Japanese food at Tanjong Pagar Centre

Have your fill of breaded, deep-fried meats at Imakatsu's Tanjong Pagar Centre outlet. The restaurant specialises in tonkatsu, and uses pork loin shipped in regularly from Kagoshima prefecture to create its cutlets. Choose from the premium pork loin cutlet ($18.80) or the premium pork fillet cutlet ($19.80). Those who love pollock roe can opt for the premium mentaiko pork loin cutlet ($21.80) where a generous serving of mentaiko is layered over the tonkatsu. But it's not all pork on the menu – the restaurant's speciality is the sasami-katsu, pieces of tender and juicy breaded chicken fillets ($7.80/two, $9.80/three, $14.80/lunch set). As with most tonkatsu restaurants, you'll also get free flow cabbage and a choice of dipping sauces to go with your deep-fried cutlets.

Head to this train-themed multi-concept store for a slice of Japan. The space houses a rail pass counter where you can by train tickets for the JR lines, a retail space for train-themed paraphernalia, and a café serving Japanese and Western-styled Japanese dishes. For heartier meals, try The Ultimate A.B.C. burger ($22), or the Watashino curry rice ($18) that's customisable with your choice of crispy chicken cutlet, stir-fry pork or fried oysters, and three sides to choose from. Healthier options include the Kaisen avocado don ($18), a mix of salmon sashimi, Aomori scallops and avocado. Pour in the dashi stock to turn your donburi into ochazuke. Also, look out for the special menu that showcases food from a selected prefecture every month.

With Azuma Sushi’s large selection of Japanese food, you’ll want to head there with a bunch of friends. Its menu is comprehensive and covers the usual offerings from sushi rolls to donburi. Salmon lovers, try the Salmon Mentai Island roll ($13.80) and the generously portioned Hokkaido don ($31.80). For those looking to chow down on more than just raw fish, order the soft shell crab karaage salad ($10.80) or the umami-loaded butter clams ($4.80).

Kuro Maguro prides itself on serving the freshest maguro from trawler straight to your bowl – after all, its parent company Misaki Megumi Suisan is a wholesaler of maguro and other types of sashimi in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Kuro Maguro specialises in bluefin tuna and only those that weigh a minimum of 280kg make the cut. Choose from 18 donburi options which range from marbled tuna belly ($39.90), salmon chunks and roe ($22.90) and flame-seared salmon ($24.90). Can’t decide? Get the classic bara chirashi ($18.90) for an assortment of cubed sashimi.

Hattendo's legendary cream buns (one/$2.50, five/$12.50) – in five flavours including custard, whipped cream, matcha, azuki beans and chocolate – are now available in Singapore. The soft, fluffy buns might look like choux pastry, but tear into them and you'll find that it's similar in texture to bread. Savour the generous serving of chilled cream, piped into the bun – the custard-flavoured one is delightfully eggy while the matcha-flavoured one is light with a subtle bitterness from the matcha.