Just a few days ago, I was having a conversation with my Korean friend about the many new Korean eateries that have popped up in Singapore over the past couple of months. It’s not just the number of openings that’s impressive, but also the effort to introduce different dishes, such as buckwheat noodles and grilled chicken. I thought the year was drawing to a close with no more new launches, until Noci opened its doors at Suntec City. Dubbed the first Korean pasta bar in Singapore, the title immediately caught my attention, so I headed down to try the handmade pasta and pizza.
My meal started with what would become one of my favourites—the Ricotta Crostini (14++). The appetiser features four slices of crispy and chewy sourdough topped with whipped ricotta cream, finished with a touch of Maldon salt and a drizzle of olive oil. The ricotta was undoubtedly the highlight, as it was incredibly fluffy and smooth with just the right balance of sweetness and creaminess. It might seem like a lot of cream on a piece of bread, but it wasn’t heavy or cloying at all.
My appetiser was followed by the first main dish: Ricotta Ravioli ($24++). This festive-looking green ravioli dish is made with sage butter and a squeeze of lemon, then topped with some peas and pistachio bits for a crunchy bite.
Each ravioli was soft and chewy, though not exactly tender or silky, as the pasta was slightly doughy. There was a good amount of what tasted like Parmesan ricotta packed within each piece, which added a pleasant tang to the otherwise mild and savoury dish. Do note that the lemony taste is rather intense—almost acidic, even—so only order this dish if you don’t mind something zesty.
I was more excited to try the Tomato Stracciatella ($26++), as tagliolini is one of my favourite pasta types. The tomato-based dish stars beef guanilale, cherry tomatoes, and stracciatella, finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a dash of black pepper.
While waiting for the dishes to be served, I headed over to the in-house pasta machine near the entrance to see how the egg noodles were prepared. I was told that every pasta is handmade, so you’re guaranteed fresh pasta with every order!
Unfortunately, the Tomato Stracciatella was a mixed bag. I thoroughly enjoyed the al dente noodles, which had a nice bite, but the tomato sauce was a bit too sweet for my liking. I would have preferred the sauce to have a richer depth, as the sweetness softened the bold flavours that I was anticipating.
Moving on, I also tried the classic Margherita ($21++), featuring a sweet-tangy tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, and basil.
The word that comes to mind when I think of this pizza is well-balanced. Both the texture and flavour were great: the charred edges were crispy, while the centre remained toasty and chewy bite. The medley of fresh tomato sauce, fragrant basil, savoury cheese, and aromatic olive oil was perfectly harmonious, too, without any ingredient overpowering the other.
After I was done with all the main dishes, I waited for my dessert with a cup of Cream Di Noci ($8++): espresso with cream, walnut crunch, and walnut oil. If you’ve tried an Einspanner and enjoy the sweet, creamy coffee, I’m confident you will like this one too.
My experience at Noci ended with a generous serving of Tiramisu ($12++), featuring layers of mascarpone cream, ladyfinger biscuits drenched in coffee syrup, and cocoa powder. The tiramisu here was extra light and moist, to the extent that I wished it were a little denser so it wouldn’t melt away in just a few bites.
From the appetiser to the handmade pasta and unique walnut coffee, the food was generally decent. What really stood out to me, however, was the interior—I was surprised by how similar it was to many of the pasta bars I’ve visited in Seoul, exuding minimalist elegance in an airy and bright setting.
The restaurant is relatively spacious, too, easily accommodating more than 50 diners at once. I visited around 11am, and during the lunch rush, a queue formed outside with people working in the area. Head down slightly earlier, if possible, to secure a seat!
If there’s one thing I can say for sure, it’s that there’s no other Korean restaurant like Noci in Singapore. The food, while decent, isn’t the most memorable, and yet there’s something about this new Suntec spot that I’m drawn to. There will definitely be a second visit!
For more great eats at Suntec City, read The Soup Expert review. Otherwise, check out our LONGJING review, where we tried China’s No. 1 Zhejiang restaurant.
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #01-386, Suntec City, Singapore 038983
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Website
Noci is not a halal-certified eatery.
Photos taken by Yoo Kyung and edited by Marcus Neo.
This was a media tasting at Noci.
Summary
Pros:
– Simple yet stunning interior that really left an impression
– Open kitchen concept
– Great location
Cons:
– Decent dishes in general, but nothing in particular stood out
Recommended dish: Ricotta Crostini (14++), Margherita ($21++)
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #01-386, Suntec City, Singapore 038983