When Singaporean meals is talked about, it’s often humble hawker fare that involves thoughts. If you’re keen on native flavours however wish to expertise them in a very completely different method, mod-Sin delicacies is perhaps simply what you’re searching for. This up to date tackle Singaporean meals sees native cooks experiment with reimagined and deconstructed native dishes whereas maintaining its distinctive flavours. From pasta and burgers to Singapore-style ramen, right here’s our checklist of the perfect mod-Sin eating places to attempt these intriguing dishes.
1. Xiao Ya Tou
The vibrant and delightfully kitschy Xiao Ya Tou definitely stands out amongst its neighbours within the hip Duxton Hill stretch. Its title, which interprets to “little rebel”, is definitely apt so far as its menu is worried. Here you’ll be able to anticipate elevated takes on uniquely Singaporean dishes like lobster kueh pie tee, wok-fried wagyu hor enjoyable and truffle duck fried rice making an look. If you’re right here for drinks and want a few gentle bites, spring for the Angus beef satay or the moreish crispy otak-otak rolls – a specialty right here. Vegetarians can even be happy to know there’s a devoted meat-free menu with Singapore-inspired dishes like veggie ngoh hiang, beancurd chips with mala mayo and mushroom dumplings full of Impossible pork, turnip, mushrooms and cabbage.
6 Duxton Hill. Nearest MRT: Outram Park, Tanjong Pagar
2. Relish by Wild Rocket
It was at Wild Rocket that self-taught chef Willin Low first codified mod-Sin delicacies in 2005. “Twelve years ago, nobody knew what to call the food I was creating at Wild Rocket which was why we coined the label. Since then, mod-Sin has grown.” And regardless of the closure of the unique Wild Rocket, chef Low continues his mod-Sin adventures with Relish by Wild Rocket which has been open since 2006. While it began as a burger restaurant, Relish now serves a assorted choice of pastas, brunch gadgets and sharing plates with Singaporean inflections. The roketto oyster omelette spaghettini for instance, deconstructs the traditional hawker dish and reimagines it as a spicy pasta. There’s additionally a fish collagen broth udon that pulls inspiration from Singapore-style fish soup however is gussied up with premium components like hand-cut inaniwa udon and handmade egg fishcake.
3. A Noodle Story
Founded by “hawkerpreneurs” Gwern Khoo and Ben Tham, A Noodle Story is one among Singapore’s pioneering trendy hawker stalls and a recipient of the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand award. The dish that put them on the map is the “first and only Singapore-style ramen”, which takes cues from wanton noodles, an area favorite. The dish contains of skinny, springy noodles which might be tossed with a mix of darkish soya sauce and roasted dried shrimps which maintain the dish’s flavour profile acquainted. Rather than typical char siew, the dish is topped with slices of pork stomach chashu which have been slow-braised for 36 hours. The silky pork and prawn wantons are additionally made recent each day. Where issues get unconventional is the addition of an onsen egg and a prawn cake wrapped in strings of crispy Idaho potato.
7 Wallich Street, B2-32, Guoco Tower. Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar
4. Labyrinth
This one-star Michelin restaurant is a contemporary Singaporean thoroughbred – for starters, it’s situated on the Esplanade – Theatres by the Bay, itself an icon of recent Singapore. Chef-owner Han Li Guang based Labyrinth to showcase native Singaporean flavours and cultures whereas encapsulating his roots and reminiscences rising up in Singapore. “The modernisation of local flavours cannot come at the expense of its authenticity,” the banker-turned-chef says, “And I strongly believe that the future of local cuisine lies in our past.” The 2022 dinner tasting menu, “Memories of Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre” options chef-owner LG Han’s tackle native favourites like rojak, hen rice, char kway teow and bak kut teh.
8 Raffles Avenue, #02-23 Esplanade Mall. Nearest MRT: Esplanade
5. Po
Set within the hip boutique Warehouse Hotel, Po is a nod to each the delicacies of Singapore’s yesteryears and the fare that you simply’d discover at your beneficiant grandmother’s. It must be anticipated, then, that the method to Singaporean meals at Po is extra on the traditional and conservative aspect of mod-Sin, though the delicacies’s defining twist remains to be current, largely in the usage of elevated components. The large river prawns konbu mee, an elevated tackle Hokkien mee, completely encapsulates this philosophy with its use of premium components.
320 Havelock Road, Level 1, The Warehouse Hotel. Nearest MRT: Fort Canning
– ORIGINAL TEXT BY CELINE ASRIL
This article was initially revealed by Singapore Press Holdings.