The first time I walked into Fortune Centre near Bugis, I expected a quick lunch and not much else. I was wrong. The building is packed with eateries, and once you start looking, the food keeps revealing itself floor by floor. What surprised me most was how much Japanese food is tucked inside.
For years, Fortune Centre was best known for its vegetarian restaurants. That reputation still holds, but it is only part of the story now. You will also find Japanese eateries, izakaya counters, rice bowls, pasta, sushi, sashimi, sake, beer, and casual dinner spots that work beautifully for friends.
Here is what you will get from this guide:
- The best izakaya-style spots for drinks and small plates
- Where to find rice bowls, chicken nanban, and don for lunch
- Honest notes on which places lean toward yakitori
- A first-timer ordering plan so you skip the guesswork
This is fortune centre food viewed through a Japanese dining and yakitori-lover lens.
Top Japanese Dining Spots at Fortune Centre: Izakaya, Yakitori, and Comfort Food
1. Izakaya Hikari: Authentic Third Floor Izakaya Comfort
Location: Third floor, Fortune Centre
Grilling Method: Charcoal-grilled skewers and pan-seared dishes
Specialties: Grilled yakitori, fresh sashimi, small plates designed for sharing
Quality Focus: Fresh ingredients with balanced seasoning to highlight natural flavors
Atmosphere: Casual, lively, and rowdy with a warm, inviting vibe typical of traditional Japanese izakayas
Price Range: Affordable to mid-range, with small plates starting around S$5
This spot is especially popular during dinner time, when groups of friends gather to enjoy a good amount of small plates and drinks in a warm, inviting setting. The menu is designed around sharing, featuring a variety of grilled skewers, sashimi, and other izakaya staples, all crafted with good quality ingredients. Diners can expect dishes seasoned with just the right balance of spice and umami, complemented by a selection of sake, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. Whether you’re a seasoned izakaya fan or new to the concept, Izakaya Hikari delivers a genuine taste of Japan’s casual dining culture.
Personal Opinion: I find Izakaya Hikari to be the perfect spot for a relaxed evening with friends. The food is tasty without being overly complicated, and the lively atmosphere really brings out the spirit of a true Japanese izakaya. It’s a great place to try multiple small plates and enjoy some good sake.
2. Sakedokoro Eizaburo: The Go-To Izakaya for Yakitori and Sashimi
Location: Third floor, Fortune Centre
Grilling Method: Charcoal grilling for yakitori and grilled fish
Specialties: Yakitori skewers, fresh sashimi flown in weekly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, donburi bowls
Quality Focus: Premium seafood and meats with generous portions and authentic flavors
Atmosphere: Energetic and rowdy izakaya vibe with a bustling crowd, especially on weekends
Price Range: Small plates from S$2.90, donburi around S$7.90 to S$25
Sakedokoro Eizaburo stands out as the premier choice for fortune centre yakitori lovers, offering a vibrant izakaya environment centered on charcoal-grilled skewers, fresh sashimi, and hearty donburi dishes.This spot is known for sourcing fresh sashimi flown in weekly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, ensuring top-tier seafood quality that shines in dishes like the hearty sashimi platter featuring salmon, tuna, scallop, and more. The menu includes a wide range of small plates starting from S$2.90, such as crispy crab cream croquette, chicken cartilage, and chicken nanban, all prepared with a focus on good quality and generous portions.
For lunch, the Mega Chicken Nanban Don is a standout choice, delivering a filling and satisfying meal that features crispy, juicy chicken chunks coated in a savory egg mayo-onion sauce atop a bed of steamed Japanese rice. The rice bowls here often come with complementary sides like soup and pickles, rounding out the experience. During dinner time, a two-drink minimum is often enforced to keep the lively atmosphere forward and engaging.
Personal Opinion: I love Sakedokoro Eizaburo for its authentic yakitori and fresh sashimi. The Mega Chicken Nanban Don is my go-to lunch when I want something filling and tasty without breaking the bank. The quality is impressive for the price, and the vibrant atmosphere makes it a fun place to spend an evening. Just be prepared for it to get crowded and lively!
3. Koryori Hayashi: Quiet Japanese Comfort with Chicken Nanban and Mentaiko Pasta
Location: Second floor, Fortune Centre
Grilling Method: Fried and pan-cooked dishes, pasta with creamy mentaiko sauce
Specialties: Mega chicken nanban don, mentaiko pasta, potato salad, mushroom dishes
Quality Focus: Comfort food with rich, creamy sauces and crispy textures
Atmosphere: Calm and unpretentious, ideal for quiet meals away from busy izakayas
Price Range: Mid-range, around S$10 to S$20 per dish
Situated on the second floor, Koryori Hayashi has evolved from a humble hawker stall into a cozy eatery known for its comforting Japanese dishes. The menu highlights include the mega chicken nanban don, celebrated for its crispy exterior and tender meat, and the creamy, savory mentaiko pasta, which features a rich sauce made from spicy cod roe that adds a delightful depth of flavor. This dish is a favorite among diners seeking a fusion twist on classic Japanese comfort food. The portions are generous, ensuring diners leave satisfied, and the prices remain reasonable, making it a popular choice for lunch or dinner.
Personal Opinion: I appreciate Koryori Hayashi for its quiet, comforting vibe and standout dishes like the mentaiko pasta. It’s a great place to enjoy tasty Japanese comfort food without the noise and crowd of a typical izakaya.
A New Izakaya Energy on the Third Floor of Fortune Centre
The third floor of Fortune Centre has become a hub for a fresh izakaya energy, offering an eclectic mix of small plates, grilled skewers, and drinks that capture the casual, social spirit of Japanese dining. This upper level features eateries tucked along narrow corridors, creating a sense of discovery reminiscent of Tokyo’s narrow alleyways. The atmosphere is forward and lively, especially during dinner time, when the space fills with groups enjoying sake, beer, and spirited conversation. Unlike the more polished izakaya scenes found in Orchard Plaza, Fortune Centre’s izakayas lean into a relaxed, lived-in vibe that appeals to those looking for an authentic and approachable night out. The food here emphasizes good quality ingredients prepared simply but effectively, with a focus on sharing plates that pair well with drinks.
Whether you’re after grilled meat skewers, fresh sashimi, or dishes with a touch of spice, the third floor offers a decent range of options to suit various tastes and occasions. Service tends to be efficient and straightforward, keeping the focus on the communal dining experience at the table.
Personal Opinion: I enjoy exploring the third floor’s izakaya scene because it feels like discovering a slice of Tokyo’s nightlife right here in Singapore. The atmosphere is vibrant but unpretentious, and the variety of tasty, shareable dishes makes it perfect for an evening out with friends.
Why Fortune Centre Food Works for Japanese Food Lovers
Fortune Centre sits a short walk from Bugis, and over time it has grown into a layered food building. You get vegetarian restaurants, casual eateries, Japanese restaurants, and izakaya-style dining spread across different floors. It rewards a bit of exploring.
For Best Yakitori readers, the most useful way to approach this place is simple. Look for skewers, grilled dishes, small plates, chicken, seafood, rice bowls, sake, and drinks. You will not find a dedicated yakitori street here, but you will find enough Japanese flavours to plan a good meal.
If you are specifically chasing dedicated charcoal-grilled skewers, you can also read our guide to the best yakitori in Singapore for the specialist spots. Treat Fortune Centre as the casual, mix-and-match option instead.
What to Order at Fortune Centre If It Is Your First Time
Walking in for the first time can feel a little overwhelming, so here is a practical plan to keep things easy:
- Start with a rice bowl if you are visiting during lunch.
- Order chicken nanban or the mega chicken nanban don if you are hungry.
- Try the crab cream croquette or chicken cartilage at izakaya-style places when available.
- Add sashimi, sushi, salmon, seafood, or unagi if the menu looks fresh.
- Share small plates with friends at dinner for the full izakaya feel.
- Check the drink rules before you sit down at an izakaya.
- Expect crowds on Friday, Saturday, and during peak hours.
- Leave room for desserts elsewhere in Fortune Centre if available.
The takeaway: match your order to the time of day, and you will eat well.
Is Fortune Centre Yakitori Worth Searching For?
Here is my honest answer. “Fortune centre yakitori” is a useful search term, but you should understand the area properly before you go. This is not a dedicated yakitori street or a specialist charcoal skewer district.
Fortune Centre is better for Japanese food, izakaya dining, drinks, small plates, rice bowls, and a handful of yakitori-friendly orders. If you want a full yakitori-focused dinner, Sakedokoro Eizaburo is the most relevant of the spots listed here. The other eateries shine for broader Japanese comfort food rather than skewers over charcoal.
So search for it, just calibrate your expectations.
Final Thoughts on Fortune Centre Food for Japanese Dining Fans
Fortune Centre surprised me because it is far more layered than it looks from the outside. Vegetarian restaurants, Japanese eateries, rice bowls, pasta, izakaya counters, sake, beer, and small plates all share one building near Bugis. That mix is exactly why fortune centre food is worth a closer look.
For a first time diner, the best approach is curiosity and a little patience. Come for lunch bowls in the afternoon, izakaya dishes and drinks in the evening, and yakitori-style bites whenever the menu allows. Avoid the peak-hour rush if you can, and order to suit the mood.
