The Journey of a Chef: Inspiration from La Maison Tokyo
Chasing a Michelin star is like pursuing success in life—it’s challenging, full of high expectations, and often filled with moments of doubt. But it’s also where growth and true achievement happen. Whether you’re striving for a career milestone or a personal goal, the pursuit of excellence is what keeps us moving forward. This struggle is perfectly captured in the Netflix drama La Maison Tokyo, where a talented chef loses everything but refuses to give up on his dream of earning a third Michelin star. His journey of resilience and passion exemplifies the dedication required to achieve any goal in life.
Whether you’re cheering for the chef’s success or picking up tips on excellent cooking, La Maison Tokyo delivers a rich depiction of the culinary world and the dreams that drive it. Speaking of dreams in the culinary landscape, Singapore is home to a remarkable selection of Michelin-rated Japanese restaurants. Before we explore our top 8 Michelin-rated Japanese restaurants in Singapore for 2024, let’s first take a moment to understand the Michelin star system.
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Understanding The Michelin Star System
The Michelin Star system is a globally recognised hallmark of excellence in the culinary world. It serves as a guide for food lovers seeking exceptional restaurants that offer unique dining experiences. With its origins in France, the system was established as a means to encourage car travel, guiding drivers to high-quality dining establishments along their routes. Today, it remains a prestigious sign of culinary achievement.
1. What is a Michelin Star?
A Michelin star is one of the highest honours a restaurant can receive, symbolising excellence in the culinary world. Michelin stars are awarded based on several strict criteria, including the quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, consistency, and the overall dining experience. Restaurants can earn between one and three stars, with three stars signifying an exceptional dining experience that’s worth travelling for.
2. How the Michelin star rating system works
Michelin’s team of anonymous inspectors reviews selected restaurants by dining and paying for their meals like regular customers. After each visit, inspectors compile detailed reports on the quality and presentation of each dish. These reports are analysed to identify restaurants that provide exceptional food worthy of one or more Michelin stars.
While a chef should always aspire to be a master of flavour, stars are not awarded to the chef but to the restaurant. Here is a list of criteria for awarding Michelin stars:
- Ingredient quality
- Flavours and cooking techniques
- Chef’s personality as represented in the dining experience
- Value for money
- Consistency between inspectors’ visits
3. Understanding Michelin Star Ratings
Michelin star ratings are awarded based on strict criteria, with three levels of recognition:
One Star: Indicates a restaurant is “very good and worth a stop,” serving high-quality cuisine with fresh ingredients and expert techniques but lacking the creativity of higher-rated establishments.
Two Stars: Signifies “excellent and worth a detour,” showcasing exceptional food and a unique dining experience featuring top-quality ingredients and distinctive flavours.
Three Stars: Denotes “world-class and worth a special journey,” representing the pinnacle of fine dining. Dishes are innovative, flawlessly executed, and served in an elegant atmosphere. Three-star restaurants are extremely rare.
In this article, we take a distinctly different approach to ranking Michelin-rated restaurants, based on feedback from platforms like TripAdvisor and Facebook, rather than the traditional Michelin inspection process. Our focus is on the average diner’s experience, assessing whether these celebrated establishments resonate with broader tastes. By prioritising online reviews, we offer a more democratic view of culinary excellence and evaluate if these restaurants meet popular preferences. While Michelin stars signify fine dining, true success is measured by diner satisfaction, helping to reflect the culinary landscape and make dining joys accessible to all.
Our focus is on the average diner’s experience, assessing whether these celebrated establishments resonate with broader tastes.
Now let’s dive into the Top 8 Michelin-rated Japanese Restaurants in Singapore for 2024 based on online reviews.
| # | Ranking | Tripadvisor1 | Facebook1 | Google1 | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shinji ☆ | 4.5 (388) | 4.0 (839) | 4.6 (500) | 4.62 |
| 2 | Waku Ghin ☆ | 4.5 (404) | 4.3 (938) | 4.2 (287) | 4.43 |
| 3 | Shoukouwa ☆☆ | 4.5 (101) | 4.0 (24) | 4.6 (116) | 4.28 |
| 4 | Sushi Kimura ☆ | 4.5 (34) | 4.0 (412) | 4.6 (296) | 4.17 |
| 5 | Sushi Ichi ☆ | 4.5 (38) | 4.3 (275) | 4.6 (135) | 4.08 |
| 6 | Hamamoto ☆ | 4.5 (3) | 5.0 (5) | 4.9 (69) | 3.70 |
| 7 | |||||
| 8 | Sushi Sakuta ☆ | 4.5 (7) | NA | 4.8 (39) | 3.66 |
1 Based on data published on 20 Oct 2024
1. Shinji ☆
Located in the St. Regis Hotel, Shinji by Kanesaka offers authentic Edomae sushi in an intimate setting. Under the guidance of Chef Shinji Kanesaka, the restaurant features a hinoki cypress counter that seats just 16 guests, ensuring a personalised dining experience.
Guests can choose from three set options, but the omakase is highly recommended. Each sushi piece is crafted with fresh ingredients sourced from Tokyo’s Toyosu market. Reservations are suggested for a seamless dining experience.
Address: The St. Register Singapore, Lobby Level, 29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911
Contact: +65 6884 8239
Opening hours: 12–3 pm and 6–10:30 pm (Closed on Sundays)
2. Waku Ghin ☆
Waku Ghin, a one-Michelin-star restaurant by Japanese celebrity chef Tetsuya Wakuda, blends seasonal ingredients with Japanese culinary mastery. Designed by Yohei Akao, the space pays homage to nature and heritage. Guests can enjoy sushi omakase, casual bar dining with signature dishes, or a luxurious degustation at the Chef’s Table. Private dining rooms offer privacy and beautiful waterfront views for special occasions.
Address: Marina Bay Sands Singapore, 10 Bayfront Ave, L2-03 The Shoppes, Singapore 018956
Contact: +65 6688 8507
Opening hours: 5-7 pm
3. Shoukouwa ☆ ☆
Shoukouwa offers an intimate, refined sushi experience steeped in the edomae tradition from Japan’s Edo era. With just eight seats, diners can enjoy personalised attention from highly skilled Japanese chefs who serve sushi made from the freshest ingredients flown daily from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market. The delicate balance of premium fish, perfectly seasoned rice, and masterful technique creates a meditative dining experience that celebrates purity and precision in every bite.
Address: One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd, #02-02A One Fullerton, Singapore 049213
Contact: +65 6423 9939
Opening hours: 12:30–3 pm and 6–10:30 pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
4. Sushi Kimura ☆
Sushi Kimura, a one-Michelin-star restaurant, offers an intimate fine-dining experience with 22 seats, reflecting Japanese traditions and the changing seasons. The ambience features Noren dividers and personal touches from Chef Kimura, including a hand-painted tea set. Guests can indulge in Edomae-style sushi crafted from fresh, premium ingredients sourced directly from Japan, paired with a carefully curated selection of sake and wine. Chef Kimura’s attention to quality shines through with A-grade Tsuya-hime organic rice from Yamagata and the finest Shin Nori from the Ariake Sea, ensuring an exceptional culinary journey.
Address: 390 Orchard Rd, #01-07, Singapore 238871
Contact: +65 6734 3520
Opening hours: 12:30-3 pm and 7-10 pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
5. Sushi Ichi Singapore ☆
Ginza Sushi-Ichi, a Michelin-starred restaurant, offers a unique dining experience rooted in tradition. The inviting atmosphere features a counter made from 300-year-old cypress and handcrafted wooden ornaments from Nara. Here, seasonal seafood and vegetables from Japan are paired with the finest rice, marinated in red or white vinegar, to create exquisite Edomae sushi. The highly recommended omakase menu showcases a delightful selection of dishes. With sister outlets in Singapore and Bangkok, Ginza Sushi-Ichi is committed to sharing its exceptional cuisine and warm hospitality with every guest.
Address: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, 320 Orchard Rd, #01-04 Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, Singapore 238865
Contact: +65 6235 5514
Opening hours: 12-2.30 pm and 6-11 pm (Closed on Mondays)
6. Hamamoto ☆
At Hamamoto, Chef Kazuhiro Hamamoto, a native of Kyoto with over 20 years of experience, offers a refined sushi-kappo experience in his 12-seat restaurant. Known for sourcing the finest ingredients, his menu features exquisite nigiri and memorable starters, such as spiny lobster with uni. With only one seating for lunch and dinner at the elegant counter, reservations require a bit of patience. Each dish reflects Chef Kazu’s vision of harmony and connection, showcasing seasonal produce at its peak of freshness. Enjoy an unforgettable meal that transports you to Japan, where every detail is crafted to provide comfort and care.
Address: 58 Tras St, Singapore 078997
Contact: +65 9672 7110
Opening hours: 12-3 pm and 6:30-11 pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
7. Oshino ☆ (Closed)
UPDATE: Oshino have closed on 1 Mar 2025.
Oshino captures the essence of classic Edomae sushi and Japanese washoku cuisine, showcasing the beauty of nature and its changing seasons. Chef Koichiro Oshino, a seasoned sushi artisan, embraces the philosophy of 一期一会 (ichi go ichi e), where each meal invites guests to savour the present moment.
Designed by architect Junzo Irikado, the restaurant features a handcrafted hinoki counter and a backdrop inspired by the chef’s family crest, creating a tranquil dining experience. Focusing on purity and flavour, Chef Oshino’s return to Raffles Hotel revises culinary tradition, inviting diners on an exquisite journey through a selection of seasonal delicacies.
Address: 328 North Bridge Rd, #01-11, Singapore 188719
Contact: +65 9012 3938
Opening hours: 12-3 pm and 6-10.30 pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
8. Sushi Sakuta ☆
At Sushi Sakuta, Chef-Owner Sakuta prioritises customer satisfaction and culinary excellence, crafting an inclusive experience for both connoisseurs and newcomers. The restaurant features a stunning 5-meter hinoki counter, crafted from a 200-year-old Yoshino cypress tree, where guests can appreciate the chefs’ precision techniques. With seating for just ten and a private room for 6, diners enjoy exquisite Edomae-style sushi in a luxurious and intimate setting, highlighting the artistry and tradition of Japanese cuisine.
Address: 15 Stamford Rd, #01-88 The Capitol Kempinski Hotel, Singapore 178906
Contact: +65 9863 9302
Opening hours: 12:30-3 pm and 7-10.30 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Ikeda Spa – Experience Japan’s Finest in Singapore
After savouring the exquisite flavours and meticulous craftsmanship of Singapore’s Michelin-starred Japanese restaurants, why not complete your culinary journey with a visit to Ikeda Spa? Rated as one of Singapore’s top Japanese spa by TripAdvisor, this tranquil oasis offers traditional Japanese wellness therapies designed to rejuvenate both body and mind.
Just as the Michelin-starred establishments pride themselves on using the finest ingredients to create unforgettable dishes, Ikeda Spa emphasises holistic wellness with high-quality products and treatments that honour the art of Japanese traditions. Imagine unwinding in a warm, calming environment steeped in the principles of Japanese hospitality, known as omotenashi. Treatments such as the signature hinoki onsen baths or authentic ganbanyoku massages allow you to experience the same dedication to wellness that you encountered at the above Michelin-rated restaurants.
So, if you want to end your Michelin-starred meal on a high note, swing by Ikeda Spa and enjoy a FREE Onsen session with any massage or facial — because every Michelin-starred meal deserves a serene backdrop of relaxation.
