Karii かりー! That’s how Okinawans say cheers in their dialect, where karii (kanji: 嘉例) means happiness. Likewise, Karii, the newest opening by established Japanese F&B veteran EN Group at Suntec City (#B1-170), aims to set this karii trend of happiness, joy and cheers to a healthy and good long life.
Touted as Singapore’s first Okinawan street food concept, Karii brings the vibrant flavours of Okinawa to the heart of Singapore. It celebrates the island’s sun-soaked spirit, coastal ingredients and warm street-food culture – pairing comforting Okinawan dishes with refreshing beers, highballs and Shikuwasa drinks for that true Okinawan experience.
Opening its doors on 4 February 2026, Karii offers a warm, Japanese modern space with lightwood finishes and subtle Okinawan bingata patterns, overlooking Suntec City’s Fountain Court. Showcasing a menu of taco rice and Okinawa-style sandos to hearty bowls and island bites, every dish is crafted for fast, delicious enjoyment without compromising quality. The chill eatery offers diners options for on-the-go takeaways as well.
Rooted in EN Group’s Japanese culinary heritage, Karii blends Okinawa’s easygoing charm with Singapore’s love for bold, satisfying eats. Perfect for dine-in, takeaway or delivery. Karii invites everyone to eat, explore and say “Karii!”.
Kuwatchi Sabira (くわっちーさびら): Let’s Eat~
Left to right: Taco Rice, Okinawan-style Onigiri
A highlight of the gleeful offerings at Karii is Taco Rice, a fusion of the Tex-Mex flavours in American tacos with Japanese rice instead of tortillas. This was created in the 1980s to cater to the American troops stationed at US military bases in Okinawa after WWII, becoming popular as a local comfort food that’s bold, affordable, and perfect for everyday meals. Karii takes this further with different variants: Hokkaido Pork Taco Rice ($6.80) and Beef Taco Rice ($7.80). These come with seasoned minced beef or pork, with cabbage arugula, cheese, cherry tomatoes and Japanese rice. Spice up your rice with add-ons from $2 onwards. Toppings include Goya Tempura ($2), Teriyaki Chicken ($3.50), Taco Beef ($3.50), Taco Pork ($3), Rafute or Okinawan stewed pork belly ($4), Mentai Ebi Tempura ($5), and Unagi Kabayaki ($5.50). A no-carb version is also available.
The Japanese onigiri is a seaweed-wrapped triangular rice balls with fillings within. Meanwhile, the Okinawan-style Onigiri ($8.50) that Karii serves is bigger; an onigiri sandwich or onigirazu brimming with hearty fillings like Spam and dashimaki omelette specially made with Okinawan eggs – for a comforting, savory bite that’s uniquely Okinawan. Spam, too, arises from the strong American presence, and the canned meat became a staple due to its affordability, long shelf life, and versatility. Besides the Classic Okinawa Onigiri ($5.50), other fillings available include the Goya Tempura ($7.50), Teriyaki Chicken ($8.50), Taco Pork ($8.50), Taco Beef ($9), Rafute ($9), Mentai Ebi Tempura ($9.50) and Unagi Kabayaki ($9.50).Dine-in customers can also top-up $3.50 for the set that includes two appetisers of the day, mozuku su and Okinawan white miso soup. If you’re hungry but rushing for time, you can conveniently order a la carte Okinawan-style onigiri to go.
Another delightful dish on Karii’s menu is Okinawa Soba ($8.80 for small, $13.80 for regular). This is a simple, hearty dish that is full of local pride for Okinawans, and is often referred to as “suba” in the local dialect of Uchinaaguchi. Unlike traditional Japanese soba that uses buckwheat flour for firmer and nuttier strands, Okinawan soba uses wheat flour for that thick and chewy bite. Even Okinawan soba broth is different, as it uses a pork and bonito (katsuobushi) stock instead of the traditional bonito-based broth. Each bowl served at Karii is topped with rafute, beni shoga (red pickled ginger), and chikuwa fish cakes in a comforting and collagen-rich paitan tonjiru pork-based broth.
For dessert, crunch cheerfully on Sata Andagi ($2.50 for 3pcs), traditional Okinawan donuts with a crispy exterior and a dense, cake-like interior. Its name, which literally means “sugar-oil-fried”, originates from a Chinese-Japanese technique due to the island’s location. It’s similar to kaikouxiao, a fried sesame egg cake found in Chinese cuisine. Karii’s Sata Andagi comes in 3 tasty flavours: Original, Okinawan Brown Sugar, and Purple Sweet Potato, a superfood staple in Okinawa.
Go for sides such as Okinawa’s famous peanut-based Jimami Tofu ($2.80), nutrient-rich seaweed appetiser Mozuku Su, and the island’s unique snack of Mozuku Tempura ($2.8). Sea grapes Umibudou ($3.80), Tori Karaage ($3.50) and more are also available.
Spotlight on Shikuwasa, Okinawan Brown Sugar, and More
Shikuwasa, Okinawa’s native citrus, is renowned for its unique sour taste with hints of both sweetness and bitterness. While it looks like calamansi limes, they’re more closely related to the mandarin family and taste like a cross between lemon and lime.
At Karii, enjoy these subtropical citrus fruits in desserts like Shikuwasa Sorbet with Shikuwasa Honey ($3), in creative beverages like Shikuwasa Shio Soda ($6.5), and even Goya Shikuwasa Honey: made using Goya or Bitter Gourd, a staple of Okinawan food even today.
Also synonymous with Okinawa is kokuto or Okinawan brown sugar. This is a rich, mineral-dense, less-refined sugar and it’s often used to season or braise food, in dessert, enjoyed on its own, or in beverages like Karii’s Okinawan Kokuto Hai:($9) and Shikuwasa Goya Hai ($9)
Also hailing from Okinawa and celebrated by the glass at Karii is Orion Beer ($8.50). This is a popular Japanese lager, particularly beloved in its home of Okinawa, known for its mild, crisp taste, rich body, and refreshing finish, often brewed with Okinawan rice, which gives it a unique character.
All prices are subjected to 10% service charge and prevailing GST.
See you soon at Karii! As they say in Okinawa:
いちゃりばちょーでー (ichariba chodee): once we meet, we are family~
Karii @ Suntec City Mall
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #B1-170, Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983
Contact: +65 6970 8837
Operating Hours: 11AM to 10PM
Capacity: 24 seats
Social Media
Website: Karii.com.sg
Facebook: @okinawakarii.sg
Instagram: @okinawakarii.sg
Hashtags: #okinawakarii #kariistreetfood #okinawaonigiri
