Mod-Sin cuisine has gained plenty of traction in recent years, as restaurants grow eager to pay tribute to local flavours and familiar favourites. But we’re not complaining, and if you need guidance on where to go for zi-char style eats and uniquely Singaporean dishes, below are easily the best ones.
Avenue 87
Located within a two-storey conservation shophouse along Amoy Street, Avenue 87 offers innovative eats with a local twist thanks to inspiration drawn from the two chef-owners’ backgrounds and childhood in Singapore. Think dishes like the Red Snapper that offers slabs of fish bathed in curry spices as well as the Poulet which is an Asian risotto.
Lunch menus start from two courses, while dinner menus start from five courses. Be sure to make your reservations in advance to avoid disappointment.
Ebi Bar
How ‘bout a mod-Sin noodle feast? At Ebi Bar, see prawn noodles get taken up several notches as the restaurant’s signature dish is the “Chao Da” or Charred Ebi Noodles, a bowl featuring a rich and hearty prawn broth plus prawns and slurp-worthy hand-pulled noodles.
And since no Ebi Bar experience would be complete without the unique snacks and bites they offer, try the Salted Mackerel Fried Chicken, an ode to the zi char favourites, prawn paste wings and salted egg yolk chicken. There’s even the whimsically named Ah Ma’s Achar Gone Fancy, a vegetable achar with a surprise addition of jellyfish.
Laifabar
Now found in a homely, old-school coffee shop-inspired locale at Bukit Batok, Laifabar pays homage to Singapore’s yesteryear with wanton noodles done well. Toppings for the al dente egg noodles include onsen egg, homemade roasted pork and glazed char siew. There are also sides like wanton in chilli sauce, satay and har cheong gai.
Lecoq
Previously a yakitori restaurant, Lecoq now excels at Asian-inspired fusion fare. Just check out mains like the Healthy Hainan which offers sous vide chicken breast alongside a shoyu egg and quinoa; as well as the Iberico Char Siew that features 18-hour slow-cooked iberico pork and local vegetables. Other options perfect for sharing include the Dry Laksa and California Maki Dip with fried wanton skin.
Po
Those who know the mod-Sin food scene well would have already heard of Po, a place even our grandmothers would approve. Here, try elevated comforting classics such as the Fermented Shrimp Soft-Shell Crab and XO Crab Carrot Cake. And be sure to order the popiah platters to assemble delectable rolls of popiah too.
Wanton Seng’s Eating House
Think local egg noodles for the new age at Wanton Seng’s which serves bowls of Modern Char Siu Noodle bearing flame seared pork belly char siu and pork wontons. There’s also the highly recommended Seng’s Char Siu Noodle that comprises roasted pork collar char siu and pork wontons; easily make these mains into a meal with sides or add-ons and a drink.
