Fortune Centre has plenty of hidden gems. Some are literal (such as the feng shui shop on the ground floor); others are small eateries that offer affordable and appetising dishes.
On the second floor is a quaint row of jidōhanbaiki Japanese vending machines that sell a range of items such as magazines, condoms and sake. Or at least, they seem to sell these items. Go closer and you’ll find none of the machines actually work.
Give the centre machine called Ume San 100 a gentle push and you’ll find a secret Japanese izakaya bar with Singapore’s largest selection of umeshu (plum liqueur).
The small laid-back atmosphere invites guests to kick back and relax while you try different profiles of umeshu. There are classics that are light, sweet and fresh, whisky umeshu that are bold and malty, and aged umeshu that are round and earthy.
Modern takes on the liqueur can also be found with experimental drinks including tea umeshu, fruit and dessert umeshu and more. About 95 percent of its umeshus, liqueurs and ingredients are directly imported from Japan.
Ume San 100’s highballs are not to be missed. There are close to 30 variations, from Classic and Whisky to Shiso and Tea Ume Highball. For cocktails, the Sea Garden is an Instagrammable drink inspired by the famed diving centre of Wakayama and recreated in a diving orb with a gin blend of Plymouth and Genever, lime acid, prosecco, butterfly pea flower and edible fairy dust.
For izakaya treats and bites, we suggest nibbles like Umesan Nachi Pagoda featuring four flavours of freshly made chinmi (marinated seafood), and This Uni is the Bomb! where a crispy ball of uni bomb oozes molten uni from the centre when you bite into it.
Hearty dishes include Angry Asari Soup Ramen with Asari white miso and pork bones broth, and fresh Asari clams, and Wagyu is the New Black Chahan, a rice bowl of smoky charcoal rice cooked with a special housemade sauce and topped with wagyu beef cubes.
End the evening with house-made Yamazaki Umeshu & Raisin Vanilla Gelato, a special in- house recipe sweetened with raisins soaked in Yamazaki “Whisky Blend – Rich Amber” Umeshu and whipped into a umeshu and raisin gelato.
For more information, visit www.umesan100.com.
