Great, affordable neighborhood sushi at Tomi Sushi, Novena Square, Singapore
On any given day, if you were to ask my lovely wife S want she’d like to eat, nine out of ten times she’ll answer, “sushi”. Sushi is, without a doubt, her favorite food. Her favorite sushi place of all time is Sushi Sho, in Tokyo. Sadly, there is no place in Singapore that even comes close to serving the kind of super-exquisite and super-umami sushi served by Keiji Nakazawa. That said, there are some rather chic places here that do serve some high quality fish, but most of those, we have realized over the years, are rather overpriced (for what you get). They are also not the kinds of places you frequent on a weekly basis — which is how often S wishes she could indulge in her favorite food. Fortunately, we have discovered, in our neighbourhood, a place that, while very modest and mass-market in appearances, does serve some really high quality sushi, at also very moderate prices.
I have to admit that the first few times we spotted Tomi Sushi in Novena Square, we walked right on by. At first glance, it looks like a quick service family restaurant, which it is and it isn’t. It is a family place, evidenced by all the families dining there on weekends. But the quality of the food is definitely not what you’d expect from most QSRs or chain restaurants. It is much, much better. Given also that at least half the families dining there on the times we’ve gone have always been Japanese, we know that the restaurant serves authentic-enough fare.
Tomi Sushi was founded in Niigata in 1954. They have 14 branches in Japan and two here in Singapore. The menu is predominantly devoted to sushi, but some cooked food is available. They offer a wide range of set lunches and dinners, all of them, once you analyze what’s being offered, great value-for-money. They also offer seasonal and other occasional promotions. During August for example, they had put together a menu of tuna dishes, all of them priced incredibly reasonably considering the different cuts of tuna (including otoro and chutoro) being served.
When we go, we often order one of the sashimi platters for two and then add a few rolls or cooked items. One of my favorites from the cooked food list is the ebi mental mayo, delicious little shrimp fried and coated in a rich mayo-spicy cod roe sauce. We also often order some of the sushi or chirashi sets, all of which are great deals.
Being from Niigata, known as one of Japan’s top rice regions, the rice used, Koshihikari from Niigata, is excellent. As is the sake menu, which I have had the pleasure of working my way through over the past few months. The soy sauce is also of high quality, again of much better quality than what I’d expected. There is one soy recommended for sushi and another for sashimi.
Tomi Sushi is a great everyday (or every week) sushi restaurant. It may be too bright and both a tad clinical and mass-markety in atmosphere, but you know, given the quality and the prices, I don’t really care anymore. I’m just happy to have found such a great place only minutes away from my home.
TOMI SUSHI
238 Thomson Road♯02-76/77
Novena Square (Velocity)
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 6255-2355
Opening Hours:
11:30-15:00 17:30-22:00
Open 7 days a week except Chinese New Year
About Aun Koh
Aun has always loved food and travel, passions passed down to him from his parents. This foundation, plus a background in media, pushed him to start Chubby Hubby in 2005. He loves that this site allows him to write about the things he adores--food, style, travel, his wife and his three kids!
Thank you so much for this post. I have walked past this place twice and each time was put off by the characterless look of the place. What you have said about the food is enough to want to make me try it and I’m sure, for me, too, taste will trump ambience. I believe there’s one in Millennia walk so I might try that as it’s closer to me. Thanks again for helping me to be more open-minded 🙂
Mahita, I hope you do go. You won’t be disappointed. 🙂
We had lunch there this afternoon. Lived fully up to expectations. The sushi and sashimi is of a much higher standard than you’d expect from the usual chain restaurants. It is a bit pricey but well worth trying. I evenliked the bright sun lit interior. Novena velocity always was a bit of a pass for me as a destination but this changes all. Btw Singapore seems to be in some kind of japanese food renaissance period. Looking forward to the next recommendation.
Hi V, glad to hear you had a good meal there. The set lunches are especially good deals.