Japanese Restaurants Near Chinatown: 12 Best Spots (2026)
Chinatown's own hawker-heavy core has few Japanese specialists, but the dense "Little Tokyo" cluster in the adjacent Tanjong Pagar / Tras Street / Keong Saik belt is only a 10–15 minute walk (or one MRT stop) away, making it the practical answer for Japanese food near Chinatown. Expect a heavy lean toward ramen — the area is anchored by several Ramen Keisuke outlets around Orchid Hotel — alongside standout tendon, unagi, hamburg steak and yakiniku. Most spots are casual, walk-in and queue-prone at peak, so time your visit early.
Last verified: September 2026. Hours and prices can change — we re-check our guides regularly, but do confirm before a special trip.
The list
Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant Japanese (Unagi / freshwater eel) · $$
Popular unagi specialist grilling live eels imported from Japan to order; sits right in Chinatown on Keong Saik and famous for its Nagoya-style hitsumabushi.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Unagi / freshwater eel)
- Price: $$ · Mains from ~$18.80+; hitsumabushi ~$26.80+
- Must-try: Hitsumabushi (Nagoya-style unagi over rice), Umaki (unagi rolled in tamagoyaki)
- Where: 1 Keong Saik Road, #01-01, Singapore 089109
- Area: Keong Saik (Chinatown)
- Nearest MRT: Outram Park / Chinatown (EW/NE/DT)
- Hours: Mon–Sat 11:30am–3pm, 6pm–10:30pm; closed Sun
- Halal: No
Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Japanese (Tonkotsu ramen) · $$
The outlet that helped kick off Singapore's tonkotsu craze; rich pork-bone broth with free beansprouts and hard-boiled eggs, a short stroll from Chinatown at Orchid Hotel.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Tonkotsu ramen)
- Price: $$ · ~$13–17/pax
- Must-try: Tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen, Black Spicy tonkotsu ramen
- Where: 1 Tras Link, #01-19, Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867
- Area: Tanjong Pagar (Tras Link)
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15) / Outram Park
- Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–3pm, 5pm–10pm; Sat–Sun & PH 11:30am–10pm (walk-in only)
- Halal: No
Ramen Keisuke Tori King Japanese (Chicken-based ramen) · $$
Keisuke's chicken-broth ramen concept for those who prefer a lighter, non-tonkotsu bowl; inside 100AM mall near Tanjong Pagar MRT.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Chicken-based ramen)
- Price: $$ · Tori King Ramen ~$11.90++
- Must-try: Tori King Ramen (chicken broth)
- Where: 100 Tras Street, #03-15, 100AM Mall, Singapore 079027
- Area: Tanjong Pagar (Tras Street)
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15)
- Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–3pm, 5:30pm–10pm; Sat–Sun & PH 11:30am–10pm (walk-in only)
- Halal: No
Torasho Ramen & Charcoal Bar Japanese (Ramen / izakaya, late-night) · $$
Ramen and charcoal-bar hybrid on Tras Street that serves till 3am on weekends, making it the area's go-to for a late Japanese supper.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Ramen / izakaya, late-night)
- Price: $$ · Ramen from ~$14++
- Must-try: Torasho Pork "Bak Chor Mee" ramen (lard oil), Charcoal-grilled skewers
- Where: 32 Tras Street, Singapore 078972
- Area: Tanjong Pagar (Tras Street)
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15)
- Hours: Sun–Mon 11:30am–3pm, 6pm–10pm; Tue–Thu 11:30am–3pm, 6pm–11pm; Fri–Sat 11:30am–3pm, 6pm–3am
- Halal: No
Tendon Ginza Itsuki Japanese (Tendon / tempura rice bowl) · $$
Long-running queue favourite for crisp tempura over rice with a signature sweet-savoury tendon sauce; on the main Tanjong Pagar Road stretch.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Tendon / tempura rice bowl)
- Price: $$ · Special Tendon ~$13.90++
- Must-try: Special Tendon, Vegetable Tendon
- Where: 101 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088522
- Area: Tanjong Pagar
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15) / Outram Park
- Hours: Daily 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30pm–10pm
- Halal: No
Hakata Ikkousha Japanese (Hakata tonkotsu ramen) · $$
Fukuoka ramen chain known for collagen-rich Hakata tonkotsu and its spicy God Fire bowl, in the hawker-adjacent Tanjong Pagar Plaza.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Hakata tonkotsu ramen)
- Price: $$ · ~$13.50–19.50++ (God Fire Ramen / Tonkotsu Special)
- Must-try: Tonkotsu Special, God Fire Ramen (customisable spice)
- Where: 7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #01-104B, Singapore 081007
- Area: Tanjong Pagar Plaza
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15)
- Hours: Mon–Sat 11:30am–9:30pm; Sun 11:30am–8:30pm
- Halal: No
Hamburg Steak Keisuke Japanese (Hamburg steak) · $$
Keisuke's Japanese hamburg-steak specialist serving juicy beef patties with rice and free-flow sides, near Tanjong Pagar MRT.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Hamburg steak)
- Price: $$ · Sets ~$18.80–20.80++
- Must-try: Keisuke Prime Beef Hamburg Set, Triple Cheese Prime Beef Hamburg Set
- Where: 72 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079329
- Area: Tanjong Pagar (Peck Seah Street)
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15)
- Hours: Daily 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30pm–10pm
- Halal: No
Yakiniku-Oh Goen Japanese (Yakiniku / grilled meat) · $$$
Tabletop Japanese grill on Tanjong Pagar Road for DIY yakiniku of beef, meats and seafood; suits small groups wanting a sit-down cook-your-own meal.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Yakiniku / grilled meat)
- Price: $$$ · Sets/plates from ~$19.80+; iron-plate seafood ~$24.80+
- Must-try: Iron Plate Seafood, Special Fresh Beef & Cattle platter
- Where: 83 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088504
- Area: Tanjong Pagar
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15) / Outram Park
- Hours: Mon–Thu 12pm–9:30pm; Fri–Sat 12pm–10:30pm
- Halal: No
Gangsta Ramen Japanese (Ramen) · $
Small, wallet-friendly ramen spot with private-booth-style seating tucked in Tanjong Pagar Plaza; among the cheaper Japanese options near Chinatown.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Ramen)
- Price: $ · Ramen ~$10–12
- Must-try: Original Ramen, Spicy Ramen
- Where: 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #02-10, Singapore 082001
- Area: Tanjong Pagar Plaza
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15)
- Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–8:30pm; Sat 11:30am–2:30pm; closed Sun
- Halal: No
Brothers Ramen Japanese (Ramen) · $$
Compact ramen bar in International Plaza serving springy noodles with tender chashu; a quick lunch option steps from Tanjong Pagar MRT.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Ramen)
- Price: $$ · From ~$14.90++
- Must-try: Brothers Ramen (chashu, bamboo shoots)
- Where: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #01-20, Singapore 079903
- Area: Tanjong Pagar (Anson Road)
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15)
- Hours: Mon–Tue & Fri 11:30am–2:30pm, 6pm–7:45pm; Wed & Sat 11:30am–2:30pm (hours vary; confirm)
- Halal: No
Enishi Japanese (Ramen / mazesoba) · $$
Ramen shop in International Plaza known for its layered dan dan noodles; a slightly more refined bowl within walking distance of Chinatown.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Ramen / mazesoba)
- Price: $$ · From ~$18.80++ (Dan Dan Noodle ~$19.80++)
- Must-try: Dan Dan Noodles (mala-seasoned), Japanese Dashi Noodle
- Where: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #02-85A, Singapore 079903
- Area: Tanjong Pagar (Anson Road)
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15)
- Hours: Daily 11am–3pm, 6pm–9pm
- Halal: No
Gyoza King Japanese (Gyoza / izakaya) · $$
Keisuke's gyoza-and-izakaya concept beside Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King at Orchid Hotel; good for dumplings and small bites with a drink.
- Cuisine: Japanese (Gyoza / izakaya)
- Price: $$ · ~$12–20/pax
- Must-try: Pan-fried gyoza, Izakaya small plates
- Where: 1 Tras Link, #01-15, Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867
- Area: Tanjong Pagar (Tras Link)
- Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW15) / Outram Park
- Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–3pm, 5pm–10:30pm; Sat–Sun & PH 11:30am–10pm (walk-in only)
- Halal: No
At a glance: compare every spot
| Spot | Cuisine | Price | Area | Halal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant | Japanese (Unagi / freshwater eel) | $$ | Keong Saik (Chinatown) | No |
| Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King | Japanese (Tonkotsu ramen) | $$ | Tanjong Pagar (Tras Link) | No |
| Ramen Keisuke Tori King | Japanese (Chicken-based ramen) | $$ | Tanjong Pagar (Tras Street) | No |
| Torasho Ramen & Charcoal Bar | Japanese (Ramen / izakaya, late-night) | $$ | Tanjong Pagar (Tras Street) | No |
| Tendon Ginza Itsuki | Japanese (Tendon / tempura rice bowl) | $$ | Tanjong Pagar | No |
| Hakata Ikkousha | Japanese (Hakata tonkotsu ramen) | $$ | Tanjong Pagar Plaza | No |
| Hamburg Steak Keisuke | Japanese (Hamburg steak) | $$ | Tanjong Pagar (Peck Seah Street) | No |
| Yakiniku-Oh Goen | Japanese (Yakiniku / grilled meat) | $$$ | Tanjong Pagar | No |
| Gangsta Ramen | Japanese (Ramen) | $ | Tanjong Pagar Plaza | No |
| Brothers Ramen | Japanese (Ramen) | $$ | Tanjong Pagar (Anson Road) | No |
| Enishi | Japanese (Ramen / mazesoba) | $$ | Tanjong Pagar (Anson Road) | No |
| Gyoza King | Japanese (Gyoza / izakaya) | $$ | Tanjong Pagar (Tras Link) | No |
Your questions answered
How far are these Japanese restaurants from Chinatown MRT?
Most sit in the Tanjong Pagar / Tras Street / Peck Seah enclave, roughly a 10–15 minute walk from Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19) or one stop away via Tanjong Pagar (EW15) and Outram Park. Man Man Unagi on Keong Saik Road is inside Chinatown itself. Chinatown's own core is more hawker- and Chinese-food-focused, which is why the Japanese cluster skews toward Tanjong Pagar.
Do I need to make a reservation?
Several of the most popular spots — the Ramen Keisuke outlets, Gyoza King, Tendon Ginza Itsuki and Man Man Unagi — are walk-in only and queue during lunch and dinner peaks. Arrive right at opening or slightly off-peak to avoid waits. Always double-check the latest opening hours before heading down.
What's the typical price range?
This area is mostly casual and affordable: ramen and tendon bowls run about S$12–20 per person, with Gangsta Ramen among the cheaper options (~S$10–12). Unagi at Man Man is higher (~S$27 for hitsumabushi) and yakiniku at Goen climbs further with more meat. Sit-down restaurants usually add service charge and GST (++).
Are any of these Japanese restaurants halal?
No — none in this list are MUIS halal-certified. They are largely pork-based tonkotsu ramen, gyoza, yakiniku and unagi restaurants, and many serve alcohol. Muslim diners should treat these as non-halal and look elsewhere; if in doubt, always confirm directly with the venue before visiting.
Which is best for a late-night Japanese supper near Chinatown?
Torasho Ramen & Charcoal Bar on Tras Street runs latest, serving until around 3am on Friday and Saturday, so it's the natural choice for late-night ramen and skewers. Most other spots close by 10pm, so plan accordingly on weeknights.