A Foodie’s Guide to Regional Japanese Cuisine in Singapore
Craving a taste of Japan without the airfare? Japan’s regional cuisines offer a deliciously diverse landscape, each prefecture brings something unique to the table, from Hokkaido’s seafood bounty to Fukuoka’s rich ramen broth. The best part? You can sample many of these beloved dishes right here in Singapore. Here’s your culinary guide to Japan’s top regional specialties., and the best local spots to try them.
(1) Hokkaido Seafood
(2) Fukuoka Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen
(3) Osaka Okonomiyaki
(4) Kyoto Desserts and Matcha
(5) Kagoshima Beef
(6) Nagoya Hitsumabushi
(7) Niigata Kamameshi
(8) Kansai Style Sukiyaki
(1) Hokkaido Seafood
Source: Donburi King Google
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, is renowned for its icy waters and bountiful seafood harvests. The region is especially famous for its sweet, succulent king crab (kani), creamy uni (sea urchin), and plump scallops, all prized ingredients that reflect the pristine environment they’re harvested from. Fortunately, you need not fly to Hokkaido to indulge in these luxurious ocean treaures. You can head to Donburi King, where seasonal ingredients are flown in directly from Japan and it serves up hearty seafood donburi bowls topped with generous portions of sashimi, uni, ikura, and crab meat.
(2) Fukuoka Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen
Source: Ikkousha
Fukuoka, located on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, is the birthplace of Hakata ramen, a beloved regional dish that has won the hearts (and stomachs) of noodle fans all over the world. Defined by its rich, creamy pork bone (tonkotsu) broth and thin, straight noodles, this ramen is all about depth of flavour and comforting indulgence.
In Singapore, you can slurp up an authentic bowl at Ikkousha, with outlets at CHIJMES and Tanjong Pagar. Known for their bold, full-bodied broth from boiling pork bones over long hours every day, it creates the signature thick and creamy texture of Tonkotsu soup, foaming with bubbles and melt-in-your-mouth chashu. Plus, you even get free gyoza (you get the same number as your age), if you dine in on the day of your actual birthday!
(3) Osaka Okonomiyaki
Osaka is often hailed as the “kitchen of Japan,” and nowhere is that more evident than in its iconic street food. One of the city’s most famous dishes is okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake made with shredded cabbage, eggs, flour, and a mix of toppings like pork belly, seafood, and gooey cheese, all griddled to perfection and slathered with tangy sauce and mayonnaise.
In Singapore, you can get an authentic taste of Osaka at Ajiya Okonomiyaki Restaurant in Bukit Timah. The chefs from this cozy, homestyle eatery will prepare the okonomiyaki in front of you on a teppan grill, just like in Japan. Staff will also ask for your preferences and you can choose up to 3 toppings for free or add on more with additional charges. You can also pair it with their sides such as pork gyoza and chicken karaage.
(4) Kyoto Desserts and Matcha
Source: Tsujiri Instagram
Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto, is synonymous with refined cuisine and traditional sweets. Among its most iconic contributions to Japanese gastronomy is high-grade matcha — finely ground green tea powder that’s both earthy and aromatic, often used in desserts, drinks, and ceremonial tea rituals.
For a true taste of Kyoto’s matcha culture in Singapore, head to Tsujiri, a renowned dessert house with deep roots in Uji, the famed matcha-producing region of Kyoto. With multiple outlets islandwide, Tsujiri offers everything from rich matcha parfaits and creamy soft serve to warabimochi desserts and matcha lattes, all made using premium green tea sourced directly from Japan.
(5) Kagoshima Beef
Source: Tajimaya Great World City Google
Located at the southern tip of Kyushu, Kagoshima is famed for its exceptional wagyu beef, renowned for its fine marbling, rich umami, and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Raised in pristine conditions with mineral-rich spring water and a carefully curated diet, Kagoshima wagyu has earned its place among Japan’s top beef-producing regions.
In Singapore, meat lovers can savour this premium experience at Tajimaya Yakiniku, located at VivoCity or Great World City. This upscale Japanese charcoal grill restaurant offers beautifully marbled Kagoshima A4 wagyu cuts for DIY grilling over charcoal. Diners can also find Miyazaki A4 Wagyu and A5 Ribeye beef cuts here, with each slice sizzling hot and cooked to their preferred doneness.
Tajimaya Yakiniku
Great World City outlet
Location: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #B1-115, Singapore 237994
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs, 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10pm, Fri-Sun, 11:30am - 10pm
Vivo City outlet
Location: 1 Harbourfront Walk, #01-102/103, Vivocity, Singapore 098585
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs, 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10pm, Fri-Sun, 11:30am - 10pm
Instagram | Facebook | Website
(6) Nagoya Hitsumabushi
A signature local specialty from Nagoya is the hitsumabushi, featuring grilled eel (unagi) served over rice in a wooden box. Unlike typical unagi-don, hitsumabushi is enjoyed in three distinct steps: first, you savour it as is; then with condiments like wasabi, spring onions, and nori; and finally, you pour hot dashi over it for a comforting ochazuke-style finish.
For an authentic taste of this Nagoya favourite in Singapore, Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa at Shaw Center is a must-visit. Helmed by the fourth-generation successor of one of the largest live unagi chains in Japan, the restaurant uses live eels that are grilled over binchotan charcoal and brushed with a house-made legendary secret tare sauce. Each bite is soft, tender, and smoky while being rich in umami. Each Ippon Hitsumabushi set ($50) comes with a sliced grilled whole eel with kabayaki sauce over rice, side dish, eel liver soup, and condiments.
(7) Niigata Kamameshi
Source: Hanare by Takayama
Kamameshi, which translates to “kettle rice,” is a beloved Japanese dish where short-grain rice is cooked and served in a small iron or clay pot alongside seasonal ingredients like seafood, vegetables, or chicken. The result is a warm, comforting medley infused with umami, often finished with a slightly crispy layer of rice at the bottom, known as okoge.
At Hanare by Takayama, nestled within Takashimaya, each kamameshi is crafted using premium Koshihikari rice from Niigata Prefecture, prized for its delicate sweetness and fluffy yet firm texture. The rice is gently steamed with the finest seasonal toppings, ranging from buttery Hokkaido scallops to tender unagi and snow crab. Served with traditional sides like miso soup and pickles, it’s a soulful and satisfying meal that pays tribute to Japanese culinary tradition. Beyond kamameshi, Hanare’s menu also features a selection of classic plates to share, including fresh sashimi, tempura, salads, and desserts.
Source: Hanare by Takayama
Hanare by Takayama
Location: 391 Orchard Road, #03-07 Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City Singapore 238872
Opening hours: 11:30am - 10pm daily
Instagram | Facebook | Website
(8) Kansai and Kanto Style Sukiyaki
Source: Sukiyaki Yotaro Instagram
Sukiyaki itself translates to “grill as you wish”, and it is one of Japan’s most well-loved dishes, especially in the Kansai region, where the cooking style adds a uniquely savoury and sweet twist. Unlike its Kanto counterpart, Kansai-style sukiyaki begins by sizzling thinly sliced beef directly on the bottom of a hot pot, allowing the meat to caramelise slightly before vegetables, tofu, and noodles are added and simmered together with a light soy-sugar sauce. At the end, you can dip the ingredients in raw egg before each bite for maximum indulgence.
At Sukiyaki Yotaro in Singapore, you can enjoy both Kansai-style Sukiyaki and Kanto-style Sukiyaki at the same time. Staff will first cook for you by grillling the wagyu meat, so you can enjoy the Kansai-style sukiyaki. Following that is the “beef pot”, a more modern Kanto-style preparation where a special broth and vegetables will be added, and everything simmers slowly in a specially made broth.
Enjoyed reading this article? Check out others below!
We compiled 5 authentic and modern Japanese pubs which will impress you with their wide range of izakaya bites, donburi, sake, shochu and more. We hope you’ll find your ultimate izakaya experience and get “instantly transported” to the land of the rising sun!