Sushi is something I’ll never get bored of. Whether it’s topped with tamago (egg) or aburi salmon, I’m always in for a round of plate-stacking by a conveyor belt. But as a Singaporean, hawker food is something I can’t get enough of either. So rolling up Singaporeans’ favourite hawker fare in Japanese style makes me go ‘Imposibruuu!’ yet gets me all excited in my seat! For those who want to try something totally different yet uniquely Singaporean, here’s a list of sushi with a local twist that only Singaporeans will get.
There’s no harm in eating laksa the Japanese way. Laksa Maki ($9.90++ for six pieces), Reddo’s signature Singaporean-style sushi, is made up of thick bee hoon, tamago, cucumber, prawns and tau pok rolled in nori (seaweed). The makis are doused with fragrant, spicy laksa broth and topped with crispy salmon skin. Shut up and take my money!
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #04-13, Bugis+, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: Daily 11:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6834 3693
Menu
The Japanese pride themselves for fresh sashimi cuts while Singaporeans pride ourselves for our local hawker fare. Here’s one of our favourite hawker food, char siew rice, turned Japanese. Char Siew Maki ($12.90++ for six pieces) at Reddo consists of diced char siew glazed in the familiar sweet and savoury sauce, nori and Japanese pearl rice. As if that’s not appetising enough, each maki is topped with a generous slice of char siew and cucumbers.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #04-13, Bugis+, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: Daily 11:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6834 3693
Menu
Popiah already looks somewhat like a sushi, which is probably why the people behind 968 Popiah decided to transform it into Pohpiah Sushi ($2 for four pieces). Rolling up the usual turnip filling, crab meat, peanuts and egg is popiah skin and nori. To top if off is a whole prawn, mayonnaise and their signature chilli. Now, even my ah ma can be convinced to try sushi with this. Go down early if you wanna have this for dinner because we heard they’re usually sold out by 6pm!
Address: 81 Whampoa Drive, #01-893, Quek Hong Chuan Eating House, Singapore 320081
Opening hours: Sat-Thur 2pm to 7pm
Tel: 9648 9350
No need for wasabi when there’s Hae Bee Hiam Sushi ($2.50 for three pieces) at iSushi. Savoury and spicy, this shrimp sambal is not just good in tiny fried spring rolls, but on sushi rice as well. As queer as it sounds, this sushi proves to be an addictive treat for spicy food lovers. Wasabi challenge is so last year – dare your buddies to hae bee hiam sushi!
Address: Blk 57 New Upper Changi Road, #01-1356, Singapore 461057
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 8:30pm, Sat-Sun 8am to 8pm
Tel: 6242 8652
Menu
I never miss out on luncheon meat in my nasi lemak and economic bee hoon, so Aloha Poke’s Musubi($11 for six pieces) is a dream come true! A strip of nori holds the chunky slice of caramelized luncheon meat and sushi rice together, and you can bet that this is packed with a whole lot of umami.
Address: 8A Marina Boulevard, #B2-46, Singapore 018984
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 8pm
Tel: 6634 0730
Menu
We’re trying to curry favour with Rollie Olie’s Bollywood ($14.95 for eight pieces) ’cause we need it in our lives. Featuring curry prawns and curry mayo alongside avocado, cucumber, tamago, and tempura crunch, this roll guarantees a myriad of textures. There’ll be a spicy kick to it, but worry not because the avocado and mayo base will tame it promptly.
Address: 1 Vista Exchange Green, Star Vista, #02-05, Singapore 138617
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 8188 1525
Menu
With most Singaporeans being salted-egg-anything fans, Salted Egg Crab Sushi ($5.90++ for two pieces) from Reddo is one fusion we’ll welcome with open arms and mouths. Fresh crab meat is seasoned with glorious salted egg sauce that is creamy, rich and savoury, which has me going YASSS.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #04-13, Bugis+, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: Daily 11:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6834 3693
Menu
If there’s one signature Singaporean dish I miss when I’m away, it would be chicken rice. Lepark knows how to tug my heart strings with Poached Chicken Sushi ($8 for six pieces) that transforms chicken rice into a modern tapas. Retaining the flavour that will remind you of home, this fragrant chicken rice ball topped with succulent poached chicken and signature Hainanese chicken rice chilli should not be missed!
Address: 1 Park Road, Level 6, People’s Park Complex, Singapore 059108
Opening hours: Tue-Thur 4pm to 11pm, Fri 4pm to 12am, Sat-Sun 12pm to 11pm
Tel: 6908 5809
Menu
Here’s a sushi you’re 100 percent otah-rised to eat. Otah Sushi ($2.50 for three pieces) from iSushi helps to spice up your lunch. With a slab of otah on top of fluffy Japanese rice delicately wrapped with nori, this unusual combo actually works!
Address: Blk 57 New Upper Changi Road, #01-1356, Singapore 461057
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 8:30pm, Sat-Sun 8am to 8pm
Tel: 6242 8652
Menu
Besides the keeping up with the salted egg craze, Reddo whips up sushi that even foreigners would recognize as Singaporean. With Chilli Crab Sushi ($5.90++ for two pieces) and Black Pepper Crab Sushi ($5.90++ for two pieces), you don’t have empty your wallet at a zi char store to fix your crab craving.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #04-13, Bugis+, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: Daily 11:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6834 3693
Menu
As much as I love a classic salmon sushi, these uniquely Singaporean sushi are worth a try. Order a whole bunch with your kakis and chow down on all of them in one sitting! Let us know if you know of any other creative sushi worth trying in the comments below!
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