[Review] HANDO Brings Customisable Handrolls and Japanese Izakaya Fare to Cavan Road

Singapore’s Japanese dining scene welcomes a new addition with HANDO, a modern izakaya and handroll bar at 28 Cavan Road.

Soft launched on 30 October 2026, the latest concept by The Well Group, which operates Sushi Takahashi, combines made-to-order handrolls, binchotan-grilled dishes and Japanese-inspired bar bites in a relaxed setting.

Led by Chef-Partner Jack Chang, who has more than 20 years of experience in Japanese cuisine, HANDO focuses on approachable food, drinks and a more interactive dining experience.

We started with the Mix Fish (S$14), a selection of raw fish dressed in sesame sauce and topped with seaweed tempura.

The crispy tempura provides a nice contrast to the soft fish, while the sesame dressing cmes with a slightly spicy kick.

The Handcraft Corn Tofu (S$9) followed, featuring freshly made tofu studded with sweet corn and served with bonito sauce.

It has a delicate exterior and a soft, silky centre, with the bonito adding a savoury touch.

Next came three of HANDO’s signature handrolls.

The Salmon Handroll (S$10) pairs salmon with kimi su and ikura, balancing the richness of the fish with a tangy note and bursts of savoury flavour from the salmon roe.

The Seared Engawa Handroll (S$10) features lightly torched engawa finished with miso and crispy elements.

The searing brings out the fish’s buttery richness, while the miso adds a sweet-savoury finish.

For something bolder, the Seared Anago Handroll (S$10) combines eel with spicy teriyaki sauce.

The glaze adds sweetness and a gentle heat, complemented by the smoky flavour from the searing.

One of HANDO’s more interesting features is the ability to customise every handroll.

Diners can choose between white rice and aged red-vinegar shari, adjust their rice portions and specify their preferred amount of wasabi.

I opted for less rice, which explains why our rolls looked thinner than usual. It is a welcome option for those who prefer a higher filling-to-rice ratio.

The handrolls are prepared individually and served across the counter, ideally eaten within seconds while the nori remains crisp.

Chef Jack was friendly and engaging throughout our visit, adding a personal touch to the experience.

For a more substantial dish, we had the HANDO Uni Udon (S$28).

The warm Inaniwa udon comes with uni cream, fresh uni and ikura. The creamy sea urchin sauce gives the noodles a rich seafood flavour, while the smooth, chewy udon provides a satisfying base.

Dessert was the HANDO Banana Fritters (S$15), featuring banana in house-made batter, served with gelato and gochujang caramel.

The warm fritters and cold gelato make a familiar pairing, while the gochujang caramel introduces a mildly spicy twist to the sweetness.

We also tried one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails.

HANDO offers ten house cocktails, alongside highballs, sake, draft Sapporo and house-made umeshu. Its signature FROZEN HANDO (S$14), an umeshu soda slushie, is another option worth exploring.

A playful addition to the meal is HANDO’s card-drawing experience.

Diners get to pick a card that may determine a culinary surprise. I drew a rare Black Jack card that entitled me to a complimentary handroll, with the chef deciding which one to serve. It was a fun and unexpected way to end the meal.

Beyond the dishes we sampled, the menu includes binchotan-grilled skewers such as Chicken Thigh (S$4.50), Tsukune (S$5), Shishito (S$7) and Shiitake (S$8). Other options include seafood, fried bar bites and additional handroll combinations.

HANDO has a 15-seat sushi counter, a four-seat bar counter and HANDO DEN, a dining area for up to 20 guests that can be divided into two private rooms.

Overall, HANDO offers a casual alternative to the more formal Japanese dining experience. Its customisable handrolls, approachable menu and friendly counter service make it suitable for a casual dinner with friends or a few drinks after work. The card-drawing surprise is a small but memorable touch that adds some fun to the meal.

HANDO

Address:
28 Cavan Road, Singapore 209855

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm to 2.15pm (last booking)
Dinner: 6pm to 9pm (last booking)

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