If you ever find yourself in Fortune Centre, head up to the second floor and you’ll find a most eye-catching row of Japanese vending machines. They’re so brightly lit, and so out of place, it almost feels like a front for a house of horrors. Fret not, because behind these dummy machines lies Ume San 100, a brand-new Japanese speakeasy that is slated to open on 30 May 2023.
Ume San 100 claims to have the largest collection of umeshu in Singapore, carrying at least 40 varieties of the plum wine alone. If you tally these with the other liquors in the store, as well as the cocktails and drinks on the menu, you’d be looking at more than 100 drinks in total! Apart from these, the speakeasy also promises to bring in seasonal labels and top up the menu with seasonal drinks too, so you’re really spoiled for choice here.
Start with a Tougarashi ($14++/$68++)—a crisp, spicy umeshu that’s been steeped with chilli, giving it a bright, peppery feel as you sip it.
Pair it with Garlic Chicken Karage ($16++) to complement the spicy notes of the umeshu. These nuggets are fried in garlic-infused oil, and topped with crunchy fried garlic bits.
For more variation in flavours, consider Umesan Nachi Pagoda ($20++), where four kinds of freshly made chinmi, AKA pickled seafood, are served alongside gyoza skin crackers. These include mala Asari clams, lobster salad and more.
If you can’t decide which umeshu to go for, Ume San 100 has curated a series of umeshu flights too. Options include the Fruity Umeshu Set ($16++), Sake Based Umeshu Set ($20++), Whisky Based Umeshu Set ($26++), and Premium Umeshu Set ($28++).
Another snack on the menu at Ume San 100 is Spicy Tuna Kobachi ($16++), starring a freshly made, spicy maguro and avocado side dish that’s served with more gyoza crackers.
But perhaps the most enticing item to go for is This Uni is the Bomb! ($14++), a serve of which gets you two small croquette-like balls, resting on sea urchin shells.
Bite into them to reveal a molten orange-yellow centre of uni cream.
They don’t just serve the classics at Ume San 100—the Picante De La Ume San ($18++) is their take on the margarita, spiced up with a rim of shichimi, or Japanese spice mix, and topped with a fresh chilli padi.
The drinks here are designed for the ‘gram, including Sea Garden ($22++), featuring a blend of Plymouth and Genever gins, lime acid, prosecco, and edible fairy dust, with its colour coming from blue pea flowers.
Of course, they’ve got other more substantial mains too, such as Wagyu is the New Black Chahan ($22++).
This indulgent, charcoal-stained iteration of fried rice, topped with Wagyu cubes and tobiko, is a great accompaniment to the drinks.
If you’re looking for ramen, there’s Angry Asari Soup Ramen ($16++), where you’ll find a milky, white miso-based tonkotsu broth, sweetened with fresh Asari clams. You’ll also get a dollop of chilli paste which adds a pleasant kick to this bowl.
End your meal on a sweet note with Yamazaki Umeshu & Raisin Vanilla Gelato ($14++). It’s not your average ice cream treat, as this vanilla gelato is topped with raisins plumped up in Yamazaki umeshu for that extra alcoholic touch.
Also located in Fortune Centre is Wawa Lala Bee Hoon, where you can get fresh cockles, drunken clams and more. While you’re here, check out our guide to dining at Fortune Centre!
Address: 190 Middle Road, #02-07, Fortune Centre, Singapore 188979
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm to 2:30pm, 5pm to 11pm, Sun 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10pm
Website
Ume San 100 is not a halal-certified eatery
Photos taken by Melvin Mak
This was a media tasting at Ume San 100.
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