Are you on the lookout for a Michelin Japanese restaurant in Singapore? The MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2026 has brought some exciting changes to the Japanese fine-dining scene.
Three of the most renowned Japanese restaurants in Singapore have received their first MICHELIN Star: Sushi Kimura+, Tenshima, and Loca Niru. These restaurants join the ranks of other Michelin-starred establishments, such as Shoukouwa, Sushi Sakuta, Waku Ghin, Sushi Ichi, Omakase @ Stevens, and Hamamoto.
For me, however, Michelin’s verdict is only half the story.
The MICHELIN Stars indicate the opinions of the Michelin Guide inspectors. But what about the diners’ opinions? Do the people who eat at these restaurants have the same level of praise for these establishments as the inspectors do?
That is why I have chosen to review Michelin-rated Japanese restaurants in Singapore from a diner’s perspective.
Instead of ranking the restaurants according to their Michelin Stars, I have compared their ratings on Google and Tripadvisor using our Diner Consensus Score.
The results might surprise you.
Table of Contents
What’s New for Michelin Japanese Restaurants in Singapore in 2026?
The biggest change to the Michelin Guide Singapore 2026 is the inclusion of three new one-star restaurants.
Sushi Kimura+ marks chef Tomoo Kimura’s return to Singapore’s Michelin-starred sushi scene.
Tenshima specialises in tempura omakase, bringing something very different to a list otherwise dominated by sushi.
Loca Niru takes an even less conventional approach. Michelin officially classifies it as Innovative rather than Japanese, but chef Shusuke Kubota’s cooking is strongly shaped by his Japanese background, alongside French techniques and Southeast Asian flavours. Kubota was also awarded the MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award 2026.
Meanwhile, Shoukouwa and Sushi Sakuta retain Two MICHELIN Stars in the 2026 guide.
With these changes in mind, which restaurant has the highest ranking based on diners’ opinions?
2026 Michelin Japanese Restaurants Ranked by Diner Reviews
Rather than assuming that more MICHELIN Stars automatically mean a better experience for everyone, our ranking looks at how consistently actual diners rate each restaurant.
| Rank | Restaurant | MICHELIN Stars | Tripadvisor | Diner Consensus Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omakase @ Stevens | β | 4.9 (147) | 5.0 (6) | 4.81 |
| 2 | Hamamoto | β | 4.9 (117) | 4.8 (5) | 4.76 |
| 3 | Tenshima | β | 4.9 (62) | 5.0 (2) | 4.75 |
| 4 | Loca Niru | β | 4.8 (112) | N/A* | 4.69 |
| 5 | Sushi Kimura+ | β | 4.8 (16) | N/A* | 4.67 |
| 6 | Sushi Sakuta | β β | 4.8 (82) | 4.0 (5) | 4.58 |
| 7 | Shoukouwa | β β | 4.5 (217) | 4.5 (103) | 4.55 |
| 8 | Sushi Ichi | β | 4.6 (176) | 4.3 (39) | 4.52 |
| 9 | Waku Ghin | β | 4.3 (375) | 4.5 (455) | 4.44 |
The online review data were last checked on 15 August 2026. Ratings and review counts will change over time.
*A comparable current Tripadvisor listing could not be verified for Loca Niru. For Sushi Kimura+, Tripadvisor continues to surface reviews from the former Sushi Kimura at Palais Renaissance, so those historical reviews have been excluded.
How We Calculate the Diner Consensus Score
A restaurant with a 5.0 rating from two diners should not automatically outrank a restaurant with a 4.7 rating from hundreds of diners.
That is why the Diner Consensus Score takes both the rating and the number of reviews into account.
We calculate an adjusted score separately for Google and Tripadvisor. Restaurants with very small review samples are gently adjusted toward the group’s average rating. As more diners leave reviews, the adjusted score moves increasingly closer to the restaurant’s actual rating.
The final score uses the following weights for each review website:
- 60% for Google
- 40% for Tripadvisor
Google is given more weight in the final score because of the larger number of reviews available from diners.
If a Tripadvisor listing is not available for a restaurant, the average Tripadvisor rating of other restaurants is used instead.
This ranking of Michelin Japanese restaurants in Singapore is not meant to replace the Michelin Guide’s ratings. Instead, it answers a different question: which restaurants receive the strongest consensus from the diners?
1. Omakase @ Stevens β
At the top of our 2026 ranking is Omakase @ Stevens, boasting a remarkable Diner Consensus Score of 4.81.
Chef Kazuki Arimoto leads the kitchen at this establishment, which combines the best elements of Japanese and French cooking techniques to create a unique dining experience.
This approach to the cuisine sets this restaurant apart from the many sushi restaurants on the rest of this list.
My favourite dishes at Omakase @ Stevens are:
- Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Katsu: I love the contrast between the crisp coating and tender Wagyu inside. The truffle, garlic paste and PΓ©rigueux sauce make it even more indulgent.
- Unagi Donabe: I particularly like the slightly crisp skin of the grilled eel against the soft rice underneath. The homemade kabayaki sauce brings everything together.
- Kinmedai: The crispy skin was the highlight for me. Paired with the seafood broth, rouille and basil oil, this dish really shows the Japanese-French character of the restaurant.
What I find interesting about Omakase @ Stevens is that it outranks both of Singapore’s two-MICHELIN-starred sushi restaurants.
This ranking demonstrates how the preferences of a wide range of diners may differ from those of the Michelin Guide inspectors.
Address: Novotel Hotel, 30 Stevens Road #01-03, Singapore 257840
Contact: +65 6735 8282
Opening hours: 6β10:30 pm (Closed on Sundays)
Website
2. Hamamoto β
Coming in second is Hamamoto, with a Diner Consensus Score of 4.76.
Chef Kazuhiro Hamamoto from Kyoto takes a sushi-kappo approach to his cuisine.
This means that, rather than focusing solely on sushi, he includes a variety of seasonal Japanese ingredients in both cooked dishes and sushi served throughout the meal.
The intimate counter setting of the restaurant resembles the small restaurants in Japan that I enjoy visiting.
My favourite dishes at Hamamoto are:
- Lobster, Uni and Caviar: This is one of the restaurant’s most popular items. The sweetness of the lobster, the creaminess of the uni, and the saltiness of the caviar balance each other beautifully.
- Grilled Unagi: I love how the skin is grilled until crisp while the meat remains soft and tender. The relatively restrained seasoning also lets you appreciate the quality of the eel.
- Seasonal Nigiri and Shellfish: The ingredients naturally change with the season, but chutoro, nodoguro, sea bream, and Hokkaido hairy crab have been among my highlights.
Hamamoto has only one MICHELIN Star, but the feedback that it receives from diners allows it to rank highly in our rankings.
Address: 58 Tras St, Singapore 078997
Contact: +65 9672 7110
Opening hours: 12β3 pm and 6:30β11 pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Website
3. Tenshima β NEW FOR 2026
If your idea of a Michelin Japanese restaurant in Singapore immediately brings sushi to mind, Tenshima offers something very different.
The restaurant received its first MICHELIN Star in 2026, headed by Chef Takahiro Shima, who specialises in tempura omakase.
He prepares the ingredients at the counter, varying the batter, frying temperature, and cooking time for each ingredient.
Before Chef Shima specialised in tempura, he trained in other areas of Japanese cooking, including kaiseki. This experience is reflected in the timing and seasonality of the restaurant’s omakase meals.
Hamamoto has only one MICHELIN Star, but the feedback that it receives from diners allows it to rank highly in our rankings.
My favourite dishes at Tenshima are:
- Abalone Tempura with Abalone Liver: One of the most memorable dishes for me. The tender abalone is encased in an incredibly light tempura batter, while the rich abalone liver adds another layer of umami.
- A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Tempura with Sukiyaki Sauce and Egg Yolk: I loved the contrast between the crisp exterior and rich Wagyu inside. Dipping it into the sukiyaki sauce and egg yolk made it even more indulgent.
- Uni Tempura on Crispy Seaweed with Caviar: Probably one of the most luxurious bites of the meal. The creamy uni, crisp seaweed and salty caviar come together beautifully without feeling overly heavy.
Michelin also singled out Tenshima’s abalone dish as one of its inspectors’ favourite dishes from the 2026 Singapore selection.
Tenshima impressively enters our ranking in third place with a score of 4.75.
Their Tripadvisor reviews are limited, which is one reason our scoring methodology accounts for the number of reviews rather than just the average score.
Address: 9 Raffles Blvd, #01-09 Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596
Contact: +65 6226 6666
Opening hours: 12:30β3 pm (Tuesday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday) and 6:30β10 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Website
4. Loca Niru β NEW FOR 2026
Loca Niru is the most unconventional restaurant on this list.
While Michelin categorises the restaurant as Innovative, chef Shusuke Kubota uses Japanese, French and Southeast Asian flavours in his cooking.
Chef Kubota also received the MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award 2026.
Loca Niru’s use of familiar local Southeast Asian flavours in its dishes is what I find most interesting about the restaurant.
My favourite dishes at Loca Niru are:
- Isaki with Nyonya Beurre Blanc: This dish captures what I find most interesting about Loca Niru. The Japanese fish is paired with a Nyonya-inspired beurre blanc, bringing Japanese precision and Southeast Asian flavours together in a way that feels surprisingly natural.
- Abalone Chawanmushi: I particularly enjoyed the contrast between the delicate steamed egg custard and the abalone’s firmer texture. It is comforting and refined at the same time.
- Buah Keluak Roll / Bread: This was one of the more unexpected dishes for me. Using the distinctive earthy flavour of buah keluak in a bread course shows how Loca Niru incorporates familiar Southeast Asian ingredients into a Japanese-French dining experience.
Michelin inspectors have also recognised the isaki dish as one of their favourite dishes from Singapore in 2026.
Loca Niru received a Diner Consensus Score of 4.69 and ranks fourth on our list.
Because there were no comparable Tripadvisor listings for Loca Niru, we used the average Tripadvisor ratings of other restaurants to calculate the score.
Address: 101 Penang Rd, #02-01 House of Tan Yeok Nee, Singapore 238466
Contact: +65 6592 5815
Opening hours: 12β2:30 pm (Friday & Saturday) and 6:30β11 pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
Website
5. Sushi Kimura+ β NEW FOR 2026
For anyone familiar with Singapore’s omakase scene, Sushi Kimura+ is probably the most recognisable comeback among this year’s new Michelin additions.
Chef Tomoo Kimura previously earned a MICHELIN Star at the original Sushi Kimura. His new restaurant takes the experience in an even more intimate direction, with an eight-seat sushi counter.
The menu continues to focus on Edomae sushi. Chef Kimura pays close attention to how the fish is aged, marinated, and prepared to ensure it pairs well with the sushi rice.
My favourite dishes at Sushi Kimura+ are:
- Akami Zuke: The marinated lean tuna was one of the highlights for me. I particularly liked how the soy and mirin marinade added depth without overpowering the clean flavour of the tuna.
- Aka Uni: Rich, creamy and naturally sweet, the red sea urchin was beautifully simple. It is the kind of dish where the quality of the ingredient really speaks for itself.
- Fish Shabu-Shabu with Tomato Soup: This was an unexpected combination that worked surprisingly well. The light fish paired nicely with the sweetness and acidity of the tomato-based broth.
These dishes, along with others such as Japanese black abalone, are included on the August 2026 menu at Sushi Kimura+. Michelin inspectors have also recognised the marinated tuna as a favourite dish from the 2026 selection.
With a Diner Consensus Score of 4.67, Sushi Kimura+ ranks fifth on our list.
Because the restaurant is relatively new, its Google review sample remains much smaller than established names such as Waku Ghin and Shoukouwa.
Additionally, we excluded Tripadvisor reviews as they still feature reviews from the former Sushi Kimura restaurant rather than Sushi Kimura+.
Address: 1 Cuscaden Rd, #01-03 Conrad, Singapore 249715
Contact: +65 8977 5027
Opening hours: 11 amβ3 pm (Wednesday & Thursday, Saturday & Sunday) and 5:30β9:30 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Website
6. Sushi Sakuta β β
Sushi Sakuta continues to hold its Two MICHELIN Stars in 2026. Along with Shoukouwa, it is one of the Japanese restaurants in Singapore with the highest Michelin rating.
The restaurant has a beautiful 200-year hinoki cypress counter where diners can experience the omakase menu.
Chef Sakuta focuses on Edomae sushi and uses only the best ingredients. Despite this, I find the overall dining experience approachable even if you are relatively new to high-end omakase.
My favourite dishes at Sushi Sakuta are:
- Sweet Shrimp with Caviar in Sea Urchin and Egg Sauce: This is probably the dish I remember most. It is rich and luxurious, but the shrimp’s sweetness helps keep everything beautifully balanced.
- Steamed Abalone with Abalone Liver Sauce: I particularly enjoy the texture of the abalone together with the deep, savoury liver sauce. It is a relatively simple-looking dish with a lot of flavour.
- Kinki Shabu Shabu: I love how gently the fish is cooked. It preserves the delicate sweetness and soft texture of the kinki rather than overpowering such a premium ingredient.
Interestingly, Sushi Sakuta comes in sixth in our Diner Consensus ranking despite holding Two MICHELIN Stars.
Its Tripadvisor score currently comes from a very small sample, which our methodology deliberately treats cautiously.
Address: 9 Raffles Blvd, #01-06/07/08 Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596
Contact: +65 9863 9302
Opening hours: 12:30β3 pm (Tuesday & Wednesday, Friday to Sunday) and 7β10.30 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Website
7. Shoukouwa β β
Shoukouwa is the other Two-MICHELIN-Starred sushi restaurant from Singapore that makes it into this guide. It has long been one of the city’s most recognisable names for Edomae sushi.
The experience is intimate and focused on the food itself rather than elaborate presentation. The emphasis is on the quality of the seafood, rice, and vinegar, as well as the temperature at which the sushi is served.
My favourite dishes at Shoukouwa are:
- Monkfish Liver with Uni: I love the contrast between the creamy monkfish liver and the uni’s sweetness. It is rich, but the flavours are beautifully balanced.
- Crab Rice with Uni and Ikura: One of my most memorable dishes here. The sweetness of the crab, the creamy uni, and the salty bursts of ikura work incredibly well together.
- Nigiri Sushi Selection: The squid nigiri is one of my favourites, especially with the freshness of sudachi lime. I also particularly enjoy the toro maki towards the end of the meal.
Shoukouwa ends up in seventh position in this diner-based assessment with a Diner Consensus Score of 4.55.
That is exactly why I wanted to include this alternative ranking. Michelin’s Two Stars recognise the restaurant’s cooking at a very high professional level, whereas our score reflects the pattern of diner feedback from the general public.
Neither of these is necessarily wrong. They measure different things.
Address: 1 Fullerton Rd, #02-02A Fullerton Square Public Space, Singapore 049213
Contact: +65 6423 9939
Opening hours: 12:30β3β―pm (Wednesday to Saturday) and 6β10:30β―pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
Website
8. Sushi Ichi β
Located inside Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, Sushi Ichi combines traditional Edomae sushi with an unmistakably Japanese setting.
One of the things I enjoy about Sushi Ichi is that it uses seasonal seafood and vegetables from Japan, as well as rice seasoned to suit the sushi being served.
My favourite dishes at Sushi Ichi are:
- Otoro Sushi: Always one of the highlights for me. The fatty tuna has an almost buttery texture and practically melts in your mouth.
- Uni and Ikura Rice Bowl: I love the combination of creamy, slightly sweet uni with the salty pop of ikura over rice. It is simple but incredibly satisfying and visually appealing.
- Seasonal Nigiri Selection: I particularly enjoy pieces such as kinmedai, shima aji and kuruma ebi. Part of the fun of omakase is seeing what is at its best that season.
Sushi Ichi currently achieves a Diner Consensus Score of 4.52, placing it eighth in our 2026 ranking.
Address: 320 Orchard Rd, #01-04 Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, Singapore 238865
Contact: +65 6235 5514
Opening hours: 12β2.30 pm and 6β10 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Website
9. Waku Ghin β
Being ninth on this list certainly does not mean Waku Ghin is a weak restaurant.
Chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s restaurant is one of the most well-known Japanese restaurants in Singapore.
It is also quite different from most of the sushi restaurants on this list. Instead of following a traditional omakase sushi format, the restaurant uses contemporary techniques with Wagyu and premium Japanese seafood.
My favourite dishes at Waku Ghin are:
- Marinated Botan Shrimp with Sea Urchin and Oscietra Caviar: This is the dish I most associate with Waku Ghin. The sweet botan shrimp, creamy uni and salty caviar make for an indulgent yet balanced dish.
- Japanese Wagyu Beef with Wasabi and Citrus Soy: The wasabi and citrus soy add a nice contrast to the rich Wagyu beef. It is a simple dish, but one that allows the beef to shine.
- Seasonal Seafood: This dish changes with the season, but Waku Ghin does seafood particularly well. Abalone, king crab and lobster have been some of my favourites.
Waku Ghin comes in ninth with a Diner Consensus Score of 4.44.
However, there is an important detail behind that number.
Waku Ghin has hundreds of reviews on both Google and Tripadvisor, giving us a much larger sample of diner reviews than most of the newer restaurants on this list.
Its score may be lower than some others, but we can have considerably more confidence that it reflects the experiences of diners across a broad range of the restaurant’s customer base.
Address: Marina Bay Sands Singapore, 10 Bayfront Ave, L2-03 The Shoppes, Singapore 018956
Contact: +65 6688 8507
Opening hours: 5β10:30 pm (Open daily)
Website
What Do MICHELIN Stars Actually Mean?
Now that we’ve looked at what diners think, it might be useful to learn about the criteria for which the MICHELIN Guide awards its stars.
MICHELIN inspectors dine anonymously and assess restaurants according to five universal criteria:
- Quality of ingredients (no surprise there)
- Skilful cooking and harmony of flavours
- The chef’s personal touch (yes, you can taste their style)
- Value for money (because it’s not just about how much you pay)
- And finally, consistency (every visit should be just as good as the last)
A MICHELIN Star is therefore fundamentally an assessment of the food, rather than a score for dΓ©cor, luxury or service.
- One MICHELIN Star indicates high-quality cooking worth stopping for at the restaurant.
- Two MICHELIN Stars indicate excellent cooking that is worth making a detour to visit the restaurant.
- Three MICHELIN Stars indicate that the food is exceptional enough to warrant a special journey to the restaurant.
This is also why our Diner Consensus Score shouldn’t be interpreted as an alternative Michelin rating.
Michelin asks professional inspectors to assess the food using a consistent international methodology.
We’re asking a different question: after all the Michelin recognition, what do everyday diners actually think?
Looking at both gives us a more complete picture.
Which Michelin Japanese Restaurant in Singapore Should You Choose?
But with so many options, which one should you book a reservation for?
If you’re choosing based solely on our Diner Consensus Score, Omakase @ Stevens currently ranks first.
If you want the highest Michelin recognition for traditional sushi, choose between Shoukouwa and Sushi Sakuta, which both hold Two MICHELIN Stars in 2026.
If you would rather opt for something other than sushi, then Tenshima is an excellent choice for lovers of tempura.
For a more experimental Japanese experience, Loca Niru combines Japanese cooking with French technique and familiar Southeast Asian flavours.
And if you enjoyed the original Sushi Kimura, Sushi Kimura+ allows you to experience Chef Tomoo Kimura’s sushi in an even more intimate setting.
Ultimately, there isn’t a single Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Singapore that will be best for everyone.
Some may love the traditional taste of Edomae sushi. Others may want something more experimental in their dining experience.
That’s also why I find comparing Michelin’s professional assessment against public diner reviews so interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michelin-starred Japanese restaurants are there in Singapore in 2026?
There are nine Michelin-starred Japanese or Japanese-led restaurants in Singapore in 2026. The cuisines of these restaurants range from sushi and tempura to contemporary, innovative Japanese dishes.
Which Japanese restaurants received new MICHELIN Stars in Singapore in 2026?
The new restaurants to receive a MICHELIN Star in 2026 include Sushi Kimura+, Tenshima, and Loca Niru.
Which Japanese restaurants have Two MICHELIN Stars in Singapore?
Shoukouwa and Sushi Sakuta each have Two MICHELIN Stars.
Is there a Three-MICHELIN-Star Japanese restaurant in Singapore?
None of the Japanese restaurants in Singapore holds Three MICHELIN Stars.
What is the highest-rated Michelin Japanese restaurant in Singapore according to diners?
Based on our Diner Consensus Score using Google and Tripadvisor data collected on 15 August 2026, Omakase @ Stevens ranks first with 4.81, followed by Hamamoto at 4.76 and Tenshima at 4.75.
These rankings can change as diners continue to leave new reviews.
Why doesn’t your ranking follow the number of MICHELIN Stars?
MICHELIN Stars and our Diner Consensus Score measure different things. Michelin’s professional inspectors evaluate the quality and consistency of the cuisine using Michelin’s established criteria. Our Diner Consensus Score instead analyses public online ratings while considering the number of reviews behind each score. That’s why a One-MICHELIN-Starred restaurant can rank above a Two-MICHELIN-Starred restaurant here.
Which Michelin Japanese restaurant in Singapore is best for sushi?
If you desire the highest Michelin recognition for sushi, then Shoukouwa and Sushi Sakuta are the best options with their two MICHELIN Stars. Other restaurants that excel in sushi include Hamamoto, Sushi Ichi, and Sushi Kimura+.
Which Michelin Japanese restaurant should I choose if I don’t want sushi?
For tempura, try Tenshima. For a contemporary Japanese dining experience, choose Omakase @ Stevens or Loca Niru.
Complete Your Japanese Experience at Ikeda Spa
Continue the Japanese Experience at Ikeda Spa
After experiencing the delicate flavours and artistic dishes behind Singapore’s Michelin-starred Japanese restaurants, continue your evening with the same appreciation for quality at Ikeda Spa, voted Singapore’s top Japanese spa by Tripadvisor.
Just as Michelin-starred chefs carefully select the finest seasonal ingredients, Ikeda Spa chooses premium products and authentic Japanese wellness rituals with the same attention to detail. From the calming scent of our Japanese hinoki onsen to the warmth of ganbanyoku stone therapy, every experience is designed around the spirit of omotenashi, Japan’s philosophy of thoughtful hospitality.
Complete your Japanese-inspired evening with a little time for yourself. Book any massage or facial at Ikeda Spa and enjoy a complimentary onsen session to slow down and unwind after an exceptional meal. After a Michelin-starred meal, it only makes sense to let your body relax in a spa that offers the same level of care and quality.
