Shinrai Singapore Review: A Sushi Izakaya Where Bold Flavours Meet Japanese Craft

Some Japanese restaurants make you slow down. Others make you want to keep ordering.

Shinrai Singapore definitely falls into the second category for me and is often considered among the Best Izakaya Singapore has to offer.

Located at 173 Telok Ayer Street, this modern sushi izakaya instantly drew me in with its bold flavours, premium ingredients, and skillful Japanese techniques—all perfectly suited for Singapore’s vibrant dining crowd. Nestled among the busy restaurants along Telok Ayer Street Singapore, it’s a go-to spot for CBD diners like myself who want a place that delivers both great atmosphere and substance.

What I love about Shinrai is that it’s not a place where you order just one dish and call it a day. The menu practically invites you to explore. I found myself moving from a rich foie gras sushi to a refreshing salmon carpaccio, then on to grilled dishes, sushi rolls, and rice bowls that kept the meal exciting and the conversation flowing.

That’s the magic of an izakaya.

The best ones, like Shinrai, create a momentum that’s hard to resist. More plates kept arriving, more stories were shared, and before I knew it, the meal had stretched longer than I expected—just the way I like it.

Shinrai Singapore: A Sushi Izakaya on Telok Ayer Street

Walking into Shinrai, the first impression is energy.

The restaurant has the social feel expected from an izakaya, where small groups gather over shared dishes, drinks, and Japanese-inspired creations. It feels especially suited for CBD folks looking for a dinner spot after work or a place to catch up over sake and sushi.

Unlike a traditional Japanese restaurant focused only on sushi or omakase, Shinrai offers a wider range of dishes. Diners can move between lighter appetisers, seafood dishes, grilled selections, and more indulgent creations.

The menu reflects modern Japanese dining today: familiar foundations, but with room for experimentation.

That means you will find classic ingredients like salmon, scallops, sashimi, and rice alongside richer combinations featuring foie gras, truffle, and wagyu.

Chef Desmond Fong and Head Chef Haoey Cheah’s Modern Japanese Approach

Behind Shinrai’s menu are chef Desmond Fong and head chef Haoey Cheah, who bring together Japanese techniques with a more contemporary direction.

The approach is not about changing Japanese food completely. It is about finding new ways to present familiar flavours.

This is where Shinrai becomes interesting.

Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on balance. Sweet, savoury, texture, temperature, and presentation all play a role. Shinrai takes that foundation and adds more dramatic elements.

A simple sushi roll becomes richer with foie gras. A traditional steamed egg becomes more luxurious with truffle caviar. A rice bowl becomes more indulgent with wagyu.

The result is a menu designed for diners who enjoy discovering different layers in one meal.

Shinrai Signature Maki and Foie Gras Sushi: The Richer Side of the Menu

The shinrai signature maki is where the restaurant’s personality comes through clearly.

Maki rolls are familiar territory, but Shinrai pushes them further with combinations that focus on contrast. Creamy, savoury, and fresh elements come together in one bite, creating the kind of dish that encourages another round.

The standout for many diners will likely be the foie gras sushi.

Foie gras is not a subtle ingredient. It arrives with richness, buttery texture, and a deep savoury character. Pairing it with sushi requires balance, and Shinrai uses the rice and seasoning to prevent the dish from becoming too heavy.

The wagyu foie gras don takes the same indulgent direction. Tender beef paired with foie gras creates a powerful combination, especially for diners who enjoy richer Japanese dishes. The addition of sauces also matters. Elements like housemade mentaiko sauce, teriyaki sauce, and truffle sauce help shape the flavour profile without completely masking the ingredients.

Shinrai’s unique blend of bold flavours and Japanese craft has also caught the attention of notable food platforms, with sites like Singapore Best Restaurants featuring it as a top sushi izakaya destination in the city.

Salmon Carpaccio, Seafood Chawanmushi with Truffle Caviar and Seafood Highlights

Not every dish at Shinrai goes for intensity.

The salmon carpaccio offers a cleaner contrast. Thin slices of salmon highlight the freshness of the fish, while the preparation keeps the texture delicate and light.

The torched salmon brings more depth, adding a gentle smoky layer while maintaining the natural sweetness of the seafood.

The seafood dishes continue with creations like seafood chawanmushi with truffle caviar. The classic Japanese steamed egg dish is known for its soft texture and subtle flavour. Shinrai elevates it with seafood and truffle caviar, creating a more luxurious version.

The combination works because the ingredients play different roles. The custard provides softness, while the seafood adds sweetness and the truffle introduces a deeper aroma.

Other seafood highlights include:

Tiger prawns and whole tiger prawns
Scallops
Crab meat
Ebi
Fresh sashimi selections

For diners who enjoy seafood-forward Japanese cuisine, these dishes show Shinrai’s attention to variety.

Omakase Inspired Dishes at Shinrai: A More Refined Direction

While Shinrai operates as a sushi izakaya, the menu also includes omakase inspired dishes that reflect a more chef-driven approach.

These dishes focus on progression and ingredient quality, similar to the thinking behind Japanese omakase dining.

Instead of simply ordering dishes individually, diners experience combinations designed around flavour balance.

Items such as grilled unagi, premium seafood preparations, and carefully crafted sushi reflect this direction.

For those exploring the wider Japanese dining scene, the growth of concepts like Shinrai shows how Singapore diners are becoming more interested in experiences that sit between casual izakaya and formal omakase.

Shinrai Lunch Sets: A Japanese Meal for CBD Diners

Beyond dinner, lunch sets make Shinrai accessible for weekday dining.

Available from Monday to Friday, the lunch menu provides options for diners looking for a quality Japanese meal during the workday.

Popular rice-based dishes include:

Salmon mentaiko don
Bara chirashi don
Chicken teriyaki don

These bowls are designed around comfort. The fluffy pearl rice provides a warm foundation, while toppings add different textures and flavours.

The onsen egg dip is another enjoyable addition, adding richness and a smooth texture that complements rice dishes well.

For diners who prefer something lighter, sides such as salad, miso soup, and appetisers create a more balanced meal.

Final Thoughts: Is Shinrai Singapore Worth Visiting?

Shinrai Singapore delivers what many modern Japanese restaurants aim for: variety without losing identity.

It has the energy of a sushi izakaya, the creativity of contemporary Japanese dining, and enough premium dishes to make the experience feel special.

The restaurant is not about traditional restraint alone. It embraces richer flavours, from foie gras sushi to wagyu creations and truffle-infused dishes.

For groups, it works well because there is something for different preferences. Some diners can go for sushi and sashimi, while others explore grilled dishes, rice bowls, or more indulgent creations.

If you enjoy Japanese food with stronger contrasts, creative combinations, and dishes designed for sharing, Shinrai is worth adding to your list.