Would you expect a proper Japanese izakaya on the second floor of a commercial building in Kallang? Me neither. But that’s exactly what makes Jinkura Izakaya interesting.
Hidden inside CT Hub, away from the usual restaurant strips, it offers everything from sashimi and grilled seafood to Japanese comfort food and sake. The question is whether there’s enough here to justify making the trip. Let’s find out.
Jinkura Izakaya at 2 Kallang: Not Your Usual Dinner Address
First, finding the place. Jinkura Izakaya sits at 2 Kallang Avenue, #02-15, CT Hub @ Kallang, Singapore 339407. Not exactly the address you’d associate with an evening of sushi and drinks.
One thing worth knowing: CT Hub and CT Hub 2 are different buildings. CT Hub 2 is on Lavender Street, while Jinkura is on Kallang Avenue. Easy mistake to make, and definitely worth avoiding.
The restaurant describes itself as a modern Japanese izakaya offering a wide selection of dishes at reasonable prices. That’s the pitch, anyway. Whether it represents good value depends on what you order.
A Cosy Izakaya Hiding Inside CT Hub
There’s something appealing about an izakaya that doesn’t announce itself from a busy dining street.
Online diners frequently describe Jinkura as cosy, casual and relaxed. Its second-floor location also makes it less obvious than a standalone restaurant.
For a casual date, after-work dinner or catch-up with friends, that low-key setting could be just the ticket. You’re not dressing up for a formal Japanese dining experience. You’re here to order a few plates, have a drink and enjoy the company.
And with a menu this varied, deciding what to eat might take longer than finding the restaurant.
Jinkura Izakaya Menu: Something for Everyone at the Table
Ever been out with friends where one wants sushi, another insists on grilled seafood and somebody just wants a proper rice bowl?
Jinkura makes that situation considerably easier.
The menu covers a generous range of Japanese favourites:
Sushi and maki: Salmon Avocado, Aburi Salmon, Soft Shell Crab and Unagi
Grilled seafood: Saba, salmon belly, whole squid and ray fin
Otsumami: Tako Wasabi, Edamame and other small plates for sharing
Fried dishes: Tori Karaage, tempura and Mentai Fries
Comfort food: Donburi, bento, curry rice, ramen and udon
It’s a substantial selection, although having more choices doesn’t automatically mean every dish will be equally good.
What I like about the concept is that you don’t need everyone at the table to agree on one type of Japanese food.
What I’d Put on the Table First
Grilled Salmon Head. This would be my starting point. It’s listed on the official menu and comes up in customer reviews, making it one of Jinkura’s more interesting documented choices. I’d order it for sharing rather than build the meal entirely around individual mains.
Grilled Yari Ika. Whole grilled squid gives the table another seafood option. Diners have mentioned it in reviews, and it’s a natural choice for anyone who prefers grilled dishes over sushi. Add a Sapporo, if available, and you’ve got a classic izakaya-style pairing.
Sashimi. Salmon and scallop are among the selections highlighted in review summaries, where freshness receives positive mentions. I’d ask about the day’s available cuts before ordering rather than assume the entire selection is unchanged.
Tori Karaage. Sometimes you just want Japanese fried chicken. This is the sort of familiar sharing plate I’d add between the seafood orders, especially if the table has mixed preferences.
Unagi Fried Rice. Now we’re talking about something filling. For anyone who doesn’t consider a few shared plates a complete dinner, this gives the meal a rice-based option without abandoning the Japanese menu.
And here’s a useful detail for groups: the listed Yakitori Tori Momo comes with five sticks, while Mixed Tempura includes three prawns and five vegetable pieces. Knowing the portions helps when deciding how much to share.
Goodness Dishes or Just Plenty of Choice?
Jinkura’s promotional description promises a plethora of goodness dishes. That’s quite a claim, isn’t it?
The menu certainly backs up the variety part. But I wouldn’t confuse an extensive selection with guaranteed quality across every dish.
The grilled salmon head, squid and sashimi are useful starting points because they have both menu documentation and customer mentions behind them.
My approach? Begin with a couple of seafood dishes, add something fried and decide whether you still need rice or noodles. Much better than ordering half the menu before anyone has picked up their chopsticks.
Service: Helpful When the Menu Gets Complicated
A big menu is wonderful until everyone starts asking what’s worth ordering.
Fortunately, customer review summaries describe Jinkura’s staff as friendly and knowledgeable. That’s encouraging, particularly for diners who might appreciate help narrowing down the choices.
Sake and beer also appear in customer feedback, although a complete current alcoholic drinks list isn’t available online.
I’d check the drinks selection before settling on pairings, especially if sake is a big part of your evening plans.
Before You Make the Trip to Kallang Avenue
A few things worth sorting out before heading over:
Address: 2 Kallang Avenue, #02-15, CT Hub @ Kallang, Singapore 339407
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 10.30pm. Sunday is listed as closed, so don’t count on a weekend dinner there without checking the latest hours.
Getting there: Approximately five minutes on foot from Bendemeer MRT
Reservations: Book through Oddle for 1–10 guests, or call +65 9273 3324 for larger groups
What about the bill?
Jinkura promotes reasonable prices, and customer summaries generally support its value proposition. But a complete, verified dine-in price list isn’t available.
Corporate catering listings previously placed donburi between S$12.47 and S$19.35, although those figures shouldn’t be mistaken for dine-in prices.
My advice is simple: check the current menu before visiting, particularly if your group plans to order several seafood dishes and drinks.
Want a few prices to compare first? Check out my affordable izakaya Singapore shortlist before deciding whether Jinkura fits your dinner budget.
Why I’d Consider Jinkura Izakaya for a Casual Night Out
The biggest reason isn’t one signature dish. It’s flexibility.
Jinkura brings sushi, grilled seafood, skewers and Japanese comfort food together in a commercial building that isn’t an obvious dining destination.
That makes it interesting for mixed groups. Someone can order a donburi, others can share grilled squid and salmon head, and the table can add sake or beer without committing to a formal dinner.
It’s also worth considering for a casual date where neither person wants the pressure of an elaborate omakase experience.
The setting may be understated, but sometimes that’s exactly what a relaxed evening calls for.
My Verdict: Bring Your Indecisive Friends
So, is Jinkura Izakaya worth seeking out?
I’d put it on the shortlist for casual Japanese dining in Kallang, particularly if you’re going with friends who can never agree on what to eat.
Its broad menu and low-key setting are the clearest reasons to consider it. The grilled salmon head and Yari Ika would be my starting picks, followed by whatever sashimi is available.
My honest caveats? Detailed online reviews are limited, and current dine-in prices need checking. That makes it difficult to make firm claims about consistent food quality or overall spending.
But if you’re looking for a relaxed place to share Japanese dishes without the ceremony of fine dining, Jinkura has an appealing proposition.
Just make sure you head to the right CT Hub.
Quick-Fire Questions About Jinkura Izakaya
Is Jinkura Izakaya better for lunch or dinner?
Both suit different occasions. Lunch offers rice bowls, bento and curry rice, while dinner makes more sense for sharing grilled seafood, fried dishes and drinks.
Can I book Jinkura Izakaya for a group?
Yes. Oddle supports reservations for 1–10 guests. For larger groups, contact the restaurant at +65 9273 3324.
Does Jinkura Izakaya have vegetarian options?
Catering listings identify Kinoko Donburi and Silken Tofu Donburi as vegetarian or vegan options, but ingredient handling and cross-contact arrangements should be confirmed directly. The restaurant serves pork and does not have verified halal certification.
Is Jinkura Izakaya open on Sundays?
Current business listings show Jinkura as closed on Sundays. If you’re planning a Sunday visit, give the restaurant a call at +65 9273 3324 before making the trip.
