Manpuku Sando Is A New Hole-In-The-Wall Sando Cafe In Orchard

Manpuku Sando is now open in Somerset

We’ve curated a list of the best sando in Singapore, but this latest find might be the best yet. Newly unveiled just two weeks ago, Manpuku Sando serves up delicious 萌え断 (moedan) sando━the Japanese way of describing food that’s perfect for the ‘gram.

FYI, Manpuku Sando (満腹サンド) translates to “full stomach” in English, which this Japanese sando eatery hopes for every patron to leave with: both a full heart and stomach. Conveniently located in basement one of Cuppage Plaza, it’s just a brief six-minute walk from Somerset MRT Station.

Opened by the owner of the hidden izakaya Dosukoi X Donpachi, this sando eatery only operates for four hours each day, doubling up as an izakaya from 5pm. It’s a Japanese-run eatery with predominantly Japanese staff; it almost makes you feel like you’re in Japan.

The menu offers a diverse selection, including both sweet and savoury sando with various protein options such as fish, beef, pork, and chicken. Some sando are served with multigrain bread, while the others come sandwiched in fluffy shokupan.

Start with the colourful Crichee Cream Cheese Salmon Sando ($19.80), which is also my colleague’s favourite pick. Each sando comes with a serving of miso soup, which was a delightful surprise! It boasted a rich umami flavour that struck a great balance between savoury richness and subtle sweetness.

This sando features a great variety of ingredients including cream cheese, carrot, asparagus, capers, olives, purple cabbage, and smoked salmon, all layered between slices of multigrain bread.

While you might think that there are too many ingredients in a single sandwich, they complemented each other very well, allowing us to still appreciate the briny notes of the smoked salmon. Moreover, the crunchiness of the vegetables added another layer of texture to the sando too.

A crowd favourite here is the Fuwatoro Truffle Tamago Sando ($14.80), jam packed with egg mayonnaise, mixed in with chunky pieces of egg, held between lightly toasted shokupan.

While we thought that the truffle flavour could be more pronounced, we still enjoyed the texture of having un-smashed egg with the egg mayonnaise.

If you’re up for something more interesting, consider the A.C.B Anko Cream Butter Sando ($14.80)! This sweet and savoury sando features 発酵あんこ (hakkou anko), a fermented mashed red bean paste that requires more than 12 hours of prep time. It’s paired with thick slabs of cold butter and sweet whipped cream, all sandwiched between slices of lightly toasted shokupan.

Don’t miss out on their selection of beverages, among which we tried fizzy drinks such as the Manpuku Fruits Soda ($7.80) and Craft Ginger Ale ($6.80). The Manpuku Fruits Soda boasted a good assortment of fruits including peach, pineapple, kiwi, and strawberry. As for the Craft Ginger Ale, it’s an acquired taste that improves with each sip, growing rather addictive with its refreshing and spicy kick.

Manpuku Sando has a small, cosy space, allowing you to recharge amidst a backdrop of pleasant classical and jazzy ambient music. The seating options include a bar counter and modern table seats, with a capacity of approximately 15 diners. 

In related news, Ikigai Yakitori Bar is a neon-lit Japanese bar that has yakitori from $2++. Alternatively, for more great Japanese eats, read our guide to the best Japanese cafes in Singapore.

Address: 5 Koek Road, #B1-23, Cuppage Plaza, Singapore 228796
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 3pm (last order at 2pm)
Website
Manpuku Sando is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Raelynn Ng.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg