Twyst Review: Halal-Certified DIY Pastas Under $10, With 12 Outlets In SG

Twyst has affordable DIY pasta bowls

Pasta is one of my major comfort meals, especially on days when I seek solace in nothing but a big bowl of carbs. So when I heard of Twyst, a joint that allows you to customise your own pasta bowls in over 200 ways, I was down to try their dishes out. Not to mention, that their pasta options are nett-priced and start from just $8.50! 

Twyst operates similarly to a fast food joint: you place your orders at a digital kiosk, and your bowl is whipped up and ready within minutes. This convenience has made Twyst a popular pick amongst office workers looking for fuss-free lunches. What’s even better is that they are halal-certified, making them a great meal option for our Muslim friends. 

Twyst currently has 12 outlets across Singapore, but for our visit, we dined at their Century Square branch. 

Food at Twyst

If you do not wish to bother yourself with customising your own pasta combos, go for their Chef’s Signatures. These chef-curated pastas include classics such as Aglio Olio ($9.90), Creamy Alfredo ($10.90), and Pomodoro ($10.90). There are also unique Asian fusion creations, such as Laksa Olio ($10.90), Gochujang ($10.90), and Miso Butter ($10.90).

I got to try three of their most popular pastas, as recommended by the chefs: Aglio Olio, Alfredo, and Miso Butter. I started with the Aglio Olio, my usual go-to when eating out at Italian restaurants. This dish came with poached chicken, baby spinach, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes. 

For a pasta-centric joint, Twyst does not shy away from the fact that they use ready-made dried Barilla noodles for their dishes, instead of making their own pasta from scratch. However, this was not an issue for me considering that they position themselves as an affordably priced, no-frills pasta joint. 

Whether store-bought or freshly made, I believe that properly cooked pasta can make or break a dish. Thankfully, the spaghetti here was cooked to the al dente texture I was looking for.

Aglio Olio is tricky to get right because of its simplicity. Without the right seasoning, the dish can end up tasting one-dimensional and bland. My first forkful of Twyst’s rendition hit me with a strong, garlicky flavour that was quite pleasant. Though I would have preferred a stronger dash of heat, it was still a pretty solid take on the Aglio Olio nevertheless. 

Next up was the Creamy Alfredo, garnished with smoked duck, cherry tomatoes, and spinach. The hollow shape of the penne they used complemented the dish particularly well, as the pasta held more of the alfredo sauce. 

This dish also ended up being my favourite out of the three, as the flavours here were right on point. The sauce was creamy and savoury—nothing complex or unique, but it gets bonus points for being comforting and familiar. 

Here is where things get slightly more interesting. I was intrigued to see if Twyst could create a decent fusion pasta dish. The Miso Butter pasta seemed to have a little bit of an identity crisis—where I wanted more miso, I instead got more notes of soya and sesame. 

While the other dishes came with spinach and cherry tomatoes, the Miso Butter was topped with mushrooms, prawns, and spinach—very in line with the dish’s Japanese DNA. If they refined the miso sauce a little more, this dish would definitely be a star.

Signatures aside, they also have a Mac & Cheese ($7.50). This easy-on-the-palate dish is a lot less cheesy than I expected, but serves as an ideal pick for picky eaters and kids. 

One note: I would have preferred if the breadcrumbs were toasted so they added a textural dimension to the dish.

Pulling apart their freshly pressed Sourdough Panini offered a satisfying cheese pull. I tried the Ham, Scrambled Egg, and Cheese ($6.50) which was nothing extraordinary, but tasted extra delicious when eaten fresh off the press. 

To further value-add to your meal, Twyst also offer sides such as the Soup Of The Day ($2.90) and Crispy Mid Wings ($6.50 for 6 pieces). 

Else, you can top up $3.50 for a set meal, which comes with soup or two-piece wings and a drink. 

Ambience at Twyst

We dined at the Century Square outlet, which can seat up to 38 diners at a time. The space is also made up of largely four-seater tables, which is convenient for when you’re dining in with your office lunch group or a family. 

I also appreciate the ordering kiosks they have installed, which greatly speeds up the ordering process. The spot gets the busiest during lunchtime, when office workers fill up the area.

The verdict

As mentioned, Twyst lets you DIY your own affordable pasta bowls, in up to 210 ways, with five protein choices, six flavours, and seven toppings. The range of options makes it a great option for picky eaters who love to tailor their meals to their liking. 

The next time you’re craving affordable pasta on a budget, consider dining at Twyst! 

They also have over 12 outlets across the country, including in CBD areas such as Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place, this makes it a great lunch option for office workers! They will also be opening a City Square outlet and ION Orchard outlet come March and April 2025 respectively. 

Address: 2 Tampines Central 5, #B1-11, Century Square, Singapore 529509
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 9pm
Website
Twyst is a halal-certified eatery.

 

Photos taken by Marcus Neo.
This post was brought to you by Twyst.