FAQ
What is Wakamama?
Wakamama is a 100% vegan Japanese omakase in Pasir Panjang, Singapore, rooted in Shojin Ryori (精進料理), the temple food of Japan's Zen Buddhist monasteries. It opened in 2021 as Singapore's first vegan Japanese omakase. Chef Joyce cooks a seasonal tasting menu built on house koji fermentation, 72-hour kombu and shiitake dashi, and an allium-free kitchen. There are 18 seats, by reservation.
Do I need to be vegan to enjoy it?
No. Most of our guests aren't vegan. The menu is designed for anyone who loves Japanese fine dining, and it is popular for date nights, anniversaries, proposals and birthdays. Tell us about a special occasion when you book and we'll add a personal touch.
What is Shojin Ryori, and is Wakamama a temple restaurant?
Shojin Ryori is the plant-based cuisine of Japan's Zen temples: no meat, fish, egg or dairy, no pungent alliums, cooking with the season and wasting nothing. Meals are composed by the Rule of Five: five colours, five flavours and five cooking methods. Wakamama is rooted in these rules but is not a traditional temple restaurant; we add fine-dining techniques such as fermentation, curing, smoking and precise plating.
Is the menu free of garlic and onion?
Yes. Every Wakamama menu, including the omakase, Sunday dim sum and Cantabile, is allium-free: no garlic, onion, leek, chives or shallot (无五辛).
Can Buddhist vegetarians dine at Wakamama, including on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month?
Yes. The kitchen is fully vegan and allium-free, so guests keeping vegetarian days on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month (初一、十五) are welcome. If you avoid alcohol entirely, mention it when booking and choose the Studio Ghibli-inspired mocktail pairing.
How much is the omakase?
The Signature Omakase is SGD 168 per person, a seasonal 16 to 18 item tasting menu. The Premium Chef Omakase is SGD 238 per person, with rarer ingredients and additional courses. Our prices have no GST.
What drink pairings do you offer?
An optional Artisanal Sake Pairing at SGD 88 per person, or a Studio Ghibli-inspired Mocktail Pairing at SGD 60 per person, made with house ferments such as amazake and shio koji and no refined sugar.
How long does the omakase take?
About two to two and a half hours.
Can you accommodate gluten-free diets and allergies?
Yes. The entire omakase can be made 100% gluten-free with advance notice. We can also accommodate other allergies, including nut allergies, when you tell us at booking.
When are you open?
Omakase runs Wednesday 5pm to 11pm and Thursday to Saturday 11am to 11pm. Vegan dim sum is served on Sundays from 10am to 3pm. We are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
What is the Sunday vegan dim sum?
Japanese-inspired Cantonese yum cha, served à la carte every Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Everything is made from whole plants with no mock meat, and dim sum baskets are SGD 12 each, sized for two to share.
What are the monthly events and Cantabile?
Our monthly one-night-only omakase menus start from SGD 128 per person. Cantabile is a vegan Italian tasting menu in a Japanese voice, held as a limited edition only a few times a year: SGD 168 for five courses or SGD 238 for eight. Join our mailing list to hear when the next one opens.
Can I bring my dog or cat?
Yes. Dogs and cats are welcome indoors, and our pet omakase serves them a chef-curated menu at SGD 48 per pet, up to two pets per booking.
How do I make a reservation?
Book online through Chope or message us on WhatsApp at +65 8877 1753. We recommend booking at least a week ahead for weekend dinners.
Where are you, and how do I get there?
218 Pasir Panjang Road, #02-15, ICON @ Pasir Panjang, Singapore 118579, on the second floor. Pasir Panjang MRT (Circle Line) is about a 10-minute walk away, and parking is available.
Can I book Wakamama for a private or corporate event?
Yes. We offer private buyouts for corporate dinners, wedding celebrations and other private events. Contact us on WhatsApp, Instagram or through our website to discuss.