Age Ya - Hidden Japanese Tempura & Chirashi Gem at Far East Plaza

Tucked away on the 5th floor of Far East Plaza, Age Ya (楊屋) is one of those under-the-radar Japanese spots that serious food lovers swear by. While most people walk past this unassuming eatery hunting for tailors and beauty salons, those in the know stop here for some of Singapore's best chirashi and tempura at surprisingly reasonable prices.

Age Ya isn't your typical Japanese restaurant. Behind the modest counter, you'll find Chef Kevin Wee, formerly from the acclaimed Kaunta and the mastermind behind now-defunct gems like House of Chirashi and Chirashi Sora. This pedigree shows in every carefully crafted dish that comes out of their tiny kitchen.

The restaurant operates with just two chefs and one wait staff, creating an intimate omakase-like experience where you can watch the masters at work. Despite the limited manpower, the quality never wavers – though you might need to exercise some patience during peak hours.

Hana Bara Don ($22)

The star of the show comes beautifully presented in a two-tier wooden lunch box. The top layer features assorted cubes of sashimi (salmon, tuna, amberjack) garnished with ikura, tobiko, edible flowers, and savory pink kamaboko. What sets this apart is the bottom layer – not plain rice, but fragrant shiitake rice mixed with cucumber, tempura bits, burdock root, and takuan. The different textures and umami elements create a symphony in your mouth.

For those wanting more heat, there's the Spicy Hana Bara ($25) and the indulgent Premium Hana Bara ($38).

Kaisen Don ($30) & Aburi Kaisen Don ($35)

If you prefer whole slices over cubed sashimi, these generous bowls deliver. The flame-torched Aburi version features swordfish, salmon, salmon belly, amberjack, engawa, and ebi mentai. The mentaiko mayo here is notably generous – perfect for mentai lovers.

Tempura Selection

The tempura here showcases textbook technique. The batter is light, airy, and crispy without being greasy. The ebi (shrimp) is naturally sweet and never mushy, while vegetables like lotus root, pumpkin, and eggplant retain their distinct flavors.

All donburi and tendon orders come with complimentary miso soup that's loaded with salmon bits and kelp – a nice touch that shows attention to detail.

Age Ya fills a unique niche in Singapore's Japanese food scene. It's not trying to be the fanciest omakase or the cheapest kaiten sushi. Instead, it occupies that sweet spot of exceptional quality at fair prices, helmed by a chef who clearly knows his craft.

The limited seating and wait times are small prices to pay for food that rivals much pricier establishments. This is the kind of place that builds a cult following – and once word spreads further, good luck getting a table.

Address: Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road, #05-99, Singapore 228213

Phone: +65 9711 5750

Opening Hours:

Instagram: @ageya.sg

Reservations: WhatsApp only (no phone bookings), maximum 5 people, held for 10 minutes only

Getting There:

Average Spend: $21-30 per person