A low-angle, wide shot captures the exterior entrance of a multi-story commercial building walkway, representing the file "1-Best Yakitori in Cuppage Plaza Food Restaurants To Try.webp". A massive, angular backlit sign overhead glows with warm amber light, prominently displaying the words "CUPPAGE PLAZA" in large black block lettering. Below the sign, a set of wide, shallow steps leads into the building's entranceway, where a spa storefront with posters of treatments and a neighboring massage parlor are visible behind glass doors. To the left, a glass railing with a metallic handrail frames a ramp or stairwell leading down, while the right side of the frame features a patterned brick-tiled pedestrian sidewalk stretching into the background along the building's facade.

Best Yakitori in Cuppage Plaza Food Guide: Restaurants To Try

Cuppage Plaza Singapore is one of those places I return to when I want Japanese food that feels a little less polished and a little more lived-in. It is not shiny in the Marina Bay. I created this list because Cuppage Plaza is often described as a kind of old-school “Little Tokyo” in Singapore. In my experience, that is exactly what makes Cuppage Plaza interesting.

Below are places I would consider for a Cuppage Plaza yakitori and Japanese grill crawl, from serious charcoal skewers to izakaya rooms that belong in the same smoky conversation.

Restaurant NameLocation (Floor)Specialty
Kazu Sumiyaki Restaurant#04-05Charcoal-grilled yakitori
Skewers Yakitori Izakaya#04-01Chicken skewers
Kemuri#04-02Kappo-style charcoal grill
Shinjuku Restaurant#01-01/02Japanese grill & izakaya
Keria Japanese RestaurantB1-28Izakaya dishes, grilled fish

1. Kazu Sumiyaki Restaurant: Ultimate destination for authentic charcoal-grilled yakitori

A wide, eye-level shot captures the sophisticated, modern interior of a dimly lit restaurant, representing the file "2-Best Yakitori in Cuppage Plaza Food Restaurants To Try.webp". On the left, a long, thick live-edge wooden bar counter is lined with black leather barstools, set against a dark brick-tiled wall beneath a massive row of hanging inverted wine glasses. Behind the bar, staff members in face masks and aprons work diligently, while a waitress in a white shirt stands ready near a blackboard menu in the center background. To the right, patrons sit at individual wooden tables on a grey wood-plank floor, dining under a sleek recessed ceiling feature illuminated by bright, cool blue neon accent lights.

Nearest MRT: Somerset, about 5 minutes’ walk
Price: $$$

Kazu Sumiyaki Restaurant is the name most people bring up first when the conversation turns to yakitori in Cuppage Plaza. It has the kind of reputation that does not come from social media hype alone. This is one of the old-school anchors of the building, serving yakitori for over 30 years and known for charcoal-grilled skewers as the main draw, a lively izakaya mood, and the familiar rhythm of smoke, tare, salt, and sake.

The reason Kazu makes the list is simple: it still feels like a proper yakitori institution. The menu goes beyond basic chicken skewers, with customer favourites often including foie gras skewer, hotate kai, and okonomiyaki.

This eatery offers a great value experience with the same head chef overseeing the kitchen, ensuring consistency and quality. Fans of izakaya classics will find plenty to enjoy alongside the skewers, including tempura soba and beef teriyaki dishes glazed with a rich teriyaki sauce.

Best for: Classic charcoal yakitori, date nights, and serious skewer lovers.
Avoid if: You dislike tight seating, smoky rooms, or restaurants where booking ahead is almost necessary.
Insider tip: Ask for counter seats if you want the full experience. Also, do not order only sauced skewers; mix shio and tare so the grill work does not disappear under the seasoning.

2. Yakitori Izakaya: Authentic chicken skewers and cozy izakaya vibes

A wide, eye-level shot captures the warm, authentic counter seating area of a Japanese restaurant, representing the file "3-Best Yakitori in Cuppage Plaza Food Restaurants To Try.webp". A long, polished wooden bar counter spans the foreground, meticulously set with individual ceramic small plates, pairs of chopsticks resting horizontally, and sets of small condiment jars paired with napkins. Wooden dining chairs with open backs are lined up along the counter, facing a clear glass or acrylic partition that separates the seating from the kitchen service area. Behind the counter, a male chef wearing a black uniform and face mask works diligently at a grill or prep station beneath glowing, rectangular amber lanterns, with a large wooden shelf behind him displaying various liquor bottles, sake glasses, ceramic dishware, and decorative items.

Nearest MRT: Somerset, about 5 minutes’ walk
Price: $$–$$$

Skewers Yakitori Izakaya, is one of the clearest yakitori-first options in Cuppage Plaza. It is tucked away behind a noren curtain on the fourth floor, and the room is a compact, slightly smoky space that makes a yakitori dinner feel immediate. You are close to the grill, close to other diners, and close enough to the food to smell the char before the first stick lands.

The menu is chicken-focused, with classic parts and innards sold by the stick, along with sides such as ramen and oyako don. Customer feedback often points to tender chicken yakitori, crisp chicken skin, and wagyu skewers. The price depends on how deeply you go into the skewers and drinks, but I would treat it as a mid-range dinner rather than a budget meal.

Skewers Yakitori Izakaya strikes a balance between authentic yakitori and a cozy izakaya atmosphere. It’s ideal for mid-range dinners and those seeking a focused, smoky yakitori experience near Somerset MRT station.

Best for: Casual yakitori dinners, chicken skewers, and small groups who want a smoky hidden-spot feel.
Avoid if: You need spacious seating or dislike the smell of grilled smoke on your clothes.
Insider tip: Book the 6pm seating if you want the widest choice of skewers. Solo diners and couples should request counter seating; groups should take a table and order widely.

3. Kemuri: Perfect for lovers of authentic Japanese cuisine and yakitori culture.

A wide, eye-level shot captures the sleek, upscale interior of a modern Japanese restaurant's open kitchen and counter area, representing the file "4-Best Yakitori in Cuppage Plaza Food Restaurants To Try.webp". In the foreground, an L-shaped, smooth concrete or stone dining counter is lined with elegant dark leather chairs, neatly set with pairs of chopsticks and small ceramic plates. Behind the counter, a male chef with his hair tied back in a bun stands at a wooden cutting board under a stainless-steel exhaust hood, meticulously preparing food. The sophisticated, dimly lit ambiance is highlighted by an intricate wooden slatted ceiling design and a pair of large, brightly lit glass-door refrigerators in the background that showcase an extensive collection of sake and wine bottles.

Nearest MRT: Somerset, about 5 minutes’ walk Price: $$$–$$$$

Kemuri is slightly different from the other names on this list. It used to be more closely associated with yakitori, but since July 2025 it has shifted into a kappo-style charcoal-grill concept. That means you should not come expecting a casual stick-by-stick chicken skewer bar. Come instead for a more polished live-fire Japanese meal and a more refined dining experience.

The reason Kemuri still belongs in a Cuppage Plaza yakitori list is its relationship with charcoal. The experience is built around seasonal grilled dishes, sake-friendly flavours, and a small, intimate setup with 11 counter seats plus two private tables in a private dining room suited to small private gatherings. The counter is the main attraction because you can watch the cooking unfold in front of you. It feels less like a loud izakaya and more like a slow, focused dinner where the grill is part of the performance.

Best for: Refined charcoal-grill dining, sake pairing, and slow dinners at the counter.

Avoid if: You want affordable chicken sticks, quick beers, and a casual izakaya mood.

Insider tip: Request the counter when booking. Kemuri works best when you can see the fire, the pacing, and the chef’s movements up close.

4. Shinjuku Restaurant: A trusted destination offering authentic Japanese grill

A wide, eye-level shot captures the bustling, warmly lit interior of a Japanese restaurant filled with patrons dining, representing the file "5-Best Yakitori in Cuppage Plaza Food Restaurants To Try.webp". In the foreground on the left, a man wearing glasses and a white t-shirt sits at a long, light-green counter, using chopsticks to eat from a bento box, while another diner is seated further down the counter. To the right, separate wooden dining tables and chairs are arranged on a polished wood floor, with a couple chatting at one of the tables. The traditional izakaya-style ambiance is enhanced by wooden wall paneling, a large wooden privacy screen separating seating areas, hanging teardrop pendant lights, and restaurant staff moving between tables in the background.

Nearest MRT: Somerset, about 5 minutes’ walk
Price: $$–$$$

Shinjuku Restaurant is one of the easiest Cuppage Plaza restaurants to find. It is not a pure yakitori restaurant, but it earns its place here because it has the old-school Japanese grill-and-izakaya character many people come to Cuppage Plaza for.

The restaurant has decades of heritage and a broader menu that includes seasonal sashimi, mentaiko cabbage, kurobuta noodles, Kagoshima wagyu steak, and grilled comfort dishes. One person can order grilled meat, another can lean into sashimi, and someone else can settle into noodles or small plates.

This spot offers impeccable service and a refined atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a more polished dining experience. Shinjuku Restaurant, a long-standing establishment with over four decades of history, offers a broad menu that balances grilled dishes, sashimi, and noodles, making it an ideal choice for groups with varied tastes. Whether you crave fatty tuna sushi at Sushi Masa or comforting noodle dishes at Ebi Bar, Cuppage Plaza remains a top destination to eat with friends and enjoy authentic Japanese flavors in Singapore.

Best for: Group dinners, first-timers, and diners who want Japanese grill options without committing to a full yakitori-only meal.
Avoid if: You are looking for a specialist counter where every order revolves around chicken skewers.
Insider tip: Use Shinjuku as your safe group option. It is especially useful when some diners want grilled dishes while others prefer sashimi, noodles, or izakaya plates.

5. Keria Japanese Restaurant: Perfect for sharing and savoring the best kept secrets

A wide, eye-level shot captures the brightly lit, casual dining room of an authentic Japanese restaurant, representing the file "6-Best Yakitori in Cuppage Plaza Food Restaurants To Try.webp". The cozy interior is partitioned by low wooden walls, creating intimate dining spaces where patrons are seated at various tables, including a couple chatting on the left and a diner reading a menu in the foreground. On the right, a staff member in a blue shirt prepares a table beneath a small blackboard menu and informational posters affixed to the wall. The traditional, lively izakaya ambiance is highlighted by a long row of glowing red-and-white paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, leading down a narrow walkway flanked by open wooden shelving filled with bottles and decorative items on the far left.

Nearest MRT: Somerset, about 5 minutes’ walk Price: $$–$$$

Keria Japanese Restaurant has the mood of an old-school izakaya rather than a polished Orchard dining room. It is not a chicken-skewer specialist, but it belongs in this list because Cuppage Plaza yakitori culture is closely tied to the broader izakaya world: grilled fish, sake, smoky rooms, regular customers, and dishes that feel better when shared.

What I appreciate about Keria is that it gives depth to a Cuppage Plaza food crawl. Not every stop has to be chicken on a stick. Sometimes the right move is a grilled saba, something with mentaiko, and a drink in a basement room that feels removed from Orchard Road outside.

Keria Japanese Restaurant continues to be a hidden gem in the Cuppage Plaza food guide, beloved for its authentic Japanese cuisine that resonates with both locals and Japanese expats. The restaurant prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients, ensuring every dish from its delicate sashimi moriawase to its rich katsu curry rice is prepared with care and precision.

Best for: Hearty izakaya dishes, grilled fish, mentaiko lovers, and drink-friendly dinners.

Avoid if: You are strictly hunting for yakitori and do not want broader izakaya dishes.

Insider tip: Treat Keria as an izakaya-depth stop. Order grilled fish, mentaiko dishes, beef tongue, and drinks rather than expecting a chicken-skewer menu.

Final Thoughts

  • Yakitori Experience: For the most direct yakitori experience in Cuppage Plaza, prioritize Kazu Sumiyaki Restaurant and Skewers Yakitori Izakaya. These spots specialize in proper chicken skewers, charcoal smoke, and the familiar rhythm of ordering stick after stick, serving tasty food that keeps locals coming back.
  • Polished Dining: If you prefer a more polished dining experience, Kemuri offers a refined charcoal-grill concept with seasonal grilled dishes and an intimate counter setting, focusing on all the food prepared with care.
  • Mixed Groups: For mixed groups with varied tastes, Shinjuku Restaurant provides a flexible menu featuring Japanese grill options, sashimi, noodles, and izakaya plates, ensuring all the food satisfies different palates.
  • Booking Tips: Always book ahead to secure your spot, especially if you want popular skewers.
  • Timing Advice: Arrive early if you care about getting the best selection of skewers.
  • Unique Charm: Avoid treating Cuppage Plaza like a typical mall; its charm lies in the smoke, narrow corridors, small counters, and hidden dining gems.
  • Opening Hours: Check each restaurant’s opening hours beforehand, as many follow traditional Japanese dining schedules and may close on Sundays.
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