The salmon belly hits your table on ice, cut thick, with the skin perfectly carved back like they’re showing off.
And honestly? They should be. Craig Road’s packed with Japanese izakayas that all start blending together, but this first plate made me sit up and pay attention. Someone in that kitchen actually cares about the details.
So I stayed put. Ordered another round. Let the night unfold exactly how it wanted to.
The Room at Nanami Izakaya: A Cozy Japanese Izakaya in Tanjong Pagar
Nanami Izakaya is located in that sweet shophouse stretch on Craig Road near the Tanjong Pagar area where the office crowd floods out after six.
Walk in and you’re hit with warm lighting. Those glass bottles rigged into the fixtures? Playful touch that gives the restaurant’s interior personality without trying too hard. Wooden tables, unfussy decor, the whole vibe leaning casual over polished.
This isn’t your tiny counter izakaya situation. With 56 seats, it works perfectly for after-work crews and easy weeknight hangs rather than whispered romantic dinners. The noise level? Just right. Lively when it fills up, never so loud you’re shouting over shared plates.
Pro tip for seating: grab a table toward the side when the room’s filling up. Large groups book those middle tables and it gets busy fast. If you’re exploring options around the Tanjong Pagar area, you might want to check out our guide to the best izakaya Singapore for more top Japanese dining spots that capture that same vibrant vibe.
What I Ate: Nanami Izakaya’s Menu Highlights of Sashimi and Yakitori
Here’s how you do Nanami right: izakaya style. Order in rounds. Start cold. Drink slowly. Let that grill catch up.
The Salmon Belly Sashimi is your opening move. Thick slices, ice-cold, sitting on shredded daikon with that carved-skin presentation I mentioned. The fat melts perfectly, clean and rich, and honestly? Way better than their maguro. This is Nanami showing off. I’d order it again without hesitation.
The Raw Scallop Carpaccio was the quiet star. Cold, delicate truffle on top, scallop soft and yielding. Nothing flashy about this dish, but it stays with you. Perfect for tables that want something gentle between the heavier hits.
Then the grill action starts. The yakitori is where Nanami feels like a real Japanese izakaya. Charcoal-grilled skewers with that perfect char-to-juice balance. Chicken thigh, tsukune, skin; nothing revolutionary, just done right. These are made for dinner-and-alcohol sessions, best spread across several rounds.
The Tempura Prawn Sushi Roll brings the crunch with a pop of tobiko, creamy underneath. Smart middle-of-the-meal choice when you want texture without commitment.
Now for the real talk. The Chicken Karaage Donburi can be solid for weekday lunch, bite-sized pieces over hot rice, crispy skin, tender and well-marinated. But here’s the thing: it’s totally execution-dependent. One diner got dry karaage, and that’s exactly how fried chicken goes wrong under pressure. Great value with soup and salad if you’re doing lunch, just know it can miss on busy days.
Drinks tip: they’ve got a sake promotion you need to know about: seven premium bottles at S$60 each. That’s the kind of deal that turns quick dinner into a proper session, especially when your group’s building skewers and sashimi to share. For more options and to deepen your experience, check out our authentic Japanese dining guide for the best izakayas in Singapore.
The Service and Atmosphere: A Japanese Izakaya Experience in Tanjong Pagar
Service brings the warmth when it matters. Orders flow smoothly, staff are genuinely friendly, friendly enough that regulars mention them by name. One reviewer specifically looked forward to being taken care of by a server called Candy on return visits.
But let’s keep it real here, because the comments tell the whole story. One diner hit flat, indifferent service at lunch paired with that dry karaage. So the experience isn’t always consistent. Good nights feel genuinely welcoming, rushed lunches might feel a little cold.
Nothing here is performance though. This is a working izakaya, not dinner theater.
Before You Visit Nanami Izakaya: Location, Parking, and Practical Info in Tanjong Pagar
Nanami Izakaya is located at 3 Craig Road, Singapore 089663, about 350 metres from Tanjong Pagar MRT — easy walk, with paid parking found nearby if you’re driving.
Open daily with lunch running through early afternoon and dinner stretching into late evening. Want a calmer vibe? Come early — beat the CBD lunch rush or get ahead of those after-work groups.
Money talk: lunch runs S$10–20 per person, which is solid value for a complete set with rice, soup, and salad. Dinner hits S$25–45 per person once you’re into sashimi, skewers, rolls, and drinks. Reservations aren’t always necessary, but they’re smart for dinner groups and Friday nights since they also handle private bookings.
Who Will Enjoy Nanami Izakaya?
Ideal for:
After-work drinks and shared plates, sashimi lovers chasing value, casual dates, and small groups ready to order in rounds over sake and other alcohol.Consider another option if:
You want premium sushi-counter precision, you’re sensitive to service that varies day by day, or you’re planning a quiet romantic dinner when they’re hosting larger groups.Don’t leave without trying:
Salmon Belly Sashimi, the yakitori skewers, Raw Scallop Carpaccio, and a bottle from that sake promotion to keep the night rolling.
Final comment:
Nanami Izakaya isn’t trying to be a destination, and honestly? That’s exactly what makes it work.
It’s a solid Craig Road izakaya in the heart of the Tanjong Pagar area; fresh sashimi, honest skewers, fair lunch sets, and enough energy in the room to keep you there for one more round. The consistency wobbles sometimes, and that karaage’s a gamble on busy days.
But I left satisfied, moving a little slower than when I walked in, still thinking about that first plate of salmon belly on ice. For a casual night near Tanjong Pagar? That’s exactly what you want.
