The promise of an unfamiliar table, a dish you have never tasted, or an ingredient encountered in an entirely new guise is enough to make Friday night dinner plans feel a little more exciting. Singapore’s dining landscape continually moves to its own rhythm with new openings and chef collaborations at every turn, but being able to discern where the good spots actually are, is a formidable task of its own. This latest crop of new addresses moves beyond novelty for novelty’s sake, and instead fixates on specific qualities that give each address an owned sense of place, character and occasion.
Find meticulous attention to detail at Katsu by Kyu, where cuts of Jeju black pork are dry-aged for 10 days before being coated in an in-house formula of airy panko and freshly milled rice powder, yielding a crust that crackles against the richness of the meat. At Noor, Mediterranean warmth meets Japanese flourishes in a convivial, communal setting. Stay long enough and you might even join in on an unexpected round of dancing. Meanwhile, Rituel Tokyo—filled with its inviting ambience and delicious pastries—is the Tokyo-based bakery’s first international outpost.
Four very different addresses, but each with its own reason to make the journey. Whether it is the precision behind a perfectly fried cutlet, the generosity of a table designed for sharing, or the pleasure of taking in the city panorama as the night unfolds, these latest openings offer a different experience in addition to a delectable bite to eat.
Ahead, Vogue Singapore’s picks of the new restaurants in Singapore to know.
1 / 4
Katsu by Kyu
Tonkatsu is a dish that hardly needs introduction. Tender, moist pork cutlet, coated in breadcrumbs, then taken for a dip in a deep fat fryer. Crispy, golden perfection on the outside; succulent, savoury goodness on the inside. Whether paired with a refreshing, ice cold beer or a comforting hot tea, you can’t go wrong—a reality that has flourished outside the confines of the dish’s original homeland of Japan. Case in point: the country’s neighbour, South Korea, has also taken to the practice as of late, and its latest export to Singapore, Katsu by Kyu, stands a cut above the rest in two specific ways.
First, and most importantly, is their pork. Where Japan is famous for wagyu beef and Spain for iberico, South Korea’s Jeju Island has heukdwaeji—premium black pork that more than holds its own in the upper echelons of gastronomic circles, and is Katsu by Kyu’s signature calling card. Less moisture and more muscle fibres means you get an evenly balanced profile—still fatty and unctuous, but with a firmer, more satisfying chew that is lighter on the stomach. Katsu by Kyu’s cuts—from the loin and tenderloin—are dry aged for 10 days and coated in a unique combination of airy panko bread crumbs and freshly milled rice powder. The result? All the deeply complex flavour and addictive texture you’d ever want.
About that rice, though: the second special offering from the restaurant comes in the form of Samgwang, one of South Korea’s most prized rice cultivars. The Special Grade rice (the highest classification possible in the country) is cooked to order in a traditional cast iron pot, and accompanies each tonkatsu set along with a helping of shredded cabbage, miso soup, house pickles. A complete meal given a staggering degree of detail, from top to bottom.
Katsu by Kyu, 6A Shenton Wy, #01-09/10 Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815
2 / 4
Noor
The warmth and care of Mediterranean cuisine touches down in the heart of River Valley with the opening of Noor. Come for the hospitality—whether it may be a surprise round of dancing and welcome shots, or simply its vivacious, infectious energy that cannot be replicated—but stay for the hearty cooking and open-fire grill.
Touches of Japanese flair bring added textures to an already rich flavour profile, with plates filled with vibrant colours preceding every bite. At Noor, find freshly made in-house aioli, and prawn so tender that it is spilling out of its shell—the latter of which can be found in the Ebi Freekeh Risotto. In the name of community and convivial gatherings, there are plenty of dishes made to be shared—with highlights including the Shok bread paired with creamy tahini, the crisp of the Hamachi Tartlet on a bed of yuzu labneh, and the Maguro Harissa Crispy Rice.
From the mains, The Mediterranean Ramen is a standout. A smoked mussel skewer brings a smooth, velvety texture and a slight kick, a tantalising play when juxtaposed with the furikake harissa and Hakata noodles in a creamy, deeply rich broth. On paper, it might seem like an unlikely combination, but at Noor, that sense of play—and generosity—is precisely the point.
Noor, 17 Mohamed Sultan Rd, Singapore 238966
3 / 4
Xava Skybar
It’s rare to find a restaurant that can do it all: a casual business meeting over lunch, an afternoon spent lounging, and a romantic sunset dinner over Singapore’s most eminent skyline.
Perched atop the National Gallery, modernity and heritage intersect at Xava Skybar—an air of sublimity almost immediately perceptible. At night, cosy up in the lounge for a more intimate experience; its contemporary colour palette of stark blue and mahogany hues setting the scene. At the centre of it all, its stately bar comes into full focus.
But it’s the cocktails that stand to impress. Head mixologist Muhammad Yazid brings 11 years of industry experience into his curation, executing a tropical-inspired menu with a passionate savoir faire. Take the Purple Tide, a drink inspired by Mediterranean watermelon punch. Elevated in a translucent purple, this tequila-based cocktail is a textural delight of Greek yoghurt and coconut water combined. The Xava Sling makes playful reference to the Singapore Sling in both its name and ingredients. A fruity gin-based concoction as well, this particular beverage is equal parts elegant and lilting for the senses.
Xava Skybar, 1 St Andrew’s Road, #06-02 National Gallery, Singapore 178957
4 / 4
Rituel Tokyo
Bathed in a beautiful shade of pastel blue, Rituel Tokyo in Singapore is as welcoming as they come. Marking the brand’s first international outpost, the Tokyo-born bakery that has been shaped by French patisserie culture finds its new home in Takashimaya.
One will find plenty of things to love; the casual and romantic ambience; the hot chocolate; its crescendo of delicious croissants, served with dollops of butter you won’t be able to resist. Ensconced by soft, calming hues and a friendly atmosphere, a leisurely lunch could stretch well into the afternoon here—especially with its roster of comforting, French-inspired dishes.
Think a Japanese Egg Danish Sandwich, of Japanese-style scrambled eggs served hot and rolled into layers of Danish pastry and truffle mushroom cream. Another hearty offering is the Pot Pie Soups, where you’ll find yourself constantly tearing up the crust of this golden pastry bowl from the side, to enjoy with your mushroom soup. Desserts are also a blooming feast of fluffy donuts, from a spirited Yuzu Lemon donut pick to a creamier Strawberry alternative that’s sweeter. If you’re already at Rituel, the best way to end your afternoon might just be to ask for the rich Chocolate Chaud with Chantilly Cream, that’s sheer liquid gold.
