The buzz: The anchor tenant of PasarBella offers Singapore’s largest selection of top quality imported seafood—at prices low enough to cause consumers to (rightly) question the mark-ups elsewhere. The owner, Andrew Tan, is a veteran restaurateur and consultant who developed the market-inspired concept for PasarBella.
The vibe: Like San Francisco’s Ferry Building Market or some other pierside multi-use project fashioned out of the shell of a historical building. It’s a giant high-ceilinged space with everything is out in the open. Amiable fishmongers stand behind all sorts of seafood, shucking and cracking and sashimi-ing. Technically there are two eateries: a clearly defined Japanese area and an international restaurant, but you can order off both menus no matter where you sit.
The menu: Sashimi options like the tobiuo (flying fish) might set you back $20, plus a $10 charge to have the meat made into sashimi and the bones deep fried to a crispy, calcium rich delight. There’s also an awesome plate of “special” sushi at $43. On the international side, go a la carte or select one of the boiled/steamed seafood sets—from the mammoth Platter Royale! (two Boston lobsters, two South African lobsters, two Dungeness crabs, six French oysters, four bamboo clams, 1kg king prawns) at $548, to combinations better suited for two diners at $98 and $138.
Why you’ll be back: Others may claim that their imported seafood is the freshest and their prices the lowest but here it really is. It’s a volume thing. At present they receive six shipments per week from Tsukiji amounting to over 1,000kg of product. They’re committed to the concept: the lower the price, the faster it sells, the more fresh seafood they can bring in.
Like your fish firm, tender, fresh and raw? So do we. Check out our favorite places for sushi in Singapore.
