Novena is one of the easiest neighbourhoods in Singapore for a Japanese meal: two malls linked directly to Novena MRT — Velocity @ Novena Square and Square 2 — plus United Square, Goldhill Plaza and the Thomson Road shophouses put sushi bars, unagi and yakiniku counters, ramen joints and late-night izakaya within a short walk of each other. The mix runs from affordable conveyor-belt sushi and halal-certified rice bowls to sit-down omakase and charcoal-grill sake bars. Hours, prices and halal status change, so treat the details below as a starting point and confirm with the venue before you go.
Last verified: September 2026. Hours and prices can change — we re-check our guides regularly, but do confirm before a special trip.
- Sushi Ichinoji
- Tomi Sushi (Velocity @ Novena Square)
- Nara Japanese Restaurant
- Torimaro Charcoal Grill & Sake Bar
- Unatoto (Velocity @ Novena Square)
- Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen (Square 2)
- Sandai Izakaya
- Tora-San (United Square)
- Sushiro (Square 2)
- Ichiban Boshi (Velocity @ Novena Square)
- NiKU iKU (Velocity @ Novena Square)
- Tori-Q (Velocity @ Novena Square)
The list
Sushi Ichinoji Japanese (Sushi / Omakase) · $$$
Highly rated Goldhill Plaza sushi-ya known for value omakase and chirashi, a short walk from Novena MRT.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Sushi / Omakase)
- Price: $$$ · Omakase-focused; lunch sets more wallet-friendly
- Must-try: Omakase, Chirashi don, Sushi platters
- Where: 1 Goldhill Plaza, #01-17, Singapore 308899
- Area: Goldhill Plaza, Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
- Hours: Approx daily 11:30am-2:00pm & 5:30pm-9:00pm; confirm before visiting
Tomi Sushi (Velocity @ Novena Square) Japanese (Sushi / Sashimi) · $$$
Long-running Niigata-rooted sushi restaurant serving traditional nigiri, sets and sashimi in a proper sit-down setting.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Sushi / Sashimi)
- Price: $$$ · ~$30-80/pax
- Must-try: Niigata-style nigiri sushi, Chirashi don, Sashimi
- Where: 238 Thomson Road, #02-73/77 Velocity @ Novena Square, Singapore 307683
- Area: Velocity @ Novena Square, Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
- Hours: Approx 11:30am-2:30pm & 5:30pm-9:30pm (last order ~9pm)
- Halal: No
Nara Japanese Restaurant Japanese (Sushi / Sashimi / General) · $$$
Established full-service Japanese restaurant beside United Square, offering sushi, sashimi and Japanese mains for a sit-down meal.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Sushi / Sashimi / General)
- Price: $$$ · Mains roughly ~$20-47
- Must-try: Sashimi, Sushi, Set meals
- Where: 167 Thomson Road, Goldhill Centre, Singapore 307619
- Area: Goldhill Centre (beside United Square), Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
Torimaro Charcoal Grill & Sake Bar Japanese (Yakitori / Robatayaki / Izakaya) · $$$
Cosy charcoal-grill and sake bar on the Thomson Road stretch, good for skewers and drinks in an izakaya mood.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Yakitori / Robatayaki / Izakaya)
- Price: $$$
- Must-try: Charcoal-grilled yakitori skewers, Robatayaki, Sake
- Where: 275 Thomson Road, #01-08 Novena Regency, Singapore 307645
- Area: Novena Regency, Thomson Road, Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
- Hours: Approx Tue-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm & 5:00pm-10:30pm; closed Mon; confirm before visiting
- Halal: No
Unatoto (Velocity @ Novena Square) Japanese (Unagi) · $$
Popular affordable unagi specialist serving grilled-eel rice bowls, one of the most-reviewed Japanese spots in the mall.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Unagi)
- Price: $$ · Unagi don roughly ~$15-30
- Must-try: Unagi don (grilled eel rice bowl), Una-ju
- Where: 238 Thomson Road, #01-84/85 Velocity @ Novena Square, Singapore 307683
- Area: Velocity @ Novena Square, Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
- Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-9pm (mall hours may vary)
- Halal: No
Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen (Square 2) Japanese (Ramen) · $$
Ramen specialist famous for its 'volcano' tonkotsu served bubbling under a cone lid, directly linked to Novena MRT.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Ramen)
- Price: $$ · Ramen roughly ~$17-19
- Must-try: Volcano tonkotsu ramen (bubbling stone-pot), Gyoza, Karaage
- Where: 10 Sinaran Drive, #02-68/69 Square 2, Singapore 307506
- Area: Square 2, Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
- Hours: Daily 11am-9pm
- Halal: No
Sandai Izakaya Japanese (Izakaya) · $$$
Modern Japanese pub on Thomson Road with binchotan grills, sushi and premium sake, open late for a supper or drinks.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Izakaya)
- Price: $$$
- Must-try: Binchotan charcoal grills, Fresh sushi & sashimi, Handmade gyoza
- Where: 103 Irrawaddy Road, #01-05, Royal Square @ Novena, Singapore 329566
- Area: Royal Square @ Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
- Hours: Approx daily 11am-midnight (kitchen/last orders earlier); confirm before visiting
- Halal: No
Tora-San (United Square) Japanese (Chirashi / Donburi) · $$
Casual donburi and chirashi concept known for generously topped seafood rice bowls, an outlet of the Tora-San brand.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Chirashi / Donburi)
- Price: $$
- Must-try: Tora King chirashi don, Una tama don, Seafood rice bowls
- Where: 101 Thomson Road, #01-12/13 United Square, Singapore 307591
- Area: United Square, Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
- Hours: Approx daily 11am-10pm (some periods 11:30am-2:30pm & 5:30pm-10pm); confirm before visiting
- Halal: No
Sushiro (Square 2) Japanese (Conveyor-belt Sushi) · $
Japan's popular conveyor-belt sushi chain, a large affordable outlet with direct access from Novena MRT (opened end 2025).
- Cuisine: Japanese (Conveyor-belt Sushi)
- Price: $ · Affordable per-plate conveyor-belt sushi
- Must-try: Conveyor-belt nigiri sushi, Seasonal specials, Ramen & sides
- Where: 10 Sinaran Drive, #01-01 to 05 Square 2, Singapore 307506
- Area: Square 2, Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line) – direct mall access
- Hours: Daily 11am-10pm (last order 9:30pm)
- Halal: No
Ichiban Boshi (Velocity @ Novena Square) Japanese (Casual Dining) · $$
Reliable casual Japanese chain with a broad menu of sushi, chirashi, udon and set meals, good for an easy family meal.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Casual Dining)
- Price: $$
- Must-try: Bara chirashi, Sushi, Udon & soba sets
- Where: 238 Thomson Road, #02-13/14 Velocity @ Novena Square, Singapore 307683
- Area: Velocity @ Novena Square, Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
- Hours: Daily 11am-10pm (last order 9:30pm)
- Halal: No
NiKU iKU (Velocity @ Novena Square) Japanese (Yakiniku Bowls / Bento) · $
MUIS halal-certified grilled-and-simmered Japanese takeout counter with affordable yakiniku bowls and bento, the standout halal option here.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Yakiniku Bowls / Bento)
- Price: $ · Bowls & bentos from ~$7.80
- Must-try: Yakiniku beef bowl, Yakiniku chicken bowl, iKU-ben bento
- Where: 238 Thomson Road, #01-24 Velocity @ Novena Square, Singapore 307683
- Area: Velocity @ Novena Square, Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
- Hours: Daily 11am-9:45pm
- Halal: Halal-certified
Tori-Q (Velocity @ Novena Square) Japanese (Yakitori / Skewers) · $
Grab-and-go yakitori kiosk serving Japanese-style grilled chicken skewers and rice sets for a quick, cheap Japanese bite.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Yakitori / Skewers)
- Price: $ · Skewers and sets, budget-friendly
- Must-try: Chicken yakitori skewers, Teriyaki chicken sets
- Where: 238 Thomson Road, #01-88 Velocity @ Novena Square, Singapore 307683
- Area: Velocity @ Novena Square, Novena
- Nearest MRT: Novena (North-South Line)
At a glance: compare every spot
| Spot | Cuisine | Price | Area | Halal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sushi Ichinoji | Japanese (Sushi / Omakase) | $$$ | Goldhill Plaza, Novena | — |
| Tomi Sushi (Velocity @ Novena Square) | Japanese (Sushi / Sashimi) | $$$ | Velocity @ Novena Square, Novena | No |
| Nara Japanese Restaurant | Japanese (Sushi / Sashimi / General) | $$$ | Goldhill Centre (beside United Square), Novena | — |
| Torimaro Charcoal Grill & Sake Bar | Japanese (Yakitori / Robatayaki / Izakaya) | $$$ | Novena Regency, Thomson Road, Novena | No |
| Unatoto (Velocity @ Novena Square) | Japanese (Unagi) | $$ | Velocity @ Novena Square, Novena | No |
| Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen (Square 2) | Japanese (Ramen) | $$ | Square 2, Novena | No |
| Sandai Izakaya | Japanese (Izakaya) | $$$ | Thomson Road, Novena | No |
| Tora-San (United Square) | Japanese (Chirashi / Donburi) | $$ | United Square, Novena | No |
| Sushiro (Square 2) | Japanese (Conveyor-belt Sushi) | $ | Square 2, Novena | No |
| Ichiban Boshi (Velocity @ Novena Square) | Japanese (Casual Dining) | $$ | Velocity @ Novena Square, Novena | No |
| NiKU iKU (Velocity @ Novena Square) | Japanese (Yakiniku Bowls / Bento) | $ | Velocity @ Novena Square, Novena | Halal-certified |
| Tori-Q (Velocity @ Novena Square) | Japanese (Yakitori / Skewers) | $ | Velocity @ Novena Square, Novena | — |
Your questions answered
Which Novena malls have the most Japanese restaurants?
Velocity @ Novena Square and Square 2 are both linked directly to Novena MRT and hold the biggest cluster (Tomi Sushi, Unatoto, Ichiban Boshi, NiKU iKU, Tori-Q, Sushiro, Tonkotsu Kazan). United Square, Goldhill Plaza/Goldhill Centre and the Thomson Road shophouses (Novena Regency) add sit-down and izakaya options a 5-10 minute walk away.
Are there halal Japanese options in Novena?
NiKU iKU at Velocity @ Novena Square is MUIS halal-certified and is the clearest halal pick. Most other Japanese venues here serve pork and/or alcohol and are not halal-certified, so always verify current certification directly with the outlet before dining.
Where's good for a cheap Japanese meal versus a nicer dinner?
For value, try Sushiro (conveyor sushi), NiKU iKU (halal bowls from ~$7.80), Tori-Q (skewers) and Unatoto (affordable unagi). For a nicer or more special meal, look at Sushi Ichinoji (omakase), Tomi Sushi, Nara, and the izakaya Torimaro and Sandai.
Which spots are best for a late dinner or drinks?
Sandai Izakaya on Thomson Road stays open late (roughly to midnight) and Torimaro is a charcoal-grill sake bar, both suited to drinks and skewers. Most mall outlets in Velocity, Square 2 and United Square close around 9:30-10pm, so plan supper around the Thomson Road venues.
Do I need to book, and which MRT exit should I use?
Velocity @ Novena Square and Square 2 connect directly to Novena MRT (NS20), so no long walk is needed; United Square, Goldhill and the Thomson Road shophouses are a 5-10 minute walk. Walk-ins are usually fine at mall outlets, but it's worth booking ahead for Sushi Ichinoji omakase and for izakaya on weekend evenings.