Sushi Ashino

Is Sushi Ashino worth booking in Singapore?

Yes — if omakase sushi at a serious, focused counter is what you are after, Sushi Ashino earns its place among Singapore's stronger Japanese options. Chef Taku Ashino has built a reputation precise enough to land on the Opinionated About Dining Leading Restaurants in Asia list two years running: a Highly Recommended nod in 2023 followed by a ranked #253 position in 2024. That upward trajectory matters. It signals a kitchen that is tightening, not coasting.

What to expect

Sushi Ashino sits at 8 Club St within ICON Hotel, a location that puts it in the heart of Singapore's Chinatown-adjacent dining corridor — easy to reach by MRT (Telok Ayer or Chinatown stations are both walkable) and direct to pair with a drink in the area before or after. The setting is not the draw; the fish is.

The format follows edomae tradition, where the sourcing logic is the menu. Omakase counters in this style live or die on the quality and provenance of their seafood, Ashino's OAD recognition suggests the sourcing discipline is there. Edomae technique, which historically prioritised fish aged, cured, or prepared to concentrate flavour rather than simply served raw, rewards diners who want to taste the craft in each piece, not just consume pristine fish. If you want theatrical plating or a wide-ranging multi-course tasting menu, look elsewhere. If you want to eat very good sushi prepared by someone who takes the rice and the cut seriously, this counter is worth your time.

For a special occasion dinner, this format works well for two: the counter setting creates a natural intimacy, omakase pacing removes the pressure of ordering decisions so conversation can flow. It is less suited to groups of four or more, where coordinating a shared omakase experience across a larger party can feel less personal. Solo diners, meanwhile, tend to thrive here, counter seats are a natural fit for eating alone with full attention on the meal.

Practical details

Service runs Tuesday through Friday for both lunch (12–2 pm) and dinner (6–10 pm), with Monday dinner-only (6–10 pm), Saturday as an extended single service (12–10 pm), and Sunday closed. Lunch slots are worth considering: omakase at lunch often carries the same sourcing standard at a more accessible price point than dinner, the room is quieter. For a business meal, lunch is the cleaner choice, in and out with time to spare. For a date or celebration, dinner carries more atmosphere.

Booking is rated Easy, which is a relative advantage in a city where comparable Japanese counters can require weeks of forward planning. That said, OAD recognition in 2024 will have sharpened demand, booking 1–2 weeks ahead for dinner and a few days for lunch is a sensible precaution rather than a guarantee of walk-in availability. The venue is at #01-12/13, so confirm the unit number when navigating to the hotel address.

Price range data is not currently in our system for Sushi Ashino. For context, Singapore omakase counters at this recognition level typically sit in the $$–$$$ range at lunch and $$$ at dinner. Verify current pricing directly when booking.

How it compares to other sushi in Singapore

Singapore's Japanese counter scene has genuine depth. Shoukouwa holds two Michelin stars and remains the city's reference point for high-end edomae sushi, but booking is harder and the price is higher. Hamamoto and Sushi Ichi compete in a similar tier. Sushi Sakuta and Sushi Hare are worth knowing if you want alternatives at varying price points. Ashino's OAD ranking places it in credible company regionally, for broader Asian omakase context, counters like Sushi Shikon in Hong Kong and Harutaka in Tokyo set the ceiling of what the format can deliver, while Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongiten and Sushi Kanesaka represent the Tokyo edomae standard Ashino is working within. If you are visiting from outside Asia and want a benchmark for comparison, Sushi Sho in New York City and HANE in Seoul sit in a similar register to what Ashino is doing in Singapore.

For broader Singapore planning, see our full Singapore restaurants guide, hotels guide, bars guide, wineries guide, and experiences guide. You can also explore comparable omakase work at Sushi Harasho in Osaka and Edomae Sushi Hanabusa in Tokyo for a sense of where the regional craft sits.