Being a corporate slave sucks, so here’s how you make your working life a little better.

Treat yourself to an exquisite lunch at Hiryu, an affordable Japanese omakase restaurant at Telok Ayer.

Our honest review of Hiryu

$128 for lunch might sound a little crazy (personally, I’m a $5 cai fan kinda guy). But, when you actually take a look at the menu and examine what’s included in their new lunch set, you’ll think otherwise.

Affordable omakase lunch set

Hiryu’s new promotion includes a silky chawanmushi, followed up with eight types of nigiri sushi, a hand roll of the day, their signature Signature A5 Wagyu Sendai Don, and soup and dessert.

This glorious wagyu rice bowl is served in a traditional square bento. As expected, the wagyu was melt-in-the-mouth tender and properly seasoned; though the sauce was a touch too salty for me. Nonetheless, an enjoyable end to the meal

Nigiri sushi at Hiryu

As much as I love a good wagyu, the star of the meal had to be the nigiri sushi.

Freshly made nigiri is unmatched— the rice, perfectly intact yet tender, balances effortlessly with the fresh fish. The warmth of the chef’s hands gently molds each piece, enhancing the flavours and texture in a way that pre-made sushi simply can’t replicate. 

Here’s what they served when I was there in September 2024.

• Suzuki (seabass)
• Madai (seabream)
• Kampachi (amberjack)
• Akami (tuna)
• Amaebi (sweet prawn)
• Uni (sea urchin)
• Otoro (tuna belly)
• Otoro with negitoro (tuna belly with minced tuna)

The flavours at Hiryu are generally bolder.

You start off with a punchy and appetising suzuki nigiri, elevated with zesty accents and a generous hit of wasabi.

Some of the other fishes, such as kanpachi and otoro, was also topped with what I believe was minced garlic — an interesting twist I hadn’t encountered before. While it added depth, I would have preferred a more subtle touch to allow the natural flavors of the fish to shine through.

When it comes to my favourite piece though, I was torned between the amaebi and uni. The amaebi showcased the chef’s creativity in balancing flavors. It was topped with mentaiko puree, a bold ingredient that can easily dominate a dish, yet the sweetness of the prawn still shone through. What truly elevated it for me was the subtle hint of nuttiness in the aftertaste, thanks to a delicate sprinkle of sesame seeds.

On the other hand, the bafun uni was so sweet and creamy, akin to a custard.

Lastly, for the handroll of the day, I was fortunate enough to visit Hiryu when they were serving this beaut. The Uni Tuna Hand Roll, albeit sounding a bit too sinful, was surprisingly light on the palate. It was sweet and refreshing. 

Hiryu omakase prices

In addition to the aforementioned Special Lunch Set ($128), you can also opt for the Lunch Ryu Set ($198), Lunch Hiryu Set ($258), Dinner Ryu Set ($288), and the Dinner Hiryu Set ($348).

Location: 39 Tras St, Singapore 078978
Opening hours:
Mon-Sat: 12-2:30 pm, 6-10:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Looking for the best Japanese restaurants in Singapore? Check out our recommendations on:

• Jo Japanese Restaurant review – True omakase experience
• Shinzo Japanese Cuisine review – Omakase restaurant at Clarke Quay
• Aburi En review – Japanese chargrilled rice bowls
• Daiyusan review – Japanese restaurant at Tai Seng
• 13 best restaurants and cafes at Telok Ayer — the ultimate guide
• 12 best restaurants in Tanjong Pagar of different cuisines