Rakuichi Japanese Restaurant
What Makes Rakuichi Special
About Rakuichi
Rakuichi has been a fixture of the Dempsey Hill dining scene since 2005, making it one of the longest-running Japanese restaurants in this colonial enclave. While most of Dempsey's restaurants lean Western, Rakuichi has quietly earned its place as the go-to Japanese kitchen for residents of the Holland, Tanglin, and Bukit Timah areas.
The restaurant occupies a charming unit within a converted colonial barracks building at 10 Dempsey Road, surrounded by lush tropical greenery. The space is modern and warmly lit, with both indoor air-conditioned seating and a covered outdoor section. The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious.
The menu is comprehensive and genuinely varied. You will find fresh sashimi platters, a full range of nigiri and creative maki rolls (the signature Rakuichi roll features soft-shell crab and avocado topped with assorted sashimi), aburi sushi, and an extensive robatayaki section where skewered meats arrive on a charcoal grill at your table.
For drinks, Rakuichi offers an extensive selection of sake, shochu, Japanese whisky, and Japanese beers including Sapporo and Asahi on draft. The staff are knowledgeable about sake pairing and happy to make recommendations.
Recommended For
Menu Highlights
Prices are approximate and subject to change. Service charge and GST apply.
🐟 Sashimi & Sushi
| Sashimi Moriawase (assorted 5 kinds) | ~S$32 |
| Tokujou Sashimi (premium assorted) | ~S$55 |
| Aburi Sushi Assortment (flame-seared) | ~S$28 |
| Rakuichi Maki Roll (soft-shell crab, avocado, sashimi) | ~S$28 |
🔥 Sumiyaki Robatayaki (Charcoal Grill)
| Sumiyaki Moriawase (assorted skewer platter) | ~S$32 |
| Wagyu Beef Skewers | ~S$15 |
| Bacon-wrapped Enoki Mushroom | ~S$8 |
| Chicken Tsukune (minced chicken meatball) | ~S$7 |
🍱 Set Menus & Mains
| Iro-iro Lunch Set | ~S$38 |
| Soft-Shell Crab Karaage | ~S$18 |
| Breaded Oysters | ~S$16 |
| Assorted Tempura | ~S$22 |
🍶 Drinks
| Sake (by the glass) | from ~S$12 |
| Sake (by the bottle, 720ml) | from ~S$68 |
| Sapporo / Asahi Draft Beer | ~S$14 |
Photos
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Practical Information
Dietary Information
Location & How to Get There
10 Dempsey Road #01-22, Singapore 247700
Dempsey Hill dining enclave — converted colonial barracks surrounded by greenery. Best reached by car (free parking) or taxi/Grab.
📍 Open in Google MapsYour Dining Journey
What to expect when you dine at Rakuichi Dempsey.
Arrive at Dempsey
The drive to Dempsey Hill feels like leaving the city behind. Free parking along Dempsey Road — ample on weekday lunches, tighter on weekend evenings. Spot Rakuichi's signage at Block 10.
Start with Sashimi
Begin with raw fish. The Sashimi Moriawase arrives on a raised wooden platter with five types of fish. Fresh, generous cuts, meticulous presentation. The aburi sushi with flame-seared toppings is another excellent starter.
The Charcoal Grill Arrives
A small charcoal hibachi grill is placed on your table with assorted skewers — wagyu beef, chicken, pork belly, scallops, shiitake mushrooms. The smoky aroma and hands-on grilling turns dinner into a social experience. Pair with cold Sapporo draft or dry junmai sake.
Izakaya Sharing Plates
Round out the meal with shared izakaya plates. Soft-shell crab karaage, plump breaded oysters, bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms, and reliably crisp assorted tempura. The kind of comfort dishes that make you order one more round of sake.
Linger Over Sake
Dempsey is not a place you rush through. Linger with premium sake or Japanese whisky. The garden setting, warm lighting, and absence of CBD crowds invites you to slow down. This is what makes Rakuichi special.
Editor's Note
Rakuichi is one of those restaurants that rewards the journey. Dempsey Hill is out of the way, but that is exactly the point. The Sumiyaki Moriawase is a must-order for first-timers. For lunch, the set menus are excellent value. For dinner, bring friends, order the grill, share izakaya plates, and work through the sake list. Free parking is a genuine perk. Rakuichi has been at Dempsey since 2005 for a reason — consistent quality in a genuinely lovely environment.
About Dempsey Hill
Dempsey Hill is a dining and lifestyle precinct in former British military barracks from the early 1900s. Redeveloped in 2007, it houses 30+ restaurants in a garden-like atmosphere. Rakuichi and Ippoh Tempura Bar are the two Japanese restaurants in the enclave.