If you and your makan buddy are the kind of people who look at a conveyor belt full of sushi and think, “We can definitely eat more than that”, there is an interesting challenge coming your way. Sushi Express and Sushi Plus are inviting teams of two to put their appetites to the test with their Big Eater Challenge, where the more sushi plates a team finishes within 50 minutes, the bigger the reward becomes.

This is more than just another dining promotion. Participants can work their way through several plate-count milestones, starting with a discount and potentially ending with a free meal. There are also cash prizes for the teams that manage to finish the most plates overall.

The challenge will take place on selected dates in October and November 2026, giving sushi lovers a few opportunities to gather a friend, prepare their appetites and see just how far they can push their sushi-eating skills.

How Does the Big Eater Challenge Work?

The concept is straightforward. You form a team of two and take on the challenge together. Both participants share the same total plate count, so every plate matters.

You will have 50 minutes to eat as many qualifying sushi plates as possible. The more plates your team finishes, the greater the discount or reward.

The milestones are:

• 40 plates: 20% off
• 80 plates: 40% off
• 120 plates: 60% off
• 200 plates or more: Free meal

That means reaching 200 plates is the ultimate target if you want to turn the challenge into a free meal. For a team of two, that works out to an average of 100 plates per person, although the total is shared between both teammates.

Of course, this is not simply about eating quickly. You will need to manage your pace, choose your sushi carefully and make sure everything is completely finished within the 50-minute time limit.

There Is More Than Just Free Sushi

The free meal is already a tempting target, but the Big Eater Challenge has another reason to take part.

The three teams with the highest plate counts overall will receive cash prizes. The top three teams will receive S$1,000, S$800 and S$500, respectively.

That adds another layer of competition to the challenge. You are not only trying to reach a discount milestone; if your team has an especially impressive appetite, you could potentially find yourself competing for one of the cash prizes.

There is also an additional S$500 opportunity connected to competitive eater Zermatt Neo. His record for the challenge is stated as 201 plates, and teams that beat that mark could stand a chance to win an additional S$500 cash prize.

So, if you and your friend have ever wondered how your appetite compares with other serious sushi eaters, this could be a fun opportunity to find out.

Where Can You Take Part?

The Big Eater Challenge is being held at several Sushi Express locations around Singapore, as well as Sushi Plus at 313@somerset.

The participating venues are:

Sushi Express

• Westgate
• Changi City Point
• PLQ Mall
• Waterway Point

Sushi Plus

• 313@somerset

Having multiple locations makes the challenge a little easier to plan around your schedule. Whether you are based in the west, east, north-east or central part of Singapore, one of the participating venues may be more convenient for you and your makan buddy.

It is worth checking your preferred location when registering because spaces are limited.

When Is the Challenge Happening?

The challenge will run on 7, 13, 21 and 28 October, as well as 4 November 2026.

There are two sessions available on each challenge date:

2.30pm and 4pm

Participants are required to arrive 20 minutes before their selected session, so it is important not to treat the session start time as the time to arrive at the restaurant.

Because the number of places is limited, anyone interested should plan ahead rather than waiting until the last minute.

Registration opens one week before each challenge date, so it is a good idea to keep track of the registration window if you have a particular date or session in mind.

Those interested can register for the Big Eater Challenge here.

Do note that registration fees, if paid, are non-refundable.

There Are Some Important Rules

Before getting excited about trying to break the 200-plate mark, there are several rules participants need to know.

Both members of the team must be at least 18 years old, and each person can participate only once. This means you cannot simply return on another challenge date with a different friend and have another attempt.

The plates must also be taken directly from the conveyor belt to count towards the challenge. In other words, you cannot rely on other ways of ordering sushi and expect those plates to be added to your total.

Perhaps the most important rule is that all food must be completely finished within the 50-minute challenge period. This includes garnishes, so teams should be mindful about leaving anything behind.

That makes choosing the right partner particularly important. It is not just about finding someone who loves sushi. You will want a teammate who can keep up, stay focused and handle the pressure when the clock is running down.

Why Should You Go for This Deal?

For sushi fans, the Big Eater Challenge offers something different from a typical restaurant promotion. Instead of simply receiving a discount with a minimum spend or ordering a set menu, the reward depends on what you and your friend can accomplish together.

The 40-plate milestone already gives the team 20% off, while reaching 80 plates increases the discount to 40%. If you manage 120 plates, the discount rises to 60%. And then there is the big target of 200 plates for a free meal.

That creates a simple challenge that friends can enjoy together, even if they are not necessarily aiming for the cash prizes.

It can also turn an ordinary meal into a memorable afternoon. You and your makan buddy can make a game out of deciding what to eat, keeping track of the plates and seeing whether you can reach the next milestone before time runs out.

For competitive eaters, the cash prizes provide another reason to take the challenge seriously. The possibility of winning S$1,000 for the top team, together with the additional S$500 opportunity for beating the stated 201-plate record, makes the event more than a casual dining promotion.

At the same time, participants should remember that the challenge is designed around eating a large amount of food in a limited period. It is important to know your own limits and not push yourself beyond what is comfortable or safe simply to reach a higher plate count.

Pick Your Makan Buddy Wisely

With the total plate count shared between two people, your choice of teammate could make a big difference to your strategy.

You might already have a friend who loves sushi, or perhaps you have a makan buddy who is always the first person to suggest ordering another plate. Either way, this is a chance to put that appetite to the test.

Just remember that both participants must be 18 or older and each person can only participate once.

The challenge dates are also spread across several weeks, so there is some flexibility if one date does not work for you. Just keep an eye on registration because places are limited and registration only opens one week before each challenge date.

If you think you and your friend can handle 50 minutes of non-stop sushi, this is certainly a promotion worth keeping on your calendar. Whether your goal is to earn a discount, reach the free-meal milestone, compete for the cash prizes or simply enjoy an unusual dining experience with a friend, the Big Eater Challenge gives you plenty of reasons to give it a try.

Promotional/Event Details:

Date: 7, 13, 21 and 28 October, and 4 November 2026
Time: 2.30pm and 4pm sessions; participants should arrive 20 minutes before their session
Venue: Sushi Express at Westgate, Changi City Point, PLQ Mall and Waterway Point; Sushi Plus at 313@somerset
Promotion: Big Eater Challenge
Challenge Duration: 50 minutes
Team Size: 2 people
Rewards: 20% off at 40 plates, 40% off at 80 plates, 60% off at 120 plates, and a free meal at 200 plates or more
Cash Prizes: S$1,000, S$800 and S$500 for the top three teams
Additional Prize: Stand a chance to win an additional S$500 by beating the stated 201-plate record
Eligibility: Both participants must be aged 18 or above; each person may participate once
Registration: Opens one week before each challenge date; limited slots
Registration Link: Register for the Big Eater Challenge
Important Note: Registration fees, if paid, are non-refundable. Only sushi plates taken directly from the conveyor belt count, and all food including garnishes must be finished within 50 minutes.