YAYOI Japanese Restaurant promises authentic teishoku dining right here in Singapore, but does it deliver on that promise? After sorting through photos from our recent Japan trip and missing those comforting teishoku meals we had in Hakuba, Nagano, we decided to put this place to the test.
What Makes Teishoku Special
Before diving into our YAYOI Japanese Restaurant experience, let’s talk about what makes teishoku so brilliant. Teishoku (定食) represents the heart of Japanese dining – a complete set meal featuring a main dish, rice, soup, pickles, and side dishes. This follows the traditional Ichiju-sansai concept, meaning “one soup, three dishes.”
What I absolutely love about teishoku is how it transforms a simple meal into something homely and balanced. You’re not just eating; you’re experiencing Japanese food culture in its purest form. Every element works together to create nutritional harmony whilst giving you that warm, home-cooked feeling.
Finding YAYOI Japanese Restaurant
YAYOI Japanese Restaurant operates six locations across Singapore. We visited their Waterway Point outlet, but you can also find them at:
- 100AM
- Star Vista
- United Square
- Northpoint City
- Pasir Ris Mall
Per their Facebook announcement, the Waterway Point location will cease operations on Monday, 14 July 2025.
The chain originates from Japan, which immediately caught our attention. Authenticity matters when you’re craving proper Japanese comfort food.
The Ordering Experience
Once seated at the restaurant, you order through a tablet system at your table. It’s straightforward and efficient – no waiting around for staff to take your order. You can make payment at the counter after your meal.
Here’s where things get interesting. Every teishoku order comes with unlimited refills of rice, salad, pickles, furikake, and miso soup. This generous policy makes the pricing incredibly attractive, especially for hearty eaters.
However, we noticed guests who hadn’t ordered teishoku sets helping themselves at the refills counter. Nobody was monitoring this.
The Free-Flow Station
The refills counter offers more than just basics. You’ll find spaghetti, kimchi, corn, kelp, cherry tomatoes, pickled vegetable, salad dressings, etc.
For miso soup refills, you need to ask staff for assistance, unlike the other items where self-service applies.
Check out their website to see the full menu.
What We Ordered
We started with drinks – Iced Houjicha ($2) and Iced Pure Matcha ($3). Both were unsweetened and refreshing.
Chicken Namban Teishoku ($17.90)
This featured chicken thigh chunks marinated in vinegar-infused namban sauce, topped with egg tartar. The chicken delivered on texture – crispy exterior with juicy meat inside. The egg tartar added welcome creaminess and richness.
The downside? The sauce was overwhelmingly sour. What should have been tangy became harsh, dominating every bite. This dish needs better balance.
Mix Toji Teishoku ($20.90)
This impressive set combined half pork cutlet, ebi fry, and sliced pork belly, all drenched in saucy beaten eggs with tofu, served on a hotplate.
The eggy sauce transformed plain rice into something special – rich, flavourful, and utterly satisfying. The pork cutlet was well-seasoned, whilst the sliced pork belly was super tender.
Unfortunately, the ebi fry suffered from sauce overload, becoming soggy rather than maintaining its crispy coating.
The Supporting Cast
Both sets included rice, side salads, and miso soup. The miso soup deserves special mention – perfectly balanced, not too salty. You can enhance it with kelp from the refills counter, which adds an authentic touch.
The unlimited rice policy is brilliant for serious rice eaters. The pickles and salads provide necessary palate cleansers between rich main dishes.
The Service Experience Gone Wrong
Service proved problematic during our visit. Despite ordering first, one set meal was seemingly served to another table by mistake. The confused staff member couldn’t determine serving priority, leading to unnecessary delays.
Payment presented another challenge. We stood at the counter waiting whilst no staff was visible, until someone emerged from the kitchen – presumably the manager.
This counter interaction was particularly disappointing. The staff member remained silent throughout the entire transaction. No greeting, no confirmation of our order, no payment method inquiry – just mechanical actions without basic courtesy.
The PayWave device appeared wordlessly, receipts were thrust forward without explanation, and we left without a single “thank you.” This level of service feels unacceptable, regardless of the restaurant’s casual positioning.
Is YAYOI Worth Your Money?
YAYOI Japanese Restaurant delivers reasonable value through its pricing and generous free-flow policy. The teishoku sets aren’t expensive by Singapore standards, and unlimited sides make them even more attractive.
For families or big eaters, this represents solid value. The variety of refillable items means you can customise your meal beyond the basic set components.
However, authenticity comes with caveats. Whilst the basic teishoku structure is correct, execution lacks the finesse you’d find in Japan. Think of it as Japanese comfort food adapted for local tastes and budgets.
Final Verdict
YAYOI Japanese Restaurant occupies an interesting middle ground. The food is average rather than spectacular, but prices remain accessible. The free-flow concept adds genuine value.
Unfortunately, poor service significantly impacts the overall experience. When staff interactions feel robotic and unwelcoming, it colours everything else about your visit.
We’d consider returning for the food value and unlimited sides, but only if service standards improve. Currently, the experience feels incomplete – good concept, reasonable execution, but lacking the warmth that makes dining memorable.