Ultimate guide to Chirashi bowls in Singapore
Everyone loves a good sushi – well, for most people at least – but there are times when a dainty piece of raw fish over rice doesn’t quite feel… substantial enough. What’s probably better, then, is a glorious, fulfilling bowl of chirashi-don. In case you’re not entirely sure what that is, it’s vinegared sushi rice topped with assorted raw fish. Bara chirashi are almost always available at most “general” Japanese restaurants in Singapore, but let’s not waste our calories on unworthy contenders. The next time you’re craving for that perfect bowl, hit up these Japanese restaurants. We’ll accept your “domo arigato” in advance!
Aoki Restaurant
This upscale Japanese dining spot serves up a mean mazechirashi with the sweetest, freshest raw fish, but it won’t cost an arm and a leg to have it. Go for the set lunch option: $35 gets you the mazechirashi, miso soup, pickles, and dessert – score.
Aoki Restaurant, #01-17 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, Singapore 228208, p. 6333 8015.
Wasabi Tei
It’s an unassuming spot, but the chirashi-don here is legendary. Thick sashimi slices of salmon, scallop, swordfish, seabreem snapper, and a little bit of everything else should make you weak in the knees. And it’s only $28!
Wasabi Tei, #05-70 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, Singapore 228213, p. 6238 8216.
Teppei Restaurant has a six-month waiting list
Teppei Restaurant
Ok, so there’s the infamous six-month waiting list (yes, they’re fully booked for dinner till 31 December this year), but their uber-popular barachirashi ($17.90) is available for lunch – and there’s no waiting list for that. Thank the food gods! Make this a late lunch (1pm to 2pm) unless you’ve got time waiting around.
Teppei Restaurant, #01-18, 1 Tras Link, Singapore 078867, p. 6222 7363.
Tatsuya
They’ve got some of the best aburi sushi in the city, though we also love their barachirashi set, which comes with salad, miso soup, agedashi tofu, chawanmushi and fruit. Not too shabby for the price of $35.90, right?
Tatsuya, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221, p. 6887 4598.
Sushi Mitsuya
Prices are comparatively steep – $50 gets you a (glorious) barachirashi bowl, with appetiser, soup and dessert. Of course, you’ll also be sliding top-notch of sashimi and sweet, chewy Japanese rice down your throat.
Sushi Mitsuya, #01-01, 60 Tras Street, Singapore 078999, p. 6438 2608.
The Sushi Bar’s chirashi bowl
The Sushi Bar
Don’t bother getting gussied up for this no-frills spot, which serves irresistible bowls of chirashi in three different price tags –according to the “grade” and amount of toppings. The $18.90 option gets you the basic mix of sashimi; the $24.90 option gives you more ikura and scallops; and finally, the $34.90 option sees the addition of sweet shrimp and – gasp! – uni.
The Sushi Bar, #04-28 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, Singapore 228213, p. 9653 6464.
Megumi Japanese Restaurant
Probably one of the country’s best-kept secrets, this Japanese establishment has one of the most value-for-money chirashi-don ($16.80) – where sashimi slices are fresh and slightly oversized. East Coast’s too far out for you? Its second outlet is located at Sunset Way.
Megumi Japanese Restaurant, #01-03, 77 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455218, p. 6243 0700.
Top image: Barachirashi at Sushi Mitsuya
Did we miss out your favourite spot for chirashi? Comment below!