New restaurants and eateries in Singapore to check out this month
This month, we're shining a spotlight on local food, hearty Swiss meals, refined Kyoto cuisine and exotic Moroccan fare, quickfire review style.
If there's one thing Singapore got right, it's our thriving food scene. There is often something new and something not boring happening in our F&B scene, and the best thing is you don't need to travel overseas or far to enjoy a great meal, whether it's local food or international offerings.
Let's take a moment to appreciate that about Singapore, before we move on to these five establishments – some new, some with new menus – that got on our radar recently.
(updated 18 July)
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1) Comforting beehoon in wokhei broth at Cheeky Beehoon
Address: 37 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428755
New to the ever-happening East Coast Road neighbourhood, Cheeky Beehoon is a concept selling, yes you guessed it, beehoon. Chef Darwin Wong, a seasoned chef with stints in Jaan and who runs JIDAI, helms the eatery with a team who also descended from fine dining. Go for the soup beehoon, a comforting dish that packs a mean wok hei in the broth. I mean, how does it even do that?!
As I'm writing this, it's raining heavily at 9 am, and you can bet this is top of my list right now.
2) A taste of Switzerland at CouCou Authentic Swiss Restaurant & Bar
Address: 9 Craig Rd, Singapore 089669
The cost of going to Switzerland for a holiday is no walk in the park, but thanks to Singapore's thriving food scene, you can now have a taste of Switzerland's food without stepping out of the country.
Walk into CouCou, and you'll be greeted by the cuckoo clocks adorning the walls. Dive into the menu, and you'll find heaven for cheese lovers. Their cheese fondue is so popular that during the pandemic, they even did food deliveries that came along with the fondue pot.
You don't need me to tell you that they definitely do their cheese dishes well, but don't miss this pork tenderloin in morel mushroom sauce. They also do steak and fish dishes, which is standard enough, but I wouldn't skip the former.
Generally, the menu is not particularly extensive, but every dish is hearty and heart-warming. And, do yourself a favour and order the Wiliams Pear or Apricot liqueur – ask the floor staff and they'll make the necessary recommendations!
Going to Switzerland? Check out this James Bond, Cable Car and Dining Experience all-in-one package!
3) Indulge in a Kyoto kaiseki at Ikkoten Omakase
Address: 86 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 048469
Brandon Low, the Executive Chef of Ikkoten, is only 26 years old. But don't underestimate this young chef, who has trained under Japanese chefs specialising in Kyoto cuisine for around a decade.
This traditional Kyoto Kaiseki-style omakase just opened its door in May 2023, and has three tight and well-executed omakase menus to choose from. Lunchtime omakase Yuki goes for $138++, while you can choose from two dinner menus: Tsuki, $198++ and Hana, $298++.
Expect a traditional way of preparation and a modern way of presentation of the Kyoto-style kaiseki. Think seasonal grilled fish reverse seared over charcoal; a deconstructed negitoro with a gold sprinkle surprise and traditionally-prepared donabe you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
I will not spoil the entire experience for you as the entire premise of Omakase is chef's selection, which should be a pleasant surprise – but you'll definitely want to save some stomach space for his seasonal Donabe, usually served near the end of the meal.
Related:
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4) Spice up your food at Tajine Moroccan Tapas & Cocktail Bar
Address: 18 Mohamed Sultan Rd, Singapore 238967
Hailing all the way from Morocco, Tajine serves up authentic Moroccan food that may not be easily found in Singapore. Singaporeans may not be as familiar with Moroccan cuisine as we do Japanese or Korean food, but the cuisine is known for rich and complex flavours and is usually served in generous sharing portions, which makes it a similar DNA to our food culture.
I still have problems pronouncing the food names, but you don't want the language difference to stop you from trying the bessara (fava bean hummus), méchoui (slow braised lamb shoulder), and of course, the tajines (say yes to the veal shank). All of the meats we tried are fork-tender and incredibly flavourful.
One thing is for sure; it's definitely a hearty meal you'll want to bring a group of friends to maximise!
Love Moroccan food already? Check out this cooking class in Marrakech!
5) New menu at Man Fu Yuan, Intercontinental Singapore
Address: 80 Middle Road Level 2 InterContinental Singapore, Singapore 188966
Man Fu Yuan at Intercontinental Singapore unveils a new a la carte menu. The refreshed menu is conceptualised and curated by Executive Chinese Chef Aaron Tan, featuring Cantonese classics uplifted by modern interpretations and premium ingredients.
Highlights on the new menu that we thought are must-tries are:
1) You cannot go wrong with a nourishing and heartwarming Double-boiled superior seafood soup with mushroom served in melon husk.
2) Table theatrics aside, the 3.33 honey glazed Duroc pork ribs, yuzu soya sauce, grated coconut is actually a crowd-pleaser on the palate, with an explosive flavour profile.
3) A collagen-filled delicacy braised till tender for 6 hours, the Flambé Braised crocodile palm with vegetables, mushroom is one you need to try to check off that food bucket list.
4) The table was pleasantly surprised with the savoury Braised Indonesia cave bird’s nest with crabmeat, crab roe and silver sprout in Beijing style.
5) Maybe I have plebian tastebuds, but the Stone Bowl rice with Kurobuta pork cured meat egg yolk and tobiko is essentially an elevated fried rice, and I'm all for it.
The menu is available for dine-in at Man Fu Yuan for lunch and dinner.
