Chef Bjorn Turns Artichoke Into A Retro Pizza Parlour At New Bahru—Here’s A First Look

Artichoke reopens as a retro pizza parlour at New Bahru

If you’re a fan of Chef Bjorn Shen’s Artichoke, we’ve got exciting news for you! After 15 years of serving their renowned Mediterranean-inspired menu, they’re switching things up and reopening as a retro pizza parlour at New Bahru.

According to Chef Bjorn, Artichoke’s revamp is all about keeping things fun and fresh. Driven by his childhood love for pizza, the new concept aims to revive the nostalgic charm of the 80s and 90s American-Italian pizzeria experience. Unlike the artisanal Neapolitan-style pizzas that are trending today, he stresses that his pizzas stay simple, featuring crisp crusts and flavourful toppings. But do his promises deliver? We attended a media tasting to find out.

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Food at Artichoke

Our meal began with the Green N’ Gold Kiwi, Pecorino, Black Pepper, Mint ($14++), featuring bite-sized chunks of green and golden kiwi tossed in a house-made balsamic vinegar and honey dressing, finished with freshly grated Pecorino and aromatic mint leaves.

Some kiwis are a tad too sour, but these definitely weren’t. Each bite was delightfully refreshing, offering a fruity-sweet tang perfect for the hot weather. The grated Pecorino added a subtle piquant edge that mellowed down the sweetness of the kiwi, while the mint leaves lifted the dish with a hint of freshness.

We also had the Super Crunchy Fried Chicken ($24++). For this dish, we could choose between two flavours: Chinatown Spice & Fried Peanuts or Za’atar Honey & Lebanese Garlic Sauce. We went with the former, as recommended by the staff.

Tossed in a blend of Sichuan peppercorns, cumin, fennel seeds, and chilli powder, the chicken was packed with flavour, reminiscent of Chinese BBQ spicy powder. The pickled onions and Lombardi pepper, AKA sweet Italian pepper, added a bit of tanginess that cut through the heavy flavours of the seasoning.

The chicken was fried to perfection, boasting a crisp, golden-brown skin and juicy, tender meat. It wasn’t dry or greasy, and remained warm and delicious even after leaving it out for some time. The fried peanuts were a nice touch, too, lending an extra crunch that made each bite especially addictive.

Moving on to the pizza, we had the Bacon Apple Pie Slab ($32++ for six slices), starring thin, delicate slices of pancetta, baked apples, brie, stretchy mozzarella, and a house-made apple butter, finished with earthy hazelnuts and fragrant rosemary.

Spiced with a touch of cinnamon, the smooth apple butter and tender apple slices were a winning combination of tangy and sweet, a lovely contrast against the rich pancetta and creamy cheese.

The dough was thick yet crisp, made better by a caramelised cheddar crust base for a savoury crunch, much like the frico edges of a Detroit-style pizza. The crust also helped to keep the base firm, holding up well against the generous load of toppings, without turning soggy.

The Dirty Duck Stack ($30++ for four slices) was my colleague’s favourite pizza, featuring a hefty portion of shredded spiced duck stuffed between two slabs of crisp pizza dough, topped with mozzarella, snake bean lawar, sambal matah, coconut cream, and an extra serving of duck! For the uninitiated, snake bean lawar is a well-loved Balinese dish comprising minced meat, garlic, grated coconut, coconut oil, and snake beans.

Braised in a rich, aromatic blend of galangal, garlic, chillies, and duck stock, the duck meat was a delicious explosion of flavours. Cooked with coconut oil, the crunchy snake bean lawar added texture, while the sambal matah tied everything together with a zesty heat, with both components bringing an extra depth of coconutty flavours. It sounds like a lot is going on here, but the flavours were simple without being overcomplicated.

As for the crust, it didn’t become soggy and was the crunchiest of the lot, despite all the toppings. This was a detail we especially appreciated, given that the pizza was packed to the brim.

On the other hand, the Tropic Thunder Round ($32++) was my personal favourite, starring soft, tender slices of Parma ham, fresh jackfruit, ginger flower, and creamy burrata, topped with grated Pecorino, mint leaves, and a drizzle of honey.

We loved the combination of the moreish Parma ham and jackfruit, creating a harmonious blend of savoury and sweet in every bite.

Inspired by the Montanara pizzas of Naples, the dough here is deep-fried, then baked for a puffy, airy crust. Naturally, we expected a greasy pizza dough, but it was delightfully light and crisp instead. For the curious, the baking process helps to remove any excess oil.

If we had to nitpick, though, our only gripe would be that the fresh burrata was a little too watery, which left parts of the crust slightly soggy after some time.

For dessert, we had the Sundae ($20++). Served in an old-school sundae glass, it featured creamy passionfruit ice cream, macerated strawberries, lemongrass cream, banana bread croutons, and a flower-shaped meringue, finished with a drizzle of strawberry jam.

The smooth ice cream paired perfectly with the banana bread croutons, which were crisp on the outside, yet fluffy on the inside. We enjoyed the mix of tropical flavours, a refreshing end to our meal.

Ambience at Artichoke

Fitting in with the retro theme, the restaurant is adorned with colourful glass-stained lamps and loud pop art, some of which are Chef Bjorn’s own creations. Beyond the aesthetics, their nostalgic old-school playlist, featuring R&B classics Mase’s What You Want and Ashanti’s Foolish, really hit the spot for us.

Artichoke can accommodate up to 90 diners at a time, with tables seating groups of four to six. Expect a relaxing dining experience with the choice of airy al fresco seating in their front yard or air-conditioned indoor dining. There’s also a backyard space that’s available for parties, events, and other private gatherings.

Located at New Bahru, Artichoke is a 14-minute walk from Fort Canning MRT Station. FYI, if you don’t want to break a sweat, hop on the New Bahru shuttle bus for a free ride to and from Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, along Somerset Road.

Artichoke – Eatbook review

Overall, Chef Bjorn delivered on his promise of creating a fun, dynamic pizza experience tailored to the Singaporean palate. While prices lean slightly high, Artichoke stands out for their bold, punchy flavours, and we think it’s worth a visit.

If you’re in the area, read our TopTable feature for Singapore’s first table tennis bar and cafe. Otherwise, check out our One Prawn & Co review for XXL prawn ramen!

Address: 46 Kim Yam Road, #01-02, New Bahru, Singapore 239531
Opening hours: Tue 5pm to 10pm, Wed-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 9650 2290
Website
Artichoke is not a halal-certified eatery.

We Visited SG’s First Table Tennis Bar And Cafe At New Bahru

Photos taken by Jordan Ong.
This was a media tasting at Artichoke.