Yabai Izakaya along Boat Quay offers an impressive spread of familiar Japanese izakaya favourites coupled with a scenic view of the Singapore River.

Japanese food concepts are a dime a dozen in Singapore. But those with a great view of the Singapore River waterfront? Much less so. Enter Yabai Izakaya, situated along the prime dining stretch at Boat Quay.

Interestingly, this Japanese restaurant is the brainchild of five Singaporeans who served National Service together. They kept in touch since those army days, and finally decided to open a restaurant together. Yabai Izakaya is the result.

Yabai Izakaya - Sashimi Moriawase
The Sashimi Moriawase features five or seven kinds of sashimi. We say the more the merrier!

Like most Japanese izakayas, the menu at Yabai is massive. Expect familiar Japanese favourites from raw delicacies such as sushi and sashimi to all manner of cooked items. Their Sashimi Moriawase is particularly impressive; these are some of the freshest cuts of sashimi – salmon, maguro, hamachi, and hotate, among others – we’ve had in a while. And if you like your California-style rolls, the Yabai Maki of makisushi with a ebi fry (deep-fried shrimp) centre is lovely.

Oh yes, their Japanese Oyster comes big, plump and juicy too.

Yabai Izakaya - Japanese Oyster
That Japanese Oyster is massive.

Its kushiyaki and yakimono options are competent, but nothing really to shout home about. Instead opt for the Surume Ika Shogayaki (grilled squid) or Bifu Suteki with Butter Sauce, both of which pair well with beer or sake. Speaking of which, there’s a fairly small but well-curated range of sakes here. Or some Japanese whiskies by the bottle, if you’re looking to party that way.

What we do like is that Yabai Izakaya makes a great after-work watering hole. We can see ourselves ordering some otsumami or zensai snacks – and copious pints of Asahi Dry – while watching the passers-by along Boat Quay on one side, and the evening sun setting slowly over Singapore’s scenic river front on the other.


Yabai Izakaya

Address 57 Boat Quay, Singapore 049846 (Google Maps link)
Opening Hours 12pm to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 11pm daily
Tel (65) 9014 9447
Web www.yabai.com.sg
Facebook yabai.izakaya.sg
Instagram @yabai.izakaya.sg

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