The unassuming Fortune Centre is a secret gem filled with vegetarian restaurants, dessert shops, and a hidden bar.
Everyone knows Bugis is a food haven with plenty of Muslim-friendly eateries and top-notch dessert cafes. Walk a little further and you’ll come across Fortune Centre, a towering complex near Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple and Sri Krishnan Temple. It may not seem much outside, but the building has eateries catering to every craving. Whether you’re looking for top vegetarian restaurants or cool spots to wind down with friends, Fortune Centre is filled with surprises waiting to be discovered. Here are the best places you should visit.
Fortune Centre food guide: Top vegetarian restaurants and dessert cafes
1. New Station Rice Bar
There’s a new zi char spot in town, so make haste and visit it as soon as possible. Say hello to New Station Rice Bar, a spinoff of Far East Plaza’s New Station Snack Bar. True to its name (and unlike its predecessor), this outlet is all about rice dishes filling your stomach and giving you the dreaded food coma afterwards. A highly-raved item on the menu is salted egg rice, which comes with a hefty pork or chicken portion. Other must-tries include braised shiitake mushroom rice, mapo tofu with minced meat, and garlic chicken soup.
New Station Rice Bar, #03-04, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
2. Piu M
Finding this restaurant in Fortune Centre is almost like looking for a needle in a haystack. But if you’re patient, you’ll be rewarded with Japanese–Italian creations. The classic bolognese gets a twist with wagyu beef, cheese, and a fried egg, all served over rice instead of pasta. Diners are required to order alcohol; its extensive menu includes Japanese whisky, sake, and Italian wine. During lunchtime, the space morphs into Japanese Curry Miyabi, an eatery serving “real Japanese curry”. You can get four types of curry rice and sides like miso soup and katsu.
Piu M, #02-29, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
3. Yat Ka Yan
Here’s one sweet spot where you can get a taste of traditional desserts. The popular family-owned chain serves familiar sweet treats like chendol, yam paste, hot and cold cheng tng, and more. Do you love durian? You can enjoy the King of Fruits with purple rice and ice cream. We have to give points to its decor, which exudes Hong Kong vibes. The old school tiles, furniture, and movie posters adorning the space will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the Oriental Pearl. Yat Ka Yan constantly attracts long queues, so be prepared to wait.
Yat Ka Yan, #02-08, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
4. Miss Saigon
This dining establishment on the fourth floor offers delicious Vietnamese food such as pho and spring rolls. Miss Saigon is known for its banh mi creations, which feature a medley of ingredients including ham slices, sardines, meatballs, and sunny side-ups. Enhance your sandwich of choice with condiments that can be found on a mobile food cart at the store entrance. Of course, you can’t dine here and not order Vietnamese coffee.
Miss Saigon, #04-14, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
5. Herbivore
If you’re craving vegetarian food, Fortune Centre has countless green eateries within the complex. One top spot is Herbivore, which serves meatless renditions of Japanese cuisine using fresh and organic ingredients. The salmon sashimi will have you doing a double take – it really does resemble the dish you know and love. If it’s your first time here, we recommend getting the unagi stir-fry bento, made with tofu and served with miso soup and rice. Otherwise, go for the set menu options, where you can feast on non-dairy cold soba, veggie tempura, and udon.
Herbivore, #01-13/14, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
6. Ume San 100
We love a good hidden bar in Singapore, and this watering hole deserves more attention from imbibers. Don’t be deceived by the row of vending machines showcasing Japanese spirits and magazines. Push the one under the sign and you’ll be led into this speakeasy, which houses the largest umeshu (plum wine) collection in Singapore. Of course, there are other types of liquor; the bar will also introduce seasonal labels and drinks. Yes, you’re truly spoilt for choice here! Pair your selection with bar bites like garlic chicken karaage and pickled seafood, or go for ramen if you want something more substantial.
Ume San 100, #02-07, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
7. Diner’s Shack
Many foodies rave about this humble shop’s fish soup, which comes with generous batang (mackerel) slices and vegetables. If that’s not enough, add pork skin or minced pork to your bowl. Those looking for a light yet satisfying meal will be pleased with this dish. Another bestseller you should try is the signature curry chicken rice. The best part? There’s no GST or service charge! Pro tip: beat the weekday lunch crowd by turning up earlier (aka before 12pm). Otherwise, be prepared to queue for your food.
Diner’s Shack, #02-31, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
8. Tracy Juice Culture
Those who frequent Fortune Centre will recognise this beloved food spot. Tracy Juice Culture offers fruit smoothies and vegetarian noodles, a combination we never imagined would go well together. The eatery is famous for its fruit curry udon, which blends fruits and vegetables with spices into a savoury curry and tops it with dragon fruit slices. How unique! If that’s too adventurous for you, slurp up the wild rice congee or mushroom udon. Wash everything down with a cup of juice for a wholesome meal.
Tracy Juice Culture, #01-34, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
9. Mama Patisserie
Bread lovers, this one’s for you. Hit up this adorable bakery, which shares a space with the abovementioned eatery, for vegetarian-friendly fresh bakes. Choose from enticing flavours like black sesame and yam, matcha chestnut and red bean, and pumpkin. Why stop there? Get your hands on the patisserie’s cakes and ice cream, which are equally delicious and affordable. Psst: we recommend dropping by near closing time. That’s when the goodies are on clearance, which means you can snag them at a sweet deal.
Mama Patisserie, #01-34, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
10. Hangawi Korean Food
Look hard enough and you’ll find authentic Korean cuisine in this building. Hangawi’s offerings are plastered all over the space, so you can easily pick out what you want to order without having to peruse a menu. Undecided? There’s always the typical fare like bibimbap, kimchi fried rice, and bulgogi hot pot. The bibim noodles come with your choice of protein (beef, chicken, or pork) and are coated with sweet-spicy sauce that packs a punch. If you can’t take the heat, the sliced rice cake soup is a delicious, hearty option.
Hangawi Korean Food, #02-18, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
11. Crescent Waffle & Sandwich Shop
Crescent sticks out among the other food places in Fortune Centre thanks to its pristine white tiles and fetching wooden stools. As its name suggests, this gorgeous cafe serves crescent-shaped pandan waffles, which you can get plain or with fillings like kaya, peanut butter, chocolate, and blueberry. We hear the signature black sesame waffle is a fan favourite! If you’re in the mood for something savoury, there’s peri-peri chicken sandwich, smoked salmon croissant, and chicken Caesar salad to tide you over. Grab the iced Crescent coffee topped with whipped cream for a caffeine kick.
Crescent Waffle & Sandwich Shop, #01-17, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
12. Izakaya Hikari
Missing Japan? Step into this izakaya and you’ll feel like you never left the +81. Its cosy location is great for drinks with close friends or colleagues after work. Here’s where you can down house and sparkling sake, shochu, Japanese whiskey, and Sapporo draft beer. Do you know what goes well with alcohol? Grilled meats, of course! Tuck into the set of seven skewers to nosh on wagyu beef cube, chicken cartilage, black pork jowl, and more. Order the sashimi set and Japanese flying squid to share with your posse.
Izakaya Hikari, #03-01, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
13. Living Wholesome Vegetarian
We can’t publish a guide on this complex and not mention this iconic establishment. The restaurant’s name speaks for itself: here’s where you can savour healthy dishes with plenty of flavour. Living Wholesome is well-known for its thunder tea rice packed with greens and tofu. You can swap out the rice for bee hoon noodles or enjoy the dish sans carbs. Not into herbaceous flavours? Go for the ones without (the awesome) thunder tea paste. Top up with a bottle of kombucha for a truly healthy meal.
Living Wholesome Vegetarian, #01-23, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
14. New Green Pasture Cafe
Asian delicacies but with a vegetarian-friendly spin – that’s what you get at this modest eatery on the fourth floor. The menu boasts a who’s who of familiar favourites, such as Penang laksa, miso mee sua, thunder tea rice, and sushi rolls. The prices may be a little steep, but that’s because these folks use organic ingredients from natural farmers. New Green Pasture Cafe also does takeaways and encourages visitors to bring their own containers for their takeout orders. So if you’re looking for a place to detox your insides, you know where to look.
New Green Pasture Cafe, #04-22, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
15. Pasta & Co
Everyone has their favourite pasta spot in Singapore. But if you plan to dine at Fortune Centre, we know an Italian restaurant that lets you customise your dish how you like it. Choose between four handmade pastas to mix and match with your preferred sauce, and you’re all set. Don’t want to work too much for your meal? That’s fine. There are plenty of hearty mains to sink your teeth into. The mentaiko is a crowd favourite, but if you want a local twist, the laksa with taupok and tiger prawns gets our top vote. Don’t forget to add the bruschetta and burratina salad to your order.
Pasta & Co, #02-17, Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
Let’s dig into the top food spots and restaurants in Fortune Centre!
