Just Opened September 2017: New Restaurants & Bars in Singapore

Exhausted your dining options these few weeks? Here are a bunch of new restaurants and bars to try in September, from mod-sin option Jiakpalang and Asian grills Butcher Boy and Blue Lotus Chinese Grill House, to Michelin-starred kushikatsu at Ginza Rokukakutei and tacos from The Lime Truck.

New Restaurants in Singapore

Jiakpalang Eating House

Bak Kut Teh Jelly with Yu Tiao

The Mod-Sin movement has been gaining more traction at home recently, so it’s no wonder that even the traditional zi char hawker stall is getting a modern spin. Enter Jiakpalang Eating House, loosely translated to mean “eaten till (someone) was full” from Hokkien, as well as a slang for “a mixture of items”, situated in Fragrance Empire Building on Alexandra Road. Serving up their own renditions of Singapore fare such as Bak Kut Teh Jelly with Yu Tiao ($9) from the classic pepper soup bak kut teh and Milo Dinosaur pana cotta ($8) from the drink of the same name, Jiakpalang is the place to try something adventurous with a taste of home.

Jiakpalang Eating House is located at 456 Alexandra Road, #01-04/ 06 Fragrance Empire Building, Singapore 119962, p. +65 6266 8511. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am – 10pm. Closed Sat-Sun.

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Comida Mexicana

An offshoot of Mexican restaurant Margarita’s in Dempsey, Comida Mexicana’s sizeable portions make it a great hangout for groups of friends and family to feast on casual fare. With usual favourites such as tacos and burritos mixed with lesser known but just as authentic options such as the Mexican Yucatan Chicken ($28) skewers in a fried tortilla bowl, sit down within the brightly art decorated space with a tequila in hand as you dig in to an authentic Mexican dinner and experience.

Comida Mexicana is located at 404 East Coast Road, Singapore 428998, p. +65 6440 8030. Open Tue-Sun 11.30am-3pm, 6pm-10pm. Closed Mon.

Sumo Bar Happy

Sumo Ramen. Photo courtesy of Sumo Bar Happy

From the fellas over at Standing Sushi Bar comes yet another Japanese concept; this time, it’s one dedicated to ramen. Sumo Bar Happy’s signature Sumo Ramen ($23) is a tad more expensive than the offerings found all over the island, but a bowl of tonkotsu soup chock full with beef tendon, roast oxtail, sauteed beef and boneless ribs is sure to fill you up. And if you’re in need of drinks, the bar specialises in one-cup sake, a popular Japanese sake packaged in a can that you can toss down with your ramen anytime.

Sumo Bar Happy is located at 261 Waterloo Street, #01-24 Waterloo Centre, Singapore 180261, e. [email protected]. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12pm-5pm.

Ginza Rokukakutei

Move over, grilled kushiyaki – get your skewer fix with kushikatsu (deep fried skewers) over at Ginza Rokukakutei, a Michelin-starred establishment that has made their first international foray with Singapore. Deep fried to golden brown goodness and served with dipping sauce, the omakase sets (from $134) are sure to fill you up. Do try to gun for the main counter seats –  you might just be able to catch chef Hideyuki Tanaka do a special trick as he prepares the dishes. Read our full review here.

Ginza Rokukakutei is located at Odeon Towers, 331 North Bridge Rd #01-04, Singapore 188720, p. +65 6266 1077. Open 4pm – 11pm daily.

Blue Lotus Chinese Grill House

Crab Balls

Blue Lotus Concepts International expands their family of restaurants once again with Blue Lotus Chinese Grill in the heart of Tanjong Pagar. Featuring the first open concept kitchen in a Chinese restaurant, dishes are fired up in the Josper Oven for a smoky finish before being served. Dine on Hickory Smoked Honey-glazed Kurobuta Pork Belly ($16++), their rendition of char siew, as well as the signature chilli pomelo crab with a twist – Crab Balls ($22++), crumbed and fried to perfection.

Blue Lotus Chinese Grill House is located at 5 Wallich Street, #01-13 Tanjong Pagar Centre Singapore 078883, p. +65 6910 0880. Opens Mon-Sat 11.30am – 10.30pm. Closed Sun.

Book now with Chope

1KS

Avo Toast

Food enclave Keong Saik Road welcomed a new entrant to the scene with 1KS, by the same team behind sandwich masters Park Bench Deli. Located under co-working space The Working Capitol, the menu is an ‘adult’ step up from the paper-wrapped offerings at Park Bench Deli – their first all-day cafe concept features an Acai Bowl ($13), sourdough Avo Toast ($12) and hearty Chinese Chicken Salad ($16) for a proper sit-down meal. Complete your dishes with cold pressed juice or boutique coffee blends.

1KS is located at 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109, p. +65 6221 1792. Opens Mon-Fri 8am – 9pm, Sat-Sun 9am – 6pm. 

Butcher Boy

Fried Chicken in a Bao. Photo courtesy of Butcher Boy

Another new Keong Saik joint is Butcher Boy, sister restaurant to Cure a few doors down. Boasting a contemporary Asian concept, feast on offerings from the grill such as John Stones Irish Rib-eye and Cauliflower Steak, Teriyaki, Burnt Apple, as well as baos and buns in their various lunch, dinner and Sunday Roast menus. Don’t forget to heap on the various sauces on your meat as well – you have quite a selection from miso brown butter to yuzu bearnaise at your disposal.

Butcher Boy is located at 31 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089138, p. +65 6221 6833. Opens Mon-Thu 5pm – 11pm; Fri-Sat 12pm – 3pm, 5pm- 11pm; 12pm – 4pm, Sun 5pm – 9.30pm.

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Jin Ho Mia

Tok Kong Pot

There are two sides to Jin Ho Mia when you come down for a meal. By day, a fuss-free rice bowl lunch does wonders for the working population near Alexandra Retail Centre with wholesome offerings of Asian-styled Giam Pui Bowls. By night, the restaurant turns into a hotpot paradise for those looking for a meal to warm them to their toes – savour soups such as Tok Kong Pot (Alaskan king crab, tiger prawns, flower clams) and Ah Boy Pot (roasted pork, bacon, luncheon meat, sausages, meatballs) for a truly filling meal.

Jin Ho Mia is located at 460 Alexandra Road, #02-20 Alexandra Retail Centre, Singapore 119963, p. +65 6352 7725. Opens Mon-Fri 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm; Sat-Sun, public holidays 11.30am – 10pm.

The Lime Truck

US taco specialists The Lime Truck and celebrity chef Daniel Shemtob have parked their latest kitchen-on-wheels right here in Singapore – PasarBella@Suntec City welcomes a permanent addition of tacos and guacamole among their artisan food products and restaurants. Get your hands on taco shells heaped with Asian flavours such as Slow Braised Pork Belly Taco ($4) and No #1 Steak Taco ($4.60), as well as sides to share like the Chips and Salsa ($3.90) and Chicken Skinz ($3.90) to settle your Mexican cravings – if you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty.

The Lime Truck is located at 3 Temasek Blvd, #455- 456 / 459-461 PasarBella @ Suntec City, Singapore 038983. Opens 10am – 10pm daily.

New Bars in Singapore

Bee Bee’s

Respite and Sombong

Boat Quay gets a boost with new bar Bee Bee’s, where the Tiki drinks get a spicy kick from Peranakan flavours infused by local bartender Bryan Kishore. Located on the second level of a shophouse, the marriage of two cultures gave birth to drinks like the aromatic Sombong (vodka, pandan, melon, and pineapple) and the unapologetic Sorry Not Sorry (red dragonfruit, soursop, cachaça, lime, lemongrass, ginger, galangal, and kaffir lime leaf), inspired by the ubiquitous juice combination found in hawker centres. Most cocktails on the menu are priced at $15 nett, so knock back a few over while overlooking the Singapore River for a taste of heritage made modern.

Bee Bee’s is located at 55A Boat Quay, Singapore 049844, p. +65 91726729. Opens Mon-Sat 5pm – 12am. Closed Sun.

Cover image: Lox Toast, from 1KS

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When not downing frappes during her writing spiels, Megan can be found catching up on her favourite franchises or cajoling friends and family out for yet another Japanese dinner. An insane need to stay connected means you can reach her anytime – except on alternate weekends, when she’s found next to a TV screen, watching F1 cars go ‘round in circles.