10 best sushi bars that won't break the bank

Singaporeans love Japanese food and we absolutely adore sushi. Unfortunately, it’s not very often that we can afford an Omakase meal at Shinji by Kanesaka to satiate our cravings for amazing sushi. Instead, here are our recommendations for the top 10 sushi bars that won’t break the bank. These restaurants do not sacrifice quality for affordability and are well worth checking out the next time those sushi cravings strike.

1. Standing Sushi Bar

Standing Sushi Bar is no stranger to sushi lovers and people often queue up to one and a half hours at their 8Q @ SAM outlet to enjoy numerous weeknight promotions. The best deal occurs every Monday and Thursday night, where a plate of Salmon Sashimi goes for $3 and beer, wine, hot sake, and umeshu costs only $5. For sushi, head down on Tuesday nights for 50% off nigiri sushi, and sashimi or Wednesday nights for 50% off rolls and handrolls. We like their Rockstar Sushi Roll ($16.90) made with a generous drizzle of mentaiko sauce, salmon and a chunk of mozzarella cheese in the middle. Standing Sushi Bar, 8 Queen Street, #01-03, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore 188535 (Image: Standing Sushi Bar's Facebook Page)

2. Koh Grill & Sushi Bar

With close to 6000 posts filed under the Instagram hashtag #shiokmaki, that should give you an idea of how popular this dish is. Made with unagi, aburi salmon and a tangy mayo sauce, the Shiok Maki ($16.80) has garnered die-hard fans all over Singapore. Another unique creation is their Pidan Maki ($16.80) which they drizzle with century egg sauce. Might not be appealing to some, but some people report liking this even more than the original Shiok Maki. Try both to find out which side of the debate you fall on. Koh Grill & Sushi Bar, #04-21, Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, 435 Orchard Road, 238877 (Image: Peh Yi Wen)

3. The Sushi Bar

Fans of The Sushi Bar rejoice! They’ve opened a snazzy new outlet on the 5th floor of Ngee Ann City. You can expect an expanded menu featuring new dishes like the Aburi Kaisen Chirashi Don ($26.90), a different take on their bestselling Chirashi Don. Old favourites are also available including their popular Salmon Aburi Roll ($14.90). Each bite marries the smokey saltiness of mentaiko with the freshness of salmon and creaminess of avocado — definitely a must try for all sushi lovers. The Sushi Bar, 391 Orchard Road, #05-34/35, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238873 (Image: The Sushi Bar's Facebook Page)

4. Kinsa Sushi

Kinsa Sushi only recently celebrated their reopening at the new HillV2 mall, but they’ve stirred up a lot of buzz online for their affordable yet delicious food. While it might not be sushi, their Wagyu Don ($24.80), made with A4 Grade Wagyu from Kagoshima Japan, has emerged as the star dish to try when you visit Kinsa Sushi. Kinsa also has a range of affordable sushi rolls; the perennial favourite Soft Shell Crab Roll is priced reasonably at $7.80 and their San Shoku Dragon Roll made with a deep fried king prawn will only set you back $14.80. Another must try is their range of Aburi Sushi. My personal favourites are the Hotate Kiku Mentai ($6.80 for 2) and Shake Mentai ($5.80 for 2). Kinsa Sushi, Hill V2, 4 Hillview Rise #02-02, Singapore 667979 (Image: Kinsa Sushi's Facebook Page)

5. Kaiho Sushi Restaurant

Don’t be put off by the sleaziness of Cuppage Plaza — it’s actually home to multiple amazing Japanese restaurants like Kaiho Sushi. Helmed by the affable Chef Bernard Tang, this small sushi bar is constantly packed with loyal customers. Everything on the menu is expertly prepared and fresh. We recommend trying their Aburi Salmon Nigiri as well as Oyster Sushi. Kaiho Sushi, 5 Koek Road, Cuppage Plaza, #03-01/02, Singapore 228796 (Image: OpenRice user alkanphel)

6. Tomi Sushi

Founded in Niigata in 1954, Tomi Sushi has 14 branches in Japan and three here in Singapore, allowing you to enjoy an authentic sushi experience without having to spend a bomb on plane tickets. Sushi features prominently in their menu, with almost every lunch and dinner set offering an assortment of nigiri sushi at affordable prices. If you feel like spending a little more, you can’t go wrong ordering their Maguro Otoro Nigiri ($30) or Maguro Chutoro Nigiri ($20), the most expensive but delicious cuts of tuna available. Tomi Sushi, 238 Thomson Road, #02-11, Novena Square Shopping Mall, Singapore 307683 (Image: OpenRice user wensdelight)

7. SushiAirways 寿司航空

Sticking with the airplane theme, SushiAirways flies in seafood from Japan up to 4 times a week. The Uni is so fresh that still moves while being served in its shell! They have a wide range of sushi as well as sake available. For a taste of everything, try their Premium Assorted Sushi Platter ($58) which includes Toro and Uni. Their Lobster Mango Rolls ($30) also should not be missed. SushiAirways, 20A Baghdad Street, Singapore 199659 (Image taken: SushiAirways' Facebook Page)

8. Koji Sushi

Koji Sushi has sushi sets to match any price point. Each set comes with 5 pieces of sushi allowing you to sample a great variety. The cheapest Set A ($9) comes with Sea Bream, Swordfish, Tuna, Sweet Prawn and Salmon, while the most expensive Set D ($23) comes with Fatty Tuna, Striped Jack, Greater Amberjack, Scallop and Conger Eel. Besides sushi, Koji has an affordable and unique range of rice bowls including a Salmon Avocado Tartare Donburi ($17) and Pork Cheek Donburi ($17). Koji Sushi, 3 Pickering Street, #01-42, Nankin Row, Singapore 048660 (Image: Koji Sushi's Facebook Page)

9. Chotto Matte

One of Chotto Matte’s specialties is the Salmon Yuzu Mayo Yaki ($25), which is made with grilled salmon and yuzu mayo. It’s no secret that citrus pairs perfectly with fish so we’re surprised that more restaurants don’t serve this ingenious combination instead of the usual mentaiko sauce. Another interesting combination is their Foagura Unagi Maki ($28) made with foie gras and grilled eel — an explosion of bold flavours on the palate. Chotto Matte, 54 Blair Road, Singapore 089954 (Image: Chotto Matte's Facebook Page)

10. Fukuichi Japanese Dining Restaurant

Tucked away in one of the sleepier malls of Orchard Road, Fukuichi Japanese Dining Restaurant is great if you plan on having a Japanese meal away from the hustle and bustle of town. Their lunch bento sets come at pocket friendly prices and their Sushi Moriawase ($35), which consist of salmon, scallop, sweet prawn, fish roe, unagi, tuna, swordfish, tamago and a small tuna tuna roll, is also well worth the money. Fukuichi Japanese Dining Restaurant, Tripleone Somerset #02-11/12, 111 Somerset Road, Singapore 238164 (Image: Fukuichi Japanese Dining Restaurant's Facebook Page)

BONUS: Rollie Olie

While not a sushi bar per se, we feel that new restaurant Rollie Olie is worth a mention for their innovative and inexpensive sushi rolls. The burgeoning lunch crowd over at Buona Vista will also be pleased with their healthy options; a half sushi roll, soup and salad will only set you back $12.90. We recommend trying their Beachcomber Signature Roll ($16.95) made with fried softshell crab, prawn salad and avocado and their Cali Dream Signature Roll ($16.95), which has fried prawn, tamago, avocado, tempura crunch and strawberries. Rollie Olie, The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green #02-05, Singapore 138617 (Image: Rollie Olie's Facebook Page) See also: Best sushi dishes in Singapore Popular Japanese restaurants in Singapore

Written by Nicole Marie Ng