PUBLISHED April 3rd, 2018 07:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm
Is it us or are oriental flavours all the rage this year in Singapore? Get the best of Asian-inspired dishes and cocktails at the likes of The Salted Plum, Zui Hong Lou, and The Nanyang Club. And then, dig into everything else on this list, because why not?
New Restaurants in Singapore
Claypots Full Circle
The first Claypots restaurant opened on Barkly Street in Melbourne in the 90s, and now, it has come full circle in a collaboration between the original restaurant owner Renan Goskin and his Singaporean supporters. And make no mistake, this is not a place for Chinese claypot cooking, but fresh Mediterranean seafood plates melded with Southeast Asian cuisine. Think wholesome Okra tossed with dried shrimps ($7), Stingray with lemongrass and lime ($15), and Pan-Seared Seabass with sautéed baby bok choy ($20). Come aperitivo hour (5pm to 7pm), buy a drink and enjoy a selection of Meze on the house!
Claypots Full Circle is located at 103 Amoy St, Singapore 069923, p. +65 6203 2203. Open Mon-Fri 10.30am – 12am, Sat 6pm – 12am. Closed Sun.
Restaurant Majestic
Since moving out of the New Majestic Hotel last year, the award-winning Contemporary Chinese restaurant has found a new home at Marina One in Singapore’s CBD. Helmed by veteran Owner-Chef Yong Bing Ngen, who has over 30 years of experience in Chinese cuisine under his belt, look forward to comforting creations inspired by his Hakka roots, from handmade Organic Brown Rice Cheong Fun filled with prawns and paired with lei cha (thunder tea) sauce, to Peking Ducks and fragrant plates of Crabmeat and Truffle Fried Rice cooked with a perfect wok hei.
Restaurant Majestic is located at 5 Straits View, #04-01 Marina One, The Heart (East Tower), Singapore 018935, p. +65 6250 1988. Open Mon-Sun 11.30am – 3pm, 5.45pm – 10pm.
The Salted Plum
Previously known as Five Ten on South Bridge Road, the Chinatown diner known for serving up delicious Taiwanese-inspired plates has now settled into its permanent home on Circular Road as The Salted Plum. Led by Chef Shawn Koh, the team is all set to served up beloved offerings like the Lu Rou ($10, braised pork belly), Smashed Baby Potatoes ($5), housemade Taiwanese Sausage Patties ($10) and up to eight variations of its $10 lunch bowls – from Burnt Chilli Chicken Rice to their Sirloin Steak Rice, complete with free-flow AAA grade jasmine rice.
The Salted Plum is located at 10 Circular Rd, Singapore 049366, p. +65 6260 0155. Open Mon-Sat 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm.
Zui Hong Lou
The Establishment is the group behind brands like Nutmeg & Clove, Wanton Seng’s Noodle Bar, and Gem Bar, and it’s just opened Zui Hong Lou (“Drunken Red House”) in Tanjong Pagar. Priding itself on contemporary Asian dishes and in a no-frills setting, expect to tuck into an array of unique bao buns (served in pairs for $9) stuffed with braised pork belly, shrimp paste chicken, beef rendang, and then some. Other small plates include the Ma Po Tofu ($7) and Kung Pao Baby Octopus ($8). As you might expect, the cocktails served here are destinations of their own, with concoctions like the milky Breakfast Club ($16, Mount Gay Eclipse, Averna-infused coffee, kaya oat milk, and evaporated milk).
Zui Hong Lou is located at 90 Club St, Singapore 069458, p. +65 8181 0572. Open Mon-Sat 6pm – 1am. Closed Sun.
Nickeldime
Nickeldime is the latest neighbourhood hangout spot in River Valley, bringing elevated comfort food and premium craft beers to the heart of Singapore. Try Australia Chef Tim Ashwood’s modern take on the Croque Madame ($18), or his crisp Confit Duck Waffle ($25) served with stout-glazed bacon. On the beer end of things, the regularly-changing menu sees 16 distinctive international brews on tap each time, such as such as Stone & Wood Green Coast Lager and Lervig Orange Velvet, to more complex brews like the Pirate Life Mosaic IPA and Black Butte Porter.
Nickeldime is located at 8 Mohamed Sultan Rd, #01-01, Singapore 238958, p. +65 6735 1035. Open Mon-Thu 12pm – 11pm, Fri 12pm – 1am, Sat 10am – 1am, Sun 10am – 10pm.
Uya Unagi Restaurant
Uya Unagi Restaurant comes after the success of Man Man, which continues to draw impressive lines at its original Keong Saik space. With eels flown in from trusted farms in Taiwan and Japan twice a week, Uya’s Japanese chef grills up some delicious Nagoya-style eels – which is to say, a low level of char with a crispy top layer and fluffy meat. Go for the signature Hitsumabushi ($48/35), a large bowl of chopped up eel served with condiments, broth, soup, and pickles, or the Healthy Unagi Rice Bowl ($29), which also includes vegetables and sous vide egg.
Uya is located at 501 Orchard Road, #02-15/16 Wheelock Place, Singapore 238880, p. +65 6732 1096. Open Sun-Thu 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm, Fri-Sat 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm.
NY Night Market
Hailing from the streets of Seoul, NY Night Market brings to Singapore a taste of New York City’s cosmopolitan diners, whether its Korean fusion, Tex-Mex, or Vietnamese you’re looking for. Mouthwatering highlights include the 50cm Baguette ($13.90), loaded with bulgogi beef and shredded beef, Cream the Curry ($13.90) – topokki red curry with whipped cream, and Waterfall Cheese Shrimp ($13.90) doused in cheese fondue, as well as other Western grub with a unique Korean touch and Korean beers, beer cocktails, and smoothies.
NY Night Market is located at #01-08 Westgate, 3 Gateway Dr, Singapore 608532. Open Mon-Fri 11am – 10pm, Sat-Sun 11am – 11pm.
New Bars in Singapore
Fancy
The interior at North Canal Road’s Fancy might be minimalist (think stark white walls and an unassuming bar) but their drinks aren’t. At least, not when it comes to flavour. Its flower-inspired menu is dubbed Pollen, and all 12 cocktails on the list go for $22++ or $210++ for a punch bowl – selected cocktails only. Have a whiff of floral creations like the Sakura, a whisky highball-style drink accented with soft sakura notes, or the Rosella – rum, Campari, rosella, grapefruit, and a dash of sparkling water to raise your spirits. Tasty, modern, and cool as heck.
Fancy is located at 35 North Canal Rd, Singapore 059291. Open Mon-Sat 5pm – 12am. Closed Sun.
The Nanyang Club
At The Nanyang Club, Head Bartender Elex Ng has a particular penchant for ingredients used in traditional Asian medicine, going for a feel best described as old-school. Try the Mamasan ($18), an attractive pink cocktail that employs hibiscus-infused tequila and osmanthus flowers. For something more Thai, the Chatuchak ($18) has you covered with gin, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and…chilli padi?
The Nanyang Club is located at 55A Boat Qy, Singapore 049844, p. +65 8569 5805. Open Mon-Fri 6pm – 12am, Sat 8pm – 12am. Closed Sun.
Elixir Bar
While technically not a new opening, the revamped bar programme and new bartender at Elixir Bar earns itself a spot on this list. Here, Head Mixologist Vladyslav Buzko helms the fort with an ‘edible’ cocktail menu inspired by ancient mythology. Drinks to try are the fascinating Elixir of Immortality ($24, which consists a secret barrel-aged blend dubbed as unicorn blood) and The Love Potion ($24, a citrusy vodka-driven cocktail served with Aperol and peach jelly inside an oyster shell.
Elixir Bar is located at #02-01 Orchard Shopping Centre, 321 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238866. Open Sun-Thu 12pm – 1am, Fri-Sat 12pm – 2am. Closed Sun.
Temple Cellars
UE Square bottle shop Temple Cellars has one of Singapore’s premium selections of premium craft beers, ciders, sakes, wines, and spirits. And now, they’ve launched their bar programme. Think beers on tap, natural wines, sakes by the glass, spirit flights and more – all as you tap your feet to groovy music and bustling conversation. Speciality beers include the Mikkeller & Friends Beer Geek Vanilla Maple Cocoa Shake, Mikkeller SpontanYuzu, To Øl Ton on Lingonberries, Thornbridge Brewery Fika Cold Brew Coffee Stout, as well as some tasty goodies from Canada’s Central City Brewers + Distillers.
Temple Cellars is located at 81 Clemenceau Ave, UE Square #01-12, Singapore 239917, p. +65 6262 2191. Open Mon–Fri 12pm – 11pm, Sat 11am – 11pm, Sun 11am – 5pm.
Top Image: Majestic Restaurant