New year, new openings: we’ve gathered a list of 10 new restaurants and cafes in Singapore to try this January 2025. From an old-school Klang bak kut teh eatery to a 24-hour Korean dining collective, save this guide for your next catchup with friends!
Table of Contents
Yu Cun Curry Fish Head is a popular zi char restaurant that’s been around since 2014. In December 2024, they opened a second outlet in Bugis at Sultan Gate, following their first location in Tai Seng. FYI, this restaurant offers huge tables that cater to big groups, so you can consider them for your upcoming Chinese New Year gatherings.
Our favourite dish was, to no surprise, the Royal Flush Seafood Curry Fish Head Pot ($55.90++). It came with fresh fish, huge prawns, chewy squid, beancurd skin and more. The rich curry was enjoyable, and the spice level was just nice when paired with a bowl of rice. We also recommend getting the Flaming Red Wine Pork Ribs ($22.90++), torched right in front of you for an extra caramelised flavour.
Read our Yu Cun Curry Fish Head review.
Address: 29/31 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198477
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10:30pm
Website
Yu Cun Curry Fish Head is not a halal-certified eatery.
The opening of En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh in Chinatown attracted much attention, including ours. The establishment is a collaboration between EN Group and Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh, a Klang eatery that’s been around for more than 30 years. Here, you get to try both dry and soup bak kut teh—the latter features the herbaceous Hokkien BKT style.
Try their Signature 4 Types Assorted Meats Claypot Bak Kut Teh ($18.90++) for a robust, herbal broth with pork trotter, pork ribs, pork belly, Hokkaido pork collar, shiitake mushrooms, button mushrooms, tofu puffs, and fried beancurd. Our favourite, though, was the Claypot Dry Pork Belly Bak Kut Teh ($12.90++) as it was meaty, flavourful, and mildly spicy. We also appreciated that the pork belly chunks were extra soft and tender in this dish.
Read our En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh review.
Address: 133 New Bridge Road, #01-44, Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Website
En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh is not a halal-certified eatery.
3. TONSHOU
Tanjong Pagar is brimming with restaurants and cafes. A new contender to the list is TONSHOU, a tonkatsu speciality restaurant hailing from Korea. The restaurant is said to be one of the most well-known restaurants in Busan!
Here’s what makes their tonkatsu different: The meat is first cooked over low heat, then deep-fried over high heat. After the cutlet has rested for a while, it’s fired over charcoal for a smoky flavour. You can enjoy your tonkatsu with rice or sandwiched between two thick pieces of bread. We recommend the Katsu Sando ($21++), where crispy pork katsu is paired with fluffy white bread and finished with a sweet-savoury glaze. Those who prefer rice can go for the Hire Katsu Cutlet ($28++), comprising pork tenderloin katsu with rice and an assortment of sides.
Read our TONSHOU review.
Address: 51 Tras Street, Singapore 078990
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 2pm, 5pm to 7pm, Sat 11am to 2pm, Sun 5pm to 7pm
Website
TONSHOU is not a halal-certified eatery.
Famous Vietnamese grilled chicken chain Chickita has set up shop at City Square Mall, its first outlet in Singapore! Look forward to an extensive menu, ranging from starters to mains and desserts. You can also choose from the brand’s six signature sauces to go with your chicken, sorted according to spice level.
The Half Chicken ($19.90++) is a good place to start. You get half a bird flame-grilled till charred on the outside, with a tender middle and smoky aroma. If you want more protein, order the Whole Chicken ($37.90++) instead! Zhng up your meal with a bowl of Signature Rice ($4.90++), order some sides to share. On our visit, we enjoyed the Signature Hot Prawn Dip ($9.90++), which was packed with umami.
Check out our Chickita review.
Address: 180 Kitchener Road, #04-33, City Square Mall, Singapore 208539
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6531 0567
Website
Chickita is in the process of getting halal-certified.
ICYMI: Murger Han, a popular Chinese restaurant from London, has landed on our shores! This Singapore offshoot offers the brand’s signature flatbread and biang biang noodles at wallet-friendly prices—everything on the menu is under $15.
You won’t go wrong with the Pork Murger, well-priced at $5.80. This Chinese-style burger comprises a crispy flatbread paired with juicy pork chunks and sliced cucumbers to cut through the richness. There’s also a Spicy Chicken Murger with Peppers and Cumin ($6.50) flavour for those who like heavier flavours. Don’t leave without trying their hand-pulled noodles, priced from $10.80 a bowl!
Read our Murger Han feature.
Address: 61 Robinson Road, #01-02, Singapore 068893
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 10pm
Website
Murger Han is not a halal-certified eatery.
Good news for night owls: Momolato has a new cafe in Bugis that opens till 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Headed by a gelato champion, the dessert cafe serves their famous gelato here, with flavours ranging from Triple Dark Chocolate to Sweet Corn Cempedak. A single scoop is priced from $5.30.
In addition to their famous gelato, fans can also look forward to a whole new series of desserts. For instance, there’s the Sicilian Pistachio Kunafa Waffle ($21), topped with pistachio cream and crispy shredded filo pastry, then finished with fresh fruits and a scoop of pistachio gelato. Another highlight is the deep-fried mochi ice cream series, where Momolato’s signature gelato is wrapped in dough and fried till crispy. The cafe also offers a small range of savoury bites: think Fried Buttermilk Garlic Chicken Waffle ($16.90), Momolato Smash Burger (price TBD) and more.
Check out our Momolato feature.
Address: 723 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198691
Opening hours: Sun, Tue-Thurs 11am to 11pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 1am
Tel: 9679 7268
Website
Momolato is a halal-certified eatery.
If you tried and loved Korio back when they were a takeaway kiosk at Far East Square, you’ll want in on this. The cult favourite sandwich shop has opened a cafe in Marina Bay, a two-minute walk from Downtown MRT Station.
There are 10 sandwiches to choose from, all priced under $20. If you’re not too hungry, go for the Mortadella & Pickles ($15.50), where a soft potato roll is stuffed with grilled mortadella ham, provolone cheese, mustard mayo, and house pickles. As it’s on the smaller side, it’s perfect for those with smaller appetites. Other popular picks include Mushroom Melt ($16.50) and the classic Lox ($18.50), which features smoked salmon, herb cream cheese, pickled beetroot, tomatoes, and capers on a French baguette.
BTW, you’ll find the brand’s famous brioche doughnuts here, too!
Read our Korio review.
Address: 2 Central Boulevard, #01-11, IOI Towers, Singapore 018916
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm, Sat 8am to 2pm
Website
Korio is not a halal-certified eatery.
Those who frequent Tanjong Pagar may have come across Hansik Dining Collective, a new 24-hour Korean food collective. The restaurant’s first floor operates around the clock, while the second floor opens until 2am.
For a late-night K-BBQ fix, we recommend Go Gi Jip Premium Korean BBQ. Their signature Ganjang Gejang ($85++) is another must-try; this dish consists of soy-marinated raw crab made with crabs flown in fresh from Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island. Alternatively, walk up to the second floor, where you’ll find the famous Kko Kko Na Ra. Indulge in their Ma Neul Gan Jang (Garlic Soy Chicken) (price TBD), made with hand-crushed garlic and a unique blend of 41 premium ingredients imported from Korea. If you love spicy food, order their Spicy Garlic or Mala fried chicken!
Check out our Hansik Dining Collective feature.
Address: 33 Tras Street, Singapore 078973
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours
Tel: 9777 2204
Hansik Dining Collective is not a halal-certified eatery
Michelin Bib Gourmand zi char eatery Kok Sen Restaurant has opened a second outlet at City Square Mall, directly connected to Farrer Park MRT Station. You’ll find the brand’s signature dishes here, including the Big Prawns Hor Fun ($19/$38/$57): wok hei rice noodles in a flavourful gravy with silky egg swirls, topped with huge prawns. The Claypot Yong Tau Foo ($15/$23/$30) is another fan favourite; here, yong tau foo pieces are stuffed with house-made prawn paste, and then cooked in a claypot.
Don’t miss out on their new and exclusive dishes, too. Top picks include the Smoked Tea Duck (price TBD), which is said to undergo 10 hours of preparation, and Original Big Prawn Noodle Soup (price TBD), a family recipe that’s been passed down for three generations.
Check out our Kok Sen Restaurant feature.
Address: 180 Kitchener Road, #04-31/32, City Square Mall, Singapore 208539
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 2:15pm, 5pm to 9:15pm
Website
Kok Sen Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
We hope this guide to the best new restaurants in Singapore comes in handy the next time you’re planning a meet-up with your loved ones.
If you’re looking for Chinese New Year recommendations, we’ve got our guide to the best reunion dinner and takeaway deals for 2025. In other food news, McDonald’s has a new strawberry soft serve for a limited time only!
Isetan Scotts is running their Shizuoka Fair from now till 16 January 2025! Get Mt.…
Here's our list of the best yusheng to order for Chinese New Year 2025, including…
Takashimaya’s Lunar New Year Festive Celebration fair has returned till 27 January 2025—plenty of time…
DuoDuo Dou is a new under-HDB dessert cafe in Hougang that specialises in affordable shaved…
Here are all the best Newton Food Centre hawker stalls for must-eat local dishes when…
Coffee Break has opened at Holland Drive Food Centre with unique kopi! Try their black…