Ah, Japanese cafes and their wabi-sabi approach to food and decor. While Korean cafes are known for their distinctly modern and minimalist styles, there is an undeniable charm about the rusticness and tranquility that defines their Japanese counterparts.
Looking for the spot in Singapore to satiate your cravings before your next, long-awaited trip? Here are 10 Japanese, or Japanese-inspired cafes, bars, and eateries that will transport you to your favourite Japanese city, albeit temporarily.
A known rule of thumb when determining if a food place, especially Japanese, serves genuinely authentic food is to check if its clientele is comprised mainly of Singaporeans or expat families.
Tokyo Soba, which operates out of Icon Village in Tanjong Pagar, is supposedly an offshoot of Yomoda Soba, which is itself a noodle stand in Japan. The hole-in-the-wall eatery caters to office dwellers on weekdays, and Japanese families and groups of friends on weekends.
Japanese-inspired cafes have become all the rage in Singapore, with their understated atmosphere, minimalist decor, and rustic menus. Helmed by an ex-Kurasa barista, DAWN Kissa has made a name for itself with its homemade bakes and light bites.
I was determined to eat as many different local dishes as possible, and yakitori seemed like the best way to conclude my Tokyo trip.
It was by pure chance that I found myself back at Bistro Fukumimi Corridor, the very same yakitori bar that my colleagues and I had visited during our last work trip.
Located along Ginza Corridor, which runs around and under the Yamanote Line, its main premises is actually located underground, with a steep staircase leading to it. As with most other dining places situated in touristy Ginza, Bistro Fukumimi Corridor is foreigner-friendly, with items listed in both English and Japanese.
Japanese F&B brand, Gyu San, is not resting on its laurels. The restaurant known for its wagyu sando has recently expanded its Orchard outlet to include a brand new concept, Gyu San Japanese Sando & Charcoal Bar. Located inside Forum The Shopping Mall, it offers a sole item on its menu: wagyu hamburg grilled over binchotan.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Paaru Bakery has closed. Visit their sister cafe, Paaru Cafe.
There is something charming about walking into a cozy bakery filled with all types of inviting aromas and goods, picking up a freshly baked loaf, and going about your day. Paaru Bakery is the sister bakery to Paaru Cafe, a hole-in-the-wall, Japanese-style cafe which recently opened at Pearl’s Hill Terrace.
This is one of the rare reviews I’ve hesitated to write about. After all, these are one or two spots every foodie holds dear, that they prefer to protect at all costs against an impending horde of fellow cafe-hoppers and bloggers. Nevertheless, it seems my hesitation is unfounded, judging by how Paaru Cafe is already seeing swelling crowds, with curious folks making the pilgrimage to Pearl’s Hill Terrace even on weekdays.
Chue On It 