The hype: Homegrown tze char chain New Ubin branches out into their very first hotel space, taking over as the official hotel restaurant at Ramada by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park. Get your all-time favourites from the chain when you dine in, or order up to your room to feast in comfort.
The vibe: In the spacious 150-seater restaurant, take a seat on leather sofa booths or the plush accent chairs—you’ll need to be comfortable for when the unavoidable food coma hits.
The food: New Ubin has always had a knack for interpreting Singaporean cuisine in inventive and sinfully indulgent ways; it’s no different here. You’ll find the exact same menu at Zhongshan Park as in all the other New Ubin outlets—but the perk, certainly, is dining in hotel-level comfort.
There’s no starting slow; appetizers like the Foie Gras Egg Special ($10.50)—a truffle and foie gras-packed spin on the traditional Singaporean breakfast of soft-boiled eggs—signature Har Cheong Gai ($18 for six), and Crispy Pork Jowl ($14) with miso gula melaka glaze pack a decadent punch right from the get-go.
To share, get the Smoked Pork Curry ($29), a stand-out for its fragrant, creamy pork curry hiding generous chunks of house-smoked pork belly; or the Brinjal Delight ($15), caramelised, crispy eggplant with a citrusy tang. Also good is the soft, wok hei Boss Bee Hoon ($12)—but if you’re really indulging, just order the USDA Black Angus ‘Choice’ Ribeye served with Heart Attack Fried Rice ($80)—the cult classic dish pairs generous, juicy cubes of beef with fried rice gloriously fried in beef lard.
Their island-famous crabs are a must—the Garlic-Baked Live Mud Crabs (from $48 for 500g), sweet, smoky and utterly delicious, is a novel deviation from the usual crab dishes. But if chilli crab is your go-to, the Chilli Crab with Deep-Fried Man Tou (from $48 for 500g, $4 for three mantous) won’t disappoint; light but extra creamy for your dipping pleasure.
God forbid you still have room, but the Kaya on Toasted Baguette ($8)—substituting regular butter for French butter—is worth one last bite.
The drinks: If you aren’t chugging New Ubin’s signature Lime Juice ($6) alongside your meal, you’re doing it wrong. Otherwise, there’s also a list of reds and whites by the glass or bottle, and the handy selection of hotel-standard coffees and teas.
Why you’ll be back: It’s rare you’ll find a hotel dining concept as comfortable and no-frills as this. New Ubin Zhongshan Park provides completely sinful feasting in air-conditioned comfort—and it’s affordable. Definitely one to add to your list of communal dining go-tos.
