We’d heard the rumors; then the oh-so-soft confirmation that New York’s most beloved burger export was finally heading our way (along with OG fast food chain A&W). But it was always all so tentative. At long last, the cat is officially out of the bag: Shake Shack is coming to Singapore next year, with its debut Shack in Jewel Changi Airport.
Aside from its grossly inconvenient location, the first Shack hides an almost sentimental homage to the Shake Shack history. According to representatives, Jewel Changi Airport was chosen as the flagship site because it’s home to “more than 2,000 trees, harkening back to Shake Shack’s birthplace in NYC’s Madison Square Park”. If you’ve ever been to said birthplace at night, you’ll likely remember the twinkly lights strung in and around the trees, transporting you to a Love Actually-type movie scene as you chomp your juicy burger in bliss. Jury’s still out on whether they’ll be able to recreate that vibe inside an airport.
Madison Square Park Shake Shack
The menu will of course feature Shake Shack’s signature items like the ShackBurger, Shack-cago Dog, crinkle-cut fries, beer, wine, and iconic frozen custard ice cream. In addition, the brand, franchised here by South Korean food company SPC Group, will work with local purveyors and producers to create a one-of-a-kind Shack unique to Singapore. Whether that means new customs items is anybody’s guess.
Shake Shack first launched in Asia at Tokyo’s Gaien Park in 2015, before expanding into South Korea and most recently Hong Kong in May 2018—which is currently the closest outlet to us mere Singaporeans. Details to come on the exact opening date in 2019; but in the meantime, feel free to curb those burger cravings with these other recent international burger exports: Black Tap, Three Buns and Fatburger.
