Best yakiniku restaurants in Singapore
It is a truth well-acknowledged that yakiniku has earned a special place in Singaporeans’ hearts in recent years. As a yakiniku fan, learning that new restaurants offering cheaper yakiniku alternatives are springing up across Singapore is incredible news to me. If you’re on the hunt for yakiniku like me, here’s a list of the best yakiniku places in Singapore for you to satisfy your Japanese BBQ cravings.
1. Yakiniku Gyubei
If you’re looking for a yakiniku experience that stands out from the rest, check out Yakiniku Gyubei in Tanjong Pagar. This restaurant offers a unique nose-to-tail yakiniku, which essentially means that the entire animal is used in the cooking process.
There are over 24 cuts of meat to choose from, which you can get a la carte, but we recommend going for the Omakase Yakiniku Course ($125++). This gives you an extensive variety of cuts for a value-for-money price.
This set includes Beef Tongue, Beef Wagyu platter, Wagyu Nigiri, Grilled Shrimp, Salad, Dessert, as well as a choice of main meal such as Cold Noodle, Bibimbap, Beef Ribs and Rice Soup, among others.
From our Yakiniku Gyubei feature: “Our favourite cut was the Rib-Maki, which is derived from the back of the ribs—a near-perfect meat-to-fat ratio set this cut apart from the rest, and as you’d expect from good Wagyu, it was succulent and incredibly juicy.”
Sign Up with TSL Connect
Yakiniku Gyubei is not a halal-certified eatery.
We Tried Japan’s First Nose-To-Tail Yakiniku Restaurant With A $50++ Wagyu Omakase
2. Yakiniku Go
Located conveniently across the island at six outlets, Yakiniku Go offers value-for-money options for its yakiniku. We recommend trying their signature Yakiniku-GO Set ($19.90++) , which has three popular cuts of beef: Beef Short Plate, Beef Oyster Blade Steak and Beef Tongue, accompanied by rice, kimchi, and soup. We were impressed by the four sauces that you get with any of the grilled meat. These four sauces were created in-house by Yakiniku-GO’s very own Japanese head chef: House Special Yakiniku Tare, Spicy Yakiniku Tare, Miso Tare, and Negi Shio Tare!
From our Yakiniku Go review: “Looking at the Karubi short plate, you may think that it’s unappealingly fatty. However, the fat made this cut especially tender, and flavourful.”
Yakiniku Go is not a halal-certified eatery.
3. Yakiniku OK
Housed at White Sands Mall in Pasir Ris, Yakiniku OK takes care of any yakiniku cravings for those living in the East. Their Beef Karubi (from $12.80) is highly sought after as it is an affordable fix for most people. For a la carte items, you can enjoy their Toriniku Chicken ($6.30), Beef Harami (from $14.90) AKA skirt steak, or Gyu Tan (from $14.90) AKA beef tongue. In addition, try out their savoury Truffle Egg ($4.90), which you can dip your meat in for extra fragrance!
From our Yakiniku OK review: “The Wagyu boasted excellent marbling and had a depth of flavour that allowed it to be enjoyed on its own without seasoning.”
Yakiniku OK is a halal-certified eatery.
4. Ushiyama Yakiniku
Ushiyama Yakiniku’s specialty is their Ohmi beef yakiniku, one of the finest varieties of Wagyu beef. Considering the fact that this is the only restaurant in Singapore to offer this specific cut of beef, you can expect the prices to be slightly steeper than your typical yakiniku chain restaurant. You are paying for premium yakiniku meats, after all.
Prices start at $36++ for their Makura, Togarashi, and Kosankaku, which are the shank, chuck tender, and soulder clod respectively. But if you’re willing to fork out slightly more, we recommend going for the Otoro Karubi ($48++) or the Premium Chuck Ribs, which we particularly enjoyed during our visit. Else, there is also the Hokkaido Pork Karubi and Kata Rosu for $22++ a plate.
From our Ushiyama Yakiniku review: “[The Otoro Karubi] is said to be the fattiest cuts available, and it showed right from the very first bite. There was an even more obvious melt-in-your-mouth quality here, with the delightfully soft meat giving way to the slightest of chews.”
Ushiyama Yakiniku is not a halal-certified eatery.
Ushiyama Yakiniku Review: SG’s First Ohmi Wagyu Yakiniku Restaurant By Ex-Waku Ghin Chef
5. Wa-En Wagyu Yakiniku
Image credit: Wa-En Wagyu Yakiniku
Consider heading to Wa-En Wagyu Yakiniku, one of the latest openings at Jewel Changi Airport, when you’re feeling fancy. The yakiniku specialist hails from Hong Kong, where they’ve previously been recommended in the Michelin Guide. Come for their A4/5 Wagyu—one of the best Wagyu quality there is.
Here, you’ll also find the Wa-En Bar, the first of its kind in Singapore, with a beef-centred cocktail: Miyazaki Wagyu Fat-Washed Old Fashioned ($24++), topped with a slice of premium Miyazaki Wagyu.
Address: 78 Airport Boulevard, #01-224/225, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore 819666
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6246 7488
Website
Wa-En Wagyu Yakiniku is not a halal-certified eatery.
Michelin-Approved Wa-En Wagyu Yakiniku From Hong Kong Will Open In Jewel Changi
6. Hitoyoshi Yakiniku
Image credit: @taroxtaco
Be spoiled for choice at Hitoyoshi Yakiniku with their extensive 90-minute buffets. Their US Black Angus Buffet is priced at $62++ for adults, offering a lavish spread of marinated meat and seafood. Popular picks here range from succulent Premium US Karubi to tender Iberico Belly, all for you to feast to your heart’s content.
Address: 380/382 Upper Bukit Timah Road, The Rail Mall, Singapore 678040
Opening hours: Daily 11am –3pm, 5pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 6980 6859
Website
Hitoyoshi Yakiniku is not a halal-certified eatery.
7. Yakiniku Warrior
If you think that yakiniku can only be found in restaurants, Yakiniku Warrior proves you wrong. Boasting meat platters at extremely affordable prices, they won acclaim for dishes including Marinated Chicken ($6 for 100g) and Premium Karubi Set ($15 for 100g). Come early, because the lines for this hawker stall start forming as soon as they open!
From our Yakiniku Warrior review: “[The] Premium Karubi Set…[is m]elt-in-your-mouth and smoke-kissed once cooked”
Yakiniku Warrior is not a halal-certified eatery.
8. Waa Cow! Yakiniku
You might already be familiar with Waa Cow! for their signature Wagyu and seafood bowls, but new to their empire is Waa Cow! Yakiniku in Serangoon Gardens. They boast a plethora of beef cuts in 100g or 200g options, ranging from Karubi ($6.90++/$11.90++) and Oyster Blade ($13.90++/$25.90++) to Ox Tongue ($18.90++/$27.90++).
They also have other meat choices such as Chicken Thigh ($4.90++) or Pork Belly ($5.90++) to complement their beef selection. To add a tantalising punch of flavour to your BBQ meat, you can get their five house-made sauces including Truffle Sauce and Mentaiko Sauce in their Signature All Dips Platter ($3.90++).
From our Waa Cow! Yakiniku review: “[T]here’s a decent selection of meat cuts, with pork and chicken options too. Plus, the number of dips that you can get, as well as the side dishes that you can order, would make the meal exciting enough. ”
Waa Cow! Yakiniku is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. Ryo Yakiniku
There are now more Muslim-friendly yakiniku joints popping up, one of them being Ryo Yakiniku in Tai Seng. Not to mention, they are also located in a hawker centre, so you can expect wallet-friendly prices compared to similar fare at most restaurants. Their selection is impressive, nonetheless; there are various cuts of beef, chicken, lamb, salmon belly and more.
For a little bit of everything, opt for the Deluxe Set ($40), which is good for sharing among two people. This comes with 200g Karubi, 50g Prime Karubi, 200g Chicken Thigh, Mushroom Platter, two Onsen Eggs, and two bowls of rice. Our favourite of the lot is the Prime Karubi, which costs just $6 for 50g a la carte.
From our Ryo Yakiniku review: “The prime karubi boasts a high level of marbling as compared to the regular karubi, resulting in a beefier flavour that’s slightly juicier and more tender.”
Ryo Yakiniku is a Muslim-friendly eatery.
Ryo Yakiniku Review: Singapore’s First Muslim-Owned Coffeeshop Yakiniku Stall In Tai Seng
10. Yakiniku Like
Another powerhouse that offers incredible prices for their meat is Yakiniku Like, which also has wallet-friendly set meals. You can get their Karubi Set ($10.80 for 100g) as well as their a la carte items, including Karubi Beef Short Plate ($3.50 for 50g) and Chicken Thigh ($2.90). Pro tip: come between 3pm and 5pm on Mondays to Thursdays to enjoy their Karubi Set and Pork Belly Set promotion menus at a lower price of $9.90!
From our Yakiniku Like review: “The [Tontoro] won us over with thick and meaty slices of succulent pork. Searing all the fats under the hot grill sealed up all of its juicy goodness, and my dining companion and I both unanimously agreed that this was the best meat in the house.”
Yakiniku Like is not a halal-certified eatery.
Where to eat yakiniku in Singapore
If you haven’t had enough of all-you-can-eat food, check out our recommendations for the best Korean BBQ buffets in Singapore. Or if you want to explore other Japanese food, here’s our guide to affordable Japanese restaurants in Singapore.
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
