At a Glance
About Maguro Brothers
Maguro Brothers is a tuna-focused Japanese restaurant at 100AM mall in the heart of Tanjong Pagar, specialising in the kind of generous, tuna-heavy chirashi don and sashimi platters that were previously only found at Tsukiji and Toyosu markets in Tokyo. The concept is straightforward: premium-grade tuna — akami, chutoro, and otoro — sourced from the same Toyosu Market supply chain that feeds Tokyo's finest sushi counters, served in quick-service donburi and sashimi formats at prices that are genuinely accessible for a daily lunch. The signature bara chirashi don starts from around S$15, featuring scattered chunks of fresh sashimi-grade fish over seasoned rice — a dish that would cost twice as much in many sit-down Japanese restaurants a few streets away.
The tuna sourcing is what sets Maguro Brothers apart from generic chirashi shops. The restaurant maintains direct supply relationships with Toyosu Market distributors, ensuring that the tuna arriving in Singapore is the same quality that feeds some of Tokyo's most demanding sushi chefs. This matters because tuna quality varies enormously — the difference between properly handled Toyosu tuna and mass-market frozen tuna is immediately apparent in colour, texture, and flavour. The akami (lean tuna) is a deep, vibrant red with clean, focused flavour. The chutoro (medium-fatty) has visible marbling that melts on the tongue. And for special occasions, the otoro (fatty belly) is available — rich, buttery, and intensely flavoured in a way that justifies its premium price. All of this arrives in a quick-service format at a Level 3 food court-adjacent space in 100AM, making it one of the most efficient luxury-grade protein sources in the CBD.
Beyond the tuna-heavy signatures, the menu includes salmon, yellowtail, scallop, and uni options for those who want variety. The salmon mentaiko don and assorted sashimi platters are popular alternatives. Miso soup accompanies most sets. The dining format is quick-service — order at the counter, collect your tray, eat at communal tables. There is no table service, no sake pairing, no course progression. This is lunch fuel for the CBD workforce, designed to deliver maximum quality fish in minimum time. The 100AM location is ideal — the mall connects directly to Tanjong Pagar MRT, meaning you can be back at your desk within 30 minutes of leaving it. For groups wanting a more leisurely experience with the same focus on tuna, the space can accommodate small gatherings, but this is fundamentally a grab-and-eat concept that prizes efficiency and quality over ambiance.
Recommended For
Menu & Pricing
Quick-service format. Order at the counter. Prices approximate. Most sets include miso soup.
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bara Chirashi Don | Scattered sashimi chunks over seasoned rice — tuna-focused with assorted fish | ~S$15–22 |
| Maguro Trio Don | Akami, chutoro, and otoro tuna over rice — the ultimate tuna experience | ~S$28–38 |
| Salmon Mentaiko Don | Fresh salmon with mentaiko (spicy cod roe) over rice | ~S$16 |
| Assorted Sashimi Platter | Chef's selection of fresh sashimi — tuna, salmon, yellowtail, seasonal fish | ~S$25–40 |
| Uni (Sea Urchin) Don | Premium sea urchin over rice — seasonal availability | ~S$30–45 |
| Miso Soup | Included with most don sets | Included |
The Maguro Brothers Experience
The Toyosu Connection — Why the Tuna Matters
Not all tuna is created equal. The difference between Toyosu-sourced tuna and generic frozen tuna is the difference between a perfectly ripe strawberry and a supermarket one — same species, entirely different experience. Maguro Brothers' supply chain traces directly back to Tokyo's Toyosu Market, where the world's finest tuna is auctioned every morning. The tuna that arrives in Singapore has been handled with the same cold-chain precision that supplies Tokyo's Michelin-starred sushi counters. You can see the difference immediately: the akami is a deep, almost jewel-like red rather than the brownish hue of poorly stored tuna. The chutoro has visible fat marbling that catches the light. The texture is firm but yielding, with a clean oceanic flavour that lingers. At S$15 for a bara chirashi, this is Toyosu-grade tuna at hawker-adjacent pricing — a combination that should not exist but does, thanks to the direct sourcing model and high-volume quick-service format.
Bara Chirashi — The Signature Bowl
The bara chirashi don is the dish that built Maguro Brothers' reputation. Unlike traditional chirashi where sliced sashimi is arranged artfully over rice, bara chirashi uses chunky, cube-cut pieces of fish scattered generously over seasoned sushi rice. The result is a bowl that feels abundant and satisfying — each spoonful delivers a substantial piece of fish rather than a thin slice. The standard bowl features a tuna-heavy mix with supporting cast of salmon, yellowtail, and whatever seasonal fish is available that day. The rice underneath is seasoned with vinegar and served at room temperature, providing a clean base that does not compete with the fish. It is the kind of dish that office workers crave at 12:30pm and remember fondly at 3pm when the afternoon slump hits. At around S$15–22 depending on the grade of fish selected, it is among the best-value raw fish meals in the CBD.
The Quick-Service Model — Efficiency Without Compromise
Maguro Brothers operates on a counter-service model: you queue, order at the register, receive a buzzer, and collect your tray when it vibrates. The entire process from joining the queue to first bite typically takes 5–10 minutes during off-peak and 15–20 during the lunch rush. There are no waiters, no tablecloths, no tipping. The communal tables are functional rather than atmospheric. This format is entirely deliberate — by eliminating the overhead of table service and fine-dining theatrics, Maguro Brothers can redirect those savings into the fish itself. The result is a bowl of Toyosu-grade tuna for the price of a decent sandwich in the CBD. If you are looking for an intimate omakase experience, this is not the place. If you are looking for the highest-quality raw fish per dollar spent within walking distance of Tanjong Pagar MRT, there are very few competitors.
Beyond Tuna — The Supporting Cast
While tuna is the headline act, Maguro Brothers' menu extends to other premium seafood. The salmon mentaiko don layers fresh salmon with spicy cod roe for a dish that balances richness with heat. Yellowtail (hamachi) and scallop (hotate) appear in various don combinations. When available, the uni (sea urchin) don is a splurge-worthy option — premium uni over rice for around S$30–45, which is significantly cheaper than ordering the same ingredient at a sit-down sushi restaurant. The assorted sashimi platter is the best way to sample the range of what is available that day, and it doubles as a visual indicator of freshness — at Maguro Brothers, the fish on the platter looks like it arrived that morning, because it did. For those who prefer cooked options, grilled salmon and teriyaki chicken donburi are available, though frankly, coming to a tuna specialist and ordering cooked chicken is like visiting a winery and ordering a cola.
The 100AM Advantage — MRT to Maguro in 2 Minutes
The 100AM mall location is a genuine competitive advantage. Tanjong Pagar MRT connects directly to the mall's basement, meaning you can walk from the MRT platform to Maguro Brothers on Level 3 in about two minutes via escalator. For CBD office workers, this transforms lunch from an expedition into a quick errand — leave your desk at 12:15, queue at 12:20, eating by 12:30, back at your desk by 12:50. The mall also provides air-conditioned comfort that street-level restaurants in the Tanjong Pagar area cannot always guarantee during Singapore's tropical afternoons. Level 3 of 100AM houses several other dining options, but the queue at Maguro Brothers during the 12:00–13:00 rush tells you everything about where the CBD crowd considers the best value. If you want to avoid the queue, arrive before 11:45 or after 13:30.
Practical Information
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 Maguro Brothers
Arrive before 11:45am to beat the lunch queue. The Maguro Trio Don (akami + chutoro + otoro) is the best way to experience the full tuna spectrum. Ask about daily specials — seasonal fish and premium uni sometimes appear. If the lunch queue is long, check back at 13:30 when it clears. 100AM Level 3 has other options if wait times are excessive. This is a quick-service format — eat and go, not linger.
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
Maguro Brothers solves the daily CBD lunch dilemma with ruthless efficiency: Toyosu-grade tuna, generous portions, quick service, and pricing that starts at S$15. The bara chirashi is the signature for good reason — substantial chunks of fresh fish over properly seasoned rice, filling enough for a working lunch, satisfying enough to make you plan tomorrow's visit before finishing today's bowl. The Maguro Trio Don, which layers akami, chutoro, and otoro on a single bowl, is worth the upgrade for a first visit — it is the quickest education in tuna grades available outside of a sushi counter. The 100AM location, with its direct MRT connection, makes this the most time-efficient premium fish lunch in the Tanjong Pagar area. There are no sake pairings, no omakase progressions, no white-glove service — just excellent fish at an honest price, delivered fast. For CBD workers who eat sashimi regularly, Maguro Brothers should be on speed dial.