Tajimaya Yakiniku
What Makes Tajimaya Yakiniku Special
About Tajimaya Yakiniku
Yakiniku — the Japanese art of grilling meat over charcoal — is one of dining's most primal pleasures. It is also one of its most social: the act of gathering around a grill, selecting cuts of marbled beef, watching them sizzle and caramelise, and sharing them immediately with the people around your table. Tajimaya Yakiniku at VivoCity brings this experience to its fullest expression in Singapore. The restaurant occupies a spacious double-unit on Level 1 (#01-102/103) with direct views of the Sentosa Island waterfront — a setting that transforms a meal into an event. The interior combines traditional Japanese wooden elements with contemporary design, creating an atmosphere that is upscale without being stuffy. Each table is equipped with its own charcoal grill and a high-performance exhaust system that removes smoke without removing the distinctive charcoal aroma that defines yakiniku.
The centrepiece of Tajimaya's offering is the Premium Wagyu Buffet — an all-you-can-eat feast that runs for 100 minutes and includes a staggering range of meats, seafood, and accompaniments. The star is the Australian Wagyu, available in multiple cuts from short plate and ribs to striploin. The marbling is genuine — you can see the fat threads running through each slice — and when grilled over charcoal to medium-rare, the beef melts with a richness that gas-grilled meat simply cannot replicate. Beyond Wagyu, the buffet includes US Angus beef, Kurobuta pork (the prized Berkshire breed known for its sweetness and tender texture), chicken, seafood including tiger prawns, and a selection of sashimi. There are also salads, rice dishes including donburi options, and desserts. The lunch buffet is priced at S$59.90++ per adult, dinner at S$69.90++, with an additional S$3 per person on Fridays, Sundays, public holidays, and their eves. Children aged 5–10 receive reduced rates.
Tajimaya is part of the Creative Eateries group, which also operates Suki-Ya KIN (premium shabu shabu, located adjacent to Tajimaya at VivoCity) and MASH (a casual dining concept). The group has a strong reputation for Japanese dining experiences in Singapore, and the quality control across their outlets is consistent. A second Tajimaya outlet operates at Great World (#B1-115), offering the same menu and experience. The VivoCity outlet is the more popular of the two, largely due to the Sentosa waterfront views — particularly impressive during sunset dinner services when the sky lights up in oranges and pinks behind the island.
Recommended For
Menu & Pricing
Premium Wagyu Buffet (100 min, all-you-can-eat)
| Lunch Buffet — Mon–Thu | S$59.90++/pax |
| Dinner Buffet — Mon–Thu | S$69.90++/pax |
| Fri / Sun / PH / Eve surcharge | +S$3/pax |
| Children 5–10 years | Reduced rates |
Buffet Includes
| Australian Wagyu — Short plate, ribs, striploin, multiple cuts | Included |
| US Angus Beef — Loin, sirloin cuts | Included |
| Kurobuta Pork — Premium Berkshire pork | Included |
| Seafood — Tiger prawns, squid, scallops | Included |
| Sashimi — Tuna, salmon selection | Included |
| Sides — Salad, rice, donburi, soup, desserts | Included |
A La Carte Highlights
| Miyazaki Wagyu A4/A5 — Premium Japanese Wagyu cuts | Market price |
| Premium Sake & Shochu — Curated Japanese alcohol selection | from S$14++ |
Budget Guide
Practical Information
Dietary Information
Not halal-certified. The buffet includes Kurobuta pork as a standard item. Beef, chicken, and seafood are also available within the buffet. For halal yakiniku/BBQ alternatives at VivoCity, consider Suki-Ya KIN (adjacent, halal-certified shabu shabu buffet) which offers a similar all-you-can-eat Japanese dining experience.
Photos
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Location
From HarbourFront MRT: Take escalator to VivoCity Level 1. Walk towards the Sentosa-facing side of the mall — Tajimaya is at #01-102/103 with waterfront views. Look for the warm wooden Japanese interior. About 5 min from MRT gates. Alternatively, enter from the Sentosa Boardwalk side.
Your Dining Journey
The View Greets You First
Walking into Tajimaya, the first thing that strikes you is the view. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Sentosa Island and the waterfront — at sunset, the sky turns into a canvas of warm colours behind the island. Request a window seat when booking. The interior is spacious, with traditional Japanese wooden elements and modern clean lines. Each table has its own charcoal grill recessed into the surface, with the smokeless exhaust system quietly humming above.
The Charcoal Arrives — Your Grill is Lit
Staff bring a tray of glowing Japanese charcoal and set it into your table grill. The heat is immediate and intense. They place the wire mesh on top and your grilling surface is ready. The charcoal glow beneath the mesh is mesmerising — it radiates a steady, even heat that is fundamentally different from gas plates. This is the real thing.
The Wagyu Arrives — Marbling on Display
The first plates of meat arrive: thin slices of Australian Wagyu short plate and ribs, their marbling clearly visible — white fat threads running through pink-red flesh. Place them on the grill and watch the fat begin to melt and sizzle almost immediately. The aroma of beef fat hitting charcoal is intoxicating. Grill to medium-rare — about 30 seconds per side for thin slices — and dip into tare sauce (soy-based with vinegar and lemon) or season with the house salt mix. The Wagyu short ribs are the crowd favourite: tender, buttery, and deeply beefy.
Beyond Beef — The Full Spread
Do not fill up on Wagyu alone — the Kurobuta pork is exceptional, with a sweetness and tenderness that cheap pork cannot match. The tiger prawns grill beautifully over charcoal. Pace yourself: 100 minutes is generous but goes faster than you think. Order sashimi early as a palate cleanser between grilling rounds. Save room for the garlic fried rice — a yakiniku tradition that rounds out the meal perfectly.
Tajimaya is the premium yakiniku experience at VivoCity, and it delivers. The charcoal grill is genuine — not a gas imitation — and the difference in flavour is noticeable from the first slice of Wagyu. The buffet pricing (S$59.90++ lunch, S$69.90++ dinner) lands in the sweet spot: expensive enough to maintain quality, affordable enough for a special-occasion treat. After tax and service, expect to pay about S$72 for lunch or S$84 for dinner per person — competitive for unlimited Wagyu in Singapore. The Sentosa views elevate dinner from a meal to an experience, especially at sunset. Staff are attentive about changing grill meshes and maintaining charcoal — a detail that matters more than most diners realise. Strategy: book a window seat for dinner, arrive when it opens at 5pm for the best sunset timing. Start with sashimi, then Wagyu short ribs and Kurobuta, pace your ordering, and finish with garlic fried rice. The private dining rooms are excellent for birthdays and celebrations — book at least a week ahead for weekends. One caveat: the 100-minute limit is firm. The staff give warnings at 80 and 90 minutes. Do not waste time on cheap fillers — go straight for the premium cuts.