Torimaro
What Makes Torimaro Special
About Torimaro
Torimaro — formally known as Charcoal Grill & Sake TORIMARO 炉端焼と酒 鳥麿 — is a hidden izakaya gem tucked away on the ground floor of Novena Regency at 275 Thomson Road. Originally located in the CBD at Capital Square, the restaurant relocated to this quieter Novena address and has since built a devoted following among Japanese food enthusiasts who appreciate authentic, artisan-level yakitori in an intimate setting. The restaurant is helmed by a team of Japanese chefs who previously worked at Sabar Singapore and other respected Japanese establishments, bringing genuine craft and deep knowledge of yakitori technique to every skewer that leaves the charcoal grill.
The omakase experience (from S$80 per person) is the recommended way to dine at Torimaro. The multi-course meal begins with appetisers, moves through a curated selection of yakitori skewers showcasing different parts of the chicken — neck, thigh, heart, tail, wings, and more — each grilled with precision over charcoal and seasoned with either salt or the house tare sauce. The menu shifts based on what is freshest and available, meaning no two omakase experiences are identical. For à la carte diners, individual skewers are available from approximately S$3-10 each, alongside robatayaki (charcoal-grilled items served from a counter display), salads, cold dishes, and rice/noodle options. The jumbo chicken thigh with leek (negima) at S$10 is a crowd favourite — a single skewer large enough to share. The chicken heart, grilled to a perfect char with a pink, juicy centre, is the item that separates Torimaro from ordinary yakitori bars. The chicken sukiyaki is a comforting, soulful pot that rounds out the meal beautifully.
Recommended For
Menu & Pricing
Yakitori Skewers (A La Carte)
| Jumbo Chicken Thigh w Leek (Negima) ⭐ | ~S$10 |
| Chicken Heart — Perfect char, pink centre | ~S$4 |
| Chicken Tail — Rich, fatty, intense | ~S$4 |
| Tsukune — Handmade chicken meatball | ~S$5 |
| Chicken Neck — Chewy, flavourful | ~S$3.50 |
| Various vegetable & seafood skewers | ~S$3–8 |
Omakase
| Chicken Yakitori Omakase — Multi-course: appetisers, assorted skewers, mains, dessert ⭐ Recommended | from S$80 |
Other Dishes
| Chicken Sukiyaki — Comforting hot pot | ~S$25 |
| Salads & Cold Dishes | ~S$8–15 |
| Rice & Noodle Dishes | ~S$10–15 |
Drinks
| Premium Sake — Curated selection | from ~S$12 |
| Yebisu Beer (Draft) | ~S$10 |
| Lemon Sour / Highball — House-made, strong | ~S$10 |
Budget Guide
Practical Information
Dietary Information
Not halal-certified. Menu is primarily chicken-based yakitori. Some items may contain pork. Alcohol served. For halal Japanese nearby: Yoshinoya or Sukiya (halal, various locations).
Photos
Photos loaded from Google Places. Click to enlarge.
Location
From Novena MRT (NS20): Walk along Thomson Road towards Novena Regency (~5-7 min). The restaurant is on the ground floor at #01-08 — look for the warm izakaya lighting. It is deliberately tucked away from the main mall traffic.
Your Dining Journey
Finding the Hidden Gem
Novena Regency is a quiet mixed-development building that most people walk past. Torimaro is tucked away on the ground floor, announced only by a subtle entrance and the warm glow of izakaya lighting. Step inside and the bustle of Thomson Road disappears. The space is small, intimate, and unmistakably Japanese — wooden counter, dim warm lights, the scent of charcoal permeating everything.
The Charcoal Grill — Watching Masters Work
The Japanese chefs work behind the charcoal grill with quiet, focused precision. Each skewer is positioned with care — the distance from the coals, the angle, the rotation timing — all calibrated from years of experience. The chicken heart skewer arrives with a perfect char on the outside and a pink, juicy centre inside. The negima (chicken thigh with leek) is jumbo-sized and split between diners. The tsukune is handmade with visible texture, not the factory-smooth meatball you find elsewhere.
The Omakase — Trust the Chef
The chicken omakase (from S$80) is where Torimaro truly shines. The chef guides you through the different parts of the chicken — each prepared to highlight its unique texture and flavour. The neck is chewy and intensely flavoured. The tail is rich and fatty. The heart is perfectly charred. Between the skewers, appetisers and side dishes provide contrast and palate cleansing. The meal builds in intensity and complexity, ending with a comforting rice or noodle dish and dessert. It is a masterclass in yakitori that justifies the price.
Sake & Lemon Sour — Strong Pours
The drinks at Torimaro are not for the timid. The lemon sour is house-made and poured strong — reviewers consistently note that the alcohol content is generous. The sake selection is curated for yakitori pairing — crisp, clean varieties that cleanse the palate between rich, charcoal-grilled bites. Yebisu beer on draft is the safe choice. For non-drinkers, ask for soft drinks or tea.
Torimaro is the Novena izakaya that serious yakitori lovers need to know about. It is not on the main road, it is not in a mall, and it does not advertise heavily — it relies entirely on word of mouth and the quality of its charcoal-grilled craft. The Japanese chef team brings genuine expertise: the chicken heart with its perfect char and pink centre, the jumbo negima that is almost a meal in itself, the handmade tsukune with real texture — these are not items you find at chain yakitori bars. The omakase at S$80 is the way to go for a first visit: let the chef show you the full range of what yakitori can be. The sake pours are generous (sometimes alarmingly so). The atmosphere is intimate, warm, and authentically izakaya. TimeOut Singapore featured it as a hidden gem — and that description is accurate. Come for date night, come for a special occasion with friends, or come solo and sit at the counter. Book ahead — the space is small and fills quickly on weekends.