Throughout 2025, I have missed travelling—especially to Japan, thanks to its vast and refreshing selection of food.
As I’m unable to travel this year, I decided to take the initiative to hunt down authentic Japanese food to ease my cravings instead. To my pleasant surprise, I stumbled upon a cosy izakaya in Orchard Plaza serving authentic onigiri, hotpots, and alcohol from Oita, Kyushu.
Located in the heart of Orchard, MOMOYA serves authentic izakaya dishes, an Omakase course, and Japanese Sake.
I was particularly intrigued by their onigiri as I had never seen such large ones and such uncommon toppings. These special onigiris are priced at S$12, and come in flavours like Ume, Raw Mentaiko, Spicy Vegetables, and Salmon.
In addition to the oversized onigiri, you’ll also receive a complimentary small bowl of miso soup to help wash down these plump rice balls. Another highlight is that they’re made with Takuron rice, sourced from Aomori Prefecture in Japan.
Apart from their onigiris, another filling option of theirs is their Momoya Pots (S$28), served with Miso or Shouyu broth, or their popular Duck Pot (S$28), full of fragrant onions and large duck slices.
Out of the hearty menu items offered, they also serve unique dishes like Octopus Vinegar Miso, which gives you a good balance between the salty sea and sweet condiments.
While the price points may seem steep, you are paying for authentic, high-quality, and handmade cuisine, so I find it to be a fair trade.
Personally, I recommend coming during their Omakase hours from 6pm to 8pm. Their Omakase menu includes four appetisers (S$8–S$12), Marinated Sashimi (S$24), Chicken Tempura (S$18), and a Momoya Special Rice Ball (S$10) or Oita Raw Egg Rice (S$8) for a total of S$50.
When adding up the original prices of the items, the total amounts to a little more than S$100. That’s saving you around S$50 when you dine during these happy hours.
As it is an izakaya, the atmosphere is a lot more casual compared to other Omakase serving restaurants. Regardless, what I find best about this is how you can enjoy exquisite delicacies in a comfortable environment, which is not what most of us wish for in well-established restaurants.
Contrary to its humble outlet size, this izakaya is an extremely popular spot, so do make a reservation before heading over. I doubt it will be possible to accommodate even a single walk-in.
MOMOYA is a spot I would definitely treat myself to, and judging from the reviews of past customers, I’m confident they would say the same. The next time you visit Orchard, don’t skip the older buildings; there might be a hidden gem waiting just for you.
MOMOYA
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📍 150 Orchard Road, #02-24 Orchard Plaza, Singapore 238841
🕒 6pm–11.30 pm (Monday to Saturday)
