In Japan, izakayas have long offered a place to unwind over grilled skewers, comforting rice dishes and drinks shared after work. Singapore has embraced this tradition, although finding an affordable izakaya in Singapore requires more than choosing the cheapest dish on the menu. A few extra plates, sake and service charges can turn an inexpensive meal into a costly evening.
These five Japanese dining spots offer different ways to enjoy that experience without spending excessively, from S$7.90 nett lunch bowls to complete Japanese sets under S$25 before additional charges. Each earns its place through documented menu prices, practical meal options or accessible everyday cooking. Where prices come from older coverage or catering platforms, those limitations are noted.
What Makes Izakayas in Singapore Affordable?
The price of a single appetiser rarely tells the whole story. A satisfying meal should offer enough food without requiring diners to order several additional plates.
For this list, under S$25 per person for food is budget-friendly, while S$25 to S$40 remains within a reasonable affordable range. Drinks, GST and service charges generally come on top unless prices are marked nett.
The distinction is particularly important for izakayas, where ordering gradually is part of the dining tradition. For evenings when the budget can stretch beyond a simple meal, our Singapore izakaya recommendations for sake, shared plates and longer nights out explore the other side of this dining tradition, where the pleasure lies as much in lingering as in what arrives at the table.
1. Kokoro Izakaya: Affordable Japanese Food Amid Lau Pa Sat's Buzzing Atmosphere
The walk there: Telok Ayer or Downtown MRT, approximately 5 to 8 minutes on foot
What a meal may cost: Weekday lunch mains from S$7.90 nett, selected grilled dishes from S$3.90 and evening ramen from S$6.90, based on published restaurant promotions.
What earned it a place: Its low-priced lunch bowls offer one of the most accessible starting points for Japanese food in the CBD.
Opening hours: Daily, 11am–11pm.
Lau Pa Sat has long connected Singapore’s food culture with the daily rhythm of the financial district. Within its historic market building, Kokoro Izakaya, at 18 Raffles Quay, MR20, offers a Japanese alternative to the usual lunchtime rush.
Its most compelling feature is the weekday lunch menu.
From 11am to 4pm, selected mains start at S$7.90 nett, with previously advertised choices including Crispy Chicken Karaage with Garlic Fried Rice, Pork Collar Buta Shogayaki Don and Spicy Miso Fried Rice with Chicken Karaage.
These dishes reflect the everyday side of Japanese cooking, where rice, meat and familiar seasonings form a complete meal.
Small additions remain relatively accessible. Published offers include potato salad with tea for S$2 nett and three pieces of gyoza for S$3 nett.
By evening, the menu turns towards grilled items, ramen and other hot dishes, offering a casual option for after work drinks or a simple Japanese dinner. Earlier coverage also mentions a Wagyu Steak Don among its rice dishes and a grilled Wagyu skewer paired with cherry tomatoes. Both offer alternatives to the simpler chicken and pork selections, although current availability and prices should be checked.
For diners considering fresh seafood rather than a rice bowl, earlier coverage also lists oysters and grilled scallops. These are better treated as optional additions, since the cost of several seafood dishes may exceed that of a complete lunch set.
The distinction between lunch and dinner time matters here. A complete rice dish provides more predictable value than several small plates ordered alongside drinks.
Customer feedback across the wider Kokoro brand mentions friendly service and comforting Japanese food, although experiences vary between outlets. Those comments should not be taken as direct evidence of the Lau Pa Sat location’s current service.
The meal it suits: CBD workers seeking an inexpensive weekday lunch or a casual Japanese meal after work.
When the value may change: During evenings built around several grilled dishes and drinks rather than a complete main.
A detail worth knowing: Start with the S$7.90 nett lunch selection when available. For evening visits, compare the cost of individual grilled dishes with a ramen bowl before ordering. Promotions can be confirmed at +65 8758 7024.
2. Izakaya Hikari: A Neighbourhood Izakaya for Good Food at Fortune Centre
The walk there: Bencoolen MRT, approximately 5 minutes on foot
What a meal may cost: Previously published prices include S$11.90 Katsu Donburi, S$12.90 Chicken Karaage & Tsukune Donburi and S$17.90 Salmon Mentaiko Donburi. More recent coverage lists appetisers from S$3.90 and mains from S$10.90.
What earned it a place: Its traditional izakaya menu offers complete rice and noodle dishes at prices that make everyday Japanese dining more approachable.
Opening hours: Mon–Fri: 12pm–2:30pm, 5:30pm–10:30pm; Sat: 5pm–10:30pm; Sun: Closed.
A Friendly Traditional Izakaya Tucked Inside Fortune Centre
Fortune Centre is not an obvious destination for a Japanese night out, which is part of its appeal. On the third floor, Izakaya Hikari offers the compact setting and dim lighting associated with a friendly traditional izakaya. It has the understated character of a neighbourhood hidden gem, without requiring diners to spend heavily on a meal.
Izakaya Hikari, at 190 Middle Road, #03-01, has the modest character of a neighbourhood izakaya, with traditional izakaya cuisine built around familiar grilled dishes, rice bowls and Japanese comfort food.
The menu moves between kushiyaki skewers, fried favourites and rice bowls. Earlier coverage also highlights chicken skin served with ponzu sauce, alongside grilled meat and vegetable skewers.
The Katsu Donburi at S$11.90 and Chicken Karaage & Tsukune Donburi at S$12.90 are practical choices for diners seeking a complete meal.
For those who prefer noodles, the Ebi Udon has been listed at S$12.90.
The Six-Ingredient Oden, previously priced at S$11.90, introduces another familiar element of izakaya culture. In Japan, oden is associated with slowly simmered ingredients and seasonal comfort, particularly during colder months.
At Hikari, it offers an alternative to the fried and grilled dishes usually associated with casual Japanese drinking spots.
Other documented options include Salmon Mentaiko Donburi at S$17.90 and Unagi Donburi at S$18.90, while a simple miso soup has been listed at S$2.50.
Diners have described a friendly, informal atmosphere, although the dining room is compact and popular periods may involve waiting.
The menu also illustrates an important consideration: inexpensive small plates can become costly when ordered in quantity.
The occasion it answers: Solo lunches, casual dinners and small gatherings centred on familiar Japanese dishes.
When spending may increase: When several shared dishes, sashimi and drinks replace a complete rice or noodle meal.
A detail worth knowing: A donburi or udon makes a useful starting point before adding sides. Documented weekday lunch hours are noon to 2:30pm, with no regular Sunday service.
3. Jinkura Izakaya: A Potential Hidden Gem for Affordable Japanese Meals
The journey there: Bendemeer MRT, with the walking route worth checking before visiting
What a meal may cost: Catering-platform listings show Chicken Teriyaki Donburi and Silken Tofu Donburi at S$12.47 each, Kinoko Donburi at S$13.62 and Pork Shogayaki Donburi at S$14.77. These are not confirmed dine-in prices.
What earned it a place: Its extensive menu offers several ways to build a satisfying Japanese meal without relying on premium seafood or expensive shared plates.
Opening hours: Daily, 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30pm–9:30pm, according to its Grab Dine Out listing.
Not every izakaya occupies a recognised dining district.
Across Japan, smaller establishments frequently operate above shops or within mixed-use neighbourhood buildings, serving local workers as readily as evening diners.
Jinkura Izakaya, at CT Hub, 2 Kallang Avenue, #02-15, occupies a similar setting within Kallang’s working district.
An Extensive Menu Beyond the Usual Izakaya Dishes
For diners who want more than sushi, sashimi and sake, Jinkura also offers a range of cooked Japanese dishes.
The extensive menu covers bento, katsu curry, tempura, noodles and donburi, alongside a yakitori menu featuring grilled chicken thigh, listed as tori momo.
The variety makes Jinkura particularly relevant to diners who prefer a substantial main dish rather than several small plates.
Published catering-platform prices provide useful references. The Chicken Teriyaki Donburi and Silken Tofu Donburi are listed at S$12.47 each, while the Kinoko Donburi costs S$13.62.
Other options include Pork Shogayaki Donburi at S$14.77, Pork Kimchi Donburi at S$15.91, and Gyu Yakiniku or Salmon Teriyaki Donburi at S$19.35 each.
These prices suggest several possible budget-friendly choices, but the distinction between catering and dine-in menus is important.
They cannot establish Jinkura’s actual restaurant prices without confirmation.
The available information also does not provide enough recent diner feedback to support broad claims about food quality or service consistency.
What stands out more reliably is the menu’s range, which accommodates diners looking for rice dishes as well as those interested in grilled Japanese food.
The meal it suits: Kallang office workers, informal group lunches and diners who prefer rice or noodle dishes over premium seafood.
When the budget is uncertain: When choosing between catering-platform prices and the restaurant’s actual dine-in offerings.
A detail worth knowing: Compare current dine-in prices for the Chicken Teriyaki Donburi or Kinoko Donburi before ordering additional plates. Published service information indicates lunch from around 11:30am and dinner from around 5:30pm.
4. Sandaime Hiraki, Millenia Walk
The walk there: Promenade MRT, approximately 5 minutes on foot
What a complete meal may cost: S$15.80 for the Aji Fry Set, S$18.90 for the Unagi Half-Size Set, S$19.80 for the Pork Yakiniku Set and S$22.90 for selected grilled fish sets, based on published official menu prices.
What earned it a place: Its clearly priced Japanese set meals offer a more predictable way to enjoy traditional cooking without assembling an entire meal from separate dishes.
Opening hours: Mon–Sat: 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30pm–9:30pm; Sun: 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30pm–9pm.
In Japanese food culture, the teishoku represents a complete meal.
Rice, soup, a main dish and accompanying sides are brought together in a balanced arrangement, allowing the diner to enjoy several flavours without repeatedly ordering.
Sandaime Hiraki, at Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard, #02-10/11, follows this approach through an extensive selection of Japanese set meals.
Although it is better understood as a Japanese restaurant with izakaya-style options than a conventional drinking-house izakaya, its pricing makes it relevant to an affordability-focused shortlist.
The Aji Fry Set at S$15.80 features fried horse mackerel, a familiar dish in Japanese home-style cooking.
For eel, the Unagi Half-Size Set costs S$18.90, offering a smaller and more accessible alternative to a full unagi meal.
Other published choices include the Pork Yakiniku Set at S$19.80, Unagi & Ebi Tempura Half Set at S$19.90, and Pork Katsu Set at S$20.90.
Grilled fish remains another important part of the menu.
Both the Hokke Set and Toro Saba Set are listed at S$22.90, allowing diners to enjoy traditional Japanese fish preparations within a clearly established food budget.
Smaller dishes are also available, including a Potato Croquette at S$3.90, Chawanmushi at S$4.90, Fried Chicken Gyoza at S$7.90 and selected udon dishes at S$9.90. Not all the izakaya favourites need to be ordered separately. Here, the set meals make those familiar Japanese flavours easier to enjoy within a fixed budget.
The more expensive side of the restaurant should not be overlooked.
Its Hiraki Course at S$50, Premium Course at S$70 and two-hour free-flow drinks option at S$30 per person belong to a different spending category.
These options demonstrate how the same restaurant can serve both everyday dining and more elaborate occasions.
The meal it suits: Office workers, couples and small groups seeking a complete Japanese lunch or dinner with transparent pricing.
When the experience becomes less affordable: When choosing multi-course meals, premium dishes or free-flow drinks.
A detail worth knowing: Select a complete teishoku set before considering extra dishes. Published lunch hours run from 11:30am to 2:30pm daily, with dinner service ending at 9:30pm Monday to Saturday and 9pm on Sundays.
5. Issho Izakaya, Marina One
The walk there: Downtown or Marina Bay MRT, approximately 3 to 8 minutes depending on the entrance
What a meal may cost: Gozen sets from S$22.90++, including a Chicken Katsu Curry Gozen at S$23.90++, with premium selections reaching approximately S$32.90++.
What earned it a place: Its lunch sets offer a measured way to enjoy a more polished izakaya setting without committing to the higher cost of a full evening meal.
Opening hours: Mon–Fri: 11am–2:30pm, 5pm–10:30pm; Sat–Sun: 11am–10:30pm; closed on public holidays. Last orders at 10pm.
The Japanese word issho means together.
It captures an essential part of izakaya dining, where food is often shared and conversation takes precedence over a rigid sequence of courses.
At Marina One The Heart, 5 Straits View, #01-14, Issho Izakaya brings this tradition into a modern setting.
Compared with the more casual establishments on this list, Issho has a more polished atmosphere and a higher entry price.
Its clearest value lies in its lunchtime Gozen sets.
These begin at S$22.90++, with the Chicken Katsu Curry Gozen listed at S$23.90++.
Depending on the selection, a Gozen may include accompanying dishes such as appetisers, chawanmushi, miso soup, salad or dessert.
This arrangement draws on the wider Japanese tradition of serving a complete meal, giving diners several components without the uncertainty of ordering everything separately.
Premium Gozen selections can reach around S$32.90++, placing them outside the strictest budget-friendly category. Issho’s broader menu places more emphasis on contemporary preparations and authentic flavours, including grilled dishes with house-made sauces. Those rich flavours may appeal to diners seeking a more elaborate Japanese meal, although the additional dishes can quickly move the bill beyond a budget lunch.
The wider menu also includes fresh seasonal produce prepared on the grill, with sake, shochu and beer available for diners planning a longer evening.
Customer accounts mention menu variety, friendly staff and a comfortable setting. Some also note that premium dishes can be expensive and that promotional conditions may vary.
Issho is therefore best approached as an affordable lunch option within a more moderately priced Japanese restaurant, rather than one of Singapore’s cheapest izakayas overall.
The occasion it answers: CBD lunches, business meals and small gatherings where a complete Japanese set is preferable to several individual orders.
When the price may exceed expectations: During dinners involving premium dishes, larger shared plates and multiple drinks.
A detail worth knowing: Compare the available Gozen sets before ordering à la carte. Documented weekend service runs continuously from 11am to 10:30pm, while public-holiday closures should be checked in advance.
How to Enjoy Bar Bites Without Overspending
Unlike a dedicated sake bar, many izakayas offer substantial rice and noodle dishes alongside drinks. Choosing one complete meal before adding smaller plates makes spending easier to manage.
For a more affordable experience, a complete rice bowl or Japanese set meal often provides better value than several individually priced plates.
The restaurants on this list illustrate different approaches.
Kokoro Izakaya offers the lowest documented starting price through its S$7.90 nett weekday lunches. Izakaya Hikari combines traditional izakaya dishes with approachable donburi options.
Jinkura provides a broad selection of rice, noodle and grilled dishes, although its current dine-in pricing remains unconfirmed.
Sandaime Hiraki offers some of the clearest published set-meal prices, while Issho Izakaya provides a more polished setting for diners comfortable spending closer to S$25 or more before additional charges.
The important distinction is between the price of one dish and the cost of a satisfying meal.
Where Good Japanese Food Remains Within Reach
An affordable izakaya evening does not need to imitate an elaborate Japanese dining experience.
Singapore’s izakaya scene takes several forms. Among izakayas in Singapore, some offer modest rice bowls and traditional comfort food, while others are better suited to longer evenings built around drinks and shared plates.
There are inexpensive lunch bowls within Lau Pa Sat, traditional Japanese dishes tucked into Fortune Centre, complete sets at Millenia Walk and modern izakaya dining in Marina Bay.
Not every restaurant on this list offers the same level of affordability, and some prices still require confirmation.
Yet each provides a different way to approach Japanese food without assuming that a satisfying meal must be expensive.
The most rewarding choice is often the simplest: a well-priced dish, enough food to feel satisfied and a dining room where the evening can unfold without unnecessary expense.
