Highlights
About
Yakiniku Like (焼肉ライク) is a revolutionary Japanese yakiniku concept that made solo grilled-meat dining not just acceptable but desirable. Founded in Tokyo in 2018 by Yuji Arimoto, the concept was born from a simple insight: many people love yakiniku but feel awkward dining alone at traditional yakiniku restaurants designed for groups. Yakiniku Like solved this with individual smokeless grills at counter seats — you sit down, order a set, and grill your own meat at your personal station. No sharing required, no social pressure. In Singapore, all outlets are MUIS halal-certified, making this one of the only places where Muslim diners can enjoy an authentic Japanese yakiniku experience.
The Compass One outlet brings this concept to Sengkang's predominantly young, family-oriented community. The format is fast-casual: order at the counter via touchscreen, take your seat, receive your raw meat set within 2 minutes, and start grilling. Each seat has its own smokeless grill with built-in ventilation — no lingering BBQ smell on your clothes. Average dining time is just 15–20 minutes, making it feasible for a quick lunch break or a pre-movie dinner. Sets start from S$9.80 for chicken, with premium beef sets reaching S$18–20.
The halal certification is transformative. Traditional yakiniku in Japan and Singapore almost always involves pork, pork-based marinades, or alcohol in sauces — making it off-limits for Muslim diners. Yakiniku Like strips all of that out: the meat is sourced exclusively from halal-certified suppliers, no pork or lard is used anywhere in the kitchen, and no alcohol appears in any sauce or marinade. The result is a 100% halal yakiniku experience that does not compromise on the essential Japanese grilled-meat experience — the tare (dipping sauce), the quality of the beef, and the joy of grilling your own food. For the significant Muslim community in Sengkang and Punggol, this is genuinely meaningful.
Recommended For
Menu & Pricing
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Karubi Set (Beef Short Rib) 100g marinated beef short rib with rice, salad, soup | S$12.80 | Bestseller |
| Mixed Grill Set Beef karubi + chicken thigh + lamb shoulder with rice | S$14.80 | Best of all |
| Chicken Thigh Set 150g marinated chicken thigh with rice, salad, soup | S$9.80 | Budget |
| Premium Wagyu Set Premium wagyu beef slices with rice, salad, soup, egg | S$19.80 | Premium |
| Lamb Shoulder Set 100g seasoned lamb shoulder with rice and sides | S$11.80 | |
| Double Karubi Set 200g beef short rib — double portion for big appetites | S$16.80 | Big appetite |
| Spicy Chicken Set Spicy-marinated chicken thigh with rice | S$10.80 | Spicy |
* Prices subject to GST. Menu may vary.
Practical Info
Dietary Info
Your Visit
How Solo Yakiniku Works
Order at the touchscreen counter — browse sets with photos and prices. Take your numbered seat. Within 2 minutes, your raw meat set arrives with rice, salad, and miso soup. Your personal smokeless grill is already heated. Place the meat on the grill — thin slices cook in 30–60 seconds per side. Dip in the provided tare (soy-based dipping sauce) or sprinkle with the salt and lemon on the table. The grill is smokeless with built-in ventilation: your clothes will not smell like BBQ when you leave.
Grilling Tips
Do not overcrowd the grill — place 2–3 slices at a time for even cooking. The Karubi (short rib) needs just 30 seconds per side for medium-rare; 45 seconds for medium. Chicken needs 60 seconds per side — cook thoroughly. Lamb shoulder benefits from slightly longer cooking with a pinch of the cumin salt. For maximum flavour: grill first, then dip in tare (not the other way around). Alternate between the soy tare and the citrus salt for flavour variety.
Best Value Strategy
The Chicken Thigh Set (S$9.80) is the most affordable way in. For the best overall experience, the Mixed Grill Set (S$14.80) gives you beef, chicken, and lamb — try all three meats. Hungry? The Double Karubi Set (S$16.80) delivers 200g of beef. All sets include rice, salad, and soup — you do not need to order sides separately. Add a soft drink or iced tea for S$2–3 if needed. A satisfying solo meal: S$10–15 total.
Halal Yakiniku: What It Means
Yakiniku Like's halal certification means every aspect of the supply chain and kitchen operation meets MUIS standards. All beef, chicken, and lamb comes from halal-certified slaughterhouses. No pork products are stored or prepared anywhere in the kitchen. No alcohol is used in any sauce, marinade, or cleaning product. The grills are dedicated to halal use only. This is not a "Muslim-friendly" approximation — it is full MUIS certification, the gold standard in Singapore. Muslim diners can eat here with complete confidence.
Photos
Map
Editor's Note
Yakiniku Like is one of the most important additions to Sengkang's Japanese dining scene — not because the food is the most refined, but because the concept solves a real problem. Solo yakiniku was simply not possible in Singapore before this chain arrived: traditional yakiniku restaurants require groups, big tables, and big budgets. Yakiniku Like gives you the genuine Japanese grilled-meat experience — quality meat, proper tare, real tabletop grilling — in a format that takes 15 minutes and costs under S$15. The halal certification elevates this further: Muslim residents of Sengkang and Punggol now have access to an authentic Japanese BBQ experience that was previously entirely unavailable to them. At S$9.80 for a chicken set, this is accessible to virtually everyone.
Compare: Halal Japanese Grill & Meat
| Restaurant | Price/Pax | Specialty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakiniku Like ☪️ | S$9–20 | Solo yakiniku grill | Solo diners, quick |
| Yoshinoya ☪️ | S$5–12 | Gyudon (no grilling) | Ultra-budget |
| Pepper Lunch | S$10–22 | Sizzling teppan (not halal) | Interactive, groups |
Yakiniku Like is the only halal-certified grilling experience at Compass One. Pepper Lunch offers a similar interactive concept but is not halal. Yoshinoya is cheaper but does not involve cooking.
The Solo Dining Revolution
Japan has embraced solo dining as a cultural norm — from ichiran-style ramen booths to solo yakiniku. Yakiniku Like represents the latest evolution of this trend: high-quality grilled meat in a format designed for individuals. The concept works because it removes the two main barriers to solo yakiniku: the social awkwardness of sitting alone at a group table, and the cost of ordering portions designed for sharing. Each Yakiniku Like seat is a self-contained grilling station with its own exhaust hood, sauce station, and condiments. You are not a solo diner at a group restaurant — you are a diner at a restaurant designed specifically for you.
Halal Japanese Dining Guide: Sengkang Edition
Sengkang and Punggol have emerged as one of Singapore's best-served areas for halal Japanese food. Here is your complete guide: Yoshinoya at Compass One (MUIS halal, gyudon from S$5.80) — the budget champion. Yakiniku Like at Compass One (MUIS halal, solo yakiniku from S$9.80) — the interactive grill experience. Sukiya at Waterway Point Punggol (MUIS halal, gyudon from S$5.50) — Yoshinoya's direct competitor with more topping variety. Together, these three brands give Muslim residents access to three distinct Japanese dining categories at genuinely affordable prices.