Tori-Q at Junction 8 Bishan
What Makes Tori-Q Special
About Tori-Q at Junction 8 Bishan
Tori-Q at Junction 8 is tucked away at #B1-25 in the basement — a compact kiosk-style outlet with a glass-fronted kitchen where you can watch the yakitori being grilled in real time. The name Tori-Q comes from "Yakitori" (焼き鳥, grilled bird) and "BBQ" — and the concept is exactly that: Japanese-style grilled chicken skewers, served as quick, affordable bento meals or individual sticks. Founded in 2000 by Yohei Takeda, a Japanese national who first came to Singapore in 1994 with a takoyaki stand, Tori-Q has grown to 22 outlets across the island, making it Singapore's most widespread dedicated yakitori chain. The brand operates its own central kitchen where all products are prepared daily, ensuring freshness and consistency across every outlet.
The menu is focused and efficient. Yakitori sticks are the core: chicken thigh, chicken skin, chicken meatball (tsukune), pork belly, and aribiki sausage. Each stick is grilled with Tori-Q's proprietary tare sauce — a sweet-savoury glaze that takes approximately 30 hours to prepare. The bento sets are the best sellers: Set A (S$5.80) has 4 sticks on rice; Set B and C offer different combinations with additional items. Curry sets are also available for those wanting something different. Fried items include chicken karaage and croquettes. The outlet has limited seating (about 15 seats) — many customers opt for takeaway, which is packaged in convenient bento boxes perfect for eating at the office, school, or on the go.
Recommended For
Menu Highlights
Before GST. Subject to change.
| Bento Set A (2 chicken + 1 pork + 1 meatball + rice) | S$5.80 |
| Bento Set B (with sausage) | S$6.50 |
| Bento Set C (premium) | S$7.50 |
| Chicken Yakitori Stick | S$1.50 |
| Tsukune (Chicken Meatball) Stick | S$1.50 |
| Pork Belly Stick | S$1.80 |
| Curry Rice Set | S$6.90 |
| Karaage (Fried Chicken) | S$4.50 |
| Miso Soup (add-on) | S$1.00 |
| Mayo (add-on) | S$0.30 |
Practical Info
- Daily: 10:30am–9:30pm
Dietary Info
Not halal. Halal Japanese at Junction 8: Milan Shokudo (☪️ JFH halal-certified).
The Tori-Q Experience
Find Tori-Q in B1
Bishan MRT into Junction 8 basement. Tori-Q is at #B1-25 — look for the glass-fronted kitchen with yakitori skewers visible on the grill. The outlet is compact with a small counter and about 15 seats. During lunch rush (12-1:30pm), there is often a queue of 5-10 minutes, but it moves fast because the food is mostly pre-prepared and just needs final grilling.
Order Your Bento
The menu is displayed above the counter with clear photos. For first-timers: Bento Set A (S$5.80) is the essential starting point — 4 yakitori sticks on rice with seaweed and pickles. It is a complete, satisfying meal. Add miso soup (S$1) for the full experience. Want more variety? Set B and C offer different stick combinations. Individual sticks (S$1.50-1.80 each) can be added à la carte. The curry rice set (S$6.90) is a good alternative if you want something different from yakitori.
Watch the Grilling
Through the glass kitchen, you can watch the yakitori being finished on the grill. The proprietary tare sauce — a sweet, glossy soy-based glaze — is applied in the final step, giving each stick its signature caramelised shine. The aroma of charred chicken and sweet tare is one of the most appetising smells in Junction 8's basement. The sticks are grilled fresh throughout the day, with the busiest preparation happening just before the lunch and dinner rushes.
Eat or Take Away
With only about 15 seats, many regulars opt for takeaway. The bento boxes are neatly packaged and portable — perfect for eating at the office, in school, or on a park bench at the Junction 8 rooftop garden. The yakitori stays warm and flavourful for about 30 minutes after purchase, so eat relatively soon. For dine-in: the compact seating area is functional but not luxurious. Average total spend: S$6-8 for a bento set with soup, making it one of the cheapest Japanese meals in all of Bishan.
Yakitori: Japan's Ultimate Street Food
Yakitori (焼き鳥, literally "grilled bird") is one of Japan's most ancient and beloved street foods. The tradition of grilling small pieces of chicken on bamboo skewers over charcoal dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868). In Japan, yakitori is ubiquitous — found at dedicated yakitori-ya (焼き鳥屋) restaurants, at street stalls near train stations, under the railway arches (gado-shita) of Tokyo, and at festivals. The key to great yakitori is the tare (タレ) — a proprietary sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar, simmered and aged over time. Each yakitori restaurant guards its tare recipe closely. The best tare sauces have been continuously replenished and aged for decades, developing complex depth.
Tori-Q brings this tradition to Singapore in an accessible, fast-casual format. Founder Yohei Takeda's journey from a Clarke Quay takoyaki stand in 1994 to Singapore's largest yakitori chain is a testament to the universal appeal of well-made Japanese street food. While Tori-Q's format is more quick-service than a traditional yakitori-ya (where you would sit at a counter watching a master griller work over binchotan charcoal), the core philosophy is the same: fresh ingredients, proprietary tare, and careful grilling. The use of a Japanese auto-rolling machine for the initial cook, followed by hand-grilling for the finish, achieves a consistency that would be difficult with purely manual methods at scale. For Bishan's students and commuters, Tori-Q represents the most authentic and affordable way to experience Japanese yakitori culture without visiting a full-service izakaya.
Editor's Note
Tori-Q at Junction 8 is the hidden gem of Bishan's Japanese food scene — hiding in the basement while the flashier restaurants occupy Level 1. At S$5.80 for a complete bento set, it is objectively the cheapest complete Japanese meal in Junction 8 (cheaper than even MOS Burger sets). The yakitori itself is well-executed: the chicken is juicy, the tare sauce has genuine depth, and the hand-grilling finish adds a satisfying char. The tsukune (meatball) is particularly good — moist and well-seasoned. Where it shines: value, authenticity of technique, and convenience (basement location, quick service, perfect for takeaway). Where it's limited: the seating is cramped, the menu is narrow (yakitori or curry, not much else), and the outlet can feel like a food court kiosk rather than a restaurant. But that misses what Tori-Q is: it's Japanese street food done right, at street food prices, in a mall basement. For students, commuters, and budget-conscious Japanese food lovers — Tori-Q is the unsung hero of Junction 8.
Compare: Japanese at Junction 8
| Restaurant | Price | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tori-Q | S$5.80–8 | Yakitori Bento | Cheapest · Students · Takeaway |
| Yakiniku Like | S$8.80–18 | Solo BBQ | Solo · BBQ · Grill |
| MOS Burger | S$8–14 | Japanese Burger | Quick · Kids |
| Genki Sushi | S$15–25 | BYOD Sushi | Sushi · Families |
| Milan Shokudo ☪️ | S$8–15 | ☪️ Halal Fusion | ☪️ Halal |
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