15 Orchard Plaza food spots worth your time and calories

1. Ramen Soshiji

Why visit? A 12-seater tucked deep within Orchard Plaza, Ramen Soshiji is perpetually besieged by a queue that snakes down the corridor. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a ramen fanatic in Singapore who has yet to hear of this spot — this is essentially pilgrimage territory for ramen diehards.

Its twin headliners are a Nagaoka-style ginger shoyu ramen of Niigata, sharp and fragrant, and a deeply porky Hakata tonkotsu of Fukuoka. On rotation are the Iekei ramen, a rich tonkotsu-shoyu mix, the Jiro-style ramen, piled high with toppings, and the dry, umami-packed mazesoba.

Crowd favourites: The ginger shoyu ramen (from S$13.80) is the real draw. It’s a bowl you’ll struggle to find anywhere else in Singapore, blending pork bone and vegetable stock with a house shoyu and a hit of ginger. The result is comfort in liquid form. You get a clean, savoury broth with gentle sweetness and the kind of ginger aroma that makes you want to linger over every sip.

The Hakata tonkotsu ramen (from S$11.80) is a solid contender, too — creamy, nutty, and spicy, without tipping into oil slick territory. The noodles are springy, the broth full-bodied, and though the chashu and toppings could use a touch more finesse, the bowl more than holds its own.

2. Al Solito Japanese Italian Izakaya

Why visit? Al Solito, meaning “as usual”, lives up to its name. It’s a place in Orchard Plaza where regulars can weave in and out without a second thought, ordering their “usuals” for their sheer deliciousness. Al Solito is almost always packed — a lively mix of Japanese and local regulars who’ve made it their go-to.

The menu leans seasonal, highlighting the best Japan has to offer, but without fuss. The food is homely, hearty, and designed for sharing — best enjoyed with a few drinks and plenty of chatter. A few dishes have become permanent fixtures, a reward for the fans who keep returning.

Crowd favourites: The uni pasta (S$38) is pure indulgence — delicate angel hair pasta is coated in creamy sea urchin and topped with popping salmon roe and caviar. Briny and silky, it’s precise and luxurious, a dish that feels effortless yet utterly commanding on the palate.

The mini four-kind cheese pizza with honey (S$22) is light and crisp at the edges, almost like a biscuit, and soft in the centre. The cheeses are rich and mellow, while a drizzle of honey cuts through with a sweet lift that keeps each bite interesting.

3. Miss Saigon

Why visit? A tiny eatery with just six seats within, Miss Saigon still manages to punch well above its weight with its fragrant banh mi, crisp spring rolls, and hearty rice noodles. Items here are all freshly made, even at the oddest hours, thanks to its 24-hour service.

Seating is scarce, so you might end up eating standing, but it hardly matters once the food hits the table. The portions are incredibly generous, the prices affordable, and the well-seasoned meat amount is eye-opening. Few places in Singapore offer this much bang for your buck, and at the oddest hours, too. It’s superb value right here in Orchard Plaza, plain and simple.

Crowd favourites: The roasted pork banh mi (S$9.90) is hard to beat. It features a crackling baguette with a whole slab of crispy pork belly — rich and flavourful, it’s generous to the point of indulgence.

The salt-baked roast chicken banh mi (S$8.90) is equally impressive. Have we mentioned that every banh mi here is jam-packed with meat? This one is no exception, bursting with tender, savoury chicken in every bite.

4. Tempura Shige

Why visit? Tempura Shige, newly opened in mid-2025, is undoubtedly one of Orchard Plaza’s latest hidden gems — a sliver of a restaurant with a mere eight counter seats wrapped around a tiny kitchen. Helmed by Chef Shigenari Sato, a Japanese chef who spent 14 years in Singapore, this joint may be small, but it takes absolute pride in its tempura craft.

Each piece of tempura is a study in precision — light, crisp, and never oily, letting the freshness of the ingredients speak for itself. Watching the chef work feels almost theatrical, with every flick of the wrist deliberate, and every piece emerging gorgeously golden. 

Crowd favourites: Diners can opt for tempura set A, B, or C (from S$38 to S$68), or mix and match from the a la carte tempura menu (from S$4). The highlights are undoubtedly the seafood and vegetables, each shimmering with umami and cloaked in an impossibly light, crisp batter. Simple and beautifully executed — you’re in good hands here.

5. Le’v

Why visit? Led by Chef Elly, Le’v,  a Japanese-Vietnamese izakaya that makes the two cuisines do a wonderful waltz, is an absolutely rare find in Singapore. The food isn’t in the least bit pretentious. Here, rustic, soulful plates weave together Japanese precision and Vietnamese warmth, and include ingredients flown in from both countries.  

The space mirrors that easy charm. It’s warm, buzzy, and intimate, with a handful of seats encircling the counter where Chef Elly works with cheer. Here, sake loosens tongues, laughter drifts between courses, and by the end of the night, everyone feels like an old friend.

Crowd favourites: The wagyu beef pho (S$32) is a delicious cultural exchange. Each bowl feels like a masterpiece, with a charming piece of wagyu melting into tenderness atop the deep and elegant Vietnamese-styled broth. Then there’s the crab claypot broken rice (S$39), a dish that sings of comfort and complexity in equal measure. The rice, kissed by the heat of the pot, carries the sweet richness of crab, while the accompanying broth delivers a punch of oceanic depth. 

The baby squid butter shoyu (S$19) and grilled quail butter miso (S$18) are also must-orders. The squid, smoky and coated in a rich soy-butter glaze, hits all the right notes, while the quail, lacquered in miso butter with crisp skin and tender meat, is pure, understated comfort.

6. Bistro Du Le Pin

Why visit? Bistro Du Le Pin first made its name as a no-nonsense omakase counter before deciding that good things should come in bowls, too. Now, its a la carte lunch menu — a line-up of donburi (ricebowl) and set meals so honest and comforting it could tuck you in at night — has become really popular with a loyal Japanese following. 

This elusive spot, with only around a dozen seats, hums with quiet devotion, but the flavours are anything but silent — instead, you can expect fresh, clean, and balanced. Come lunchtime, there’s always a snaking queue and for good reason. Arrive early, wait for a while, and it’ll be worth it.

In the evening, the mood shifts, and its omakase menu at S$130 takes over, with the kitchen turning out a confident parade of seafood and meat that reminds you why this tiny counter has a loyal cult.

Crowd favourites: Fans adore the lunch menu not just for the flavours, but for its generosity — superb portions, and refillable salad and miso soup (which, by the way, is indecently good). 

The negitoro don (S$16) is a solid 10/10. A mound of minced tuna piled high over rice, served in a small wooden ohitsu (traditional Japanese rice container), the kind that makes you feel momentarily transported to Tokyo. 

The bara chirashi don (S$18) is another crowd-pleaser, all glistening cuts of seasonal fish tossed with care.

7. Orchard Bak Chor Mee

Why visit? Many will have heard whispers of this late-night den, where bak chor mee from the counter, the setup a nod to Japanese ramen bars, while the flavours stay resolutely local. It’s a curious, endearing mash-up — the soul of a kopitiam noodle bowl, dressed with the poise of a Tokyo ramen bar.

The chef of Orchard Bak Chor Mee in its early fame was Uncle Andrew, a veteran from the storied BK Eating House, long considered bak chor mee royalty. He’s since moved on to new pastures, but his legacy lingers. The juniors he trained now run the show, and we think they’re doing the old master proud.

Crowd favourites: The signature bak chor mee sua (S$7.90) is the star of the show — dry mee sua is paired with minced pork and golden lard, ready to be slicked through a vinegar-chilli mix so well-judged it should be bottled. Alongside sits a bowl of clear, comforting soup, brimming with bouncy fishballs, soft fishcake, tender liver and pork slices, and a lone dumpling bobbing like a final flourish.

Still, it’s the yellowtail fishball noodles (S$6.90) that win over most regulars. Many prefer the springy chew of mee kia or mee pok — proper, belly-filling carbs that hit just the right note after midnight.

8. Momoya

Why visit? Momoya sets itself apart as an izakaya with its heart firmly rooted in Kyushu — more precisely, the Oita prefecture, which is the hometown of Momoya’s owner, Momo-san. For those who might not have been or heard, Oita is known for its tori-ten, a chicken dish that is fried in tempura batter rather than the usual karaage, and ryukyu, sashimi delicately seasoned in a savoury marinade.

The whole point at Momoya, really, is to serve food that feels like home, and with Momo-san at the helm — ever-smiling and impossibly warm — the place has an easy comfort that makes you forget you’re in a restaurant at all.

Crowd favourites: The Momoya course (S$50) brings together the best of the house — crisp chicken tempura and silky ryukyu, alongside four deftly crafted appetisers and a choice of rice or rice ball. 

There’s also a special worth lingering over: The duck pot (S$28). Here, you swish thin slices of duck shabu-shabu style through a bubbling broth filled with vegetables, after which you get to enjoy the tender, juicy, and faintly smoky meat.

9. Shinnsato Okinawa Cuisine

Why visit? Serving up the not-oft-seen Okinawa cuisine in Singapore, ShinnSato Okinawa Cuisine gives the famed Great World City restaurant of a similar ilk (Okinawan diner Nirai-Kanai) a proper run for its money. The food at ShinnSato is homely and hearty, and celebrates Okinawa’s local staples — tender pork, bitter melon, and fresh seaweed — well. 

If you’re new to Okinawan fare, it’s a cuisine that has attracted attention far beyond the island, with the so-called Okinawa diet often studied as a key to the locals’ legendary longevity. So if you’ve yet to try it, this Orchard Plaza food spot might just be your reason to. 

Crowd favourites: Dishes at ShinnSato are made for sharing, with plenty of variety to keep the table lively. There’s a daily recommended menu highlighting Okinawa’s seasonal best, but even on the standard menu, a few standouts are impossible to miss. 

Bittergourd chips (S$8), deep-fried Okinawan green seaweed with Sakura prawns (S$12), stir-fried Okinawan bitter melon with pork (S$12), and the simmered pork belly Okinawan style (S$13) are favourites, especially since all of them are quintessentially Okinawan.

10. The Siam Thai Kitchen

Why visit? Fling up fast every time dinnertime hits, The Siam Thai Kitchen clearly serves up quality fare that keeps the crowds coming. Its setup is unpretentious — plastic stools, closely packed tables, and is just the sort of place where form takes a back seat to function. 

Instead it’s the food that does the talking — bold, honest flavours, generous portions, and dishes that hit exactly where they should. No frills, no gimmicks, just the sort of Thai cooking that makes you want to come back for more. The clincher that makes this Orchard Plaza food spot so charming? It’s also open till the wee hours of the morning for that supper craving.

Crowd favourites: Come as a solo diner or bring a crowd because there’s something for everyone here. The oyster kai jiao (S$12) is a showstopper. The oyster omelette deserves its reputation: Gloriously crisp on the outside, pillowy and light within, each oyster fresh and plump. Few places get this balance right, and here it’s executed perfectly.

The phad woon sen (from S$8), or fried glass noodles, is also worth ordering. Packed with wok hei and well seasoned, the noodles have that smoky, slightly charred aroma that makes you pause mid-bite just to appreciate how good simple ingredients can taste when handled with skill.

11. Katachi Sushi Bar

Why visit? When the wave of high-end omakase closures hit in 2024, the scene quickly shifted towards something a bit more relaxed — and most importantly for us as consumers — to something more affordable. Katachi Sushi Bar is one of those that has stepped into that gap, pitching itself as a casual omakase spot where you can enjoy the craft without torching your wallet.

It’s small and unassuming, with just 10 seats, making it nicely intimate and ideal for a date night. If you’re keen to secure a spot, it’s best to book ahead.

Crowd favourites: The omakase menu has six choices (from S$88 to S$138). The most basic features six courses, where you get three appetizers, seasonal sashimi, an omelette, 12 nigiri, a sushi roll, and clam miso soup — huge value and offerings at a proper bang for your buck. 

The sashimi and nigiri are fresh, with the latter practically melting in your mouth. Some diners have even claimed it surpasses the omakase they’ve had in Japan!

12. Sage by Yasunori Doi

Why visit? Sage is a French-Japanese restaurant led by a single chef, Yasunori Doi, whose passion for French cuisine and bread shines through every meticulously crafted dish. From housemade bread to inventive wagyu creations, indulgent curry rice, and carefully paired sake and wine, each plate is a true labour of love.

Reservations are essential, and punctuality is taken seriously — just part of the charm when the chef welcomes you into his world. Once everything falls into place, you enjoy an up-close dining experience with the man himself, and food that lingers long in the memory. 

It’s no surprise Sage has a devoted following, with regulars returning several times a year for this rare treat. Here’s a little tip: On certain days, Sage also runs curry lunches. Keep an eye on this Instagram page to catch when it’s on.

Crowd favourites: At Sage, there’s only one choice on the menu: The omakase (S$98). Hand yourself over entirely to Yasunori-san and leave him to do what he does best — the man is a maestro.

Take the bread, for instance: A rotating selection depending on the day, with sesame focaccia and kinako sourdough earning near-cult status. Baked to perfection, crisp outside yet soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet within, it pairs beautifully with the aromatic, savoury butter.

Then there are the utterly unique dishes, such as the Japanese taro espuma with wasabi onion ice cream and mozuku seaweed — the transition from the savoury foam to the sweet, punchy ice cream, capped by a chewy, umami-laden piece of seaweed in each bite, is nothing short of miraculous.

13. Kagami

Why visit? Shabu-sukiyaki omakase specialist Kagami steps in where few dare, offering an experience that won’t send your bank account into cardiac arrest. In a city where sukiyaki often means a three-digit bill, this spot keeps things refreshingly grounded, giving diners high-quality meats and seafood in one thoughtful, omakase-style dinner.

At S$80 for the 16-course shabu-sukiyaki omakase, it’s almost indecently good value. You’ll move through A3 to A5 Japanese wagyu, pristine seafood, and sweet Hokkaido pork, each slice cooked and served for you — all you have to do is eat. It’s rare proof that you can still dine brilliantly in Singapore without needing to remortgage your flat.

Crowd favourites: The snow crab leg impresses in two ways — first, lightly dressed with crab vinegar to showcase the plump, sweet flesh, and then paired with crab miso for a deeply savoury, utterly satisfying hit.

The evening’s star arrives towards the end: A5 Ohmi beef. Sumptuously marbled, buttery, and tender, it hits that fine balance of richness, each slice melting the moment it touches your tongue and easily taking the crown as the night’s finest cut.

14. Sakutto Tempura & Oyster

Why visit? At Sakutto Tempura & Oyster,  its tempura is a masterclass in restraint. Here, the batter is feather-light, impossibly thin yet crisply golden, and lets the freshness of each ingredient shine through rather than masking it with oil and heaviness. 

Every piece, from vegetables to seafood, tastes as vibrant as it looks. The oysters and sashimi are equally impressive, fresh and brimming with natural flavour, making each visit a celebration of the ocean’s bounty. Tempura is at its best straight from the fryer, so be prepared to wait a little between orders for that crisp bite.

Crowd favourites: Start with the teba goza (S$6), a stuffed, boneless chicken wing that is easy to eat and full of flavour. The maitake mushroom ($7) is another delight, especially when dipped in the tempura sauce, creating a simple yet delicious bite. 

Then move on to the seafood: The abalone ($22), despite being fried, remains delicate, letting the natural texture shine through. The anago ($14) takes a while to arrive, but the wait is worth it. The eel is excellent, rich and satisfying, and one that easily earns a return order.

15. Tetsu Japanese Cuisine

Why visit? Tetsu Japanese Cuisine offers excellent value in Singapore’s crowded Orchard dining scene. Here, a Japanese chef with over 30 years’ experience showcases the flavours of Japan using seasonal ingredients, without any frills.

By day, it’s a relaxing spot with lunch sets that deliver both flavour and value. By night, the a la carte menu opens up, offering everything from delicate sashimi to the signature carpaccio that steals the show. 

For anyone seeking authentic, traditional Japanese cuisine in Orchard at a reasonable price, Tetsu is a dependable and satisfying choice.

Crowd favourites: The magnificent-looking lunch bento-style omakase (S$38) offers a little bit of everything — an appetiser, a grilled dish, sashimi, a simmered course, tempura, and a sushi selection of three nigiri plus a roll. Taken all together, it’s a marvellous midday escape — satisfying without feeling heavy, and a reminder that mindful Japanese cooking doesn’t need to be complicated.

By night, the a la carte menu shines with equally measured elegance. The sea bream carpaccio (S$12) is a personal standout: Thinly sliced, pristine, and dressed with a light, harmonious sauce that lets the fish sing. The melt-in-your-mouth beef tongue soup (S$18) is another triumph — true to its name and rich yet with an unshowy depth, where every spoonful is rewarding.