At a Glance
About Fukusuke
Fukusuke is the kind of izakaya that rewards those who look beyond the obvious. Tucked into the ground floor of International Plaza at #01-02, it faces the gleaming Guoco Tower but could not be more different in spirit — a compact, no-frills Japanese pub where the focus is entirely on honest food, cold drinks, and the simple pleasure of a meal that does not try to be anything more than it is. The restaurant is easy to miss: the International Plaza shopfront does not announce itself loudly, and the interior is small enough that you could walk past without realising there is a restaurant inside. But step through the door and you find a space that Japanese salarymen would recognise instantly — a few counter seats, a handful of small tables, a handwritten menu board with seasonal specials, and the unmistakable hum of a well-run izakaya where the chef knows every regular by name.
The menu is a straightforward collection of izakaya comfort food executed with genuine care. The chicken nanban at S$13 is the dish that first-timers should order without hesitation — tender fried chicken draped in a tangy vinegar sauce with creamy tartar, the kind of dish that exists in every izakaya in Japan and that Fukusuke gets absolutely right. Chicken karaage with curry mayo at S$10 offers a spicier alternative for those who like their fried chicken with a kick. Beyond the chicken, the menu extends to grilled fish, yakitori skewers, sashimi when available, tempura, and seasonal specials that change with what the chef sources that week. The restaurant is connected to Kamoshita on Neil Road, and features a warayaki (rice straw) grilling technique for certain dishes — a method that produces a brief, intense burst of flame that chars the exterior of fish or meat while leaving the inside raw or rare. At lunch, the menu narrows to ramen and curry — simpler options for the International Plaza office crowd that wants a quick, affordable Japanese meal.
The one-drink minimum rule is a reminder that Fukusuke is an izakaya — a drinking establishment that also serves food — rather than a restaurant that also serves drinks. In practice, this means every diner must order at least one alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage. Beer, sake, shochu, highball, or even a soft drink all satisfy the requirement. It is a tradition that reflects the izakaya's origins as a sake shop where customers were permitted to sit and eat, and Fukusuke maintains it without apology. The drink selection is adequate rather than extensive — draft beer, a small sake list, standard spirits — but it covers the bases for a casual evening. The compact size means the atmosphere is intimate by default: you can hear conversations at the next table, the chef's knife work is audible from the counter, and there is a warmth that larger restaurants struggle to create. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner, as the limited seating means walk-ins may face a wait. For couples or small groups of 2–4 looking for an authentic, affordable, no-pretension izakaya experience steps from Tanjong Pagar MRT, Fukusuke is a hidden gem that more people should know about.
Recommended For
Menu & Pricing
Compact izakaya menu. One drink minimum per diner. Prices approximate. Seasonal specials change weekly.
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Nanban | Tender fried chicken with vinegar sauce and creamy tartar — the must-order | S$13 |
| Chicken Karaage Curry Mayo | Japanese fried chicken with spicy curry mayonnaise | S$10 |
| Warayaki Grilled Fish | Rice straw-seared fish — brief intense flame chars exterior, interior stays rare | ~S$15–22 |
| Yakitori Skewers | Assorted charcoal-grilled chicken skewers | ~S$3–5/stick |
| Sashimi (when available) | Fresh sashimi selection — varies daily | ~S$15–25 |
| Ramen (Lunch) | Iekei-style ramen — available lunch only | ~S$12 |
| Draft Beer | Japanese draft beer — satisfies one-drink minimum | ~S$8–10 |
The Fukusuke Experience
The Hidden Door — Finding Fukusuke
International Plaza is one of those older commercial buildings in Tanjong Pagar that most people walk past without a second glance — their eyes drawn instead to the gleaming Guoco Tower rising behind it. But on the ground floor, at unit #01-02, a small restaurant occupies a shopfront that faces the buzzing intersection near Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit C. There is no queue outside, no Instagram-worthy entrance, no neon sign beckoning passers-by. Just a simple door, a modest menu display, and the faint sound of Japanese conversation from within. This is Fukusuke, and its lack of visible glamour is precisely what makes it special. The regulars — a mix of Japanese office workers, local food enthusiasts who have discovered it through word-of-mouth, and the occasional food blogger — appreciate the anonymity. This is not a restaurant that needs to attract attention; it earns its following through the quiet reliability of its food and the genuine warmth of its service.
Chicken Nanban — The Dish That Defines
Every izakaya has its signature dish, and at Fukusuke it is the chicken nanban at S$13. This is not a revolutionary creation — chicken nanban exists on menus across Japan and Singapore — but Fukusuke's version executes every element with the kind of care that separates a good izakaya from a forgettable one. The chicken is tender, having been properly marinated before frying. The batter is light and crisp, not heavy or greasy. The vinegar sauce provides a tangy counterpoint that cuts through the richness of the fried coating. And the creamy tartar sauce ties everything together with its mild, mayonnaise-based richness. Each element is simple; together they create a dish that is greater than the sum of its parts. Paired with a cold beer — which you are obligated to order anyway under the one-drink-minimum rule — the chicken nanban becomes one of those dishes that makes you understand why izakaya food has endured for centuries. It is comfort food elevated by technique and freshness, and it costs S$13.
Warayaki — The Rice Straw Flame
Fukusuke's connection to Kamoshita on Neil Road brings an unusual technique to this small International Plaza izakaya: warayaki, or rice straw grilling. This ancient Japanese method involves igniting bundled rice straw to create a brief, extremely intense burst of flame that reaches temperatures far higher than a standard grill. Fish or meat is held over this flame for just seconds — long enough for the exterior to char and develop a smoky crust, but short enough that the interior remains raw or rare. The result is a dramatic contrast between the intensely smoky, almost blackened exterior and the cool, silky-fresh interior. It is a technique most commonly associated with katsuo (bonito) tataki in Kochi Prefecture, but Fukusuke applies it to various fish depending on seasonal availability. When it appears on the specials board, order it — it is one of the most visually dramatic and texturally interesting dishes available at any izakaya in Tanjong Pagar, and it demonstrates a level of technique that belies Fukusuke's humble appearance.
The One-Drink Rule — Izakaya Tradition
Fukusuke's one-drink-minimum policy sometimes surprises first-time visitors, but it is deeply rooted in izakaya tradition. The word 'izakaya' literally means 'stay-sake-shop' — it originated as a place where sake was sold and customers were permitted to sit and drink on the premises, with food added later as an accompaniment to the alcohol. In this historical context, requiring at least one drink per person is not an upsell but a statement of identity: this is a drinking establishment, and food exists to enhance the drinking experience. In practice, the policy is undemanding — a beer, a glass of sake, a highball, or even a non-alcoholic drink satisfies the requirement. And it sets the right tone for the evening: you are here to relax, to drink something, and to eat good izakaya food in a space that honours the tradition of Japanese pub culture. It is a small rule with a big meaning, and it is part of what makes Fukusuke feel authentically Japanese rather than merely Japanese-themed.
International Plaza — The Overlooked Japanese Cluster
International Plaza at 10 Anson Road is one of Tanjong Pagar's least celebrated but most interesting dining buildings. While the food scene's attention focuses on the shophouses of Tras Street and Craig Road, International Plaza quietly houses several Japanese restaurants across its ground and upper floors — Fukusuke on the ground floor, Kan Sushi on the ground floor, Sushi Muni on the second floor, and Shinagawa Ramen on the second floor. This concentration means that if you arrive at International Plaza without a specific plan, you have multiple Japanese options within the same building. Fukusuke is the most hidden of the group — its shopfront does not face the main Anson Road entrance but rather the side facing Guoco Tower — but it is arguably the most authentically izakaya in character. The building's proximity to Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit C makes it one of the most accessible Japanese dining locations in the CBD, yet many office workers who pass through the building daily have never noticed the izakaya tucked into its ground floor. This is precisely the kind of discovery that makes dining in Tanjong Pagar endlessly rewarding.
Practical Information
Sat–Sun: 12:00–15:00, 17:00–23:00
Dietary Information
Tanjong Pagar — Singapore's Japanese Food Capital
The Neighbourhood
Tanjong Pagar holds the highest concentration of Japanese restaurants in Singapore, with over 45 establishments. From Michelin-starred omakase to late-night ramen, this is the most complete Japanese dining neighbourhood in Southeast Asia.
Insider Tips — Dining at Fukusuke
The chicken nanban (S$13) is the must-order on every visit — do not overthink it. Ask about the warayaki specials if available. Lunch is simpler (ramen and curry only) but very affordable. The counter seats are the best for solo diners. Reserve for dinner as seating is very limited. International Plaza Exit C from MRT is the fastest route — literally 1 minute. Kan Sushi is in the same building if Fukusuke is full. This is a genuine hidden gem that most Tanjong Pagar diners do not know about.
Planning Your Visit to Tanjong Pagar
Tanjong Pagar MRT (East-West Line) is the main access point. Parking at Guoco Tower, International Plaza, 100AM, Icon Village. The area is compact and walkable — most Japanese restaurants within 10 minutes of the MRT.
Editor's Note
Fukusuke is the restaurant you recommend to friends who are tired of flashy, Instagram-first Japanese restaurants and want to eat somewhere that feels genuinely, quietly Japanese. The chicken nanban at S$13 is the best version of that dish in the Tanjong Pagar area — simple, perfectly executed, and deeply satisfying with a cold beer. The compact International Plaza setting will not win any design awards, but it creates an intimacy that larger restaurants cannot replicate, and the warayaki technique (when available) demonstrates a level of craft that most diners would not expect from such a humble shopfront. The one-drink minimum is tradition, not a cash grab, and it sets the right tone for an evening that is about eating well and drinking comfortably rather than performing for social media. At S$25–50 per person, this is among the most affordable genuine izakaya experiences in the CBD. It is not the restaurant you bring clients to for a power dinner — it is the restaurant you go to after the power dinner, when you want real food in a real space with no pretension at all.