There are a few things in life quite as supremely satisfying as a good chirashi don. It’s as simple as sashimi on rice, but then again, not quite. The fish needs to be fresh, and the rice needs to be well-cooked and seasoned. Don’t forget a good sprinkling of ikura as well! While kaisen don and chirashi don are different things, the terms are often used interchangeably in Singapore. As such, I will be including them on this list as well. Here are some places I’ve tried that make the cut.
The Sushi Bar
At $24.90, The Sushi Bar’s Normal Chirashi Don is an affordable indulgence. One of my earliest experiences and definitely still a very much beloved one, The Sushi Bar serves up a delightful bowl swimming with thick, fresh cuts of sashimi. Just look at them shining in all their glory! If you feel like splashing out, you could always opt for their Premium Chirashi Don, which includes the likes of uni and aka ebi. However, I stick to the regular one as I, gasp, am not a fan of uni — a fake chirashi don connoisseur, the horror! The Sushi Bar nails all the elements, and I’m left with not much to complain. While I do find their rice on the more normal side, this is in comparison to other bowls I’ve had. Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with normal.
Rating: 7.5/10
Address: 3 outlets, including one at 14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #04-28, Singapore 228213
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11:30am–3:30pm, 5–9pm, Friday–Sunday, 11.30am–9pm
Phone: 9653 6464
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Tanuki Raw
Tanuki Raw’s Salmon Kaisen is perhaps one of the cheapest bowls on this list, on offer for only $14.90. If you’re a salmon lover, this is the bowl for you. It consists of a mix of salmon sashimi, aburi salmon belly, cubed spicy salmon, mentaiko seared salmon sashimi, and ikura, over a bed of what is described as Tanuki Raw’s signature mixed rice. I can’t quite pinpoint what is in this rice, but it sure is delicious. It has a rich, umami quality to it, with the slightest tinge of sweetness. The quality can be quite hit-or-miss at times, but when it’s good, it’s good. While I have to mention that service at Tanuki Raw leaves much to be desired, at its price, I can’t quite find any other faults.
Rating: 7/10
Address: 4 outlets, including one at 181 Orchard Road, Orchard Central, #04-01, Singapore 238896
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 11:30am–9:30pm
Phone: 6636 5949
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Mikuni
The Mikuni Chirashi ($90) is definitely not an everyday indulgence, but it is worth its weight in gold. Not only will you find it filled with the most prized of sashimi items such as otoro and scallop, but it is also amongst the freshest I’ve tasted in Singapore. The chirashi don includes uni, which I handed over willingly to my rather delighted dining companion. However, I can ascertain from his response that it was just as splendid as I would have imagined. Mikuni may cost a pretty penny, but hey, when it comes to things like chirashi dons, you’ll be glad you paid the price.
Rating: 9/10
Address: 80 Bras Basah Rd, Fairmont Singapore, Singapore 189560
Hours: Monday–Tuesday, Thursday–Saturday, 12–2:30pm, 6–10:30pm, Closed on Wednesday and Sunday
Phone: 6431 6156
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Jin Fine Dining
Located in the snazzy Amoy Hotel, Jin Fine Dining is one of my favourite haunts for a solid chirashi don. One of my favourite bowls to get here is the San-Shoku Chirashi ($30), featuring salmon, tuna, and amberjack. Thick, luscious slices of sashimi? Check. Fluffy, well-cooked rice? Check. I love the rice here — similar to Tanuki Raw, the rice is embedded with chewy morsels of mushrooms and chestnuts. I also love the addition of shredded daikon, which adds a nice overall crunch to the dish. Jin Fine Dining may be a little on the pricier side, but don’t let that deter you. When it comes to quality, they’ve got it down pat.
Rating: 8.5/10
Address: 76 Telok Ayer St, Amoy Hotel, Singapore 048464
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 11:30am–2:30pm, 6–10pm
Phone: 6536 6258
Teppei Syokudo
For a simple, no-frills chirashi don, look no further than Teppei Syokudo. A casual shoot-off the established Teppei brand, Teppei Syokudo offers their signature Kaisen Don at $16 — yes, you heard right. The bowl features a generous sprinkling of cubed salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and scallop, lightly coated with soy sauce, atop a bed of white rice. While the ambience at outlets is literally non-existent, it’s a place I’d gladly come to anytime I’ve got a hankering for chirashi don, especially at the end of the month (pre-payday woes). Plus, they’ve got multiple outlets islandwide, so you’ll always have one nearby.
Rating: 6.5/10
Address: 6 outlets, including one at 2 Orchard Turn, ION Orchard, #B4-57, Singapore 238801
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10am–10pm
Phone: 6509 9882
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Mitsui Sushi Bar
I know, I said I hated uni. However, this chirashi don does deserve praise where it is due. Unassuming and inconspicuous, Mitsui Sushi Bar is nestled in a corner of Duxton Hill. While it may be a little out of the way, it serves unpretentious, quality Japanese food. The menu is small — nothing too out-of-the-ordinary for a sushi bar. Perhaps there is a beauty in its simplicity. The seafood was juicy and fresh, and pleasantly sweet. Service was attentive and helpful. The place was quiet when I visited at lunch, with mellow Japanese music playing in the background. My only gripe is that the portions were a little on the small side, but it’s made much more affordable thanks to the discount app Eatigo.
Rating: 6.5/10
Address: 21 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089487
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 12–3pm, 6–10:30pm
Phone: 6221 0888
