikura pops with each spoonful. It’s built for sharing easily three to four people and it’s the warm, comforting close the meal needs after a run of refined dishes.
Kemuri BBQ, Beef Cheeks, Thick Cut Bacon: What About the Grill?
If you’ve seen Kemuri BBQ mentioned elsewhere alongside beef cheeks, thick cut bacon, or references to Texan barbecue that’s the Balestier Plaza outlet, a separate concept under the same group. Kemuri Singapore also has a connection to Lewis Barbecue out of Austin, Texas, with the beverage program nodding toward seasonal pairing flights, premium Japanese whiskies, and shochu.
The Cuppage Plaza kitchen stays focused on refined Japanese cuisine and live fire cooking. The meats here are Japanese-sourced, and the menu is built around what’s seasonal, not what’s crowd-pleasing.
Service and the Feel of the Room
The staff know their stuff. They walked me through each dish without making it feel like a lecture, and the sake recommendations actually landed.
Because the room is so small, service feels personal. Someone’s always nearby, keeping pace with how you’re eating. If you prefer a loud, hands-off izakaya night, this might feel a touch too attentive. I didn’t mind it.
Practical Bits
Expect to spend $50 to $100+ per person, depending on how far you push the premium items. The kinki fish and claypot rice add up quickly.
Book ahead. Eleven counter seats means walking in on a Friday is wishful thinking. Weekday evenings and earlier slots get you a calmer, better-paced experience.
Getting there: Somerset MRT is around five to eight minutes on foot. Kemuri is at #04-02, inside Cuppage Plaza.
Would I Go Back?
Yeah. But I’d go in knowing what it is.
This isn’t a quick, affordable Japanese meal. Portions are small, prices sit higher than most, and the whole experience moves slowly on purpose. You’re paying for ingredients sourced with care and a chef who clearly respects them.
It suits couples, Japanese food enthusiasts, and quiet celebrations. If you want fast or cheap, look elsewhere.
But if you want to sit at that counter, watch the charcoal, and let someone cook for you properly Kemuri is worth the climb up.
I left full. Not stuffed. Just full in the way that stays with you after you’ve gone.
If Kemuri has you curious about what else Cuppage Plaza is hiding, this guide to Japanese izakaya dining spots in Cuppage Plaza is worth reading before your next visit.