Tomi Sushi
What Makes Tomi Sushi Special
About Tomi Sushi
Tomi Sushi (富寿し) was born in Niigata Prefecture in 1954 — a region on the western coast of Japan's main island, facing the Sea of Japan, renowned for three things: the world's finest Koshihikari rice, exceptional sake, and abundant fresh seafood. Over more than half a century, Tomi Sushi has grown to 14 branches across Japan while maintaining the regional identity that made it special. The Singapore outlet at Velocity @ Novena Square brings this Niigata heritage to Southeast Asia, using the same Koshihikari rice and offering a curated selection of Niigata sake that most Japanese restaurants in Singapore do not carry.
The Novena outlet at #02-76/77 is tucked in a corner of Velocity, creating a surprisingly intimate space. The interior is designed in genuine Japanese style with warm wood tones and subtle lighting. There are two distinct seating areas: the sushi counter at the front, where you can sit and watch the chefs prepare each piece — the ideal spot for solo diners and sushi enthusiasts — and booth seating deeper inside for families, couples, and groups who prefer more privacy. The restaurant is directly connected to Novena MRT Station (NS20), making it one of the most accessible Japanese restaurants in the Novena area.
The menu reflects Tomi Sushi's Niigata roots. The sushi rice — Koshihikari from Niigata — has a distinctive sweetness and glossy texture that elevates every piece of nigiri. The set lunches are where the restaurant shines for value: comprehensive Japanese meals at prices competitive with casual chains, but with quality that sits firmly in the mid-to-upper range. The sake list features labels from Niigata's renowned breweries — crisp, clean, and perfectly suited to accompany sushi and sashimi. Tripadvisor rates the restaurant 4.0/5 based on 79 reviews, with particular praise for the freshness of the fish and the value of the set lunches. OpenTable rates it 4.2/5 from 19 diners. The restaurant has earned its reputation through consistency rather than hype.
Recommended For
Menu & Pricing
Set Lunch
| Sashimi Set Lunch — Fresh daily sashimi with rice, soup, sides ⭐ Regular Favourite | ~S$22–30 |
| Sushi Set Lunch — Assorted nigiri set with soup | ~S$20–28 |
| Chirashi Set — Assorted sashimi on Koshihikari rice | ~S$22–30 |
| Bento Set — Chef's combination bento box | ~S$25–35 |
Dinner & A La Carte
| Omakase Course — Chef's seasonal selection | from ~S$60++ |
| Sashimi Moriawase — Premium assorted platter | ~S$35–60++ |
| Nigiri Selection — Individual premium pieces | varies |
| Niigata Sake — Curated regional selection | from ~S$15/glass |
| Tempura & Grilled Dishes | ~S$15–25++ |
Budget Guide
Practical Information
Dietary Information
Not halal-certified. Menu centres on raw fish (sushi, sashimi) and may include pork-derived ingredients in some dishes. For halal Japanese near Novena: Yoshinoya (halal, multiple locations) or Sukiya (halal).
Photos
Photos loaded from Google Places. Click to enlarge.
Location
From Novena MRT (NS20): Walk through the mall connection into Velocity @ Novena Square. Tomi Sushi is at #02-76/77, Level 2. Under 3 minutes from MRT gates.
Your Dining Journey
The Niigata Counter
Sit at the sushi counter and you are sitting at a direct extension of a 70-year-old Niigata sushi tradition. The chefs work with quiet precision, shaping each piece of nigiri with Koshihikari rice that has a distinctive sweetness and glossy sheen. The counter is intimate — you can see every movement, every slice, every gentle press of fish onto rice. This is where Tomi Sushi is at its best.
Koshihikari — The Rice Difference
Take a bite of nigiri and focus on the rice. Koshihikari from Niigata has a sweetness, stickiness, and individual grain definition that cheaper rice simply cannot match. Each grain holds its shape while yielding gently to the bite. The vinegar seasoning is restrained — letting the natural sweetness of the rice complement the fish rather than compete with it. This is what separates Tomi Sushi from restaurants using generic sushi rice.
The Set Lunch — Daily Ritual
The set lunches are Tomi Sushi's best-kept value secret. For approximately S$20-30, you get a complete Japanese meal — sashimi or sushi, rice, miso soup, sides — prepared with the same Koshihikari rice and fresh fish as the dinner menu. Regular customers treat this as a daily ritual: same seat at the counter, same set lunch, same quiet satisfaction. The quality is consistent visit after visit.
Niigata Sake — Perfect Pairing
Niigata produces more sake than any other prefecture in Japan — the pristine snow-melt water from the mountains and cold climate create sake of exceptional clarity. Tomi Sushi's sake list features labels from Niigata's best breweries. The crisp, clean profile of Niigata sake pairs perfectly with sushi and sashimi — it cleanses the palate between pieces without overwhelming the delicate flavours of the fish.
Tomi Sushi is the Japanese restaurant at Novena that most people walk past without realising what they are missing. It does not have the hype of a new opening or the Instagram presence of trendier concepts — what it has is 70 years of Niigata sushi heritage, genuine Koshihikari rice, and a sake list that most Japanese restaurants in Singapore would envy. The set lunches are where the value is: a complete meal for S$20-30 with quality that sits above most casual chains. The sushi counter is the best seat — intimate, traditional, and the closest you will get to a Niigata sushi experience without flying there. Tripadvisor reviewers consistently praise the freshness and the set lunch value. For dinner, the omakase and premium sake pairings are worth exploring. This is a restaurant for people who care about rice as much as fish — and if you understand why Koshihikari matters, Tomi Sushi will reward you for it.