Nestled in the offbeat neighborhood of Jalan Besar is alittle tashi, which dabbles in traditional Asian cuisines with global influences. Like its namesake (which means “blessings” and “welcome” in Tibetan), the 60-seater restaurant takes its culinary inspiration from its Asian roots.
Split into two dining areas, alittle tashi offers the option of indulging in modern comfort food in the Dining Room, or knocking back a drink and munching on bar bites in the Laundry Room. In the former, zi char style dining is the name of the game; diners have the option to eat with their hands should they so please, to further enhance the communal aspect. Starters include the deep-fried Brussels Sprouts ($12) coated in charred miso and served with sour cream, and a healthy Bean Salad ($10) of crunchy wing beans, long beans, mint and Thai basil, and shrimp paste.
For the meat lovers, there’s the chargrilled garlic and fennel-spiced Pork Skewers ($16), Shanghai-style braised pork meatballs named Lion’s Head ($16), and a hearty plate of Beef Short Ribs ($38)—which comes with a spicy Middle Easter sauce made of coriander, cumin and garlic. There’s a big emphasis on the restaurant’s house-made pickles and sauces—like the Miso Cream and Preserved Lemon dips ($5 each).
Over in the 20-seater Laundry Room, Asian fusion bar bites include Baby Squid ($12) in Szechuan pepper salt, Mozzarella ($10) with furikake on sticks, and beer-battered Shishamo ($12). A curated selection of beer, wine and sake labels (perhaps the fruity Beaujolais Nouveau Cuvee, $13 a glass) rounds things up nicely.