Best Japanese food in Jewel Changi Airport to feed your wanderlust

If you’re someone who wants to make the best use of your annual leave amid limited travel, exploring some of Singapore’s best attractions will surely please your wanderlust. But if it’s your palate you want to satisfy, I reckon you’d want to have a taste of the best!

My love for Japanese food sparked while watching Japanese dramas. As the storyline unfolded through the episodes, I paid special attention to different Japanese cuisines portrayed during each dining scene. Witnessing the characters savouring every meal made me curious, and I will make a mental note to give them a try when I dine at Japanese restaurants. As an avid cook myself, sampling these dishes is my way of remembering the taste when I attempt to recreate the dish myself. 

Food is always an essential part of my travel experiences, and I don’t know when I’ll get to visit Japan again. Thankfully, the Japanese dining scene in Singapore is relatively mature, and there are more specialty restaurants and brands originating from Japan setting up branches here to offer locals authentic Japanese food. Until the day we can travel again, dining is a way to satiate my wanderlust.

So where do I start?

Jewel Changi Airport is a destination on its own. Other than shopping for groceries, there are also multiple attractions in Jewel to admire or catch a movie. And most importantly, it’s a place to indulge in lavish Japanese cuisine we’ve been missing.

Here are some of my recommendations of the best Japanese restaurants in Jewel, all under one roof. 

Ramen star

In case you didn’t know, the Japanese love ramen; if you do a simple search online, you’ll see that there are more than 10,000 ramen stores in Tokyo alone, ranging from big chains to small food carts by the street. This quintessential Japanese dish has evolved from a humble noodle soup, often claimed to have originated from China to what is considered Japan's national dish today. 

Among the many ramen joints in Singapore, Tsuta stands out for being the world's first Michelin-starred ramen eatery. While most of us are more familiar with tonkotsu ramen with its rich, milky, pork bone soup, Dashi-joyu (だし醤油) forms the base of Tsuta's ramen. According to chef-owner Yuki Onishi, they created a special blend of shoyu, only for Tsuta, custom brewed by an artisanal soy sauce brewer from Wakayama Prefecture. They then combined this special shoyu with two other types of shoyu, dashi (soup stock) made with beef, vegetables, clams and other ingredients, and added truffle oil to enhance the flavour. The result is the deeply flavoured umami broth you get to relish today!

Enough said. You must try it yourself! Thankfully, unlike their store at Sugamo, Tokyo, you do not have to queue from 6:00am to be one of the lucky 150 diners to enjoy this coveted bowl of ramen. 

Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta

Address: Jewel Changi Airport, #02-242

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00am to 9:00pm, Friday - Sunday & Eve of Public Holiday: 11:00am to 10:00pm

I could eat a Ton of katsu

Tonkatsu is one of the most popular (Reinvented western dishes) in Japan, and the origin of this dish dates back to the Meiji Period (1868-1912). My first encounter with Tonkatsu was in 1993, and it was an accidental discovery. I spotted a long snaking queue outside a restaurant at Ngee Ann City, and the majority were Japanese. I was curious and so I joined the line, and that marked the start of my love for this deep-fried breaded pork. 

Tonkatsu is a combination of two words; , also pronounced as 'Buta' which means pig and (an abbreviation of ) or cutlet. Typically, rōsu ロース (pork loin) and (fillet) are used to make this dish. 

Having tried tonkatsu in different restaurants in Japan, Singapore and other parts of the world for the last few decades, I concluded that Tonkatsu in Tokyo is the best, and I benchmark against it when I rate every tonkatsu that I try. 

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison is probably one of the best in Singapore and closest to what I had in Japan. The thick-cut tonkatsu is crunchy and light on the outside and yet juicy and tender on the inside. You’ll also get a choice of tonkatsu sauce, salt or mustard to dip the pork cutlet. Paired with your choice of white or multigrain rice cooked in Kamado かまど (traditional Japanese rice cooker), tonjiru 豚汁 (pork and vegetable miso soup), and shredded cabbage, you’ll definitely be able to fill your stomachs even if you’re extremely hungry. What’s more, the rice, soup and cabbage are free flow! While the menu offers other options like prawns, chicken and even curry, I would recommend their premium pork loin set. Sinful as it may sound, the well-marbled pork with a layer of fat gives a juicier bite that is totally worth your calories!

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison

Address: Jewel Changi Airport, #02-211

Opening hours:  Sunday - Thursday: 11:00am to 10:00pm, Friday, Saturday & Eve of Public Holiday: 10:00am to 10:00pm

Brewtiful coffee

Japan is well known for their tea culture, but the coffee scene has grown over the past decades. In fact, Japan ranks as the fifth largest coffee consumer. From the sophisticated craft coffee by small, local and independent coffee stores to big coffee chains like Doutor and the wide variety of canned coffee, this luscious caffeinated beverage has now claimed a spot in the lives of the Japanese.

Just as the cuisine is famous for its simplicity, the coffee scene in Japan has grown bigger and better due to the same Japanese culinary principles applied. Coffee lovers from around the world are starting to patronise coffee brands in Japan, and smaller names have also made their mark by setting up stores in other parts of the world over the years.

For barista-style coffee, % Arabica needs no introduction, and those who visit Japan frequently would have heard of them. Founded by Kenneth Shoji, the brand represents his love for coffee, design, and travel. As a keen coffee drinker himself, he is committed to providing good coffee, and this prompted him to buy his own coffee farm and become a distributor of coffee machines. Perhaps it’s time for coffee lovers to introduce a new addition to their suite of home kitchen appliances?

The café is also well-known for its iconic ‘%’ logo design, and its minimalist white walls and light-hued wood interior. The brand takes care in choosing sites that are iconic to the specific city or country so their customers can immerse themselves and see the world from these unique locations as they sip on their coffee. Fun fact - the Jewel outlet is % Arabica’s first-ever store in an airport!

What makes % Arabica different from the other coffee chains is that they have a dedicated roastery. This ensures the coffee stays fresh, and the customer gets to enjoy the flavours of the coffee at its peak. My first taste of % Arabica’s brew was in 2018 when my sister bought a pack of ground coffee from their flagship store in Kyoto. Since then, I will always make a visit to the % Arabica stores during my trips to Japan and Hong Kong. My personal favourite is the Cafe Latte, mostly using the Arabica blend of beans that produces a cup of coffee that is smooth and creamy, with a good balance of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness.

Why not have a cuppa by the HSBC Rain Vortex or the Shiseido Forest Valley? They are great spots to take a break and watch the world go by. And if you’ve ignited your inner barista, snap up some coffee essentials and brew your very own at home!

% Arabica

Address: Jewel Changi Airport, #01-K208

Opening hours: Sunday - Thursday: 11:00am to 10:00pm, Friday, Saturday & Eve of Public Holiday: 10:00am to 10:00pm

Hoshino Coffee, a Japanese-Western fusion cafe, is another place to get your caffeine fix if you are into hand-dripped coffee. It is a real treat because brewing pour-over coffee brings out the flavours and aroma of the coffee beans, which is quite different from the barista-style ones.

But beyond their signature coffee, they are also known for their souffle pancakes. While their pancakes are comparatively firm and not fluffy and jiggly by souffle standards, they are thick, buttery and soft. The whipped butter that they are served with complements the flavour in each bite - something uniquely Hoshino!

They also offer a wide variety of (Japanese-style) or Yoshoku dishes that are pork- and lard-free, so it’s a great brunch place for gatherings with family and friends. Do also check out their Jewel-exclusive pancake and French toast creations!

Hoshino Coffee

Address: Jewel Changi Airport, #B1-260

Opening hours: Sunday - Thursday: 11:00am to 10:00pm, Friday, Saturday & Eve of Public Holiday: 10:00am to 10:00pm

Be transported to Japan

JW360° (Japan Way Three Sixty), is a Japanese 3-in-1 concept food destination that features a restaurant, cafe and retail shop. Once you step in, the ambience and vibes will make you feel like you are back on Land of the Rising Sun.

JW360° Suju Masayuki

This is not a specialty restaurant, but their focus on serving traditional Japanese food is reflected on their menu, with a good selection of Teishoku 定食 (Japanese set meal, where all of the dishes in the course are served together as a set). It is based on the concept of Ichiju Sansai 一汁三菜, literally "one soup three dishes”, which includes a main dish, rice, pickles, and soup. Other than the Japanese set meals, they also serve up a good selection of Tempura, Donburi 丼ぶり (Japanese Rice Bowl), Nabemonos 鍋物 (hotpot dishes), Yoshoku 洋食 etc. 

Book via Chope to get 20% off the S$50 and S$100 e-vouchers from Monday to Thursday, and 10% off on Friday, Saturday and Sunday! You can also order directly from Oddle and enjoy the spread at the comfort of your own home.

JW360° Café

Feeling peckish and in need of a tea break? The cafe offers a range of delectable desserts such as Matcha Mont Blanc, Black Sesame Cheesecake and Amaou Strawberries Roll Cakes. The name Amaou あまおう comes from four words that aptly describe this type of strawberries - Amai 甘い (sweet), Marui 丸い (round), Ookii 大きい (large), and Umai 美味い (delicious). It’s no wonder the roll cakes are incredibly special. Using only the ‘king’ of strawberries known for their bright red colour, size and well-balanced sweetness, the cakes will be a treat to anyone with a penchant for an attractive dessert!

Another must-try is definitely their range of gelato in unique flavours. My personal favourites are Soba-cha and Japanese Whiskey. If you choose two flavours, you’d be served with a sweet potato atop a scoop of gelato.

JW360° Café offers islandwide delivery. Order here.

JW360° Nomono Retail Corner

If you’ve enjoyed the flavours from their set meals and desserts, and would love to bring home something to experiment with, head to the JW360° retail shop! Boasting a range of food essentials sourced from Japan, there’s plenty you can find straight from the masters themselves! While travel is currently not possible, perhaps it’s worth splurging a little and pampering yourself with snacks, noodles, sake and even umeshu (plum wine). I always like to drop by once in a while because this store is full of surprises. They also bring in a small selection of Japanese vegetarian food items occasionally, which is a real treat for vegetarians. 

Have your favourite snacks and drinks delivered straight to your door. Order here.

JW360°

Address: Jewel Changi Airport, #01-223/224/225

Opening hours: Sunday - Thursday: 11:00am to 9:00pm, Friday, Saturday & Eve of Public Holiday: 11:00am to 10:00pm

 

Head over to Jewel Changi the next time your palate is craving for the best of Japan! Whether it’s a date at Jewel or a family celebration, the flavours are sure to mesmerise anyone who loves savouring one of the world’s incredible cuisines!

 

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