These restaurants are making impactful waves with their own delightful interpretations of incredibly tasty Singaporean flavours! Mod-Sin cuisine has gained plenty of traction in recent years, as restaurants grow eager to pay tribute to local flavours and familiar favourites.
But we’re far from complaining, and if you are on the lookout for helpful guidance on where to go for zi-char style eats and uniquely Singaporean dishes – team Expat Choice rises to the occasion of sourcing restaurants, which are easily the best ones in town.
Living in Singapore, we’re all spoilt for choice (we know that!). There’s tasty hawker food at unbeatable prices and cutting-edge restaurant fare which still hits the spot. So, here’s a look at the restaurants and cafés serving a mix of both – or in other words, the best of both worlds! These modern Singaporean joints offer food which is both familiar, yet novel – and we honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. Enjoy! Image Credit: Wanton Seng’s Eating House Facebook Page
Sinpopo Brand
When walking into its space along Joo Chiat – just try and resist the temptation to look at Sinpopo Brand’s line of local-inspired desserts! Diners often feel inclined to skip the mains and go straight for the cakes ($8) referencing desserts like ondeh ondeh, pulut hitam, kueh dadar, and kueh salat. Resist the dessert pull though – and gain culinary rewards with unorthodox creations such as; the muah chee salad, and baked cod with dao jio crust. It’s not just all about new-fangled creations – tastes reminiscent of the past, like the sng muay pop drink will bring you back to a time of sour plum ice balls. The best of Singapore (both young and old) are celebrated here! Image Credit: Sinpopo Brand Facebook Page
a. 458 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427671
w. www.sinpopo.com/
Avenue 87
Located within a two-storey conservation shophouse along Amoy Street, Avenue 87 offers innovative eats with a local twist – thanks to inspiration drawn from the two chef-owners’ backgrounds and childhood upbringing in Singapore. Think dishes like the Red Snapper (offer slabs of fish bathed in curry spices), as well as the Poulet, which is an Asian risotto. Lunch menus start from two courses, while dinner menus begin from five courses. Be sure to make your reservations to avoid disappointment. Image Credit: Avenue 87 Facebook Page
a. 47 Amoy Street Singapore, Singapore 069873
Allium
A 16-seater restaurant embracing both local and cultural Asian flavours through a timeless culinary style that is modern yet modest – Allium impresses with its straightforward approach. It’s known as a quaint, cosy, and environmentally conscious eatery: produce comes from sustainable sources, beef is used minimally, and vegetables are plentiful in the menu. The rotating menu spotlights various dishes influenced by local cuisine. Drop by for dinner at the rate of $138, to experience the best this locale has to offer. Image Credit: Allium Facebook Page
a. Kensington Square, 2 Jalan Lokam #01-11 Singapore, Singapore 537846
w. allium.sg/
Ebi Bar
How about a mod-sin noodle feast? At Ebi Bar, see prawn noodles get taken up several wonderous notches, as the restaurant’s signature dish is the Chao Da (or Charred Ebi Noodles) – a delightful bowl featuring a rich and hearty prawn broth, plus prawns and slurp-worthy hand-pulled noodles. And since no EB experience would be complete without the unique snacks and bites they offer, try the Salted Mackerel Fried Chicken (an ode to the zi char favourites, prawn paste wings and salted egg yolk chicken). There’s even the whimsically named Ah Ma’s Achar Gone Fancy, a vegetable achar with a surprise addition of jellyfish. Image Credit: Ebi Bar Facebook Page
a. 5 Koek Road, #B1-21 Cuppage Plaza Singapore, Singapore 228796
Relish @ Frasers Tower
Trust Willin Low the godfather of Singapore’s mod-sin cuisine to add in interesting options like nasi lemak fried chicken, and a fish collagen broth udon on its menu. This hidden spot in the Central Business District is also where you can enjoy Willin’s best-selling creations at affordable prices. Rice bowls and pasta plates start from $15.80+, with extremely decent servings. Other favourites here, include the krapow bee tai mak, hae bee hiam spaghettini and carbanara linguini made with siew yoke. Image Credit: Relish at Frasers Tower Facebook Page
a. 182 Cecil Street Frasers Tower Singapore, Singapore 069547
Xiao Ya Tou
Sporting big red lanterns by its entrance, makes Xiao Ya Tou at Duxton Hill a hard one to miss! The unabashedly Asian restaurant and bar is opened by Abby Lim, chef-owner of popular brunch joint Symmetry. Its décor is a mishmash of old and new South-East Asian influences: paper umbrellas from Myanmar, lanterns from Vietnam, Chinese motifs, and a neon sign of XYT’s KTV hostess-esque mascot. Likewise, the menu is a combination of Lim’s culinary training at mostly French establishments and her love for classic zi char. Just as culture evolves, Singaporean food should progress naturally and rope in Western techniques and foreign ingredients – and according to Lim, it shouldn’t just be about preserving flavours of the past. She says; ‘Why restrict yourself to local ingredients? If you can get out of that box, you can do more. Image Credit: Xiao Ya Tou Facebook Page
a. 6 Duxton Hill Singapore, Singapore 089592
w. http://xyt.sg/
e. 1314@xyt.sg
Lecoq
Previously a yakitori restaurant, Lecoq now excels at Asian-inspired fusion fare. Just check out mains like the Healthy Hainan, which offers sous vide chicken breast alongside a shoyu egg and quinoa; as well as the Iberico Char Siew, featuring 18-hour slow-cooked iberico pork and local vegetables. Other options perfect for sharing include the Dry Laksa and California Maki Dip with fried wanton skin. Image Credit: Lecoq Facebook Page
a. 25 Church Street Singapore, Singapore 049482
w. www.lecoq.sg/
Loof
More than just a breezy rooftop bar, the food that Loof serves celebrates Singaporean flavours too. Start with the chilli crab waffle fries for an easy introduction, before moving into special mains like the B.C.M. Grilled Cheese, which is inspired by minced meat noodles. Sourdough cheese toast comes stuffed with pork mince and grilled to a toasty temperature. Or get your hands dirty with the Loo Original Ramly. The creation might be a pasar madam staple, but the upgrade of Australian beef patty drizzled with secret sedan sauce will have you licking your fingers! A trip up here won’t be complete without a locally-inspired cocktail (like the Changi Apricot) or Loof’s grown-up version of bubble tea (made with vodka, gin, rum and orange liqueur. Image Credit: Loof Facebook Page
a. 331 North Bridge Rd, Odeon Towers Roof top Singapore, Singapore 188720
Laifabar
Now found in a homely, old-school coffee shop-inspired locale at Bukit Batok, Laifabar pays homage to Singapore’s yesteryear with wanton noodles done well. Toppings for the al dente egg noodles include onsen egg, homemade roasted pork and glazed char siew. There are also sides like wanton in chilli sauce, satay and har cheong gai. Image Credit: Laifabar Facebook Page
a. Laifaba, 71 Bukit Batok Crescent, Prestige Centre, #02-02 658071
w. www.laifabar.com/
e. hello@lfb.sg
Po
Those who know the mod-sin food scene well would have already heard of Po – a place even our grandmothers would highly approve with a massive thumbs-up! Here, we’d recommend trying out the elevated comforting classics such as the Fermented Shrimp Soft-Shell Crab and XO Crab Carrot Cake. And be sure to order the popiah platters to assemble delectable rolls of popiah too. So much yumminess in store – all under the roof of this two-letter word restaurant! Image Credit: Po Facebook Page
a. 320 Havelock Road Singapore, Singapore 169628
Wanton Seng’s Eating House
Think local egg noodles for the new age foodies at Wanton Seng’s – serving up bowls of Modern Char Siu Noodle bearing flame-seared pork belly char siu and pork wontons. What’s not to love about that?! There’s also the highly recommended Seng’s Char Siu Noodle, comprising off roasted pork collar char siu and pork wantons – You could easily bake these mains into a meal with sides or add-ons and a drink. Image Credit: Wanton Seng’s Eating House Facebook Page
a. 10 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069789
w. wantonsg.com/
Labyrinth
One of the few places where the traditional and avant-garde meet with ease, Labyrinth blows any preconceived notions of local food out of the water. Han Li Guang, the mastermind behind it all, has matured into his craft since the restaurant opened its doors more than two years ago, designing his tasting menus to reflect a gastronomical journey based on local mealtimes. Each course comprises no more than a mouthful of flavours, but it’s enough to make you nostalgic for a hawker binge. Expect plates like rojak tossed with honey with a side of jackfruit sorbet, or the ‘ang moh’ claypot chicken rice made using kampong chicken. Image Credit: Labyrinth Facebook Page
a. 8 Raffles Ave, #02 - 23, Singapore 039802
Garang Grill
Within the premises of New Ubin Tampines, Garang Grill has found a new home. Here, smoke-kissed meat is given a Singaporean treatment. Almost everything comes in a special $16,000 charcoal grill which imbues into ingredients a smoky sear. Highlights include pork rendang nachos, drizzled with cheese mayonnaise; crispy pork jowl; and the impressive Argentinian stripling (served alongside sweet potato mash and slaw). Image Credit: Garang Grill Facebook Page
a. 18 Tampines Industrial Crescent, #01-16 Singapore, Singapore 528605
w. http://online.garanggrill.com/
Mustard Seed
What was once a popular private dining set-up is now a still-popular intimate dining experience in the quiet neighbourhood of Serangoon Gardens. Fans of Mustard Seed should already known about Chef Gan Ming Kiat, who spent time in kitchens of Candlenut and Goto Kaiseki. Now, at his humble and cosy restaurant, you won’t find explicit ‘Singapore’ flavours on the monthly-changing menu. It comes across in more subtle, sometimes complex ways, which reflect Chef Gan’s personal interpretation of Singapore food. Image Credit: Mustard Seed Facebook Page
The Quarters
Chung Deming, chef-owner of the Quarters has a crazy passion for Singaporean food. A self-taught cook, the former corporate advisor serves up his reinterpretations of local flavours at his cosy bistro. Here, otherwise plebeian café offerings such as steak frites and burgers are given bold bursts of sweet, savoury and umami. The result: fuss-free and reasonably priced dishes with familiar flavours. While their menu is a great way for the unenlightened and meek (and tourists) to dip their toes into local food culture – it also is Chung’s attempt to make Singaporeans better appreciate what’s right under their noses. Image Credit: The Quarters Facebook Page
a. 16 Enggor St, #01-09 Icon Village, Singapore 079717
