July’s line-up of new restaurants in Singapore includes two famous Asian eateries—Um Yong Baek and Uncle Fong’s Hotpot—finally landing on our shores. Aside from the duo, the selection of new places to dine includes fusion restaurants with intriguing spins on familiar flavours, and a handful of cafes to get your caffeine and brunch fix.
Read on for more new restaurants and cafes in Singapore for July 2022.
Korean cuisine is so much more diverse than the army stews, fried chicken, and K-BBQ options we see in Singapore. Um Yong Baek has recently opened their first Singaporean flagship to show us the breadth of Korean flavours with their authentic Busan pork and rice dishes.
Known as Dwaeji Gukbap, Busan-style pork and rice is made by boiling pork bones for an extended amount of time, and serving that enriched pork broth with rice, as well as slices of meat and offal. Um Yong Baek’s version is available at $21.50+, and only during lunchtime. Expect collagen-rich soup that has been boiled for eight hours, and oh-so-tender pork slices layered with fat.
Come dinnertime, the eatery serves K-BBQ, but premium pork air-flown from Spain and America is still available as part of their ala carte barbecue sets.
Read our Um Yong Baek review!
Address: 27 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069623
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 11:30pm
Tel: 9870 5721
Website
Uncle Fong Hotpot Restaurant is a household name in Hong Kong, where big-name celebrities such as Carina Lau and Anita Yuen count themselves as fans. They’ve recently opened their Singaporean flagship at Great World, with their signature Sichuan-style hotpot available.
Their Signature Chongqing Soup Base is why fans flock to Uncle Fong’s. It’s a combination of potent, mouth-watering spices sourced from China, and beef tallow, instead of the usual vegetable fat one finds in less-premium mala broths. Enjoy ingredients such as marbled cuts of US Prime Beef Short Ribs ($21.50++ for half portion, $42++ for full portion) and Home-made Ebiko Prawn Paste ($8.50++ for half portion, $18++ for full portion) to go with your fiery hotpot broth. For the adventurous, Uncle Fong stays true to their roots by offering a selection of native Sichuanese ingredients on the menu: think ox liver, pig’s heart, and sea cucumber intestines, all priced under $10 a serve.
Read our Uncle Fong Hotpot review.
Address: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #B1-108/109, Great World, Singapore 237994
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Website
Taking the spot where NY Night Market used to be in 313@Somerset is the new Japanese fusion cafe, Ohayo Mamasan. Run by the folks behind Takeshi San in Holland Village, the extensive menu here features appetisers, main courses, platters, and sake cocktails. What stood out to us, however, is their affordable afternoon tea set, priced at $38++ for two, which works out to $19++ per person.
Choose either a savoury or sweet high tea set. Both come with a pot of TWG tea and a medley of small bites, including sliders, scones, and pastries.
Read our Ohayo Mamasan review.
Address: 313 Orchard Road, #01-29, 313 Somerset, Singapore 238895
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10:30pm
Tel: 8875 2777
Website
Venchi is most known for their decadent range of authentic Italian gelato and gift-worthy chocolate treats. The award-winning Italian dessert house has recently opened at ION Orchard, with an all-new cafe corner—the brand’s first-ever cafe concept in Singapore. Here they serve quality coffee and outlet-exclusive desserts such as fluffy crepes drizzled in Venchi chocolate and creamy shakes, where you get to pick your favourite gelato flavour and have it made into a delicious beverage.
For gelato, look forward to delicious classics including Pistachio, Mascarpone and Caramelised Figs, and the all-time favourite Cuor Di Cacao, an intense dark chocolate flavour. Prices start at $8 for the mini size and go up to $12 for a large cup with three flavours of your choice.
If you’re looking for presents to wow a special someone, the gourmet chocolatier has a wide assortment of gorgeous gift boxes. Go for the Venchi Cremino range, which features creamy chocolate with a layer of pistachio, almond or hazelnut layer for a nutty fragrance.
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #B1-25A, ION Orchard Mall, Singapore 238801
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6509 1075
Website
Venchi is not a halal-certified eatery.
Another fusion eatery for the books is Perch in Jewel Changi. This is one to mark as a must-try if you’re looking for a good date night or special occasion restaurant in the East, thanks to its stellar ambience, situated right next to Jewel’s impressive indoor waterfall.
The dishes here are mostly classic East-meets-West fusion, with a couple of surprising twists. Pasta lovers ought to order the Tiger Prawn & Sakura Ebi Capellini ($24++), a next-level aglio olio served with charred tiger prawns, and a smattering of sakura ebi that gives the dish some umami. For something more unconventional, try the Roasted Spiced Chicken Breast With Thai Red Curry ($18++). Fragrant red curry dresses tender, still-juicy chicken breast, served with eggplant confit and tempura lychee as toppings. The latter gives the dish a welcome sweetness and crunch, thanks to its well-fried tempura shell.
Read our Perch review.
Address: 78 Airport Boulevard, #02-244/245, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore 819666
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 10:30pm
Website
Plenty of Singaporean dessert cafes open till late for those motivated by their sweet tooth to seek out supper. Most of them are waffles and ice cream cafes, though, so if you want something a little different, check out Darkness Dessert. This Tanjong Pagar cafe sells traditional Chinese desserts, and is open till 12am on weekdays and Sunday, and 1am on Friday and Saturday.
Fans of black sesame should try their Black Sesame Paste ($4.50+)—a bowlful of sweet, nutty goma. Their silky smooth Red Bean Paste ($4.50+) is also a big win if you enjoy tau sar. If hot desserts aren’t your thing, fret not, as Darkness Desserts has some cold options too. Their Mango Ice ($12.50+) is a towering Taiwanese shaved ice treat, dressed with mango sauce, chunks, and popping sago pearls.
Read our Darkness Dessert review.
Address: 100 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088521
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 4pm to 12am, Thurs 2pm to 12am, Fri 2pm to 1am, Sat 1pm to 1am, Sun 1pm to 12am
Tel: 8842 1263
Website
No Horse Run opened in Yishun last year and quickly became a Northside favourite for their locally inspired gelato flavours and delicious, chewy pandan gula melaka waffles. They’ve since opened a second outlet, which doubles as their first full-fledged cafe, in Choa Chu Kang.
Their classic gelato offerings will be sold here still so you can get your hands on the likes of their popular Muah Chee ($5) gelato, where sticky, muah chee ice cream is studded with chewy peanuts for texture. No Horse Run Choa Chu Kang will also offer brunch items and Sarawak kolo mee on their menu, so you can come for a full meal, and not just desserts.
Find out more about No Horse Run Choa Chu Kang.
Address: 50A Choa Chu Kang Loop, #01-21, Singapore 068959
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 11pm
Tel: 8189 4456
Website
Acclaimed restaurant Estate has launched the Grand Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet, bringing a mouth-watering array of international eats to its diners. Prices start from $158++ per adult, giving you access to, among other things, the largest cheese offerings available at a hotel buffet. 32 types of cheeses, including 16-month Comté and Roquefort, feature in this magnificent spread.
Other tantalising dishes you can have your fill of include the classic Beef Wellington with Black Truffle Sauce, Maine Lobster Thermidor, and three types of unlimited freshly shucked oysters. Should you upgrade to the $188++ price point, you are entitled to free-flow Laurent-Perrier Champagne, white wine, red wine, and their Do-It-Yourself Cocktail Bar.
Address: 333 Orchard Road, Level 5, Hilton Singapore Orchard, Singapore 238867
Opening hours: Daily 6:30am to 10pm
Website
Shake Shake In A Tub is a shopping mall favourite for fried snacks while you jalan jalan. They have decided to go big recently and open a proper cafe in 111 Somerset, so you can enjoy their finger food and sit down in a proper eatery while you’re at it.
Those dining in a group and wanting a variety of bites to nibble on can get their quirky Fries-Go-Round Set ($15.90), served in a functioning mini Ferris wheel, with five different snacks: shoestring fries, curly fries, criss-cut fries, tater tots, and onion rings. These come dressed in a seasoning powder of your choice as well. Cheese lovers can opt for the Say Cheese! Fondue ($21.90), which comes with a medley of snacks, and ooey-gooey cheese for dipping.
Read our Shake Shake In A Tub Somerset review.
Address: 111 Somerset Road, #01-08, 111 Somerset, Singapore 238164
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
Those up for a modern Thai dining experience can head to HUE for their fusion Thai food and impressive desserts.
Start off with an amuse-bouche on the house—a refreshing block of brined watermelon with sweet, savoury, and umami flavours to whet your appetite. Try out their tongue-in-cheek Not a Tom Yum ($19++) that has elements of Hokkien prawn mee broth and a hint of tanginess. There’s also Moocano ($23++), which is a fattier version of your favour moo ping skewers.
The savoury mains took a backseat to our meal here, as the plated desserts such as Limefully ($16++) wowed our tastebuds. This pretty plate came with a mildly sweet and sufficiently sour lime tart, with a bright and unique basil sorbet on the side.
Address: 123 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207549
Opening hours: Tue-Wed 6pm to 10:30pm, Thurs, Sun 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10:30pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm
Tel: 9018 0992
Website
Treat yourself to a luxurious yet value-for-money lunch over at the newly opened omakase spot called Sushi Yujo. It’s a gem centred in the CBD area, serving omakase lunches from $98++. You can expect fork-tender Wagyu slices, melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, silky chawanmushi, and creamy uni.
Previously the head chef of the popular Sushi Jin, Chef Desmond Fong helms the 29-seater restaurant with three of his close chef buddies. Together they have created a menu that beautifully highlights seasonal ingredients with their expert methods of searing, slow cooking and more.
Address: 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, #02-26, Amara Hotel, Singapore 088539
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10:30pm
Tel: 8877 8831
Website
Five Oars Coffee Roasters is a hot favourite for brunch and coffee in the CDB. They’ve since reopened their Tanjong Pagar outlet in the form of their Five Oars Coffee Roasters Heritage cafe. Fan favourite bites such as their Creme Brulee French Toast ($20++) and Sticky Date Pancake ($18++) remain on the menu, alongside classic brunch dishes, and a wider dinner menu under their after-hours concept, Night Hawk.
Come dinner, the cafe transforms into Night Hawk, a moody, intimate restaurant designed after the famed Edward Hopper painting. Sharing portions are a mainstay on the menu, so come with friends and feast on the likes of their Seafood Paella ($45++).
Find out more about Five Oars Coffee Roasters Heritage.
Address: 43 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088464
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 10pm
Website
Cherki, located a short walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, is a modern Peranakan restaurant and bar that’s packed almost daily. Named after the common Peranakan card game of old, Cherki puts a Nyonya flair on the ang moh dishes we’ve come to love and know.
Order Sweet Soy Crackling Pork Belly ($13+) for sharing and you won’t be disappointed. Though simple, the pork belly chunks are irresistible, as they are roasted till they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, before they’re finished with a house-made sweet soya sauce. Cherki’s Pangium Beef Wellington ($30+) is also spectacular. Juicy beef tenderloin is enveloped by a unique buah keluak paste and classic mushroom duxelle, before it’s oven-roasted to a beautiful medium-rare.
The craft cocktails here also marvel in their own right, with stunning presentations and local flavours. Of note, is the Sop Story ($25+), an edible cocktail that’s meant to replicate the laborious processes of Peranakan cooking. Without giving too much away, this soursop-forward dish will definitely make you work for it.
Address: 1 Straits Boulevard, #01-02, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Singapore 018906
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 12aM
Tel: 6514 8345
Website
Everton Park is home to many food gems, one of which is the newly opened O Happi Place. The minimalistic gelataria has pastel and salmon pink decor that nods to the rise of mid-century modern furniture right now. The menu is as eye-catching as the ambience, with nostalgic and Asian gelato flavours that you can enjoy atop a croffle if you’re dining in, or to go in a cup or cone.
Don’t miss their Milky Limey ($4.50), an elevated take on the familiar flavours of the Solero stickbar. Creamy, zingy lime gelato is served with a gooey lime sauce, for texture and extra zestiness.
Read our O Happi Place review.
Address: 5 Everton Park, #01-22A, Singapore 080005
Opening hours: Sun, Tue-Thurs 12:30pm to 9pm, Fri-Sat 12:30pm to 10pm
Website
Beyond restaurants, we also have a number of hawkers that you ought to check out this month, including Fang Handmade Curry Puff for their lava puffs, Nice Rice for French-Japanese rice bowls at affordable prices, and Spuds Shack for $5.50 fusion rosti!
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