If like most fellow Singaporeans, you have Japanese cuisine listed as their top 3 cuisines of all time, this would probably be a good list to save/archive/send to your foodie group chats etc.

Chirashi-don (a Japanese dish of sushi ingredients artistically arranged on top of vinegared rice), is probably my go-to-dish in any new Japanese joint I visit, because A) I’m too tired to decide amongst the variety B) I want it all – the uni, the amaebi, the salmon, the seabream, the yellow tail, the scallops! C) It’s really pretty 

Here’s a list of some pretty yummy and cheap chirashi-dons (in my opinion) that are so reasonably priced there’s no good reason not to go try them out:

Babette:

A hidden gem, this French inspired Japanese cuisine fusion restaurant & bar, nestled within the premises of the Parc Sovereign Hotel serves up some amazingly tantalizing dishes for your palate.

Their signature Babette Chirashi Donburi ($19) is a delicious assortment of marinated fresh salmon, maguro, hotate, tamago, sprinkled with tobiko roe and served on warm rice – and not to forget affordable.

While you’re there and hungry, don’t forget to add on a side of Roasted Avocado ($12), and if with a partner mix it up with a little variety with another order of Steak & Foie Gras Donburi ($28) as well.

Address:  165 Tyrwhitt Road #01-03 Parc Sovereign Hotel, Singapore (207569)

Call for Reservations: (+65) 6-341-7727

The Sushi Bar: 

It takes some skill to expand a tiny hole in the corner shop to several branches along the Orchard stretch – and The Sushi Bar definitely is not lacking any, judging by the consistently good quality Japanese food it serves.

The Chirashi Don at the Sushi Bar is a comforting bowl of good quality sashimi (you can request for aburi too), warm sticky rice topped with flavourful balls of ikura. Whenever in town, it’s definitely my go-to-place to quell any cravings for affordably priced chirashi-dons.

Address:

Far East Branch: 14 Scotts Road #04-28 Far East Plaza Singapore 228213

Takashimaya Branch: 391 Orchard Road #05-34/35 Ngee Ann City Singapore 238873

Call for Reservations: SMS 88183535 for Ngee Ann City outlet and 96536464 for Far East Plaza outlet. No reservations on weekends, PH & eve of PH though

Sushi Jin:

Part of the Les Amis Group, which also runs the impeccable Aoki Japanese restaurant at Shaw Centre, Sushi Jin is yet delightful option for premium Japanese cuisine without the hefty price tag. With their ingredients flown in from Tsukiji Fish Market regularly, you definitely can expect only the freshest sashimi on your sashimi dons.

Apart from their reasonably priced lunch sets, do try the following two dons when you decide to visit: the Bara Chirashi Don ($32) with fresh cubes of sashimi, tamago, ikuru and tobiko generously layered on warm rice and the Hokkaido Don ($38) which combines a heavenly trio of sea urchin, ikura and scallops.

Tanuki Raw:

It’s no surprise that one of the most value-for-money eatery (freshly shucked oysters for $2 remember?) on the Orchard stretch also serves a reasonably priced Chirashi Don.

Tanuki’s Chirashi Don ($17.80) includes a good mix of seasonal and staple sashimi including scallop, sea bream, tuna,  swordfish, salmon, striped jack and salmon roe seasoned with our signature sauce served with tamago on sushi rice. Cheap and good.

Address: 181 Orchard Road, #02-03 Orchard Central S(238896)

Call for Reservations:  6636 5949

Wasabi Tei:

In the back corridors of Far East Plaza where many people barely venture, lies a nondescript Japanese joint which serves up a wide variety of cheap & good quality Japanese set meals and dishes.

Enjoy an affordable Chirashi Don ($28) which comes in a typical squarish Japanese bento box, overflowing with huge generous slabs of sashimi, in a intimate and cozy setting along the counter seats.

Address: #05-70, Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, 228213

Fukuichi:

One of the lesser known Japanese restaurants on the Orchard stretch, hidden away in Triple One Somerset, Fukuichi has quite the offering of pocket-friendly Japanese cuisine.

An affordable option, the bara chirashi set ($28) is a good-value bowl of cubed sashimi with chawanmushi (steamed egg), salad, miso soup and fruit.If you’re in the mood to splurge a little more, the chirashizushi ($35) is plump with assortment of  ebi, salmon, tuna, swordfish, hotate and tamago.

Address: 111 Somerset Road TripleOne Somerset

Call for Reservations: +65 6271 5586

Teppei:

Since the early days at Tras Link, the Teppei group has had loyal fans raving all about their Barachirashi and Kaisendon’s ($16) due to the reasonable pricing and very satisfying chunks of sashimi cubes. I am personally not a fan of their version of the Chirashi don, but more than a fair share of people have professed their love for it that I find it hard not to include on this list.

Address:

Main Outlet: 1 Tras Link #01-1863 Singapore 078867

Takeaway (1): 391 Orchard Road #B2 Takashimaya Food Hall, Ngee Ann City Singapore 238872

Takeaway (2): 9 Raffles Boulevard #01-105 Millenia Walk Singapore 039596

Takeaway (3): 9 Raffles Place #01-14 Republic Plaza Singapore 048619

Let me know if you’ve discovered even more delicious and cheap chirashi dons and I’ll feature them next! 🙂